5 Ways to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Across Michigan in 2023

Cinco de Mayo falls on a Friday this year, which means we have a full three-day weekend to celebrate and honor Mexico’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Every year, the fifth of May is a day for Americans to celebrate Mexican and Latinx pride and culture.  

No matter what region of the Mitten you call home, you should be relatively close to one of the state’s major Cinco de Mayo events in 2023. Here’s what’s on tap: 

58th Annual Detroit Cinco De Mayo Parade  

The 2023 parade starts at noon on Sunday, May 7. This year’s theme is “Music of our Heritage.” The route begins in Patton Park on Woodmere Street, before traveling down Vernor Highway to Clark Park (Scotten Street). Streets leading to West Vernor will start closing at 11:30 a.m. and open back up around 2:30 p.m. The parade is about two hours long.

This event combines traditions, unity, entertainment, and a grand fiesta all in one. It’s a destination to be engulfed in the fun of Mexican culture, which is ripe with resilience and celebration. Schools, local agencies, local businesses, charros, entertainers, families and dignitaries participate each year.

Fiesta Detroit Cinco de Mayo  

Somos Culture Creators & Fiesta Vibes have teamed up to produce a yearly activation called Fiesta Detroit. This celebration is focused on Latinx millennial & Gen Z community.

This event – at W. 4114 Vernor Highway in Detroit – consists of more than 40 participating artists, community organizations, & performers. Fiesta Detroit includes over 40 vendors, International Bigtime Wrestling, live performances, bull riding, a taco tournament, a truck championship, and cultural performances throughout the day.

Some events are ticketed. Learn more about pricing at this link.

44th Annual Saginaw Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival 

This year’s parade in Saginaw rolls through town at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 6. The lineup for the parade is at Hoyt Park and heads north on Washington Avenue.

Afterwards, the fiesta takes over Jolt Credit Union Event Park until 6 p.m. The cover charge is $5 for anyone age 10 and over. Kids attend free.

The theme  this year is “Celebrating Our Roots (Celebrando Nuestras Raíces). Eddie Gonzalez will perform at the fiesta, which will also feature food trucks and an inflatable playland. Jolt Credit Union Event Park is located at 300 Johnson St. in Saginaw.

8th Annual Lincoln Park Cinco De Mayo Festival  

Lincoln Park’s Cinco de Mayo Festival comes a little early this year, taking place on Saturday, April 29 between noon and 7 p.m.

The location is 1681-1685 Fort St. Festivities occur east of Fort Street between Arlington and O’Connor. The opening ceremony is at noon.

will host its street fair-style gathering from noon until 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, behind the Turning Point Clubhouse at 1605 Fort St., at O’Connor Avenue. 

The family-friendly event is free and open to the public and will include music from the Santana Project and performances by the Ballet Folklórico De Detroit. Not to mention food trucks, vendors, crafters, artists, BoBo the Clown, bounce houses, kids games and more. 

Downtown Battle Creek Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Downtown Battle Creek will have all the ingredients for a fantastic Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Saturday, May 6 between 3-8 p.m.

Family-friendly activities include food trucks, live music, dancing, soccer scrimmages, bounce houses, vendors and a lowrider showcase.

Entry into the event is free, as is parking. The fiesta will be at 80 W. Michigan Ave. in Battle Creek.

Photo credit: Ballet Folklórico De Detroit

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