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Florida Cinco de Mayo
Florida, Key West, Miami, Sarasota, South Walton, St. Pete Beach, Trip Ideas

Florida’s Best Cinco de Mayo Parties

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May 5 is the day when cervezas and margaritas flow freely at almost every Florida bar or restaurant that can hoist a Mexican flag. America’s favorite Mexican-themed celebration—Cinco de Mayo—is a chance for everyone to unpack the red, white, and green bunting and channel their south-of-the-border spirit. But if you are looking for more than just a drink special and some tacos, there are plenty of ways to make a Cinco de Mayo holiday into something special. Here are some suggestions to get you started.

Taking It to The Streets

Some of Florida’s biggest Cinco de Mayo celebrations spill outside to become street parties. This is the case in St. Petersburg, where the parks & recreation department closes part of downtown’s 1st Avenue for a fiesta that includes live music performances, DJs, dancing, costumes, Mexican wrestling matches, food trucks, and more. (https://ilovetheburg.com/cinco-de-mayo-block-party/) Just a few miles from the Magic Kingdom, the town of Kissimmee’s 4th annual Cinco De Mayo Street Party and Celebration will feature street performers, dancing, and non-stop musical performances on two stages. (https://sunsetwalk.com/events/cinco-de-mayo/).

The El Camino celebration combines live mariachi band performances with a street festival filled with games, food, outdoor bars, face painting, family craft activities, and more. (https://www.thepalmbeaches.com/blog/cinco-de-mayo-2023-events-deals- restaurants-palm-beach).

Key West’s Duval Street is a legendary party scene any day of the year, but the bars and restaurants lining this landmark thoroughfare kick things up a notch on May 5. The epicenter of the action is at the corner of Duval and Green Streets, where Sloppy Joe’s Bar serves up a dozen varieties of their famous margaritas.

Going On a Crawl

Partygoers can make the most of the day’s festivities when they join a hosted pub crawl that takes in multiple venues. Participating stops on the crawl route invite celebrants to come in for food and beverage specials, Cinco-themed prizes, live music, and more. Some cities start the fun early with the Tacos and Tequila Bar Crawls that kick off on Saturday, May 4, in Miami, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, and the Pensacola Harbor Walk. And for those who are up for a second helping of tacos and tequila, the crawls are repeated on Sunday the 5th. (https://pubcrawls.com/)

Cinco With a Side of Water

Several South Florida venues bring the Cinco fun to the water’s edge. The Regatta Grove Fiesta in Coconut Grove is an open-air event overlooking Biscayne Bay, with tropical drinks, curated food, and live music that celebrates the rich culture of Cinco de Mayo in a lively, open-air setting overlooking Biscayne Bay. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5-de-mayo-celebration-at-regatta-grove-tickets- 848783984747) .

On Sunday, Gili’s Beach Club will host an afternoon beach party that blends Mexican-inspired fun with a relaxing beachfront atmosphere. (https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/event/cinco-de-mayo-at-the-beach/28733).

Fort Lauderdale kicks it up a notch with the hugely popular Sombreros On The River, which is called Florida’s largest Piñata Party, complete with performances from Mariachi bands, free sombreros, and an appearance by Mexican luchadores wrestlers. (https://wharfftl.com/cinco-de-mayo/)

Flavors of the day

While libations often take center stage on May 5, the day is also about the tastes of Mexico. Visitors to Orlando’s Baldwin Park neighborhood can get a taste of popular south-of-the-border flavors at a family-friendly street fair that includes local vendors, live music, and special activities. (https://www.baldwinparknetwork.com/).

For a sweeter take on the holiday, Daytona Beach’s Oil and Vinegar is hosting Cinco de Mayo Deserts, where participants can learn how to create mouthwatering desserts inspired by the colorful and delicious traditions of Mexico. (https://www.daytonabeach.com/event/baking-class-%26%238211%3B-cinco-de-mayo/51151/)

On May 4, Fort Lauderdale’s Sistrunk Marketplace will stage the Tortillas, Tacos, and Tequila, a chef- guided cooking class on making tortillas from scratch. Traditional salsa verde and authentic margaritas. (https://allevents.in/fort%20lauderdale/tortillas-tacos-and-tequila-cooking-class/10000864155270677).

Florida theme park goers can also get a taste of Mexican flavors during Sea World’s Seven Seas Food Fest, which will serve up street corn, tacos al Pastor, tostada de barbacoas and more. (https://www.internationaldriveorlando.com/events/cinco-de-mayo.html)

Cinco At Sea

With oceans flanking both sides of the state, it makes sense that Florida is a great place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo on the water. On the waters of Sarasota Bay, the crew of Le Barge will dish up the guacamole and keep the margaritas and Mexican beers flowing during a special May 5 evening cruise. Passengers can dance to the live music from the Gumbo Boogie Band or head to the upper deck for sunset views. (https://lebargetropicalcruises.com/special-events/cinco-de-mayo/).

A more serene scene awaits at Pure Florida’s Naples and Fort Myers ports, where May 5 is devoted to special bird and dolphin-watching trips on the Gordon and Caloosahatchee Rivers.(https://www.purefl.com/pure- florida-offer-cinco-de-mayo-cruises-may-5) Things get a bit more lively on the state’s east coast when the Poseidon Ferry casts off for a music-infused cruise through Biscayne Bay with a full-service galley serving libations, Mexican snacks, and complimentary margaritas. (https://www.traferral.com/cinco-de- mayo-cruise)

 

Fort Lauderdale Beach
Florida, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, South Walton, St. Pete Beach

Florida’s Best Memorial Day Parties

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Memorial Day is certainly a time when we should pause to remember and honor those who gave service to our country. But it’s also a three-day weekend, and the start of the summer season. Cities across the State of Florida will celebrate the holiday with concerts and beach parties. Here are six of the best.

Great American Beach Party, Fort Lauderdale Beach

The Venice of America kicks off the summer season in style with an all-day beach party. Seven bands perform everything from surf rock and oldies to funk and country. There are plenty of vendors, food and drink, and activities that include a sand castle building contest, classic car show, family fun zone and a military tribute to our service men and women. It all starts at 10 a.m., Saturday May 27.

Sunset Music Festival, Tampa

On Saturday, May 27th and Sunday, May 28th, fans will gather to dance the weekend away to the hottest acts in electronic music. More than 50,000 are expected to fill Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium to take in performances by more than 40 artists on three stages. Headliners include Major Lazer, RL Grime, Above & Beyond and Zeds Dead.

Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Jacksonville

Now in its 36th year, this event has grown to become one of the country’s largest jazz festivals. From May 25 to 28, a 15-block area of Jacksonville’s downtown will be transformed into a lively street festival, with local food, art, vendors and live jazz on three stages. The all-star lineup of performers includes jazz icons and Grammy winners such as Chic Corea, the Rippingtons, Commodores and the Pacific Mambo Orchestra.

Taste of Brickell Food & Wine Festival, Miami

Exceptional tastes from more than 40 of Miami’s premier restaurants will be complemented by fine wines and spirits when the 6th annual Taste of Brickell returns to downtown Miami on Saturday, May 27. Festivalgoers will enjoy gourmet samplings, cooking demonstrations, and interactions with featured vendors. The event also includes live concerts throughout the day and evening, an exotic car exhibit, and arts and crafts booths.

Johnny Chisholm’ s Memorial Weekend Party

In a tradition dating back to the 1960s, LGBTQ groups from across America will gather at Pensacola Beach over the Memorial Day weekend. Since 1991, a weekend-long series of celebration has been organized by nightclub owner Johnny Chisholm. Nightly happenings include stage shows, costume contests, dances and concerts. The party runs from Thursday, May 25th through Monday, May 29th.

Bands on the Sand, Treasure Island

This small oceanfront community just west of St. Petersburg will once again host Bands in the Sand. This two-day beach party and music festival kicks off on May 25th with a lineup that includes some of the top names in the Tampa Bay music scene. Now in its ninth year, this family friendly event includes food, art exhibits and crafts tables. The grand finale of the event is a fireworks show over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.