Texas has historically close ties to Mexico so it’s natural that Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the Lonestar State celebrates this popular holiday commemorating Mexico’s military victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War in 1861-1867.

It’s a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, but it’s become a whopping excuse for celebration in the U.S., particularly in those states along U.S.-Mexico border: Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and California.

San Antonio almost always puts on a great Cinco de Mayo celebration, with a terrific offering of food, music, concerts and commemorations of the battle. Most take place at Market Square.

Dallas is holding its huge annual Cinco de Mayo parade and festival this year from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at 100 E. Jefferson (the parade starts at 11 a.m.). There will be vendors, a car show, music, the opportunity to tailgate, and DJs playing music all over the place!

The parade actually is known as the Big Parade and is the largest Cinco de Mayo parade in North Texas, with more than 20,000 celebrants in attendance. The parade includes several marching bands, mariachi bands, folkloric dancers, school groups, and much more.

The festival will take place on the four blocks between 400 West and 700 West Jefferson (the main stage will be located at 600 West Jefferson). Watch the parade in this location and you’ll also enjoy live Tejano bands and many food, art and crafts vendors.

If you want to continue your Cinco de May celebration into the next day (and you, of course, should!), consider visiting Le Gran Plaza in Fort Worth from 4-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, to watch the Mariachi Mexicanisimo.

We’ll be pulling out all the stops here at all of our Mattito’s locations for Cinco de Mayo. Find a Mattito’s nearest you and come on down for some great Tex-Mex food as you celebrate!

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