Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Forces back in 1862. Here in Southern California, you’ll find lots of family-friendly ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. And, you don’t have to wait until May 5th to start having fun.
Happening in April:
36th Annual Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festivities
Parade begins at Gardena Market
Mas Fukai Park
15800 S. Brighton Ave., Gardena, CA
The City of Gardena hosts its 34th Annual Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festivities on Saturday, April 29th. The Parade begins at 10:00 am, and ends at Mas Fukai Park. Festivities begin at the Park immediately following the parade and include food, entertainment, and more at this free event.
Cinco de Mayo Family Day
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
501 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is hosting Cinco de Mayo Family Day on Sunday, April 30th at 12:00 pm. This free event gives families the chance to learn the history of the holiday. Enjoy live musical and dance performances, art workshops, and more. Food and beverages will be available for sale on-site.
Happening on Wednesday, May 3rd:
City of San Gabriel’s Cinco de Mayo Mercado
San Gabriel Mission Playhouse
320 S. Mission Dr., San Gabriel, CA 91776
The City of San Gabriel’s Cinco de Mayo Mercado is happening on Wednesday, May 3rd from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Enjoy an evening of food, shopping (local artisans will be selling their wares), and cultural performances at this free event.
Happening on Thursday, May 4th through Sunday, May 7th:
2023 Anaheim 5 de Mayo Fiesta
La Palma Park
1151 N. La Palma Pkwy, Anaheim, CA 92801
The Annual Anaheim 5 de Mayo Fiesta is a multi-day event, happening on Thursday, May 4th (5 pm to 10 pm), Friday, May 5th (5 pm to 10 pm), Saturday, May 6th 12 pm to 10 pm), and Sunday, May 7th (12 pm to 8 pm). Enjoy live music, carnival rides, food and vendor booths, and more. Check the website for all the details and a schedule of each day’s activities.
Happening on Friday, May 5th:
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
2nd and PCH
6400 Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90803
Visit 2nd and PCH on Friday, May 5th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm to take part in Cinco de Mayo Celebrations. The fun includes balloon twisting, face painting, live musical and dance performances, and more. This is a free event, and no tickets are required.
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Frontier Park
1400 Mitchell Ave., Tustin, CA 92780
The City of Tustin invites families to its Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Friday, May 5th from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The fun includes live entertainment, games, prizes, and more. Food trucks will be on-site as well.
Cinco de Mayo Festival
South El Monte Community Center
1530 Central Ave., South El Monte, CA
Visit the South El Monte Community Center on Friday, May 5th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for a Cinco de Mayo Festival. Enjoy live musical and dance performances and food vendors. A boxing show is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm.
3rd Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration
325 E. 4th St., Santa Ana, CA 92701
The 3rd Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration in Santa Ana is happening on Friday, May 5th from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The fun includes food booths, vendors, and a large variety of performers, including Mariachi, Folklorico, and Mexican HipHop. Reserve your spot online.
Cinco de Mayo Skate Night
Moonlight Rollerway
5110 San Fernando Road, Glendale, CA 91204
Moonlight Rollerway invites families to its Cinco de Mayo Skate Night on Friday, May 5th from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm. This all-ages event will have you skating to “all your favorite Latinx performers including Bad Bunny, Selena, Becky G, Ozuna and more.” Admission ticket does not include skate rental. (No spectators are allowed.) Tickets are available online.
Cinco de Mayo Mania!
966 E. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90021
Cinco de Mayo Mania! is happening on Friday, May 5th at 8:00 pm. The event includes food and live performances. Local artists will be taking the stage all night! Be sure to bring $5 bills for the $5 Cinco de Mayo Menu. Tickets are $5 and available online.
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Visit historic Olvera Street for the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. Events are planned throughout the day including vendor booths, musical and dance performances, artisans, a Kids Zone, food and drink, and more.
First Fridays at the Museum: Cinco de Mayo
Catalina Museum for Art and History
217 Metropole Ave., Avalon, CA 90704
If you feel like getting out of town, plan a trip to Catalina and stop by the Catalina Museum for Art and History for their First Fridays at the Museum: Cinco de Mayo event happening on Friday, May 5th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The celebration includes live musical and dance performances, a children’s art project, food vendors, and more. Admission is free, but registration is requested and may be made online.
Happening on Friday, May 5th through Sunday, May 7th:
Cinco de Mayo Special
Tanaka Farms
5380 3/4 University Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
Tanaka Farms is offering a Cinco de Mayo special on Friday, May 5th, Saturday, May 6th, and Sunday, May 7th. When you visit Tanaka Farms for your Strawberry Picking Tour, families can also enjoy a “tres taco plate.” Details are available online.
Happening on Saturday, May 6th:
Historical Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival
Oakwood Park
767 California Ave., Venice, CA 90291
The Historical Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival is happening on Saturday, May 6th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. This free event begins with a parade at 10:00 am followed by a lively festival. Enjoy Aztec Dancers, Mariachi Musicians, the Venice High School Band, classic cars, face painting, food, and much more at this free event. You can reserve your spot online.
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Max Berg Plaza Park
1100 Calle Puente, San Clemente, CA 92672
Families can spend the day in San Clemente for the city’s Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on Saturday, May 6th from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The fun includes live entertainment, a Vendor Pavilion, a Children’s Pavilion (complete with inflatables, face painting, and games), food, and more.
SB FoodFest – Cinco de Mayo for Peace
Court Street Square
349 N. E Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401
Take a drive to the Inland Empire for SB FoodFest – Cinco de Mayo for Peace scheduled for Saturday, May 6th from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm. This free event features live musical and dance performances, retail vendors, and a variety of cuisines from the food vendors and food trucks. This a free event. Reserve your spot online.
49th Annual Corona Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Parade begins at Sixth and Merrill St., Corona, CA
The 49th Annual Corona Cinco de Mayo Celebration is happening on Saturday, May 6th. The festivities include a Parade, which starts at 10:00 am, and a Fiesta, which begins after the parade (usually around 11:00 am) and continues until 4:00 pm. Details are available online.
Metro Arts Presents Tres Souls, In Recognition of Cinco de Mayo
Union Station
800 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA
Visit Union Station on Saturday, May 6th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm for a special performance in recognition of Cinco de Mayo. Enjoy a performance by Tres Souls who “relive the vintage sounds and songs of the 1940s-1960s, stylized during the Golden Era of Mexican Cinema.”
Holy Guacamole Cinco de Mayo Run
Palisades Park
Santa Monica, CA
Families are invited to participate in the Holy Guacamole Cinco de Mayo Run happening on Saturday, May 6th from 7:30 am to 10:30 am. Participants may choose to run 5K, 10K, or the 13.1 half-marathon. For every registration, a tree will be planted. Details and registration information are available online.
City of Carson Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Carson Park
21411 Orrick Ave., Carson, CA 90745
The City of Carson is hosting a Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Saturday, May 6th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. The festivities include a car show, live musical performances, food, and more. This is a free, all-ages event.
Cinco de Mayo at the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Stadium
1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena, CA 91103
Cinco de Mayo at the Rose Bowl is a free, family-friendly event happening on Saturday, May 6th from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm. This special event is an “opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy Pasadena’s rich Latino culture and traditions through music, sports, art, and film.” Free tickets are available online.
Happening on Saturday, May 6th and Sunday, May 7th:
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Citadel Outlets
100 Citadel Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90040
Citadel Outlets is hosting a Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Saturday, May 6th and Sunday, May 7th. Fifteen-minute Folklorico performances are scheduled at 12:00 pm 1:00 pm, and 2:00 pm each day.
Original Lowrider Cinco de Mayo Super Show
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015
The Los Angeles Convention Center is the place for the Original Lowrider Cinco de Mayo Super Show happening on Saturday, May 6th (12:00 pm to 8:00 pm) and Sunday, May 7th (9:30 am to 5:00 pm). This special show described as “two days, two floors, all indoors,” features a “live concert, hopping contest, and festival.” Children under 10 are free. Tickets are available online.
Happening on Sunday, May 7th:
Mar Vista Farmers’ Market
Grand View at Venice Blvd., Mar Vista, CA
The Mar Vista Farmers’ Market hosts annual celebrations of popular holidays. On Sunday, May 7th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm families can celebrate Cinco de Mayo with live entertainment, food, and fun.
Cinco de Mayo Vaccine Fiesta
Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church
535 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Cinco de Mayo Vaccine Fiesta is scheduled for Sunday, May 7th from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. This free event features live music, delicious food, and fun. In addition, COVID-19 vaccinations, free COVID home test kits, and health education will also be available. Details are available online.
Happening on Thursday, May 11th:
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Barnes Park
440 S. McPherrin Ave., Monterey Park, CA
The City of Monterey Park invites families to its Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Thursday, May 11th from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. “The event will highlight the sights, sounds, and magic of Mexico with a dynamic performance by the band DRIVE.” The festivities include games, carnival, food, and more. A schedule is available online.
