As Oklahoma’s largest Cinco de Mayo Festival continues to grow in size, organizers have moved the celebration to Scissortail Park in downtown Oklahoma City, where it is expected to draw approximately 20,000 people celebrating Hispanic heritage and culture. The free, family-friendly event will take place on May 3 from 1 PM to 10:30 PM. Festivities will include live music from local and international touring artists, folkloric dancing, activities for children, a parade of horses, and the crowning of Miss Cinco de Mayo.

“Every year it seems interest in celebrating Cinco de Mayo and the rich cultural history of the Hispanic community in Oklahoma City grows and grows,” said Maureen Heffernan, CEO and president of Scissortail Park Foundation. “We welcome having this event at Scissortail Park as the perfect location for everyone to gather to celebrate and enjoy this event with music, food, dance and more. Please join us. Por favor, acompáñanos!"

The Oklahoma City Cinco de Mayo Festival, hosted by Scissortail Community Development Corporation and Academia OKC, began as a small event in 2014. It has grown each year and now attracts thousands of visitors and sponsors ranging from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to internationally known brands like Coca-Cola, McDonalds and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"The OKC Cinco de Mayo Festival has really hit a critical mass of attendance,” said Scissortail CDC Executive Director Robert Ruiz. “We believe that moving to downtown OKC will open the celebration up to a much larger audience while still keeping the culture and flavor that makes it such a unique and authentic event."

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexico’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Oklahoma City and Puebla are united as “sister cities” through the Sister Cities International program, a non-profit that creates partnerships and fosters cultural exchange.

ChoiceMatters Executive Director Robert Ruiz said the partnership is just one of the reasons Oklahoma City’s celebration is one of the most authentic and exciting Cinco de Mayo events in the country.


“This is a coming out party each year for our Hispanic community and an opportunity to showcase just how large, significant and culturally vibrant we are,” said Ruiz. “It’s a great opportunity for all people to connect with that culture and to celebrate its contributions to life in Oklahoma.”


More information is available at academia.org/festivals. Inquiries regarding sponsorship opportunities can be sent to Luis Hidalgo at l.hidalgo@scissortailcdc.org or at 405-360-1200.


The new Scissortail Park is in the heart of a revitalized downtown Oklahoma City. This public space is part of the MAPS 3 program that envisions a healthy and vibrant quality of life for our city while serving as an investment in the future. Every detail is designed for connection – with nature, neighbors and ourselves. It is a place for play, culture, celebration and inspiration.


Scissortail Park features a variety of engaging experiences within 70 urban acres ranging from ornamental gardens and woodlands, to a lake and boathouse, children’s playground, grand promenade, water features, outdoor roller rink, an enclosed dog park, interactive fountain and much more.


Designed by one of the foremost landscape architecture planning firms in the world, Hargreaves Associates, the Park is also a horticultural tapestry of native prairie grasses, lush flower gardens and tree-lined walkways. Together we have created something spectacular. For everyone.


Scissortail Park is managed by Scissortail Park Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization.