Cinco de Mayo events in Toronto for 2015

Cinco de Mayo might fall on a Tuesday this year, but the celebrations in Toronto are already underway and run all week long. The festivities in honour of Mexico's vibrant culture involve all manner of taco-eating, tequila-drinking, and piñata-smashing, and that - no matter your heritage - is a victory for us all.

Here are my top picks for restaurants and bars to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Toronto this year.

SEE ALSO

• The Best Mexican Restaurants in Toronto
• The Best Margaritas in Toronto
• The Best Tacos in Toronto

Valdez
Cinco De Mayo is a weeklong event at this King West restaurant. The festivities kick off with a rooftop fiesta tonight (Friday, May 1), followed by seven days of celebrations. The main event is a street party featuring guest chefs on Cinco de Mayo proper, Tuesday, May 5.

Steam Whistle
The brewery hosts a Cinco de Mayo party tonight, Friday May 1 from 8pm. Tickets are $10 for a night of DJs, prizes, piñatas, beer and tequila.

El Caballito
The Mexican joint on King West celebrates a couple days early with a fiesta happening on the patio on Sunday, May 3. Tickets are $25 for the Day Drinking session starting at 2pm which includes admission, a cocktail, Mexican munchies and entertainment. Tickets for the fiesta starting at 8pm are $20 for a cocktail and entertainment.

Cold Tea
Toronto's favourite hidden bar hosts its first Sunday afternoon BBQ of the season from 3pm on May 3. El Jefe of Valdez takes over the grill.

The Drake Hotel
86'd Monday hosts its annual Guacamole Smackdown on Monday, May 4 at 8pm as four-time champ, Chef Steve Gonzalez (Valdez) along with visiting Mexican chef Dannie Masterson judge the avocado-mashing match.

El Catrin
The party starts at 6pm on Tuesday, May 5 at the Mexican restaurant in the Distillery District. Look forward to a patio fiesta featuring a live DJ, tequila tastings, drink features and Mexican eats.

La Carnita
Both east side and west side locations of get in on the Cinco de Mayo action on Tuesday, May 5 with Tromba Tequila cocktails on special, soft shell crab tacos (lead photo), and limited edition art prints from Taka Sudo.

Drake One Fifty
Chef Donnie Masterton (of The Restaurant in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico) takes over the kitchen at The a Drake One Fifty for one night only on Tuesday, May 5. Expect modern interpretations of classical Mexican dishes available a la carte, plus tequila cocktail pairings and accompanying Latin grooves.

Milagro Cantinas
Celebrate at any of Milagro's multiple locations with $5.50 drink specials including Jimador Margaritas, Herradura Reposado and Spearhead pints. Reservations are a must!

Fonda Lola
The taqueria celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a fish taco eating contest, menu features like double decker tostadas, and pinatas on the hour.

BONUS

The Distillery District
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Sunday, May 3 with amigos, La Carnita and Dillon's Distillery who are teaming up to offer tacos and cocktails made with every spirit in the Dillon's line-up.

What did I miss? Add more Cinco de Mayo events to the comments.

by Liora Ipsum via blogTO