Seven Cinco de Mayo Celebrations in Denver

Cinco de Mayo, the holiday that commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, will be celebrated in Denver all weekend long.

By Westword Staff

May 2, 2019

Cinco de Mayo Denver returns this weekend for its 32nd year. Brandon Marshall

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Cinco de Mayo, the holiday that commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, will be celebrated in Denver all weekend long. While many events mark the occasion at Mile High, there are a few concerts that put a different spin on the day. Here are a handful of the best Cinco de Mayo concerts and events to check out.

Cinco de Mayo Denver
Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.,
Civic Center Park
Broadway and Colfax Avenue
Free
This two-day celebration has three stages of live music and dance performances, including Banda la Chacaloza de Jerez, La Fiebre del Sabor, Fito Olivares y La Pura Sabrosura, Banda la Patrona, Funkiphino, Thumpin' and more. See the full entertainment schedule here.

click to enlarge

Los Mocochetes perform at Larimer Lounge on Cinco de Mayo.

Michael Angelo Sandoval

CONCERTS ON MAY 5

Cinco de Mayo with Colorado Symphony
Boettcher Concert Hall
14th and Curtis streets
2:30 p.m.
$10-$27
Arrive early for the Garibaldi Plaza Celebration from noon to 2 p.m. for a free celebration with local mariachi and folklórico talent in the Denver Performing Arts Complex Galleria. Local food carts with authentic Mexican food and beverages will add to the fun.

Jefferson Symphony Orchestra: Cinco de Mayo: Sounds and Reflections of Mexico and Latin America.
Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church
7530 West 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge
4 p.m.
$20 to $25
The program includes music from Latin American composers, instruments and musicians, and features Cristine Barbosa and Ritmo Jazz Latino.

Cinco de Mayo Showcase
Herman's Hideaway
1578 South Broadway
7 p.m.
$8 to $10
The show includes an eclectic lineup, including rock bands Alabaster Swine, Billy the Poet and Easy Lovin', as well as jazz act Dizzy with a Dame and alternative acoustic outfit the Restarters.

Cinco de Mayo with Los Mocochetes.
Larimer Lounge
2721 Larimer Street
8 p.m.
$10 to $15
Los Mocochetes play super-high-energy, socio/politically charged Mexican funk, while Vic N' the Narwhals are a Latin psych/surf band. The great bill also includes the Chilean folk act Kiltro and El Javi's rock flamenco.

Sunday Fun Day Cinco De Mayo Celebration with Pink Hawks, SYCDVK.
Goosetown Tavern
3242 East Colfax Avenue
5 p.m.
$10
While starting off as an Afrobeat group, Pink Hawks have gradually added Latin and hip-hop into the mix, while SYCDVK fuses rock, jazz and alternative.

Cinco de Mayo with Freddy Rodriguez Sr. & Freddy Rodriguez Jr.
Dazzle
1512 Curtis Street
4:30 and 7 p.m.
$10 to $15
Local jazz saxophonist Freddy Rodriguez Sr., a mainstay at El Chapultepec for more than three decades, teams up with his son and their quartet to play two sets of music, while Chef Mario Godoy has prepared a special Cinco de Mayo menu.

Do you have an event you want included on a Westword list? Send the details to [email protected].

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.