Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with mariachi, margaritas y mucho mas!
Family friendly fun for all in Santa Rosa
The 12th Annual Roseland Cinco de Mayo Festival is one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the North Bay, drawing over 10,000 people. This family friendly event (it's both alcohol and smoke free!) features two stages with live music, kid-friendly activities, folk dancing, a car show, and food and craft vendors from throughout the region. The event is Friday, May 5, 4 pm to 9 pm and admission is free. 650 Sebastopol Rd., Santa Rosa. (Photo Beth Schlanker)
Enjoy fun in the sun on the Sonoma Plaza
La Luz Center, a nonprofit that serves Sonoma Valley's vibrant immigrant community, hosts their annual Cinco de Mayo event at the historic Sonoma Plaza. The event, which draws over 1,000 annually, includes local food (look for the tamale lady!), live music by Extrovertidos and Mariachi Barragan, a kid zone, and a powerful performance by Ballet Folklórico Quetzalén. Stay cool in the sun with ice cream and aqua frescas from Sonoma's famed La Michoacana and beer provided by Lagunitas. The event is Sunday, May 7, 12 pm to 6 pm. It is free. Sonoma Plaza. (Photo: William B. Murray)
Celebrate with fine wine at Robledo Family Winery
One of Sonoma Valley's most recognized wineries, Robledo Family Winery will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with "lots of wine" at their Carneros-based winery. Their expansive picnic area and grounds will serve as the celebration site, featuring folk dancing, Maricachi music, and traditional food. Make sure to grab a glass of Sauvignon Blanc - and a dance partner. The event is Saturday, May 6 from 12 pm to 4 pm. Tickets are required and start at $55. Call (707 939-6903 for tickets. 21901 Bonness Rd., Sonoma. (Photo courtesy of Robledo Family Winery)
Toast to Cinco de Mayo Wine Country style with Cinco de Vino
Sonoma-Loeb will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with "Cinco de Vino" at their downtown Sonoma tasting room. They'll be pairing their newly released Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines with festive Mexican cuisine; the winery has enlisted Sonoma's own Maya Restaurant to serve up Yucatan inspired small bites. Reservations required. Friday, May 5, 4 pm to 8 pm. Tickets start at $20. RSVP at (707) 934-8363 or kelsey@sonoma-loeb.com.
(Photo courtesy of Maya Restaurant)
A fiesta full of food, wine and fun in Napa Valley
Spend the afternoon celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a fiesta at Mi Sueño Winery in Napa Valley. It's the winery's 20th anniversary and it will be an event to remember. Owners Rolando and Lorena Herrera will welcome guests to a winery party featuring live mariachi music, Mi Sueño wines, and a feast of traditional Mexican food including whole roasted pig carnitas, ceviche, flautas, and churros fried on the spot. The event is Saturday, May 6, 11:30am to 3:30 pm. Tickets are required and start at $85. (707) 258-6358, 910 Enterprise Way, Suite M, Napa. (Photo courtesy of Mi Sueno Winery)
Golf the day away and support farmworkers in Napa
The annual Cinco de Mayo Golf Classic at the Silverado Resort & Spa is the only event in Napa Valley that exclusively benefits farmworkers - the majority of whom work the region's world-class vineyards. The event features a continental breakfast, mid-morning margaritas and breakfast tacos, a raffle, golf prizes, and a luncheon featuring the food of Napa's Cocina Severiano. Proceeds benefit the Napa Valley Farmworker Committee. The event is Friday, May 5, 6:30 am-3:00 pm. Tickets start at $250. 1600 Atlas Peak Rd., Napa. (Photo courtesy of Cinco de Mayo Golf Classic)
The first commemoration of Cinco de Mayo took place in California in 1863, one year after a stunning Mexican victory over a much larger invading French army at the Battle of Puebla. 157 years later, Cinco de Mayo continues to be a cause for celebration — and Wine Country offers a variety of opportunities to enjoy the day, with food, fun and, of course, margaritas, cerveza and vino. Check out the gallery above for six ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo 2017 in Sonoma and Napa.
