8 Ways To Celebrate Cinco De Mayo In NoVA

Cinco de Mayo, always observed on May 5, falls on a Tuesday this year, so the celebration of Mexican heritage and culture starts this weekend in many cities, including in Northern Virginia.

The Arlington County Police Department announced road closures and safety programs Friday ahead of the Cinco de Mayo festival in Shirlington scheduled for Tuesday, May 5.

Police will close eastbound Campbell Avenue between South Randolph Street and South Quincy Street from approximately 1 to 11 p.m. to accommodate the festival at Guapo’s Cocina & Bar. Authorities noted that additional closures may be implemented if necessary for public safety.

The department is urging attendees to prioritize safe transportation, citing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data showing that nearly one-third of U.S. traffic fatalities in 2024 involved impaired drivers.

"Even one drink is one too many to get behind the wheel," the department stated in a release regarding its anti-drunk driving efforts.

Located at 4028 Campbell Ave. in Arlington, Guapos opens at 11 a.m., but the Street Festival kicks off at 2 p.m. with DJ Manny providing the tunes until 4 p.m. Then, Grupo Sector takes over. Margaritas, beers, tequila and tacos with a variety of flavors will be available at special prices. There will even be a Cinco de Mayo gift shop.

To discourage impaired driving, the department’s Business Outreach Unit will host a SoberRide event from 6 to 8 p.m. outside Guapo’s. The free interactive event is designed to demonstrate how alcohol impacts motor skills.

Additionally, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program is offering free Lyft rides, up to $15, through its SoberRide program. The promotion runs from 4 p.m. Tuesday until a.m. Wednesday.

Residents should expect an increased police presence and higher pedestrian traffic in the Shirlington area. Officials warned that illegally parked vehicles may be ticketed or towed. Drivers whose vehicles are moved can check their status via the county’s online portal or by calling 703-558-2222.

Other observances include:

• Cinco de Mayo Celebration In Chantilly: The Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the holiday from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Los Carnales Tex Mex Grill at 14511 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway in Chantilly. Make business connections while having a good time. Save A Seat
• Liberty Tavern: Cinco de Mayo Menu Specials Celebrate at Liberty Tavern with specials including a variety of chips and dips, fajitas, a Mexican chocolate cookie, and cocktails like Lime in a Coconut, Pearfection, Tequila on the Beach, and a Mexican Candy Shooter. Reserve here.
  Taquería Xochi: Weeklong Cinco de Mayo celebration in D.C. & VA! Taqueria Xochi (RAMMY Finalist) is celebrating with a multi-day lineup at its Navy Yard location, featuring programming from Friday through Tuesday including a Latin heartbreak–themed karaoke night on Friday, DJ Melina on Saturday, and DJ Yani on Tues (Cinco de Mayo). Both Arlington and Navy Yard will have an all-day Xochi Hour throughout the weekend prior and festive Cinco de Mayo decor.
• Cinco de Mayo at Friday's: Enjoy a $5 Classic Margarita on Cinco de Mayo and the full month of May as part of TGIFridays “Margarita MAY-nia” promotion. Guests can also receive a free chips & salsa on Cino de Mayo when signing up for Fridays Rewards.
• Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ is hosting an epic Cinco de Mayo fiesta this year at the Del Ray location with Tex-Mex BBQ, new tostadas and burritos, and festive drink specials — including an exclusive Bluejacket El Honcho Mexican Lager brewed just for the occasion. The venue will also have classic and frozen mango margaritas available. Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ is located at 2000 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
• Matt & Tony’s has new Cinco de Mayo offerings this year including $10 margaritas, palomas, and tequila sunrises. Menu specials include $25 giant Mexican pizzas made with chili con carne, refried beans, black olives, crema, smoked cheddar, chopped tomato, and guajillo red sauce. Matt & Tony's is located at 1501 Mount Vernon Ave. in Alexandria.
• Olé to Cinco de Mayo, Vita Nova Medical Spa, Manassas, 5 May 2026
• Olé to Cinco de Mayo at Vita Nova Medical Spa at 9705 Liberia Ave. in Manassas on Tuesday, May 5, from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Come sip margaritas, bites from Uncle Julio’s, and enjoy exclusive savings.

Cinco de Mayo marks Mexico’s 1862 victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla, when an outnumbered Mexican army pulled off an unlikely win.

The date is often mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day, which actually falls on Sept. 16 — decades after independence from Spain was secured.

While May 5 is an official holiday in Mexico, celebrations there are generally modest and largely centered in Puebla, where parades and ceremonies commemorate the battle. In contrast, the holiday has grown into a major cultural and commercial event in the United States.

Cinco de Mayo celebrations here date back to Mexican American communities in California in the years following the Battle of Puebla. The holiday spread nationwide during the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and expanded further in the late 20th century, evolving into the widely observed — and often party-focused — occasion seen today.

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