The Ultimate Cinco de Mayo Party Planning Guide (Free Printable Banner!)
Plan a stress-free Cinco de Mayo celebration with DIY decorations, family-friendly recipes, and festive activities for all ages.
(This post contains affiliate links. Please see my Disclaimer for more information.)
Cinco de Mayo is a fun holiday filled with delicious food, vibrant colors, and festive activities! Whether you’re celebrating the Mexican army’s victory over the French Empire or just looking for an excuse to throw a lively party, this guide will help you plan an easy and budget-friendly celebration for your family and friends.
To make decorating easier, we’ve created a free printable Cinco de Mayo banner that you can download at the bottom of this post. Pair this with affordable DIY decor ideas, delicious Mexican-inspired recipes, and fun activities for kids of all ages, and you’re all set for a memorable fiesta!
Decorate with Budget-Friendly Cinco de Mayo Decor
Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive! Here are a few creative ways to bring bright colors and Cinco de Mayo themes to your party space:
1. Free Printable Cinco de Mayo Banner
Our free printable banner is a great way to add a festive touch to your party. Simply download, print, and cut out the bunting pieces, then string them together with twine or ribbon.
2. DIY Papel Picado Banners
Papel picado is a traditional Mexican decoration made from colorful tissue paper. Check out this DIY tutorial to create your own!
3. Freshly Washed Mexican Blankets as Tablecloths
Use vibrant, patterned Mexican blankets as table covers for an authentic look. If you don’t already own one, check local thrift stores for budget-friendly options.
4. DIY Giant Flowers
Make fun flowers out of tissue paper You can hang them on your walls or use them to decorate your tables. Here’s an easy DIY fiesta flower tutorial to follow.
5. Festive Piñata
A piñata is a Cinco de Mayo staple! Grab an affordable one from a local party store, or make your own with cardboard, tissue paper, and glue.
Easy Mexican-Inspired Recipes
Food is the heart of any party, and a Cinco de Mayo celebration is no exception! Here are some traditional Mexican foods and easy recipes that you can make ahead of time.
Main Dishes
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos – Let the slow cooker do all the work!
- Crispy Sheet Pan Tacos – Make the filling ahead of time and prep your tacos right before serving!
- Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas – Make ahead of time and bake before the party. I usually serve everything in disposable pans to make clean up easier.
- Frito Pie Casserole – A crunchy, cheesy, and family-friendly meal.
- Taco Tater Tot Casserole – An easy and kid-approved twist on tacos.
Side Dishes
- Guacamole & Chips – Mash avocados, add lime juice, coarse sea salt, garlic powder, and diced tomatoes. Mix in chopped Cilantro to taste.
- Mexican Rice – Cook rice with tomato sauce, garlic, onion, and chicken broth. (This is our favorite box brand. Make 2 boxes ahead of time and keep them warm in the slow cooker! Pour chicken broth in as needed.)
- Quick Taco Layer Dip – Who needs only seven layers? This quick & easy taco layer dip is perfect for your party!
- Mexican Corn Dip – Packed with fresh flavors and Tajin seasoning, it’s perfect served hot or cold.
- Velveeta Rotel Dip – The slow cooker version is ideal as a party appetizer!
- 3 Ingredient Sausage Rotel Queso Dip – Another great appetizer choice!
Desserts
- Easy Churro Bites – Fried dough tossed in cinnamon sugar.
- Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies – Spiced chocolate cookies with a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Tres Leches Cake – A creamy, delicious Mexican dessert favorite. We love the Costco version!
Refreshing Drinks: Margaritas, Sangria, and Mocktails
No fiesta is complete without delicious drinks! Whether you’re serving classic margaritas, fruity sangria, or non-alcoholic options, here are easy Cinco de Mayo recipes to keep your guests refreshed.
Classic Margarita
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz orange liqueur (triple sec)
- ½ oz agave syrup
- Ice & salt rim
- Lime slice for garnish
Shake and serve over ice!
Fruity Sangria
- 1 bottle red or white wine
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup brandy (optional)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 cup fresh berries & sliced citrus
- 2 cups sparkling water
Mix, chill, and serve!
Mocktail Margaritas
- 2 oz lime juice
- 1 oz orange juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- Club soda
Serve in a salt-rimmed glass over ice!
Fun Cinco de Mayo Activities for Kids
Hosting a party with kids? Keep them entertained with these Cinco de Mayo activities!
1. Decorate Your Own Sombrero
Grab plain straw hats and let the kids decorate them with markers, paint, and pom-poms! If that feels too overwhelming, I recommend this low-key craft to keep the kids busy.
2. DIY Maracas
Use plastic Easter eggs, rice, and spoons to create homemade maracas for kids to shake!
3. Mexican Bingo (Lotería)
Play Lotería (Mexican Bingo) with the whole family!
4. Piñata Time!
Fill a colorful piñata with candy and small toys, and let the kids take turns breaking it open! Here is Arizona, we find the BEST pinatas at the local Mexican party store, and they are a fraction of the price of Party City (RIP), or Amazon. Check your local party stores, too!
5. Coloring Sheets at the Craft Table
Crayola has several designs to print off and leave at the kids’ activity table. This site also has several designs for more options!
Shop For Cinco de Mayo Your Party Here:
Cinco de Mayo Party Playlist Ideas
Set the mood with clean, family-friendly playlists featuring upbeat Latin music! Here are some great Spotify playlists for your celebration:
(As of publishing, these were all active, clean, edited playlists. Use your own judgement and scroll through the songs before playing the music at your party.)
- Fiesta Latina – A mix of salsa, reggaeton, and cumbia.
- Mexican Party Hits – Classic Mariachi and Banda favorites.
- Cinco de Mayo Celebration – A fun mix of traditional and modern hits.
- Latin Pop Vibes – Upbeat Latin pop to keep the party going.
- Salsa & Cumbia Dance Party – Perfect for dancing with family and friends.
Get Your Free Printable Cinco de Mayo Banner!
To make decorating easier, download our free printable Cinco de Mayo banner! Just print, cut, and hang it up for an instant festive look.
Download your FREE printable banner here:
Hosting a Cinco de Mayo celebration doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a little planning, DIY decor, simple recipes, and fun activities, you can create a memorable and budget-friendly party for the whole family.
What are you planning for Cinco de Mayo this year? Let us know in the comments below!
