Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo) 2025 in Mexico

Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for the 5th of May, celebrates the defeat of the French army during the Battle of Puebla (Batalla de Puebla) in Mexico on May 5, 1862. It is not to be confused with the country's Independence Day.

Is Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo) a Public Holiday?

Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo) is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is mainly observed in the Mexican state of Puebla, where parades with people dressed in costumes are held to celebrate the day. Reenactments of the Battle of Puebla also take place in other parts of Mexico, including Peñón de los Baños in Mexico City, where the day is celebrated by people originally from Puebla.

Public Life

Cinco de Mayo is a government and school holiday in Mexico, so government offices and many schools are closed. It is also a regional holiday in the states of Puebla and Veracruz.

About Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo officially commemorates the anniversary of an early victory by Mexican forces over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the anniversary of the defeat and expulsion of the French forces by the Mexicans, which occurred in 1867. The battle in Puebla did, however, lift the confidence of the Mexican army and people. It helped boost national unity at the time.

Did You Know?

Cinco de Mayo celebrations are very popular in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco in the United States.

While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.