Denver weekend guide: Cinco de Mayo, Derby Day, Lil Wayne

Let's get May off to a good start!

• Denver’s weekend events include a Cinco de Mayo festival, Lil Wayne in concert and Denver Fashion Week.

🇲🇽 1. Cinco de Mayo Festival

The biggest Cinco de Mayo event in the area will be the Cinco de Mayo Festival in Civic Center Park. The festivities start with a parade from 11am to noon on Saturday.

• The two-day fiesta will feature three stages of live music and dance performances, plus a Chihuahua race, low-rider car show, taco eating contest and plenty of food and drink vendors.

Why it matters: Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. This celebration of Latino culture has been a tradition in Denver for over 3o years, per the organizer, NEWSED.

When: 10am–8pm, Saturday and Sunday

Location: Civic Center Park

Cost: Free

🎵 2. R&B concert in Aurora

• Tickets are still on sale for tonight's Cinco de Mayo concert featuring Ginuwine, Baby Bash and Frankie J. Doors open at 8pm at Stampede. Tickets

🎉 3. Block party at Los Chingones

• The RiNo location is blocking the intersection of 25th and Larimer for a Cinco de Mayo party.
• The event is from 11am to 10pm tomorrow and will feature a new seasonal menu from Los Chingones, tequila specials, lucha libre wrestling matches and a mechanical bull.

Worthy of your time

🍿Tonight: Movies at McGregor Square returns

• "Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back" is showing at 6pm. We’ll include future showings in upcoming newsletters.

🎨 Tonight: Art exhibition "Tender Machines" opens at Union Hall

• Attend the opening reception for Union Hall's newest art exhibition. "Tender Machines'' explores the complex relationship between human tendencies and mechanical logic.
• Hours: 6-8pm
• Address: 1750 Wewatta St., Suite 144

👠 Saturday: Denver Fashion Week begins

• Colorado's largest fashion event kicks off on Saturday. This seven-day event at The Brighton in RiNo will feature everything from streetwear to high fashion by designers from Denver and around the world. Tickets

🏇 Saturday: Derby Day at Union Station

• Head downtown for a full day of Kentucky Derby festivities, including a pre-race brunch and patio seating with drinks and live music starting at noon.
• Try the Millionaires Row VIP experience from 2–6pm at the Cooper Lounge for a Churchill Downs-like experience. Tickets

🎤 Sunday: Lil Wayne: Welcome to Tha Carter Tour

• The self-proclaimed "best rapper alive" will perform at 7pm at the Fillmore Auditorium. Tickets