Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Denver: Best Events & Activities

Denver, Colorado, celebrates Cinco de Mayo with unique events and activities, including the annual festival and parade, the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition Fundraiser, and a festive 5k. 

Cinco de Mayo is a day that celebrates Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 and its independence from Spain. The holiday takes place on May 5th every year. This year, it’s on a Sunday, but you can enjoy Cinco de Mayo events in Denver on Saturday and Sunday.

In this article, we’ll share how you can enjoy Cinco de Mayo in Denver in 2024, including both family-friendly and adult-only celebrations.

Cinco de Mayo Denver Festival

When: May 4th & 5th; 10 am to 8 pm
Where: Civic Center Park

Cost: Free

Cinco de Mayo Denver is the oldest and largest festival in Denver. It’s one of the most fun, family-friendly ways to celebrate Mexican culture. Enjoy weekend-long events, contests, and entertainment. 
With diverse food vendors, live performances across three stages, and local artisans selling unique goods, there’s something for all adults and children. There will even be a taco-eating contest and a chihuahua race!

If you want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Denver VIP style, you can join the VIP tasting experience on Saturday from 4 to 7 pm. Try local handcrafted tequilas, whiskeys, mezcals, and beer from Colorado’s best distilleries and breweries. VIP tickets are $50 for pre-sale or $65 at the door.

Cinco de Mayo Community Parade

When: May 4th; 11 am to 12 pm
Where: Starts three blocks west of the City & County Building, goes through Downtown Denver, and ends at the Civic Center Park

Cost: Free

The Cinco de Mayo Community Parade is a part of the festival, so if you go to the festival on Saturday, May 4th, you can experience both. The parade also runs through the lively downtown area if you’d rather hang out there to see the parade’s cultural floats, performers, and local businesses. 

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition Fundraiser

When: May 4th; 1 to 5 pm
Where: Cerveceria Colorado

Cost: Free to attend

Celebrate immigrant rights at the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) Fundraiser at Cerveceria Colorado, a local brewery that infuses Mexican culture into its beers and atmosphere. 

A portion of the fundraiser's proceeds will go to CIRC’s community work, which advocates for immigrants in Colorado and the US. Enjoy a limited-release craft beer, other unique Cerveceria Colorado beers, and delicious food from the La Villa Real food truck.

Sugar Skull Painting Class

When: May 4th; 2:30 to 4:30 pm
Where: Whimsy Studios

Cost: $40

Get crafty this Cinco de Mayo with a family-friendly painting class at Whimsy Studios. The class is for anyone seven years and older and includes all the items you need to paint a colorful Storm Trooper Sugar Skull.

No matter how artsy you are, you’re sure to have a good time! Whimsy Studios will walk you through your painting, and you can enjoy cocktails, wine, or other beverages from the full bar.

Cinco de Mayo Baby Goat Yoga & Margaritas

When: May 5th; 10 & 11:30 am
Where: The Infinite Monkey Theorem

Cost: $60

One of the most relaxing and unique Cinco de Mayo in Denver events is Baby Goat Yoga & Margaritas, hosted by Denver Yoga Social.

Join the all-levels yoga class at The Infinite Monkey Theorem, a local winery. Baby goats will hang out during class and maybe do some poses with you. After class, spend time with the goats and celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a wine version of a margarita or a non-alcoholic beverage, which is included with your class ticket. 

Cinco de Mayo 5k

When: May 5th; 10 am
Where: Diebolt Brewing (starting and ending location)

Cost: $35 for race entry; $55 for race entry and t-shirt

Get active at the Cinco de Mayo 5k, hosted by the Colorado Brewery Running Series at Diebolt Brewing.

The start windows are at 10 and 10:30 am, and you can run, jog, or walk at whatever pace feels good for you. The Cinco de Mayo 5k’s mission is to be active, have fun, and give back to the local community. A portion of race proceeds goes directly to a local organization.

The race ends at Diebolt Brewing, where you’ll get a free craft beer, your choice of a collector’s pint glass or seasonal swag item, and a chance to win awesome door prizes. There will also be live music, food trucks, local vendors, and more.

Denver Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl

When: May 5th; 1 to 8 pm (check-in ends at 4 pm)
Where: The Passport (bar)

Cost: $0 to $19.99, depending on when you purchase your ticket

Join the Denver Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl and hop from one fun place to another. Get festive while indulging in delicious tacos, refreshing margaritas, and live music.

You’ll check in at The Passport and then be on your way to your other stops. Tickets include free entry into some of Denver’s best bars, one shot and taco, and drink specials. 

Cinco de Mayo Cooking Class

When: May 5th; 6 to 9:30 pm
Where: Cook Street School of Culinary Arts

Cost: $132

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo by preparing and enjoying delicious Mexican street food in a cooking class at Cook Street School of Culinary Arts. You’ll explore traditional dishes, including Beer and Chorizo Mussels, Birria Tacos, and Churros with Dulce de Leche. 

After you cook, you’ll enjoy the meal and socialize with other class participants. This is the perfect date night, friends event, or solo activity!

Cerveceria Colorado at Oakwell Beer Spa

When: All month
Where: Oakwell Beer Spa

Cost: Varies

Celebrate the culture of Mexico with unique beers from Cerveceria Colorado at Oakwell Beer Spa for the entire month of May. Cerveceria Colorado is a local brewery that honors Mexico’s culture and uses Mexican ingredients and flavors in their innovative beers.

This May, you can enjoy five of their best beers at Oakwell Beer Spa, a beer-inspired day spa. Schedule a spa day for the ultimate relaxation experience, or stop in to hang out in the taproom and enjoy a beer or a few.

Cinco de Mayo in Denver: Conclusion

We hope you found the perfect 2024 Cinco de Mayo event – or a few! There are so many fun things to do this year to celebrate Mexico, including the iconic Cinco de Mayo parade and a spa day with Mexican-inspired beers.

Book a spa day at Oakwell Beer Spa if you want to enjoy a relaxing experience this Cinco de Mayo!