Festival Rules and FAQs

YES! There are many alternatives to driving to the Denver Colorado Cinco de Mayo event. RTD, Denver’s local bus and rail system, offers many convenient routes no matter where you are in the metro area. The Light Rail, 16th Street Mall Shuttle, and the Broadway Bus Terminal (NE corner of Colfax and Broadway) are all within a short walk to the event grounds. For more information or a schedule please contact RTD at 303-299-6000 or go to www.rtd-denver.com

The Cultural Center parking garage on 12th and Broadway will offer parking for a fee of $5 to $10 for exhibitors and eventgoers on May 5 and 6. Enter off of 12th Ave just west of Broadway. There are also other pay lots that surround the event grounds as well as metered parking.

ATTN. PIT BULL OWNERS: The Cinco de Mayo Festival loves all dog breeds but we have to abide by city rules. Please read the most current ordinance around Pit Bull breeds and necessary permits in Denver if you are thinking about bringing your Pit Bull breed along with you.

The Cinco de Mayo Festival allows dogs but they must be on leashes and you must pick up after your dog. It is encouraged that you leave your dog at home due to the large crowds the event attracts but it is not enforced. The City and County of Denver will hold liable any owner of a pet who injures or causes death to another.

No. The Cinco de Mayo Festival makes it easy for event attendees. You buy direct from the vendors and it is encouraged that you bring cash with you. The event will have ATMs available on every corner.

The Cinco de Mayo “Celebrate Culture” Festival was first produced in 1988, as a neighborhood street fair to showcase Mexican heritage while promoting the economic turnaround of the neighborhoods along the Santa Fe Drive corridor. By 1995, the festival had outgrown its location and moved a few blocks to Denver’s Historic Civic Center Park where it took its place among Colorado’s top four outdoor food and entertainment events. The Cinco de Mayo Festival is intended to support nonprofit organization NEWSED Community Development Corporation. NEWSED was founded in 1973, to promote and develop economic and community programs that raise the income, education, and political levels of Denver residents. It is important to note that all funds raised at the Cinco de Mayo Festival support the programs and services NEWSED provides to the Denver community. Look for the NEWSED information booth at Cinco. Visit www.newsed.org to learn more about NEWSED.

The Event Guides are intended to be informative about where everything is, provide stage schedules and other pertinent information about the event. You will be able to download it from our website once it’s available each year or you can pick one up at any of the six entrances at the Cinco de Mayo Festival.

If you have lost an item while visiting the Cinco de Mayo Festival please call our office at 303-534-8342 on following Monday. If you found an item while visiting the Cinco de Mayo Festival please call our office at 303-534-8342 on following Monday.

No. For the safety and consideration of our eventgoers, petitioners and product samplers are not allowed on the event grounds. However, there are prearranged opportunities for some samplers, email Andrea Barela for information.

Mid 80’s and sunny with a calm breeze is what we all hope for but as everyone knows Colorado weather is not predictable. Please wear appropriate clothing and bring sunscreen and sunglasses. Colorado’s weather is ever changing and can be sudden and unexpected.

NO! Alcohol must remain on the event grounds. Security will ask you to dispose of any alcoholic beverages before you leave. Please also be considerate of our neighboring communities and dispose of any waste in appropriate containers before leaving the event grounds.

YES. The majority of our event grounds are accessible to visitors with mobility concerns. All exhibitor booths are on flat streets and access to the middle of Civic Center Park is available at each of the four corners. The event grounds do get crowded and the streets may have unforeseen hazards such as potholes or mounds. Early hours of the Event are recommended for disabled or elderly visitors.

Admission is free! Come enjoy live, local entertainment on three stages and check out the work of over 300 arts and crafts exhibitors.

Disabled parking is available in parking lots that surround the Cinco de Mayo Festival event grounds. The Cultural Center Parking Garage on 12th and Broadway offers disabled parking for $10 during the weekend of the Event. There are also designated spots on 13th Ave. just south of the Denver Library and Art Museum. The Cinco de Mayo Festival cannot control parking fees at surrounding privately owned lots and costs vary.

The Cinco de Mayo Festival will not have strollers or wheelchairs for attendee use. Please provide the necessary means for you or your loved ones while visiting the event in order to travel the event grounds safely. We encourage families with young children and elderly and disabled patrons to visit the event during the early hours of operation. It will most likely be cooler temperatures and the walkways will be less crowded for you to enjoy all the event has to offer.

Tickets are needed for the Children’s Carnival. These tickets are available at the entrance of the Children’s Carnival.

Please see the rules at the top of this page for restricted items. We encourage event-goers to pack a small bag with sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and appropriate clothing for the ever-changing weather. Event-goers may pack a picnic or bring a blanket to relax in the park.

Vendor applications are available on the Vendors section of this website.

People of all ages are welcome to attend the Cinco de Mayo Festival. However, those wishing to purchase alcoholic beverages must be over 21 years old.

YES! The Cinco de Mayo Festival is held Rain or Shine! If it’s raining grab an umbrella or jacket and come brave the weather!