5 Cinco de Mayo Celebrations Happening in Tampa Bay

Cinco de Mayo kicks off your weekend this Friday, and some Tampa Bay hotspots even run specials for most of the month. Since Tampa Taco Week took place last week, a lot of places are celebrating Cinco de Mayo with tequila or margarita specials. Still, it will be worth it to head to these places for a proper celebration. Creative Loafing told us about the 25 celebrations and bar crawls. To see all 25 celebrations happening in Tampa, click here.

For those of you unfamiliar with the origin of the tradition, Cinco de Mayo is a day to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride - but like St. Patrick's Day and Oktoberfest, Cinco de Mayo is also just a really good excuse to party, and chances are your favorite restaurant or bar is ready to help you get started.  Not only is this a national holiday in Mexico, here in the U.S., Cinco de Mayo is just a reason to have a really good time with your friends!  In fact, these days, Cinco de Mayo is actually more popular in the United States than it is in Mexico.

This gem in Dunedin boasts an annual Cinco de Mayo celebration you'll remember until next year when they do it all over again.  Enjoy food and drink specials surrounded by performances, and this year you can take advantage of free salsa lessons.

The biggest and best-known theme park in Tampa Bay presents family-friendly - kid-friendly - entertainment for every holiday.  For Cinco de Mayo, it's Food & Wine Festival incorporates a "Viva La Musica" concert series through May 21.  The best part is its included with park admission.  The concert series runs through May 21.

Bastet Brewing is a popular Ybor City brewery that gets together with Rene's Mexican Kitchen to host its "5 Moles for 5 de Mayo" event. It features a handful of outstanding courses featuring the traditional Mexican sauce and marinade sure to make your mouth water.

Celebrate "Cinco de Mayo" with $20 beer buckets, $5 margaritas and free chips and salsa.

Be one of the first 300 people to arrive for "Cinco de Mayo", and get a free goodie bag!