30 May 2nd-May 8th, 2024 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | The Fifth Element Your guide to Phoenix’s best Cinco de Mayo celebrations in 2024. BY BENJAMIN LEATHERMAN T here’s more to Cinco de Mayo than just wild parties, gringo. It’s a celebration with roots in Mexico’s history, commemo- rating the country’s unlikely victory over the French army during the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. These days, Cinco de Mayo is cele- brated more in the U.S. during a day filled with fiestas and cultural events. A similar scene unfolds in the Valley, where street festivals and numerous parties at local bars, clubs and drinkeries occur each year. Such will be the case during Cinco de Mayo in 2024, which falls on a weekend. Here’s a rundown of metro Phoenix’s biggest festivals, parties, and events from Friday, May 3, to Sunday, May 5. FESTIVALS Cinco de Mayo Phoenix Festival Washington Street and First Avenue cincophx.com The annual Cinco de Mayo Phoenix Festival has been a staple of the holiday in the Valley since the mid-’90s. It’s a daylong street party in downtown Phoenix offering a mix of traditional music and enter- tainment, food and drinks, cultural activ- ities and local vendors. This year’s edition on May 4 will also include luche libre wrestling matches, mariachi musicians, giveaways, baile folklorico dancing, a kid zone and more. Two stages of live music are planned with headlining performances by Latin-funk legends WAR, reggae act Big Mountain and local bands Las Calakas and Znora. Hours are noon to 10 p.m. General admission is $5 in person before 5 p.m., $10 thereafter and free for kids 10 and under. VIP tickets are $40 and include exclusive access to the stage and a private bar while the “Exclusivo” package is $75 and features three drinks and a street taco plate. Call 602-279-4669. Cinco De Mayo Street Fair and Car Show 6062 S. Central Ave. The South Plaza shopping center will host this free community event on May 5 featuring a lowrider show along with vendors, live entertainment and food trucks. Hours are from 3 to 10 p.m. Call 602-276-6977 or email support@ oldschoolcity.com for more info. CONCERTS Casino Arizona 524 N. 92nd St., Scottsdale casinoarizona.com The music of influential Tejano superstar Selena will be celebrated inside the Showroom at Casino Arizona during the Selena Super Show on May 3 and 4. The 90-minute-long tribute show starts at 7:30 p.m. each night and will feature such songs as “Como La Flor,” “Amor Prohibido” and “Cobardo.” Tickets are $20 to $40. Call 480-850-7777. Crescent Ballroom 308 N. Second Ave. crescentphx.com Long-running local band Jaleo, best known for their energetic and electrifying blends of salsa music and other Latin genres, will present a special Cinco afternoon edition of their Cafe Jaleo event at 2:30 p.m. on May 5. Tickets are $18 in advance and $23 (plus fees) on the day of the event. Call 602-716-2222. Desert Diamond Arena 9400 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale desertdiamondarena.com Regional Mexican/Latin pop singer Pepe Aguilar’s “Jariepo Hasta Los Husesos” tour is scheduled to stop at Desert Diamond Arena on May 5. Members of his family, including his children Leonardo and Angela Aguilar, will also perform. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35.50 to $75.50. Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass 5040 Wild Horse Pass Boulevard, Chandler playatgila.com The Jalisco, Mexico-based technobanda ensemble, best known for their heartfelt ballads and for popularizing the quebradita dancing style in the ’90s, are scheduled to perform inside The Showroom at Wild Horse Pass at 8 p.m. on May 5. Tickets start at $39. Madison Center for the Arts 5601 N. 16th St. themadison.org Grammy-nominated musician, composer and vocalist José Hernández will bring the Mariachi Sol de México to Madison Center for the Arts on May 5 for a special Cinco de Mayo concert at the venue. Tickets for the 7 p.m. performance are $30 to $65. Call 602-664-7777. Westside Blues, Jazz & More 17045 N. 59th Ave., Glendale westsideblues.com This recently reopened nightclub and music venue will host a Cinco de Mayo performance by Carmela y Más – the local ensemble led by vocalist Carmela Ramirez that combines Latin jazz with salsa music and Afro-Cuban rhythms – from 3 to 6 p.m. on May 5. Admission is $20 plus a two- drink minimum. Call 602-761-6816. BARS AND CLUBS Aunt Chilada’s 7330 N. Dreamy Draw Drive auntchiladas.com Aunt Chilada’s annual Cinco de Mayo festivities have been a local hallmark of the holiday for decades. This year’s edition kicks off at noon and will include give- aways, drink specials and other fun. Live music and entertainment starts at 2 p.m. with performances throughout the afternoon and evening from The Jokerz, Guadalajara Dancers and the Raun Alosi Band. A $10 cover charge starts at 1 p.m. and can be purchased online in advance. C.A.S.A. Tempe 5 East Sixth St., Tempe casatempe.com This indoor/outdoor bar just off Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe is planning a three-day “C.A.S.A. de Mayo” block party from May 3 to 5 with DJs, drinks and dancing each day. The party starts at 9 p.m. on May 3 and at 11 a.m. on May 4 and 5. Call 480-557-8226 for more details. Cobra Arcade Bar 801 N. Second St. cobraarcadebar.com Cobra Arcade Bar’s annual Cinco De Mayo celebration from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on May 5 will include drink specials and hot spins from local DJs like Mrs. Xavier, Pvpi Fvnko, Chum Chum, Ellery and Joseph Torres. There’s no cover for the 21-and- over affair. Call 602-595-5873. Diego Pops 4338 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale diegopops.com Over-the-top thrills await at the three-day fiesta at Diego Pops in Scottsdale, including lucha libre wrestling matches, beer burros and a mechanical taco that patrons can ride. Call 480-970-1007 for hours and other details. Dos Gringos 1958 S. Greenfield Road, Mesa dosgringosaz.com Cinco de Mayo is a major deal at his Mexican beach bar-themed establishment. This year’s festivities on May 5 will have such over-the-top activities as an ice luge, oversized yard games, mariachi musicians, giant pinatas and even a donkey that delivers beers to patrons. DJs will also perform. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the cover starts at 1 p.m. Call 480-633-5525 for more info. Maya 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale mayaclubaz.com Blockbuster EDM duo Slander will headline the Cinco de Maya pool party at this Scottsdale dance destination. Gates open at noon and tickets are $85 per person. The Mexicano 4801 E. Cactus Road themexicano.com The three-day Cinco de Mayo fiesta from May 3 to 5 will include live DJs, fire dancers, lawn games, specialty drinks like Mexican candy shots, commemorative swag and more. Doors open at 11 a.m. each day. Call 602-812-2100 for more info. The Hot Chick 4363 N. 75th St., Scottsdale thehotchickaz.com The Hot Chick’s Cinco de Mayo party on May 5 will include free arcade game tokens until 7 p.m. and live entertainment by local DJs. You can also score food and drink specials. The party starts at noon. Call 480-550-7507 for complete info. Stardust Pinbar 401 W. Van Buren St., Suite C stardustpinbar.com Get an early start to your Cinco de Mayo festivities during Stardust’s party from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on May 4. DJ Chris Villa will be in the mix and there will be drink specials all night. Admission is free. Call 602-254-2931. The Cinco celebration at Cobra Arcade Bar will include drinks, games and other fun. (Photo by Benjamin Leatherman) ▼ Music
