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Festive Decor

Blaine Moats

These Cinco de Mayo party ideas are decorations that bring a welcome burst of color to any outdoor summer night. Line your deck or porch wall with DIY tissue paper poms that provide a bright and festive backdrop for an appetizer spread or drink station.

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Floral Centerpieces

Blaine Moats

Bold blooms are one of our favorite Cinco de Mayo party ideas and a must-have for any spring celebration, from Mother's Day to graduation. Place stems of bright flowers and bold cactus plants in old glass jars to set the mood for a Mexican fiesta. Let the party begin!

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Adults-Only Bar

Blaine Moats

Set up a Cinco de Mayo party bar area with colorful cocktails displayed on a bold tablecloth or against a bright backdrop. Let family members mix their own margaritasor palomas to get the party started—or mix up a big batch of our nonalcoholic Rhubarb Agua Fresca!

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Tasty Food Spread

Blaine Moats

A family-style spread keeps with Cinco de Mayo party ideas that are casual and welcoming. Offer diners an array of tasty Mexican appetizers like salsas and sauces, and bring hot dishes directly from the oven to the table. If you can, prepare appetizers and salads the day before, so you're not scrambling to finish dinner.

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Colorful Drinkware

Blaine Moats

Don't worry about providing different glasses for each kind of drink served—these colorful glasseswork for margaritas, cocktails, and nonalcoholic drinks alike! The mismatched floral patterns add fiesta-inspired color and pair well with plain glasses if you need to supplement a few extras for a large crowd. Look for similar glasses at discount home stores, vintage shops, or online stores.

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Cinco de Mayo Place Setting

Blaine Moats

It wouldn't be a Mexican fiesta without a bright and fun place setting. Pair bright plates and napkins with metallic utensils for holiday-appropriate color. Using vibrant serving pieces means you don't need a tablecloth—the dishes and linens speak for themselves! And don't worry about matching dishes and napkins; one of our favorite Cinco de Mayo party ideas is mixing and matching bright colors.

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Tag Your Drink

Make it easy to remember which glass is yours with this fun Cinco de Mayo party idea. Simply use a zester to initial a lime wedge for each guest's drink. Pre-make these party tags for all your guests so they're ready to go when you're mixing up cocktails.

Use Our Handy Chart to Plan Soft Drinks and Alcohol for a Party

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Tres Leches Cake

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Jason Donnelly

End your party on a sweet note by serving up a classic tres leches cake. Just pour the tres leches milk mixture over a freshly baked cake and let soak for 8 hours. Top with fresh berries and homemade whipped cream.