Dessert & cake table
Swag one banner along the front edge of the table and run another on the wall behind it, so the cake sits in a frame of color.
Birthdays · Fiestas · Family parties
Plastic Papel Picado for Birthdays & Mexican Fiestas
Mexican fiesta decorations don't get more classic than papel picado: bright cut-flag banners strung over the party. This plastic papel picado set turns a birthday, a backyard family fiesta or a reunion into a celebration with 92 feet of color, and because it's waterproof plastic, it can go up outside, come down, and come back for the next birthday.
Browse more banners and handmade piñatas in our Mexican party supplies collection.
What you get
One Set, Five Banners, Every Color of the Party
The Fiesta Wraps plastic papel picado 5-pack in the "Fiesta Prismatic" color mix: turquoise, red, green, blue, pink, yellow, purple, orange and more, with traditional cut-out designs on every flag. Handcrafted in Central Mexico by skilled artisans.
5pre-strung banners
18.4 fteach banner
92 ftof color in all
50flags, 16 × 12.5 in
- Waterproof plastic with UV protection, for indoor and outdoor parties
- Rinse, store and reuse for the next celebration
- Pre-strung: tie the ends and it's up
$25.99Amazon.com price as of October 13, 2026; prices may change.
Birthday parties
Mexican Birthday Party Decorations with Papel Picado
From a first birthday to a 50th, papel picado sets a festive scene in minutes.
Kids' birthdays
Hang the banners high over the party area and the piñata line, out of reach of little hands. The bright colors double as the theme, so the cake and balloons can pick up any shade from the flags.
Teen & adult birthdays
Run rows over a backyard dinner table with string lights for an evening fiesta, or crisscross a patio for a taco-bar party.
Milestone birthdays
For a 40th, 60th or a grandparent's 80th, cover the whole venue: one set gives 92 feet, two sets give 184.
Birthday at a restaurant or park
Pre-strung banners are quick to tie to pavilion beams or posts, and you can take them home afterwards.
Family fiestas
Mexican Fiesta Decorations for Family Gatherings
Papel picado is a Mexican folk-art tradition, cut-flag banners that have long marked celebrations. Not every gathering uses it, but where it hangs, it says "fiesta."
Family reunions
Line the yard or the rented pavilion so the whole family gathers under the same canopy of color.
Backyard carne asada
Zigzag banners from the house to the fence and over the grill area (well above the heat).
Graduations & anniversaries
A colorful overhead canopy for any family milestone, not just birthdays.
Neighborhood & church events
Plastic suits outdoor community fiestas and can be stored for the next one.
Party focal points
Dessert Tables, Backdrops and Photo Spots
Photo backdrop
Hang four or five banners in close rows on a wall or fence. It makes a bright backdrop for the birthday photos everyone will share.
The piñata zone
Banners overhead mark the piñata area; hang them high and to the side so swings don't reach them. Pair with a handmade star piñata.
Material
Plastic or Tissue Papel Picado for a Party?
| This plastic set | Tissue paper papel picado | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor party | Waterproof with UV protection, per the listing | Best indoors or under cover |
| Next birthday | Rinse, store and reuse | Designed for single use; reusable with gentle handling |
| Look | Bold color with a slight sheen | Matte, delicate, translucent |
| This brand's sizes | 18.4 ft banners · 16 × 12.5 in flags | 14.8 ft banners · 13.8 × 8.7 in flags |
Prefer the paper look for an indoor party? See our tissue papel picado.
Hanging & display
- With a gentle sag, one 18.4 ft banner spans roughly 16 ft.
- Tie the cord ends to hooks, posts, fences, beams or branches; hooks and clips are not listed as included.
- Outdoors, secure both ends of every run so wind can't pull them loose.
- Hang above head height over walkways and the piñata area, and away from grills and candles.
- After the party, rinse if needed, let dry, fold and store.
Before you buy: checklist
- Measure the space. Doorway: 1 banner. Patio: 2–3. Backyard canopy: the full set of 5.
- Check the colors. Multicolor "Fiesta Prismatic." For other looks, see white, Cinco de Mayo or Day of the Dead designs.
- Confirm the material. Plastic for outdoors and reuse; tissue for an indoor paper look.
- Big venue? Order two sets for 184 ft.
- Review the listing. Check current details and price on Amazon.
Questions
Papel Picado for Birthdays & Fiestas: FAQs
Can I use papel picado for a birthday party?
Yes. Papel picado is a popular birthday decoration, especially for Mexican-themed parties, because the bright cut-flag banners set a festive mood overhead. Hang it over the party table, the yard, the piñata area or a photo backdrop. Plastic papel picado works indoors and outdoors and can be saved for the next birthday.
What is plastic papel picado?
Plastic papel picado is the traditional Mexican cut-flag banner made from plastic instead of tissue paper. The Fiesta Wraps set is handcrafted in Central Mexico in traditional papel picado designs, from waterproof plastic with UV protection. It includes five pre-strung banners, each 18.4 ft long with ten 16 × 12.5 in flags, for 92 ft in total.
How do I decorate for a Mexican fiesta?
Start overhead with papel picado strung across the party space, then add color on the tables with bright tablecloths, fresh flowers and clay or talavera-style serving dishes. A star piñata makes a centerpiece and a game, and a dessert table framed with banners gives guests a photo spot. Match the banner colors to the napkins, balloons or cake.
How many papel picado banners do I need for a backyard birthday?
With a gentle sag, each 18.4 ft banner spans roughly 16 ft. A doorway or single table takes one banner, a small patio two or three, and a backyard canopy of crisscrossed rows about five, which is one full set. Large venues or long pavilions may need two sets, 184 ft in total.
Can plastic papel picado be used outdoors?
Yes. The listing describes the Fiesta Wraps plastic banners as waterproof with UV protection to minimize fading, able to withstand rain, wind and extended outdoor use. Tie both ends of every run securely, keep the banners away from grills and candles, and rinse and dry them before storing.
Can I reuse the banners for another party?
Yes. The plastic banners are made to be rinsed, stored and reused across events. After the party, rinse off any dirt if needed, let them dry, then fold or roll each banner and keep it in a dry place. The same set can return for the next birthday, Cinco de Mayo or a family reunion.
Plastic or tissue papel picado: which is better for a party?
Choose plastic for outdoor parties, for decorations that stay up longer, or if you want to reuse the banners. Choose tissue paper for the traditional, delicate look at an indoor or covered party; it is designed for single use. Fiesta Wraps offers both; see our tissue papel picado.
Complete the party
More for Your Birthday Fiesta
Birthday star piñatas
Tissue papel picado
Mini plastic papel picado
Candy wrappersMake the Next Birthday a Fiesta
Five pre-strung plastic papel picado banners, 92 feet of color, handcrafted in Central Mexico. Hang them inside or out, then save them for the next celebration.