5 ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Denver

Denver's annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in Civic Center Park returns this weekend after a two-year pandemic pause.

For anyone looking to kick off the celebration a little sooner, here are a few festivities happening Thursday:

• Bellota is featuring all-day food and drink specials and a live DJ. $1 from each Milagro tequila drink will be donated to Mi Casa Resource Center, a local nonprofit serving under-resourced residents.
• Union Station's Terminal Bar is hosting a fiesta featuring mariachis, tacos and Patrón bikes that blend frozen margaritas using pedal power.
• Head to Mister Oso for a Taco Bell pop-up dubbed "Taco Bear," serving Gordo Crunches, Mexican Pizza, Crunch 'Raps and more. The restaurant is also holding a Gordo Crunch eating contest.
• Join the Cinco de Mayo pub crawl that kicks off at Pour House on Market and includes access to exclusive drink specials at some of Denver's best bars.
• Taste the latest at Joyride Brewing, which is releasing three Mexican-inspired beers today: The Dos Elefantes Mexican Lager, Elefante Ámbar Mexican Amber Lager and General Zara-Gose Margarita Sour.