How To Say Happy Cinco de Mayo: Wishes in English and Spanish

Mexican desert landscape to celebrate cinco de mayo

Cinco de Mayo 💃🏻🪅🪇🕺🏼, which literally translates to “5th of May,” marks the triumphant ✊ victory of the Mexican army over French forces on May 5, 1862.

While it commemorates a Mexican historical event, you might be surprised to learn that Cinco de Mayo is not big in Mexico. 💃🏻🪅🪇🕺🏼 In fact, it’s more enthusiastically observed 🎊 in the United States, especially in areas with large Mexican-American communities.

If you're one of the many Mexican-Americans celebrating on May 5th, get ready to greet friends and family with some festive Cinco de Mayo greetings in English! Although Cinco de Mayo is not that big in Mexico 💃🏻🪅🪇🕺🏼, it’s still a great opportunity to learn how to say Happy Cinco de Mayo in Spanish, the country’s predominant language!

Below, we’ve put together a fun collection of Happy Cinco de Mayo wishes in English and Spanish for you to enjoy!

How To Wish Someone a Happy Cinco de Mayo

How do you say Happy Cinco de Mayo in Spanish? 💃🏻🪅🪇🕺🏼 How about in English? Here are the best Happy Cinco de Mayo greetings for you to learn!

10 “Happy Cinco de Mayo” greetings in English

Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Have a fantastic Cinco de Mayo! 🎉
Enjoy your Cinco de Mayo celebrations!
Taco 'bout a great day! 🌮
Have a fantas-taco day!
Let's celebrate Cinco de Mayo! 🥳
Grateful for the culture we celebrate today!
Cheers to culture and history! 🥂
Celebrate with pride today!
Respect the roots. Celebrate the culture.

10 “Happy Cinco de Mayo” greetings in Spanish

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! (Happy 5th of May!)
¡Feliz Día de la Batalla de Puebla¡ (Happy day of the Battle of Puebla)
¡Viva México¡ (Long live Mexico!)
¡Que tengas un feliz Cinco de Mayo! (Have a happy Cinco de Mayo!)
¡Felicidades en este Cinco de Mayo! (Congratulations on this Cinco de Mayo!)
¡Que pases un excelente Cinco de Mayo! (May you have an excellent Cinco de Mayo!)
¡Recordemos la victoria!: (Let's remember the victory!)
¡Un día de orgullo!: (A day of pride!)
¡Un día de celebración!: (A day of celebration!)

Check out more Cinco de Mayo quotes to use in your greetings and celebrations!

Photo by Jorge Aguilar

5 Questions About Cinco de Mayo You May Be Asking Yourself

“I’m still confused! Is Cinco de Mayo a Mexican holiday or not?” You’re not alone! Luckily, we’re here to clear the confusion and answer some of the most common questions about Cinco de Mayo!

Like any holiday, it’s always important to understand the history and cultural significance behind it so that you know what you’re celebrating and how to do it in a fun but respectful way. Get ready to understand Cinco de Mayo 💃🏻🪅🪇🕺🏼 better so that you can learn how to celebrate 🥳 and honor this day more meaningfully!

Is Cinco de Mayo a Mexican holiday or a US holiday?

First things first: Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday! 💃🏻🪅🪇🕺🏼 It commemorates the victory of the smaller Mexican army over the much larger French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. This momentous event stands as a powerful symbol of Mexico’s resilience 💪 and unity, which ultimately contributed to the country’s path to freedom.

That said, Cinco de Mayo is actually not big in Mexico. It’s mostly observed in the state of Puebla, where it’s celebrated with grand parades 🪅, traditional music 🎶, and reenactments of the historic battle. In contrast, Cinco de Mayo has grown into a widespread celebration in the United States, especially in areas with large Mexican-American communities.

In the US, it has become a vibrant tribute to Mexican-American heritage. Its popularity has also been boosted by marketing campaigns — particularly by alcoholic beverage companies 🍺— which promote gathering and toasting together 🍻 on May 5th.

Is Cinco de Mayo big in Mexico?

Not really — Cinco de Mayo is not big in Mexico. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one who’s confused! 😵‍💫 It’s easy to assume the holiday would be widely celebrated in Mexico because of its historical roots, but it's actually considered a minor holiday — except in the state of Puebla, where the famous Battle of Puebla was won in 1862.

In Puebla, you’ll find lively reenactments of the battle ⚔️, military parades 🪖 featuring musicians 🎙️, soldiers, and dancers 💃🏻, concerts and mariachi bands 🎸, and festive gatherings with delicious traditional Mexican food. 🌯

Funnily enough, while Cinco de Mayo is not big in Mexico, it’s a major celebration in the United States! Across states with large Mexican-American communities, people honor Mexican-American culture with vibrant parades, dancers 🕺🏼, marching bands 🥁, and of course—lots of guacamole! 🥑

Cultural sensitive is important when you have international friends! Take a look also at: Diwali Wishes: How To Wish Someone a Happy Diwali

What is the difference between Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day?

Cinco de Mayo 💃🏻🪅🪇🕺🏼 is often mistaken for Mexican Independence Day, especially in the United States — but they’re actually two completely different events! While Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s ⚔️ victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, Mexican Independence Day marks Father Hidalgo’s famous first cry for independence from Spanish rule on September 16, 1810.

Mexican Independence Day celebrates the beginning of the 11-year struggle for freedom, which eventually led to Mexico’s independence ✊ with the signing of the Treaty of Córdoba. Although both holidays honor Mexico’s fight against foreign forces, they commemorate very different moments in history — and definitely shouldn’t be confused!

You may also like to read: How To Say Happy New Year in More Than 30 Languages

Photo by Alain Bonnardeaux

What not to do on Cinco de Mayo?

Cinco de Mayo, first and foremost, is a celebration of resilience, unity, freedom, and cultural heritage. That’s why any celebration should focus on honoring these values. Family gatherings, cultural parades, and sharing thoughtful Cinco de Mayo greetings are great ways to celebrate while staying true to the holiday’s roots and significance. 🎗️

Since Cinco de Mayo 💃🏻🪅🪇🕺🏼 is celebrated more widely in the United States than in Mexico, it’s easy to unintentionally cross the line into cultural appropriation. You may think that parading traditional Mexican attire is a great idea to join in the celebrations, but without understanding the cultural and historical significance behind those garments, it may come off as wearing someone’s heritage as a costume rather than honoring it. 😬

That’s why it's important to take time to learn about the true meaning of Cinco de Mayo 💃🏻🪅🪇🕺🏼 so that you can find meaningful and respectful ways to celebrate alongside your Mexican-American friends and communities!

The best way to honor Cinco de Mayo 💃🏻🪅🪇🕺🏼 is by recognizing the rich culture it represents — not the stereotypes. If you’re making guacamole 🥑, why not look up a traditional Mexican recipe and enjoy it authentically? If you’re wearing Mexican-inspired attire, do so with dignity and respect.

And if you’re attending or hosting a party 🪩🎉, take a moment to reflect on what Cinco de Mayo truly represents, and don't just celebrate as an excuse to drink. And please, resist the urge to wear fake mustaches!

Is it ok to say “Happy Cinco de Mayo”?

While it’s a common greeting in the United States, saying “Happy Cinco de Mayo” is not customary or necessary. Unlike Mexican Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo 💃🏻🪅🪇🕺🏼 is not a national holiday in Mexico, so it is extremely rare to hear Mexicans greet each other with “Happy Cinco de Mayo”.

If you want to celebrate the day meaningfully, a simple gathering with family and friends is more than enough. You can decorate with banners featuring Cinco de Mayo quotes, share food, and even take time to educate one another about the holiday’s history and significance. Of course, no one will call you out for saying “Happy Cinco de Mayo”—it's still acceptable, especially if you’re not sure how else to greet someone.

If you can, try taking your conversation a step further and use the opportunity to make sure you and those around you understand the real meaning behind the day so you can honor it with authenticity and respect. Going out to celebrate 🎊 in the streets with parades 💃🏻🪅🪇🕺🏼 is also okay, but just remember to do so with cultural awareness and appreciation for the traditions and people you’re celebrating.

Creative Ways to Use Cinco de Mayo Messages and Quotes in Celebrations

Cinco de Mayo quotes and messages are incredibly versatile — you can use them as greetings when celebrating with family and friends, as toasts during gatherings, as decorations on posters and banners, or even as catchy social media captions. Many Cinco de Mayo 💃🏻🪅🪇🕺🏼 quotes capture the spirit of resilience, unity, and pride 😁, adding a layer of cultural awareness to your celebrations.

That said, as mentioned earlier, your festivities shouldn’t stop with just sharing quotes and messages! Make sure to educate yourself and your loved ones about the true meaning of the holiday. That way, your gatherings, your words, and your celebrations will carry deeper significance and respect.

Photo by Mitchell Luo

Create Many Cinco de Mayo Greetings for Free with our AI Generator!

Finding the right words to wish someone a Happy Cinco de Mayo can feel like attempting to salsa dance 💃 with two left feet—it's tricky, especially if you want to sprinkle in some Spanish flair. 🌶️

Luckily, our trusted AI message generator, affectionately known as "Olivia," is here to make sure your message cha-chas 🕺 to the rhythm 🎶 of your sentiments. Olivia is like having your very own bilingual wordsmith, ready to craft messages that express your festive spirit 🎉 perfectly in both English and Spanish, sparking joy in recipients near and far. 🥳

Just fill out a straightforward form 📝 with a few details about your recipient and your message goals!

With a simple click, Olivia will dance through linguistic hoops to generate a message that's as lively and heartfelt as a Cinco de Mayo celebration 🎊 itself.

Why not let Olivia work her magic? ✨ Take a peek 👀 at what she can whip up for you.

Subject: 🎉 ¡Fiesta Time! 🎉

Hola amigos! 🎊 Get ready to fiesta because I’m throwing a Cinco de Mayo party this Saturday! 🌮✨ Let’s celebrate with delicious food, refreshing drinks, and plenty of good vibes. Bring your dancing shoes and your best party spirit, porque esta fiesta va a ser inolvidable! 💃🎶 Can’t wait to see all your bright smiles and party with my favorite people. ¡Vamos a disfrutar! 🎈🥳

Con cariño,
Jackelin

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo, Juan! 🌮🎉 Today we celebrate the rich culture and history of Mexico, honoring the bravery and resilience of your ancestors. I hope this special day brings you joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments with your family and friends. Let’s raise a glass to the delicious food, vibrant music, and beautiful traditions that make this day so meaningful. May your heart be filled with pride as we recognize the spirit of unity and celebration! Cheers to you and your familia! 🥳✨ With warmth, Lolly

¡Hola Victoria! 🌟 I just wanted to say a huge thank you for inviting me to your Cinco de Mayo gathering! I’m really excited to experience such a vibrant part of the culture and share this celebration with you and your friends. 🎉 Your hospitality means a lot to me, and I can’t wait to enjoy the delicious food, lively music, and great company. Gracias de nuevo por la invitación, ¡nos vemos pronto! 🎊 Best, Lawrence

Try our free AI message generator! 🌟

Final Thoughts

While Cinco de Mayo is not big in Mexico 💃🏻🪅🪇🕺🏼, it has become one of the most festive events in the United States, especially in areas with large Mexican-American communities. With May 5th fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to learn how to say Happy Cinco de Mayo in Spanish and English, so you’re ready to greet family and friends with enthusiasm!

As you enjoy the festivities, remember that this holiday is a culturally rooted celebration of Mexican pride and unity 🥹. Taking the time to learn its history and significance ensures your celebration is not only fun but also meaningful and respectful.

Now that you’ve got a better understanding of what Cinco de Mayo truly represents, you can join in the celebration by sharing Cinco de Mayo greetings and quotes 💌 with loved ones — whether they’re in Mexico or anywhere else in the world! And if you want to add a thoughtful touch, try using **Gifft.mes virtual gifts**to send a little extra joy! 💝