Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Downtown Crossing

The neighborhood honors the Mexican holiday with a cultural celebration on May 3.

The Cinco de Mayo celebration in Downtown Crossing in 2023. Courtesy of Downtown Boston BID

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On May 3, in partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in Boston, the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District will host a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

The afternoon’s festivities include entertainment like traditional Mexican folk music and dancing, an orchestra performance, and a performance by classical guitarist Zaira Meneses. The Mexican classical guitarist is an alum of the New England Conservatory, has performed at venues like Carnegie Hall and Salzburg’s Wiener Saal, and has been featured in The New York Times.

The celebration also includes a small artisan showcase and craft fair, along with activation by Mexican mineral water brand Topo Chico. The event takes place in the heart of Downtown Crossing, near where Washington and Summer Streets meet.

Cinco de Mayo, officially on the fifth of May, marks Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Today, the holiday is celebrated in Puebla with historical reenactments, parades, speeches, and meals. And in the U.S., it’s typically a celebration of Mexican American culture.

The outdoor event, free and open to the public, runs from 12:30 to 3 p.m.