Cinco de Mayo at Olvera Street

Cinco de Mayo, literally Fifth of May, is a holiday originating in Puebla, Mexico to commemorate the last foreign battle on North American soil. The Mexican army defeated the much larger and better-equipped French army in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Friday night there will be live music and dancing in the Plaza Kiosko, followed by a traditional celebration over the weekend with mariachis, folklorico dancers, piñatas and other activities for the kids at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Site on Olvera Street in Downtown Los Angeles.