This Weekend! Cinco de Mayo Festival 2026 Fills Civic Center Park May 2 & 3

The annual Cinco de Mayo Festival takes over Denver’s Civic Center Park, Saturday & Sunday, May 2 & 3, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. More than 200 exhibitors and food vendors will be serving up the best in Colorado Mexican cuisine. A variety of local, regional and international talents will appear on three stages. A parade gets the fiesta started at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

The sidewalk areas along the parade route are open to everyone. The parade will leave the staging area (3 blocks west of the City & County Building) at 11:00 a.m. and wind through downtown Denver, arriving at Denver’s Civic Center park area, the site of the Cinco de Mayo Festival.

Laugh yourself silly at the Chihuahua Races (Saturday, 1 p.m.).

Cheer on those brave enough to stuff themselves for prizes at the Taco Eating Contest (Sunday, 12 p.m.).

Anyone wanting to compete can register starting at noon at the tent near the stage. There will be three rounds of contests with prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Low-riders of all makes and models will be showcased along Colfax Avenue all weekend long.

There will be three stages of live music and dance performances.  — Main Stage, Local Stage and Community Stage.

The Main Stage features Mexican regional bands. The Local Stage showcases local bands and performers.

Main Stage

Saturday

12 p.m. to 1 p.m. — DJ

1 p.m. to 2 p.m. — La Rancherita de Colorado

2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. — Mariachi Internacional

3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. — Lisa Trujillo presents Dance Folklorico

4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. — Embajadores HV

5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. — Tropical Kaoba

6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. — Sonora Skandalo

Sunday

12 p.m. to 1 p.m. — La Rancherita de Colorado

1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. — Mariachi America 

2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. — Denzidad

3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. — Lisa Trujillo presents Dance Folklorico

4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. — Integridad Nortena

5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. — Retro Norteno

6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m. — El Morro Y Su Reunion

You’ll find the schedule of all performances including Main Stage, Local Stage and Community Stage here.

Because parking is never easy downtown, Mile High Cheapskates should consider RTD. The Light Rail, 16th Street Mall Shuttle, and the Broadway Bus Terminal (NE corner of Colfax and Broadway) are all within a short walk to the event grounds.

More Fun Things To Do

Look at our full events calendar, where you can type in any date, or check out what’s happening over the next few days right here: