30 Cinco de Mayo Songs, from Mariachi Classics to Selena and Peso Pluma

What songs should you play on Cinco de Mayo?

Start with the classics: "Cielito Lindo", the "Jarabe Tapatío" (the Mexican Hat Dance) and "La Bamba" by Ritchie Valens. Add Selena's "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" and "Como la Flor", a mariachi favorite like "El Son de la Negra" and a modern hit like "Ella Baila Sola" by Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma.

Mexican classics and mariachi

1. "Cielito Lindo": the mariachi song everyone sings along to.
2. "La Bamba", Ritchie Valens: the rock and roll version of a Veracruz folk song.
3. "Jarabe Tapatío": the Mexican Hat Dance.
4. "La Cucaracha": the old folk song.
5. "México Lindo y Querido", Jorge Negrete: a love letter to Mexico.
6. "El Son de la Negra": the classic mariachi showpiece.
7. "Volver, Volver", Vicente Fernández: the ranchera everyone knows.
8. "El Rey", José Alfredo Jiménez: a proud ranchera anthem.
9. "Bésame Mucho", Consuelo Velázquez: the romantic bolero.
10. "La Bikina", Luis Miguel: a mariachi favorite written by Rubén Fuentes.

Tejano and Latin pop

11. "Como la Flor", Selena: the Tejano classic.
12. "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom", Selena: a joyful cumbia.
13. "Baila Esta Cumbia", Selena: made for dancing.
14. "Amor Prohibido", Selena: a love song across class lines.
15. "Ella Baila Sola", Eslabon Armado and Peso Pluma: the modern regional Mexican hit.
16. "La Chona", Los Tucanes de Tijuana: the norteño party song.
17. "Hasta la Raíz", Natalia Lafourcade: about where you come from.
18. "Eres", Café Tacvba: a beloved Mexican rock love song.

Party songs for Cinco de Mayo

19. "Tequila", The Champs: the one-word party song.
20. "Oye Como Va", Santana: the Latin rock classic.
21. "Smooth", Santana featuring Rob Thomas: the summer hit.
22. "Bailando", Enrique Iglesias: a modern Latin pop favorite.
23. "Despacito", Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee: the global hit.
24. "Suavemente", Elvis Crespo: a merengue that fills every floor.
25. "Macarena", Los del Río: the dance everyone remembers.
26. "Margaritaville", Jimmy Buffett: for the margarita hour.

Songs about Mexico

27. "Mexico", James Taylor: a breezy song about heading south.
28. "South of the Border", Frank Sinatra: a classic standard.
29. "Beer in Mexico", Kenny Chesney: a laid-back escape.
30. "Pancho and Lefty", Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard: an outlaw ballad partly set in Mexico.

What does Cinco de Mayo celebrate?

Cinco de Mayo marks the Mexican army's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. It is not Mexican Independence Day, which is September 16. The day is celebrated far more widely in the United States than in Mexico, where it is mainly marked in Puebla, and it has become a celebration of Mexican American culture and heritage.

How to plan a Cinco de Mayo playlist

• Afternoon: mariachi and boleros while people eat.
• Golden hour: Selena, Natalia Lafourcade and Café Tacvba.
• Party: cumbias, regional Mexican hits and the Latin pop singalongs.
• Late night: "Volver, Volver" and "El Rey", sung by everyone.

If you can, book a local mariachi for an hour: nothing sets the mood like live trumpets and violins. Most groups book up early for May 5, so reserve a few weeks ahead.

Mariachi songs for the party

A mariachi set usually mixes fast sones with slower rancheras: "El Son de la Negra" and "Cielito Lindo" to open, "Volver, Volver" and "El Rey" for the big singalongs and "La Bikina" for a romantic moment. Ask the band for "Las Mañanitas" if someone at the party has a birthday.

Regional Mexican music

Today's regional Mexican music, from norteño to the newer corridos, is some of the most-streamed music in the United States. "Ella Baila Sola" and "La Chona" are the crowd-pleasers; ask the younger guests which current hits they want to hear.

Food and music pairings

Play boleros like "Bésame Mucho" while the tacos and elote come out, switch to cumbias like "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" once the tables are cleared and save "Tequila" for the moment the margaritas arrive.

Celebrating at school or work

For a classroom or office celebration, keep it short and inclusive: a few mariachi classics, a Selena song and a quick explanation of the Battle of Puebla. It is a good chance to celebrate the Mexican American families and coworkers in your community.

Cinco de Mayo songs for kids

For a classroom or family celebration, "La Cucaracha", "Cielito Lindo", "La Bamba" and the "Jarabe Tapatío" are easy to sing and dance to. Kids love learning the hat dance steps, and a few paper flowers and a homemade piñata turn it into a real fiesta.

More Spanish and Latin music lists

For other occasions, see our lists of Spanish love songs, Spanish Christmas songs and the happy birthday song in Spanish. For another spring party, see our Mardi Gras songs.

A song in Spanish for someone you love

For a Mexican American family, a quinceañera, a birthday or a wedding, a personalized song can be made in Spanish or English, in a Latin style, with names, family stories and the places your family comes from.

How to create a Latin-style song

1. Choose the Latin style from 14 genres, in Spanish or English.
2. Add the names of the people in the song.
3. Share three family memories or traditions.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Celebrate your family's story in a song: create a song and hear four previews for free.