Cinco de Mayo is primarily celebrated in the Mexican state of Puebla, where the historic Battle of Puebla took place on May 5, 1862, marking Mexico's victory over French forces
. Puebla hosts grand parades, battle reenactments, cultural performances, and festivals that attract many visitors
. Outside of Puebla, the holiday is not widely celebrated across Mexico as a major national event; it remains mostly ceremonial with military parades and local festivities
. The most important Mexican national holiday is Independence Day on September 16, not Cinco de Mayo
. In contrast, Cinco de Mayo is much more popular in the United States, where it has evolved into a significant celebration of Mexican-American culture and heritage
. Major U.S. cities like Los Angeles (home to the world's largest Cinco de Mayo celebration, Fiesta Broadway), San Antonio, San Diego, and Phoenix host vibrant festivals featuring music, food, and cultural events
. Additionally, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated globally in places such as Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Jamaica, South Africa, Nigeria, France, and Japan, often focusing on Mexican culture, cuisine, and music
. In summary, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated:
- In Mexico, mainly in Puebla with parades and reenactments.
- In the United States, widely across many cities with large festivals celebrating Mexican culture.
- Internationally, in various countries as a cultural celebration of Mexican heritage
