Free Cinco de Mayo celebrations are set for Boyle Heights and Avalon Tuesday commemorating the victory of a 4,500-man Mexican militia over a larger, well-equipped French expeditionary force during the original Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
The celebration at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature live mariachi performances and artisanal vendors.
The Catalina Museum for Art & History in Avalon will host its annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m., with live music, cultural performances, face painting, an art project for children and Mexican dishes from local food vendors.
Margaritas, wine, beer and other refreshments will be available for purchase.
A Cinco de Mayo program featuring a lecture on the Battle of Puebla, a pop-up history exhibit, food and drink demonstrations and live music will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Brookdale Ocean House in Santa Monica.