If you’re looking for a fun and effective marketing promotion that’s sure to attract customers, maybe it’s time to create a new tradition using a popular holiday that’s become a springtime favorite around the country—Cinco De Mayo, the fifth of May.

Invite Your Customers to a Cinco de Mayo Party

This Mexican holiday, celebrated mostly in the United States, has been popular in the southwest for a long time, but has been slowly spreading across the rest of the country for the past few decades. Even if your restaurant doesn’t normally serve Mexican food, you can still create a fun day (or weekend event) that will pack the customers into your place! Here’s what you can for Cinco de Mayo:

Food specials. There are many different kinds of Mexican cuisine that you can make: enchiladas, tacos, burritos, and fajitas. While it may not be your restaurant’s usual fare, maybe pick one or two dishes that you can make quickly and easily to tie in with your Cinco de Mayo promotion. Consider free food promotions, too. Create a mini taco station or nacho station with some fixings like cheese, beans, and ground beef, or hand out complimentary chips and salsa. If you have an outdoor area, consider setting up some food tents that carry different Mexican specialties, and include some drink pairings, too.  Be sure to have folding tables on hand in advance to set up your event stations.

Drink specials. Of course, Mexican-themed beers and other alcoholic beverages, like margaritas, should be on tap. Dos Equis, sangria, and tequila are all good choices. Give everyone a special price on these drinks on May 5—maybe tie in the number “5” into the prices ($5 margaritas, 3 beers for $5).

Music and dance. Featuring live bands and DJs is a Cinco de Mayo tradition. A mariachi band or tejano music will add to the atmosphere. Many bands enjoy getting a restaurant’s patrons involved by teaching them some short songs and dances, handing out maracas, and asking everyone to sign and dance along.

Family events. This year, Cinco de Mayo is on a Monday, which means that many places will be running weekend events to celebrate. During the day, attract families with the promise of face painting, small sombreros, maracas, and children’s Mexican dances.

Larger-scale Cinco De Mayo Celebrations

If there are other restaurants or bars in the area that are also running Cinco de Mayo specials, you may want to run a block party with an outdoor stage, different bands and singers, and games and prizes.

Remember to promote your Cinco de Mayo event on your website, and also by using social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Offer Facebook coupons or “check-in” specials so that your customers’ friends know just where they’re going to be on Cinco de Mayo. The fifth of May is a great way to bring in new customers before the summer season starts!