Commemorate a Piece of Mexico’s History With These Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
With the city’s proximity to the border and a heartbeat that pulses with Mexican pride, Cinco de Mayo in San Diego hits different. As the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, Cinco de Mayo is a cultural celebration embraced across the U.S.—but America’s Finest City’s deep-rooted ties to Mexico take the party to a whole new level. From the coastal enclaves to neighborhoods like Old Town, where Mexican culture thrives, San Diego’s rich Mexican heritage shines through in its cuisine, architecture and vibrant community events, making it one of the best places in SoCal to celebrate Cinco de Mayo 2025.
Whether you’re raising a mezcal cocktail under stained glass, cheering on a lucha libre showdown or keeping it low-key with mole and a margarita, this guide rounds up the best Cinco de Mayo events in San Diego this year.
Cinco Celebrations at Casa de Bandini
Casa de Bandini at The Forum Carlsbad is rolling out three days of non-stop happy hour vibes. Get festive with dishes like the Enchiladas Bandera and the “Mayorita” margarita blended with guava purée, and don’t sleep on the hourly tequila specials—featuring faves like Cazadores and Casamigos. With live tunes by Mariachi Zapopan and folkloric dancers taking the stage, this Carlsbad hotspot is a can’t-miss for San Diego Cinco de Mayo cheer.
Location: Carlsbad
An Elevated Cinco at Quixote
Mezcal and mole, anyone? Quixote inside The Lafayette Hotel & Club in North Park serves up an ultra-stylish Cinco de Mayo, fusing fine Oaxacan cuisine with next-level cocktails. The moody, church-turned-mezcalería offers dishes like duck carnitas memelita and crab corn doughnuts topped with caviar, paired with bold sips like the Motomami and a smoky Oaxacan Old Fashioned. For those who like their Cinco with a side of sophistication, this San Diego Mexican restaurant delivers.
Location: North Park
Puesto’s Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
If tacos are your love language, Puesto’s your Cinco soulmate. The blue corn tortilla pioneers are dropping limited-time specials like the CDMX Ribeye Taco and Clarified Guava Margarita alongside happy hour steals from 3-5 p.m. Think: $10 margs, $6 house cerveza, $9 wines by the glass and half-off snacks and shares. With indoor-outdoor vibes and a chef-driven menu, Puesto is primed for an elevated (and delicious) celebration.
Location: Multiple San Diego locations
Cinco de Mayo at Casa Guadalajara
The charming streets of Old Town San Diego are calling! Casa Guadalajara is throwing a three-day fiesta that’ll transport you straight to the heart of Mexico with vibrant Mariachi music, ballet folklorico performances and authentic eats. Swing by the outdoor taco stand for craveable street tacos, esquites, aguas frescas and Jarritos, and enjoy Don Julio tequila promos while you sip and sway. Bonus: face painting runs daily from 12-8 p.m. for the full fiesta flair. Don’t miss the Salsa Contest on Saturday, May 3 (12-3 p.m.), where $5 gets you six salsa tastings and chips to crown the “Best Salsa of 2025.”
Location: Old Town
Mole, Margs and Mahem at The Blind Burro
Get saucy at The Blind Burro’s Cinco de Mole bash in East Village! With some of the best Mexican food in San Diego, this restaurant’s mole-packed menu features everything from mole enchiladas to mole wings—perfectly paired with tequila cocktails courtesy of Milagro. This weekend-long celebration packs the flavor and fun with live music and a lively downtown crowd.
Location: East Village
El Chingon’s Cinco de Mayo Weekend Bash
This high-energy cantina in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter is going all out for Cinco de Mayo in San Diego with three full days of tacos, tequila and total chaos (the fun kind). The festivities kick off on Saturday, May 3, with a live lucha libre wrestling match as part of the Gaslamp’s Cinco de Mayo block party. Later that night, boxing fans can cheer on Mexican icon Canelo Álvarez as his fight is streamed live on El Chingon’s massive screens. The fun keeps rolling into Sunday with a themed face-painting station featuring both Star Wars and Cinco de Mayo-inspired designs. Expect bold flavors, loud beats and the kind of party that goes way past midnight.
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
Seis de Mayo at Moonshine Beach
Why stop the party on the 5th? Moonshine Beach is keeping the tequila flowing with Seis de Mayo. On May 6, hit this PB party spot for $3.50 tacos, 2-for-1 Buena Cervezas, $7 Cantera Negra pours and $8 margs. The rowdy fun continues with line dancing, live music and an epic indoor-outdoor space perfect for soaking up every last drop of Cinco spirit.
Location: Pacific Beach
Cinco on the Rooftop at Borrego
Take your margarita game to new heights—literally—at Borrego Rooftop Kitchen + Cocktails, perched atop Hotel Indigo in the Gaslamp Quarter. This rooftop spot is shaking up Cinco de Mayo this year with festive margaritas in blood orange, spicy pineapple and raspberry variations, all for $18. Views, vibes and vibrant drinks at one of the best Mexican restaurants in San Diego? Sign us up.
Location: Gaslamp Quarter
Mexican Sweets + Scoops at Pop Pie Co. + Stella Jean’s Ice Cream
Got a sweet tooth? Pop Pie Co. is serving up Mexican Chocolate Hand Pies with dulce de leche—rich Abuelita chocolate, flaky crust and a kiss of sea salt. Meanwhile, Stella Jean’s is scooping a creamy Fresas con Crema ice cream that’s the perfect Cinco de Mayo finisher. Available for two days only, these exclusive treats are available May 4-5 only and are the flavorful fiesta you didn’t know you needed.
Location: Multiple San Diego locations
