10 of the best events on Cinco de Mayo, from wine and tacos to a rooftop fiesta
We won’t judge you if you’re simply aiming to binge eat tacos on Cinco de Mayo this Saturday (for that, here is our Ultimate Guide to Tacos from South Charlotte to Lake Norman). But if you’re hungering for a little something extra, here are 9 of the best events happening that day to pick from.
Kill the Keg-Cinco at Midwood Smokehouse
2-5 p.m. at Midwood Smokehouse, 540-C Brandywine Road
Celebrate Southern-style. Dig into BBQ and sip craft beer on the patio in the Park Road Shopping Center Backlot. Your $5 ticket gets you a 16-oz. Legion Brewing Margarita Gose in a Midwood Smokehouse take-home cup, plus free nachos from a build-your-own nacho bar complete with queso and chopped BBQ.
Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Legion Brewing
10 a.m.-11 p.m. at Legion Brewing, 1906 Commonwealth Ave.
Catch Legion when they tap their first Grapefruit Jalapeño version of their margarita Gose, cleverly named Juan Direction. The brew received a hint of jalaenpo pre-fermentation and limes and grapefruits that were soaked in tequila. Paired with the beer is a Cinco de Mayo themed-brunch (think churro-inspired waffle and breakfast burritos) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., with tacos and queso fundido to follow with the regular food menu for the rest of the day. Live music begins at 2 p.m.
Charlotte’s Largest Cinco De Mayo Block Party
10 a.m.- 2 a.m. at Hot Taco, 200 E. Bland St.
This free fiesta, presented by Hot Taco with Slate Charlotte, All American Pub and Oak Room, features Mexican food ($2 tacos included), frozen margaritas and cornita flips. Also look out for a raffle to win tickets to the Carolina Country Music Fest in Myrtle Beach, SC, plus sombreros, maracas and a prize wheel for giveaways. Bonus: The $10 raffle tickets support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and their fight against cancer.
Catawba Charlotte Taproom’s 1 Year Fiesta
Noon-11 p.m. at Catawba Brewing Co., 933 Louise Ave.
Celebrate Catawba’s one-year anniversary with beer releases (like a limited Orange Mother Trucker cask at 2 p.m) and live music on the porch by Greg Adams Music, and Bruce, Chad and Eric of Temperance League. Snack on food truck fare from PaPa Truck CLT and Chilaka Tacolab, and shop local vendors like Queen City Makers, Glory Days Apparel and Jannelli Design studio. Bonus: A Twerk For Your Beer class starts at 11 a.m. with Work For Your Beer.
Chic Cinco De Mayo
4-10 p.m. at The Imperial, 300 North College St. #101.
This young-professional rooftop party (by RSVP only) is hosted by EatWorkPlay CLT and Don Julio. Don your cocktail attire and sip Miami-inspired cocktails while dancing to tunes by a Top 40s DJ and Trap Music DJ. General admission is $20.
Dancing Through Latin America 2018
7 p.m. at Spirit Square, 345 N College St.
Skip the tacos and embrace the culture that expands beyond one day in history with this 16th annual show presented by the Carolinas’ Latin Dance Company. Observe multi-cultural unity demonstrated through music and dance that features elements of Latin America, Spain, India and America. The ticket price is $15.
Cinco de Mayo: FINN Fiesta in the Village!
Noon-11 p.m. at Blackfinn Ameripub – Ballantyne, 14825 Ballantyne Village Way
Join this Ballantyne fiesta by grabbing a $10 ticket that includes five margarita samples (the tasting is 4-7 p.m.), access to a chips and salsa bar, plus a raffle ticket for prizes. You can also feast your eyes on the Chihuahua costume contest, the taco eating contest and live music performers.
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Cinco de Derby
11 a.m.-2 a.m. at Queen Park Social, 4125 Yancey Road
Combine the two big events of the day by putting on a hat on your head and a Mint Julep (or margarita) in your hand to watch the Kentucky Derby.
Not a Cinco de Mayo Party
5-9 p.m. at dover Vineyards, 3600 Concord Parkway S., Concord
It’s hard not to respect a party that takes its own spin on the day. Dover Vineyards is offering wine for the sale by the flight, glass or bottle, paired with live music by the vineyard (where pups are welcome). A food truck will “just happen” to be onsite to serve up authentic Mexican tacos.
Cinco de Mayo at Cantina 1511
All day at Park Road, Uptown and Stonecrest locations
There will be Cinco de Mayo parties at each of the three Cantina locations. Come for cocktail specials, free swag and live music. Cantina Uptown will feature Salsa dancing to live Latin jazz music from 10 p.m. to midnight.
Photo: Jess Bentley
This story was originally published April 29, 2018 at 9:00 PM with the headline "10 of the best events on Cinco de Mayo, from wine and tacos to a rooftop fiesta."