Most people celebrating Cinco de Mayo don’t actually know what it is; Here’s the real story

Margaritas and tacos are everywhere, bars are hosting themed events, and the streets are full of dancing and colorful outfits. 

Cinco de Mayo is happening tomorrow (May 5), yet the celebrations are already in full swing. And let’s be honest, the energy is so contagious that it’s impossible not to join in the fun.

But when you’re sipping that Margherita tomorrow, do you actually know what Cinco de Mayo marks?

Don’t worry, most people don’t. 

Yet understanding the real story behind Cinco de Mayo will make your celebrations so much more meaningful. Read on for a short look at the surprising history behind this day, and discover how a regional Mexican battle became an American cultural phenomenon.

What actually happened on May 5th, 1862?

On May 5, 1862, the Mexican army defeated French forces and stopped them from invading the city. This was an incredibly unexpected turn of events as the Mexican army was significantly outnumbered, and so, to mark the occasion, it was dubbed the ‘Battle of Puebla.’

Unfortunately, the victory of the Battle of Puebla was short-lived. A year later, French troops returned and took control of Puebla and Mexico City, occupying them until 1867.

Even so, the symbolic victory of the Battle of Puebla gained lasting cultural significance. The occasion was marked on May 5 every year, later becoming the ‘Cinco de Mayo’ celebration we know in the US.

It’s important to note that Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. This is a common misconception, but Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla. 

Mexican Independence Day actually commemorates the start of Mexico’s 11-year war for independence against Spain, which began in 1810 and ended in 1821. It is celebrated every year on September 16.

Cinco de Mayo may be internationally celebrated, but a fun fact about Mexico is that it has a rich calendar of national holidays and traditions, including the Day of the Dead, which honors deceased loved ones. 

How a Mexican battle became an American celebration

Mexican-American communities in California began celebrating Cinco de Mayo in the 1860s. 

While the historic victory over France was celebrated, it was also a symbolic and political message. The celebration represented a stand against European powers during the American Civil War that was happening at that time.

In the 1960s, the Chicano Movement adopted Cinco de Mayo to publicly celebrate Mexican pride. 

The holiday gradually evolved from there, and by the 1980’s it had become heavily commercialized in the USA. Food and beverage brands launched marketing campaigns using Mexican imagery to target Latino consumers and frame Cinco de Mayo as a party holiday. 

That’s why today, in the USA, Cinco de Mayo is a big Mexican festival with food, music, and dancing. While there is nothing wrong about celebrating in this way, when you know the story behind the day, it becomes a dual occasion holiday, both a commercial and cultural event.

What Cinco de Mayo actually looks like in Puebla today

Puebla is the Mexican state that retains the strongest, most meaningful May 5 significance, with:

• An official civic-military parade: The parade features thousands of participants, including soldiers, cadets, students, and marching bands. The route starts near the historic forts (where the actual battle took place) and moves through the city.
• Re-enactments of the battle: Locals dress as Mexican and French soldiers and recreate the Battle of Puebla with mock fights and costumes. It’s both educational and a spectacle, and is what makes Puebla’s celebrations so unique. 
• Cultural showcases: Across the city, you can still find celebration, but it’s rooted in heritage rather than partying. For example, there is folk dancing, live traditional music, and food events. 

Puebla shows a different side of Cinco de Mayo that most Americans have never seen. So for culturally focused travelers, Puebla is a wonderful place to visit at this time of year. The celebrations are structured, respectful, and civic-focused, and the energy throughout early May is pride and remembrance, rather than partying and drinking margaritas.

Plus, Puebla is just 129 km (a 2-hour drive) from the capital, making it one of the most rewarding day trips from Mexico City as part of a wider Mexican trip.

Should you visit Mexico or the U.S. for Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo looks very different in Mexico and the USA, but neither is inherently better than the other. Choosing where to celebrate depends on what type of experience you’re looking for.

Choose Mexico if you want a historically grounded, culturally authentic experience. Spending May 5 in Puebla will help you understand the real story behind this holiday, rather than the American version of it.

Choose the USA if you want loud, street festival energy. Cinco de Mayo in LA, Chicago, and San Antonio is always a huge celebration, but a very different experience.  LA is the most high-energy, San Antonio has multi-day city-wide celebrations, and Chicago has more cultural authenticity.

Put Puebla on your list for next year

With Cinco de Mayo happening tomorrow, it’s unlikely you’ll get to Mexico on time. But why not start planning for a May 2027 trip?

Next year, Cinco de Mayo falls on Wednesday, May 5. By taking a couple of PTO days before or after May 5, you can easily create a 5-day travel window, which is the perfect number of days for a short Mexican adventure.

Puebla is one of the cheapest places to visit in Mexico in May, with:

• Dry, warm weather with average highs of 79-83°F (26-28°C)
• Fewer international tourists than in Mexico City or on the coast
• Great value as it’s before the peak summer pricing

Puebla is easily accessible from Mexico City by bus, and both cities have direct flights to Cancun (which take just over 2 hours) if you want to combine your cultural trip with a beach getaway. May is also one of the best times to visit Cancun and the Caribbean coast, as it’s whale shark season and it’s before the summer heat and humidity. 

Travel Mexico stress-free with Holafly

From navigating parade routes in Puebla to booking last-minute buses from Mexico City, having a reliable internet connection will ensure your Mexico trip runs smoothly.

Install a Holafly eSIM before you go and get online the moment you land—no SIM swaps required. Plus, with unlimited data, you can rest assured you won’t come home to any unexpected roaming fees.

Check out the eSIM for Mexico here.

Unlimited data. Peace of mind.

Make sure you have travel data that's there when you need it most.

Get Holafly eSIM

Plans that may interest you

eSIM Japan

eSIM South Korea

Michaela Park

Travel & Events Writer

Hi, I'm Mika, a South Korean writer living in the US. I cover travel and live events, focusing on the practical stuff that makes your trip smoother, whether you're navigating a new city or heading to a major international event.I'm also the founder of <a href="https://search-seoul.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Search SEOul</a>, South Korea's leading SEO conference, bringing together search marketing experts and speakers from around the world. <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]">안녕하세요, 미국에 거주 중인 여행 콘텐츠 라이터 미카입니다. Holafly에서 여행과 이벤트에 관련된 글을 쓰고 있어요. 여러분이 낯선 도시를 여행하든 대규모 국제 이벤트에 가든, 여러분의 일정이 좀 더 매끄러워질 수 있도록 실용적인 정보를 다루고 있습니다. 그리고 저는 한국을 대표하는 SEO(검색엔진최적화) 컨퍼런스 <a class="underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href="https://search-seoul.com/">Search SEOul</a>을 만들었고, 해당 컨퍼런스의 호스트이기도 합니다. 서치 서울은 전 세계 검색 마케팅 전문가와 연사들이 모이는 자리입니다.</p>

Read full bio