One of Seattle’s largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations will return this Saturday at El Centro de la Raza, a Latino cultural, educational and social service center in Beacon Hill. Hundreds of community members plan to gather in the Plaza Roberto Maestas on May 4 to browse an arts market, eat delicious Mexican street foods and watch a variety of live performances to celebrate the holiday.
Cinco de Mayo honors Mexico’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Today, the holiday represents Mexican American pride and resistance to oppression, said Veronica Gallardo, El Centro property manager and cultural events coordinator.
The holiday became popular in the U.S. during the Chicano movement of the 1960s, an effort to advocate for the civil rights of the Latino community. At that time, many Latino civil rights advocates saw the revolutionary Battle of Puebla as “a symbol of resiliency and unity in the face of adversity,” Gallardo said.
Local entertainers including the Los Rebeldes de la Cueca, Vozess Singers Show and folklore dancers and singers aim to celebrate that legacy and Latino culture through music. The festivities also highlight the José Martí Child Development Center Fashion Show featuring traditional Mexican garments and international styles.
Between performances, attendees can eat Mexican street foods like La Pisca’s roasted corn elotes and esquites, a mix of corn, cotija cheese, mayonnaise and lime juice served in a cup. The event will also have a variety of citrusy seafood from Shark Bite Ceviches and Oaxacan food from Antojitos Lita Rosita.
Ultimately, the event is about celebrating community and alegría — “to bring joy to yourself,” Gallardo said.
“You can enjoy the entertainment, you get to be around people,” she said. “It’s just a happy place to be.”
11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 4, entertainment noon-5 p.m..; El Centro de la Raza’s Plaza Roberto Maestas, 2524 16th Ave. S., Seattle; free; elcentrodelaraza.org/events/cinco-de-mayo
Other upcoming events
El Centro’s celebration is one of several Cinco de Mayo events happening in early May. Find those and other community gatherings being held throughout the month below.
Loyal Heights Community Center Cinco de Mayo celebration — May 3
Loyal Heights Community Center will host a family-friendly Cinco de Mayo celebration with traditional Mexican food such as tacos with salsa, beans and rice. Community members are invited to play trivia games and even swing at a piñata. Preregistration is required to attend this event.
6-7:30 p.m.; Loyal Heights Community Center, 2101 N.W. 77th St., Seattle; $6 per person; facebook.com/LoyalHeightsCC
Centro Cultural Mexicano Cinco de Mayo — May 5
The nonprofit Centro Cultural Mexicano will host its annual Cinco de Mayo event in Redmond’s Downtown Park. The event will include seven hours of live music from Banda Vagos, Trio Los Latinos and Mariachi Ayutla, among other Latino musicians. Eventgoers can also expect a beer garden, delicious Mexican tacos and aguas frescas, a refreshing Mexican fruit beverage. The event will include dozens of Latino arts and crafts vendors, as well as a pop-up vaccine clinic for attendees.
11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Downtown Park, 16101 Redmond Way, Redmond; free; centroculturalmexicano.org/events
Cinco De Mayo Festival — May 3-5
Bainbridge Island is hosting a Cinco de Mayo extravaganza highlighting a series of nightly markets, delicious food and drinks honoring Mexican culture. The markets, held in Pleasant Beach Village, are free to the public. The weekend festivities will culminate with a ticketed show from local award-winning pianist Jovino Santos Neto at the Manor House.
Friday and Saturday markets: 7 p.m.-close; Pleasant Beach Village; 4738 Lynwood Center Road N.E., Bainbridge Island; free; st.news/bainbridge-cinco
Jovino Santos Neto concert: 7-9 p.m.; The Manor House, 4611 Woodson Lane N.E., Bainbridge Island; $35; st.news/neto-concert
Cinco de Mayo Brunch — May 5
The Stonehouse Cafe will host a Cinco de Mayo brunch filled with drink and food specials, including fluffy French toast and large pancakes. Attendees can listen to live disc jockey sets or grab a sweet dessert from pop-up shop Le Lu’s Bakery.
11 a.m.-3 p.m.; The Stonehouse Cafe, 9701 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle; free; st.news/stonehouse-cinco
More May events
Aquí Mercado — May 3
The Latin pop-up market Aquí Mercado returns to Pioneer Square in May with a joyous celebration filled with friends, family and dozens of LGBTQ+ and Latino vendors. Attendees can browse everything from handmade jewelry to home décor while listening to hip tunes from DJ La Mala Noche. The event will also feature an evening drag show.
4-10 p.m.; THE 101, 101 S. Jackson St., Seattle; free; st.news/aqui-mercado
Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration — May 4
Seattle Center Festál will kick off an Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration in collaboration with the Asian Pacific Directors Coalition, a local organization advocating for the Asian-Pacific Islander community. The event will feature cultural music, dances and the Alan Sugiyama Hum Bow Eating Contest.
11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Armory Food & Event Hall, 305 Harrison St., Seattle; free; st.news/api-celebration
The Seattle Art Book Fair — May 11-12
Book lovers can gather at Washington Hall to celebrate independent publishing, book design and more at the Seattle Art Book Fair. Community members can enjoy a range of stimulating discussions, activities and art installations. Some of this year’s exhibitors include Chin Music Press, an independent publisher in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, and afterhours, a space for creative practice and play that produces zines, photography and collages at Common Area Maintenance in Seattle.
11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 11 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 12; Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave., Seattle; free; seattleartbookfair.org/about
Dripped Open Mic — May 19
Washington Hall’s Creative Cafe, which is operated by the nonprofit Creative Justice, is debuting an all-ages open mic series called “Dripped” where community members can share their music and spoken word poetry, among other creative works. The event will occur every third Sunday of the month.
Doors open at 6 p.m.; Creative Cafe, 153 14th Ave. in Washington Hall, Seattle; free (donations accepted); instagram.com
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