While Cinco de Mayo usually involves fun with neighbors and the community, this year an at-home celebration can be just as fun. Read on for some suggestions to make your Cinco de Mayo a fun-filled day.
Make a piñata. All you need is tissue, glue, poster board, cardboard, and tape in order to make your own DIY piñata. Here's a relatively easy ball piñata that (they promise!) you can make in 30 minutes. Click for instructions.
Set the mood with music. You can use playlists from Spotify, Amazon, or Apple Music. If you'd like to create your own playlist, Billboard has a set of ten "must have" songs to download.
Now that the music is loud, it's time for traditional Mexican dancing. The most internationally well-known and perhaps the most patriotic of all of Mexico’s dances is the Jarabe Tapatío. Typically referred to as the Mexican Hat Dance in English, this is Mexico’s national dance. Click here for YouTube video to learn how to dance the Jarabe Tapatío.
For fun virtual entertainment, check out these options:
The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles is holding a Cinco de Mayo event at 5:00 pm on Instagram Live. The bilingual celebration — hosted by the American-born Chilean songwriter Francisca Valenzuela — will highlight several genres within Mexican music. Participants include Mireya Ramos, a founder of the Latin Grammy-winning group Flor De Toloache, considered New York City’s first and only female mariachi band; and the Latin Grammy-winning producer Aureo Baqueiro.
To follow The Grammy Museum and attend the event, click here.
Old Town San Diego will host their Virtual Fiesta Old Town Cinco de Mayo online on Tuesday, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The celebration will be streamed on Facebook, YouTube, and Old Town's website. The online will also host live Mariachi and Salsa dance performances, food- and drink-making demonstrations with chefs and mixologists, crafts, and more.
To see the full schedule of events and find links to attend, click here.
Cinco de Mayo Live Festival in Austin. Eva Longoria is set to host a star-studded Cinco de Mayo fundraiser, alongside fellow Latinos Gloria Estefan and Luis Fonsi to aid the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The virtual concert will stream live on Facebook Live, Youtube, Twitch, Twitter, iHeartLatino’s radio stations and websites, among other social media platforms. The event is free to watch but viewers will be encouraged to make donations. To access the schedule and link to watch, click here.
Finally, although most businesses are closed, chances are your spot for tacos, tamales or taquitos is still open. Support our Monterey County businesses by ordering your Cinco de Mayo celebration meal at one of our area Mexican restaurants.