Cinco de Mayo is the 5th, but Dallas Farmers Market starts celebrating on May 1. Fiesta Time at the DFM runs May 1–3 and then picks up again on the 5th itself — three and a half days of folklorico, mariachi, mechanical bulls, tamales, and margaritas.
Folklorico at Pearl Street Plaza
Aztec Folklorico from Dallas performs on Saturday at 11am and 1pm and on Sunday at noon. The costumes are full Jalisco regalia — embroidered, ribboned, color-blocked — and the dancing is the kind that makes a crowd stop. No registration needed; Pearl Street Plaza is open air and free.
Mariachi all Weekend
A mariachi band plays Pearl Street Plaza both Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 2pm. Live outdoor mariachi is one of those things that sounds better than expected every time. Come early for shade.
"The tamales from The Shed this weekend are the real event. The mariachi is just the soundtrack."
Mechanical Bull at The Market Building
The Market Building has a mechanical bull in the plaza area Saturday 10am–4pm. $5 a ride, kids and adults, and yes, someone will take a video. Prize for the longest ride each hour — ask the operator for details.
Margaritas and $5 Specials
All-day $5 margaritas on May 5 at participating Market Building restaurants. On May 1–3, $8 margaritas are available starting at 11am. Check with individual restaurants on the day for current specials.
Kids' Cactus Crafts
A kids' cactus craft station runs Saturday and Sunday at the Information Booth — paper cactus building, paint-your-own clay pot, and sticker activity sheets. Free, while supplies last.
Tamales and Texas-Mexican Food at The Shed
The Shed's vendor lineup includes several Mexican and Tex-Mex specialty food producers this weekend — tamales, fresh tortillas, salsas, and house-made hot sauces. Ask the Information Booth for the Cinco de Mayo vendor map.
Parking Note
Cinco de Mayo weekend draws a bigger crowd than a typical market Saturday. The DART rail (Pearl/Main stop, 5-min walk) is the easiest way in. Street parking on Harwood fills by 10am. If you're driving, the Elm Street garage (one block north) has paid spots.
The Shed is open Saturdays 8am–5pm and Sundays 10am–5pm. All Cinco de Mayo programming at Pearl Street Plaza is free. May 5 specials apply to Market Building restaurants only.
