Cinco de Mayo, a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture, falls on a Monday this year, meaning that the taco-eating, tequila-drinking festivities will be starting early to take advantage of the weekend. Ole!

RESTAURANTS & BARS TO HAVE ON YOUR RADAR

• The Best Mexican Restaurants in Toronto

Cinco de Mayo long weekend at El Caballito
Celebrations at this King West taqueria start on Thursday, May 1 with a Los Arrangos tasting, and continue throughout the weekend with special margarita and draught beer specials. On Sunday, May 4, starting at noon there will be all-day Mexican brunch. On the big day - Monday, May 5 - celebrate with the Mexican flag-coloured Bandera Taco Plate and more drink specials.

Valdez Four Day Fiesta
The King West bar starts the party early with a patio fiesta and live mariachi music on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 before Chef Steve 'El Jefe' Gonzalez takes the show on the road to Cold Tea and the Drake (details below).

Cinco de Mayo Party at North of Mexico
The Mexican grill in Scarborough celebrates on Saturday, May 3 with a night full of tequila tastings, food specials and a live mariachi band performing between 6:30pn and 7:30pm.

Cinco de Mayo BBQ at Cold Tea Bar
The Kensington Market bar will host Valdez for the first backyard BBQ of the season starting at 3pm on Sunday, May 4.

Cinco de Mayo Patio Fiesta at Frida Restaurant
The party kicks off at 7pm on Saturday, May 3 with live music, a pinata and - of course - dancing. Call the restaurant to reserve a spot and enjoy $4 food and drink specials featuring tacos, guac and chips, margaritas, sangria, beer and tequila shots.

Quattro de Mayo at The Drake Hotel
On Queen West, this DJ-ed party happens on the Sky Yard from 4pm onward and features $5 tacos (your choices include shrimp ceviche, mojo chicken and tomatillo beef).

Cinco de Mayo pop-up at Drake One Fifty
Drake chef Ted Corrado will collaborate with James Beard Award-winning chef Donnie Masterson (based in San Miguel, Mexico) for a special, one-day-only menu featuring modern versions of classic Mexican dishes like pepper-crusted tuna tostadas, pork carnitas salad, and ancho chili braised beef short ribs. Seats are limited and reservations are recommended.

Guacamole Smackdown at The Drake Hotel
The Cinco de Mayo edition of 86D Monday at The Drake Hotel starts at 8pm, and is free, as always. Steve "El Jefe" Gonzalez of Valdez defends his two-years-running title in a Guacamole Smackdown against Nick Lui (Gwai Lo), La Carnita, Alexandra Feswick (now at The Drake) and Ryerson University.

Cinco de Mayo at Dillon's Distillery
Looking for a little weekend road trip? Head to Beamsville for this fiesta on Sunday, May 4 at 4pm, with food and drink supplied by La Carnita.

Cinco de Mayo at Asada Mexican Grill
This St. Clair eatery will throw a bash - complete with live mariachi music - from 6pm to 8 pm on Monday, May 5. See their Facebook page to enter to win free gift cards.

Cinco de Mayo at Fonda Lola
The Queen West eatery is open for business this Monday, and they'll be breaking pinatas every hour on the hour to celebrate.

Did we miss any? Add your Cinco de Mayo event picks in the comments below!

Thanks to Mucho Burrito for sponsoring this post.