Cultural celebrations with frozen drinks

A frozen drink machine suits cultural celebrations of all kinds because every one of our 33 mixes is alcohol-free until you add alcohol, so grandparents, parents, and kids can all share the same table. Below are the dates, a little background, and simple ideas for eight celebrations our Central Texas neighbors host each year.

Each tradition belongs to the families who keep it. Use these ideas as a starting point, and follow your family's or your host's customs first.

Quick dates

Our machines are booked out Oct 29 to Nov 2, 2026; Nov 21 to Dec 3, 2026; and Mar 8 to 16, 2027. Online booking needs 2 days' notice, so book early for any holiday weekend.

Diez y Seis (Sept 16)

Diez y Seis marks Mexican Independence. At dawn on Sept 16, 1810, in the town of Dolores, Guanajuato, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the church bell and called the people together, which began Mexico's movement for independence, according to Mexico's Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional.

Ideas. Pour the colors of the Mexican flag: a Lime margarita for green and a Strawberry margarita or Cherry slushie for red. For a family party, put a Lime margarita in one bowl and a Watermelon slushie in the other, labeled clearly. Sept 16, 2027 falls on a Thursday, so many families gather the weekend before or after.

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo remembers May 5, 1862, when the Mexican army under General Ignacio Zaragoza turned back French troops at Puebla, as Mexico's Archivo General de la Nación describes.

Ideas. Lime and Strawberry margaritas lead the way; Lime margarita was in about 63% of our 2025 orders. Add Mango or Pineapple margaritas for a second machine. Cinco de Mayo week in 2027 is busy, so book early. Get the full plan on our Cinco de Mayo margarita machine page, or read it in Spanish on Cinco de Mayo en español.

Día de los Muertos (Nov 1 to 2)

Día de los Muertos is a time of family and remembrance. As practiced by Indigenous communities of Mexico, it honors the return of loved ones who have passed. Families lay flower petals, candles, and offerings, and place their loved ones' favorite dishes around the home altar, as UNESCO describes.

Our machines are booked out Oct 29 to Nov 2, 2026. If your family wants frozen drinks at a gathering, consider the weekend before (Oct 24 and 25), or a later family celebration between Nov 3 and Nov 20.

Ideas. Keep the focus on family. If a loved one had a favorite drink, such as a Lime margarita or a Piña Colada, pour it in one bowl and share a story with each cup. Put a kid-friendly flavor like Orange Mango or Strawberry in the other bowl so children can join in.

Juneteenth (June 19)

On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger read General Order No. 3 to the people of Galveston. Texas declared June 19 "Emancipation Day in Texas," a legal state holiday, effective starting in 1980. Early celebrations included prayer, speakers, food, games, and red soda water, according to the Texas State Library and Archives.

Ideas. Honor the red drink tradition with red slushies: Cherry, Cherry Bomb, Fruit Punch, Watermelon, or Strawberry. For a family cookout, pair a red slushie with a Strawberry margarita for adults and label each bowl. June 19, 2027 is a Saturday.

Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year falls on Saturday, Feb 6, 2027, the start of the Year of the Goat, according to the Royal Observatory at Royal Museums Greenwich.

Ideas. Cherry and Orange Mango give you bright red and gold cups. For adults, try a Mai Tai or Lemon Gold margarita in one bowl. If your menu includes dumplings or noodles, a cold, sweet cup pairs well.

Diwali

Diwali falls on Sunday, Nov 8, 2026, as listed by the High Commission of India, Pretoria. In 2027, it falls on Friday, Oct 29, per the Consulate General of India, Manchester.

Ideas. Slushies in both bowls work well for a family gathering. Mango, Orange Dreamsicle, Strawberry, and Vanilla pair nicely with a dessert table. Follow your host's wishes on alcohol.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah 2026 starts at nightfall on Dec 4 and ends at nightfall on Dec 12, according to Chabad.org. Our late-November booking break ends Dec 3, so you can plan a party any night of the holiday.

Ideas. Blue Raspberry and Vanilla make blue and white cups next to the latkes. If your home or venue keeps kosher, check our mixes with your host or rabbi before you plan.

National Night Out

In Texas, National Night Out traditionally takes place on the first Tuesday in October, according to the Austin Police Department. In 2026 it fell on Oct 6, so start planning for 2027. Austin hosts must register their party each year with the National Association of Town Watch to request a visit from police, fire, or EMS.

Ideas. A block party needs power: use an outlet on its own circuit at a neighbor's home, or a generator of at least 3,500 watts per outlet. We can't set up on rock or gravel. Keep both bowls alcohol-free so every neighbor can enjoy a cup, with flavors like Lemonade and Blue Raspberry.

Tips for any cultural celebration

• Ask first. If you're hosting for a family or community that isn't your own, ask an elder or the host which drinks, colors, and foods fit the occasion.
• Keep one bowl alcohol-free. Every mix is alcohol-free until you add alcohol, so a slushie bowl welcomes kids, elders, and anyone who doesn't drink. For a fully alcohol-free event, pour slushies in both bowls.
• Label every bowl. When one bowl is a margarita and one is a slushie, put a clear sign on each. Bilingual labels help at family gatherings.
• Plan for the crowd. One machine serves up to 100 guests. For a big community event, rent 2 or 3 machines for up to six flavors.
• Plan power and surface. Each machine needs a standard 110 volt outlet on its own circuit and a sturdy table or our rolling machine cart. We can't set up on rock or gravel.
• Book around busy dates. Holiday weekends fill early, and online booking needs 2 days' notice.

Ready to plan? Check dates and book online in minutes, or get a quick estimate first.