Cinco de Mayo Omaha Festival Unveils Parade Route, Festival Highlights, and Star-Studded Band Lineup for 200,000-Plus Attendees
Photo credit: Cinco de Mayo Omaha, 2024 parade
Cinco de Mayo Omaha, one of the city’s largest cultural and economic drivers, returns May 9-11, bringing thousands of visitors to South 24th Street between Q to U Streets for a weekend packed with festivities. Guests can look forward to vibrant local vendors, thrilling carnival rides, and performances by nationally recognized artists.
Cinco de Mayo Omaha is one of the Midwest's largest and most diverse community celebrations, attracting many visitors from surrounding states. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development reported in 2023 that the festival draws between 200,000 and 250,000 attendees annually, making it one of the largest festivals in a five-state radius. Cinco de Mayo Omaha reportedly generates 7.5 million dollars back into the local economy and is a significant tourism event in Nebraska.
The origins of Omaha’s Cinco de Mayo celebration date back to the 1920s, when Mexican immigrant Leopoldo Villaseñor organized the city’s first festival at the Union Hall. During the 1930s, as mass deportation displaced up to 500,000 Mexican Americans, the festival became a symbol of unity and cultural pride.
For the next 50 years, the Chicano Awareness Center (CAC) helped sustain the event. By the 1990s, as Nebraska’s Latino population surged, Omaha’s festival grew into a cornerstone of the community. Today, Casa de la Cultura - along with Cinco de Mayo Omaha Executive Director Marcos Mora and his team - continue to honor and preserve this historic tradition.
Celebrating 105 years of Mexican heritage in Omaha, this year’s Cinco de Mayo Omaha promises an unforgettable three-day experience:
Parade Route: The highly anticipated two-mile parade along South 24th Street from D to L Streets, kicking off the festival and leading guests straight to the heart of the celebrations.
Live Entertainment: Nationally and locally recognized dancers, artists, and musicians will take the stage throughout the weekend, including Banda Los Sebastianes, La Fiera de Ojinaga, and Nortenos de Ojinaga. VIP tickets are available - and include backstage access, front-row spots, exclusive bathrooms, and a bar.
Local Vendors & Food: Enjoy authentic Mexican and South American cuisine and support Omaha’s small businesses.
Health Fair: Free resources and wellness screenings for attendees, provided by the South Omaha Community Care Council.
STEM Hub: Hands-on experiences with 3D printing, VR/AR, robotics, and competitions for all ages, provided by JE DUNN.
Carnival Rides & Family Fun: Exciting attractions for kids and adults alike.
Parking: A shuttle will be provided from the Metropolitan Community College South Omaha Campus parking lot.
For more details, visit cdmomaha.com or follow Cinco de Mayo Omaha on social media.
Special Features
YouTube: Click to watch last year’s video.
Facebook: Cinco de Mayo Omaha
Instagram: @cdmomaha
