Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at these 15+ Charlotte-area events and restaurants
Cinco de Mayo is coming up, and there are several events planned for the holiday in the Charlotte area.
The holiday marks the date of the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is typically a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, marked with parades, parties and festivals.
Here’s a guide to celebrating Cinco de Mayo around Charlotte:
Friday, May 5
Location: 1640 Oakhurst Commons Dr, Suite 105, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: 12-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Kick off Cinco de Mayo weekend at the new small plates restaurant opening in the Oakhurst neighborhood. The Teal Turnip is officially opening on Friday with a Cinco de Mayo block party that includes “posh” tacos and signature drinks.
Location: 100 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC 28078
Time: Noon-11 p.m.
Cost: Free
Check out the newest brewery in the Lake Norman area, 760 Craft Works. In honor of the official grand opening falling on Cinco de Mayo, there will be a taco food truck, Mexican lager and live music.
Cinco De Mayo celebration at Town Brewing Co.
Location: 800 Grandin Rd, Charlotte, NC 28208
Time: 2-11 p.m.
Cost: Free
Town Brewing Co. is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with live music, food specials and the release of its new Mexican-style lager, Mariachi Static. The brewery will be open from 2-11 p.m., and singer-songwriter Val Merza performs starting at 6:30 p.m.
Location: 21314 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
Time: 4 p.m.-midnight
Cost: Free
Walk along the Lake Norman social district for the Cinco de Mayo Block Party. Hosted by Old Town Public House and Thigs Cocktail Bar, the public can enjoy live bands on the outdoor patio, food trucks, vendors, games, giveaways and more.
Location: Ghostface Brewing, 215 S Broad St, Mooresville, NC 28115
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Eat, drink and enjoy live music at Ghostface Brewing’s Cinco de Mayo Festival. There will be food and drink specials all day, along with a show from DROPOUTS performing for the Rock the Lot series. Ghostface Brewing will also be hosting Club Glo Latin Night from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
Location: Hoptown Brewing Company, 107 Plantation Ridge Dr, Mooresville, NC 28117
Time: 5-9 p.m., with events continuing Saturday
Cost: Free
Hoptown Brewing is kicking off Cinco de Mayo weekend with a lineup of several events. On Friday evening, you can have dinner and a show with food trucks and live music. On Saturday, there will also be a Salsa competition at the Mooresville brewery. Put your cooking skills to the test and show off your best salsa recipe for the judged event.
Location: Dupp & Swat, 1824 Statesville Ave, #105, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Shop small at a Cinco de Mayo pop-up hosted by Dupp & Swat at Camp North End. This is the company’s first pop up of the year featuring products and services from small business owners.
Location: Multiple
Time: 5-10 p.m., with events continuing Saturday
Cost: $10+
Drink your way through Historic South End, NoDa and Plaza Midwood this Cinco de Mayo at the Fiesta Crawl. The two-day event includes food and drink specials, a scavenger hunt and admission to over 25 local bars and breweries. You can buy a ticket for the crawl online at www.eventbrite.com/
Location: Overflow, 137 Mecklynn Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117
Time: 5 p.m.-midnight
Cost: Free
There’s a full lineup of events and activities at Overflow’s Cinco de Mayo party. The big event will feature a Mexican food truck and cocktail and specialty margarita bar, plus music and free salsa dance lessons.
Location: 158 N Main St, Mooresville, NC 28115
Time: 5 p.m.-midnight
Cost: Free
158 on Main is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with all-day food and drink specials, along with live music that night. Doors open at 5 p.m., and entertainment begins at 8 p.m..
Cinco de Mayo First Friday Food Trucks
Location: HopFly Brewing Company, 1327 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Time: 6-10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo food truck style in South End. Food Truck Fridays are back, kicking off this weekend with a Latin-inspired lineup of local food trucks.
Cinco de Mayo at Camp North End
Location: 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 6-10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Camp North End with traditional food, music, mariachi bands and dancers, drinks and more. You can also stop by the NoDa Canteen for sangrias, beers, snacks and its signature NoDa Colada.
Location: 1536 Camden Rd #107, Charlotte, NC 28203
Time: 11-1 a.m.
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, Condado Tacos will offer a special $5 shot of Espolon Tequila for dine-in guests. You can also play the South End restaurant’s Truth and Dare Scratch & Win card for a chance to win prizes.
Location: 6401 Carnegie Blvd #8a, Charlotte, NC 28211
Time: 11 a.m.-10 p.m., with specials all week long
Paco’s Tacos & Tequila is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with drink specials all week long. Stop in for a special $11 lavender paloma through the holiday and a $12 Corazon family tequila flight for $12 on Wednesday. For the actual holiday, the restaurant will be offering $8 No Name Margaritas, $11 Cadillac Margaritas, and $4 outdoor beer specials.
Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Location: 1601 E Woodlawn Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209
Location: 2170 Hawkins St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Time: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Optimist Hall); 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (Park Road); 11-2 a.m. (South End)
Velvet Taco is rolling out a special menu item ahead of Cinco de Mayo. Try the new pork belly al pastor taco with crispy pork belly, grilled pineapple, annatto crema and an adobo butter sauce. It’s only available through May 9, while supplies last.
