Turn up the heat in the Lake Tahoe area this Cinco de Mayo with plenty of hot fiestas. The celebration of Mexican heritage and pride commemorates the initial victory of Mexican forces over the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Parties will be jumping like the delineative Mexican bean, and all the action won’t be contained to just one day on May 5.

South Lake Tahoe
Hit up happening Cabo Wabo Cantina, inside Harveys Resort & Casino. The party starts on Friday, May 2 and lasts through Monday, May 5. Cabo Wabo will feature live music, food and drink specials and it will serve food from 11 a.m. through 10 p.m. Sammy Hagar himself will be rocking the house next door at Harrah’s 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Cabo Wabo is located at18 Hwy 50 in Stateline, NV 89449. Call (775) 586-6847 for more information.

The Cantina Bar & Grill kicks off summer with its Cinco de Mayo party Monday, May 5. The Mexican eatery will be giving away everything beach — beach chairs, beach balls, even a beach cruiser! Prize giveaways will take place every half hour starting at 3 p.m. until closing. Food and drink specials start at 11:30 a.m. The Cantina is located at 711 Emerald Bay Road, South Lake Tahoe. Call (530) 544-1233 for more information.

Buy one margarita and receive the second half price at Margaritas Mexican Café, 2494 Lake Tahoe Blvd. at South Lake Tahoe. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. through 9 p.m. Call (530) 544-6907 for more information.

Incline Village
Cinco de Mayo celebrations kick off Friday, May 2 in Incline Village at Hacienda De La Sierra with a community fundraiser for Boy Scout Troop 37. Five dollars from every meal will be donated to the local scouts. On Saturday, May 3, there will be a tequila tasting party with an esteemed panel of judges sampling 12 tequilas in three categories, as well as featured appetizers from chef Martin Torrez. Sunday, May 4 is Family Night at Hacienda, with piñatas, balloons, a magic show and lots of fun and games for the kids. Finally, on Cinco de Mayo, Hacienda will be hosting its 22nd annual Cinco de Mayo bash, with a circus tent out on its patio! There will be live music, free T-shirts, an Alpine Meadows season pass give-away and PG-13-rated ‘wet T-shirt contest.’ This year’s theme is “Save water, drink tequila. Doing our part for the economy.” Doors open at 4 p.m., the band starts playing at 6 p.m. and the party will go all night long! Hacienda de la Sierra is located at 931 Tahoe Blvd. in Incline Village. Call (775) 831-8300 for more information.

Kings Beach
It’s a week-long Cinco de Mayo celebration at Caliente! in Kings Beach. The fiesta gets started Thursday, May 1 with a kick off to Tequila Tasting Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Tequila Tasting Thursdays will take place the first Thursday of every month and include a complimentary tequila seminar and tasting with Patron Tequila. May 1 will also kick off ChupaCabra Thursdays, with discounted ChupaCabras every day and night all summer long. Friday, May 2, enjoy an extended Happy Hour in the bar with food and drink specials from 4 to 10 p.m. Guess how many beans there are in the jar and win dinner for two!
Saturday, May 3 participate in a jalapeno eating contest and enter to win $150. Coronas are on special, a piñata party for the kids takes place at 1 p.m., and kids eat free with adults all day and night.
Sunday, May 4 enjoy food and drink specials, as well as Chihuahua races in the parking lot starting at 2 p.m.
Monday, May 5, is Cinco de Drinko at Caliente! with food and drink specials. Enjoy live music from 7 to 10 p.m. by Trio Bossanova. The Cazadores Girls will be giving away prizes and there will be a tortilla tossing contest at 4 p.m.
Caliente! is located at 8791 North Lake Blvd. in Kings Beach. Call (530) 546-1000 for more information.

Tahoe City
Celebrate “Cinco de Funo” all weekend long at Blue Agave in Tahoe City starting Friday, May 2. Friday is Pancho Villa Night, where everyone will be encouraged to wear a fake moustache supplied by the restaurant. On Saturday, May 3, there is a three-point basketball shoot-out at 4 p.m. Entry fee is $5 and money goes to the North Tahoe Boys & Girls Club. Sunday, May 4 is Karaoke Night for families and kids. Blue Agave is in search of the next Hannah Montana! Finally, Monday, May 5 is The Big Enchilada with live music and the Corona girls. Food and drink specials are featured throughout the weekend. Blue Agave is located at 425 North Lake Blvd. in Tahoe City. Call (530) 583-8113 for more information.

Sol y Lago restaurant and bar inside the Boatworks Mall in Tahoe City is hosting a Cinco de Mayo weekend celebration Friday, May 2 through Monday, May 5. Call (530) 583-0358 for more information.

It’s Cinco de Mayo all weekend long at Squaw Valley’s Zenbu. Come for tequila and beer specials and dance to local DJs Friday night, May 2. Zenbu is open from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call (530) 583-9900 for more information.

Truckee
You make the party at Truckee’s Casa Baeza on Cinco de Mayo. Enjoy pitchers of margaritas at a discount and $2 beers all day and all night long. Casa Baeza is located at 10004 Bridge Street in Truckee. Call (530) 587-2161 for more information.