6 Fun In-Person + Hybrid Cinco de Mayo Event Ideas!

Cinco de Mayo is the perfect occasion to indulge in delicious Mexican food! You could consider hosting a traditional Mexican food tasting at your restaurant, office, or brewery. Treat your guests to classic dishes like tacos, tamales, chilorio, and churros, and provide educational information about the ingredients and cooking techniques involved. If you have customers who can’t come to the event in person, you could offer a virtual cooking class or sell goodie bags filled with Mexican treats.

Fundraising idea: Sell tickets to your event online and in-person, with proceeds benefitting a cultural cause or an organization that supports the community.

If you own a shop, brewery, or business, music is a great way to draw in potential customers! Hire a Mexican band to play traditional Mariachi music, classical Mexican guitar, or modern interpretations. You could even have a Mexican food truck or two onsite for customers to enjoy on their way in and out. For a truly immersive experience, you can decorate the event space with Mexican decorations, like colorful banners, festive paper lanterns, and cacti.

Tip: Even if your event is free, consider using an event ticketing system to register guests. This will not only give you an estimate of the number of attendees, but also help you capture potential new customers to add to your email list.

Mexican art is well known for its vivid colors, daring patterns, and meaningful symbolism. You can collaborate with a nearby gallery, art school, or community organization to arrange an exhibition showcasing the works of local Mexican artists. To make the exhibition more engaging, provide a station where visitors can create their own artwork using traditional Mexican materials.

Fundraising idea: Consider organizing an online auction alongside your live event, with the proceeds benefiting a charity that supports the Mexican community.

Film buffs can get into the Cinco de Mayo spirit at your Mexican movie night. Choose classic films like “Y Tu Mamá También,” or “Ahí Esta el Detalle,” or select more recent releases like “Amores Perros,” “Bardo,” “Identifying Features” or “Roma.” Offer snacks such as churro-flavored popcorn, roasted pepitas, aguas frescas, and micheladas.

Tip: Sell tickets to a virtual event and make your films and foods available to people far and wide by livestreaming the movies. If you want to take it further, you could allow viewers to interact with the films by hosting a virtual trivia game. Offer prizes sponsored by local businesses or by your boutique. With the right mix of creativity and technology, you can host a fun, memorable Mexican movie night for everyone!

If you want a more grown-up Cinco de Mayo bash, why not throw a cocktail tasting with Mexican-inspired drinks? You can serve classic drinks like margaritas and Paloma Tricolores and lesser-known options like Matadors and Tepaches. Or, you can go for a tequila or mezcal tasting with various flavors. Encourage your guests to vote for their favorite cocktail and give out prizes for the top pick. Collaborate with other local businesses to create a sip-and-shop event to make it even more exciting!

Tip: Promote your event IRL with custom flyer printing. Include QR codes in your design so anyone who spots your flyer can quickly get details and buy tickets.

Mexican artisans are known for their intricate and beautiful crafts, including textiles, pottery, and jewelry. Consider organizing a Mexican craft fair featuring local artisans and makers. It’s a great way to support small businesses and learn about the cultural significance of traditional crafts.

Fundraising idea: Hold an online raffle to raise funds for a community organization. You could sell raffle tickets online and in person.

One idea to promote cultural awareness in the community is to organize a discussion about the historical significance of the Battle of Puebla for Mexican culture. This event could be hosted in collaboration with a local cultural resource, such as a museum or cultural center, and could be open to the public. Invite local schools and community groups to join the conversation and learn more about this piece of Mexican history.

Tip: To reach a wider audience, consider livestreaming the talk and inviting virtual guests to participate in the Q & A. This would allow individuals who are unable to attend in person to still benefit from the discussion and participate in the conversation.