This weekend, prepare to salt your margarita glass and put on your salsa-dancing shoes for Cinco de Mayo, the festive Mexican holiday celebrated by Latinos and non-Latinos alike. 

The holiday began to commemorate Mexico's military victory during the Franco-Mexican War but is known today as a day to celebrate the vibrancy and eclecticism of Latin culture. 

Many western cities are holding big Cinco de Mayo celebrations, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, Denver and Dallas. 

The San Francisco Cinco de Mayo celebration will be held on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Valencia Street, between 21st and 24st streets. The event will feature a main stage and a community stage, both of which will feature a variety of performances. 

At 1 p.m. on the main stage, there will a performance by 8-year-old Mariachi singer German Contreras, who hails from Puebla, Mexico. Then from 2:15-3:15 p.m., Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco will take the stage to showcase traditional Mexican folk dance and costumes. They will be followed by Conjunto Picante Salsa and Latin Jazz, then the day will end with San Francisco's newest all-original salsa band, Project Salsa Old School, led by Cuban musician Yanill Nario. 

Meanwhile, the community stage will feature the Community of Voice Older Adult Choir, as well as Adelante, a Mission-based Latin jazz and salsa band. 

Los Angeles will also have a variety of events for Cinco de Mayo, including a Cinco de Mayo festival on Olvera Street from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 3. The festival will include mariachis, pinatas, folklorico dancers and musicians, such as Rogelio Martinez, Banda La Costeña, Los Mismos, Jose Pantoja and more. There will also be food trucks and vendors on site. 

Also on Saturday, LA will host the 43rd annual Corona Cinco de Mayo Parade & Fiesta. The event will take place on the corner of 6th and Merill streets. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and will feature Mexican dancers, marching bands and antique cars. The parade will also feature a procession of young women vying for a scholarship and the title of Queen of the Parade. A fiesta will immediately follow the parade, which will include mariachis, folk dances, kids activities, ponies and game booths. 

Sunday, May 4, West Hollywood will host the Grande Cinco de Mayo Block Party at Tortilla Republic on 616 N. Roberston Blvd. The event will be held from 2-10 p.m. and will feature food and live entertainment. 

But California isn't the only place celebrating the colorful holiday.

Denver is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with the 24th Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival, which takes place May 3-4 at Civic Center Park from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The festival will feature the Mission Foods Green Chile Bowl Cook-Off, chihuahua racing and a taco eating contest, in addition to a stage featuring local Denver talent. The festival will also feature the Fiesta Colorado Community Stage, which will host musical acts such as the Fiesta Colorado Dance Main Company, Grupo Folklorico del Pueblo, Baile Caliente, Los Chinelos and more. 

Dallas will also celebrate its Latin heritage with a parade and festival on Saturday, May 3. A parade will take place starting at 10 a.m. on 100 E. Jefferson Blvd. to 1000 W. Jefferson Blvd., which will be followed by a festival that runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival will feature a main stage with music, in addition to food vendors and a car show.