Updated for 2025
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.
Family Friendly Cinco de Mayo Events in Los Angeles – in Calendar Order
Happening on Sunday, April 27th:
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 27th from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Learn about the history of the holiday, enjoy live musical and dance performances, participate in art workshops and a hands-on cooking demonstration, and more at this free event. A schedule of the day’s events is available online. Register online for this free event.
Fiesta Broadway
DTLA on Broadway (from 1st to 4th Streets), Los Angeles, CA
Fiesta Broadway, described as the “largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in America,” is happening on Sunday, April 27th from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Festivities include a vendor marketplace, live music, food, children’s activities, and more. Admission is free.
Happening on Friday, May 2nd:
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 Friday, May 2nd from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Enjoy an evening of food, shopping (16 local artisans will be selling their handicrafts), and cultural performances at this free event. An entertainment schedule is available online.
Lakewood Center Fun Fridays Market: Cinco de Mayo Celebration
500 Lakewood Center Mall, Lakewood, CA 90712
Families are invited to attend Lakewood Center Fun Fridays Market: Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Friday, May 2nd from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The fun includes more than 70 vendors and more than 15 food vendors, a live DJ, carnival games and rides, arts and crafts for kids, and live dance performances.
Viva Tustin Celebration
Frontier Park
1400 Mitchell Ave., Tustin, CA 92780
The City of Tustin invites families to celebrate Hispanic Culture at its Viva Tustin Celebration on Friday, May 2nd from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The fun includes live entertainment, game booths, raffle prizes, and more. Food trucks will be on-site as well.
Happening on Saturday, May 3rd:
Folklorico Performance
Will & Ariel Durant Branch Library
7140 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046
The Will & Ariel Durant Branch Library is hosting a Folklorico Performance on Saturday, May 3rd from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm. “With an added contemporary flair, you will experience a lot of music, art, history, storytelling, and culture through this Mexican folk dance event.”
UCLA Spring Showcase X Cinco de Mayo
Rose Bowl Stadium
1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena, CA 91103
Families can get a look inside UCLA Football’s preparations for the 2025 season and celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, May 3rd at 11:00 am. “This is your opportunity to get an inside look at the 2025 Bruins while enjoying the Cinco de Mayo Marketplace, boxing in the Court of Champions, food and music at America’s Stadium.” This is a free event, but tickets are required and are available online.
39th Annual Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival
Parade begins at Gardena Market
Mas Fukai Park
15800 S. Brighton Ave., Gardena, CA
The City of Gardena hosts its 39th Annual Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival on Saturday, May 3rd. 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, live entertainment, and more at this free event.
Historical Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival
Oakwood Recreation Park
767 California Ave., Venice, CA 90291
The Historical Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival is happening on Saturday, May 3rd from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. This free event begins with a parade at 10:00 am (starting at California Ave. & Lincoln Blvd.) followed by a lively festival at Oakwood Recreation Park starting at 11:00 am. 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 happening on Saturday, May 3rd from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The fun includes live musical and dance entertainment, a vendor marketplace, a children’s area (complete with inflatables, face painting, crafts, and games), food, and more. (Admission is free; activity wristband is $15) Details are 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 happening on Saturday, May 3rd. Events are planned throughout the day including vendor booths, musical and dance performances, artisans, a Kids Zone, food and drink, and more.
Happening on Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday, May 4th:
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 3rd and Sunday, May 4th. Fifteen-minute Folklorico performances are scheduled every hour on the hour from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Japanese Children’s Day & Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Tanaka Farms
5380 3/4 University Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
Tanaka Farms is celebrating Japanese Children’s Day and Cinco de Mayo on Saturday, May 3rd, and Sunday, May 4th. The fun includes food, games, and entertainment, plus visitors will be able to visit the Barnyard Animals at the Farm. A performance schedule is available online. Details are available online; however, tickets are only available on-site.
Happening Sunday, May 4th:
Cinco de Mayo @ 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 5th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm families can celebrate Cinco de Mayo with live entertainment, food, and fun.
Free Admission First Sunday
Riverside Art Museum and The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture
3425 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, CA
On Sunday, May 4th from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, families are invited to visit the Riverside Art Museum and The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture for free. (Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month.) Walk around, observe and delight, and take part in some of the all-ages activities that are offered. No tickets are necessary.
The Force of the Fiesta
2nd & PCH
6400 E. Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90803
Visit 2nd & PCH on Sunday, May 4th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm to participate in The Force of the Fiesta. This special event is a fun blend of Star Wars Day and Cinco de Mayo. Festivities include kids’ activities and crafts, live Mariachi performances, local vendors, food, and more. This is a free event.
Celebración de las Artes
The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza
135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
LA Opera Connects and Hispanics for LA Opera invite families to attend Celebración de las Artes, a special event taking place on Sunday, May 4th from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm. “Immerse yourself in this one-of-a-kind celebration of Latino artistry and culture.” Activities include a marketplace featuring local artisans, musical performances, food, and more. RSVP online for this free event; but if you forget to make your reservation – no problem. RSVP is not required.
2025 Cinco de Mayo on the Promenade
Third Street Promenade
1200 Block of Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA
Cinco de Mayo on the Promenade is a special event happening on Sunday, May 4th from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The event features a special pop-up market, food, and live musical and dance performances. No advance registration is required. This is an all-ages event.
Family Festival: Cinco de Mayo Festival
Bowers Museum
2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92706
Bowers Museum is hosting a Cinco de Mayo Festival on Sunday, May 4th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Free Festival celebrates Cinco de Mayo a day early with musical and dance performances, a special student art exhibition, face painting, art projects, and more.
Happening on Monday, May 5th:
Cinco de Mayo
Alma Reaves Woods – Watts Branch Library
10205 Compton Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90002
The Alma Reaves Woods – Watts Branch Library is celebrating Cinco de Mayo throughout the day on Monday, May 5th. Be sure to stop by anytime during the day for some special Cinco de Mayo-themed activities.
Bella Terra Kids Club – Celebrating Cinco de Mayo!
Bella Terra
7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92647
The Bella Terra Kids Club is celebrating Cinco de Mayo on Monday, May 5th from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. The fun includes crafts, music, and a special performance by Folklorico Revolución. Register online for this free event.
Cinco de Mayo Event @ Mariachi Plaza
1831 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Enjoy a vibrant Cinco de Mayo celebration at Mariachi Plaza on Monday, May 5th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. “Experience the heart and soul of Mexican culture with live mariachi performances, delicious food vendors, and fun activities for all ages.”
Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration
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 Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration happening on Monday, May 5th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The family-friendly celebration includes live musical and dance performances, food vendors, and more. Admission is free, but registration is requested and may be made online.
Happening on Thursday, May 8th:
A Tribute to Cinco de Mayo
Barnes Park
350 S. McPherrin Ave., Monterey Park, CA
The City of Monterey Park invites families to its Cinco de Mayo Celebration on Thursday, May 8th from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm. “The event will highlight the sights, sounds, and magic of Mexico.” Festivities include live entertainment (including strolling Mariachis), vendor booths, raffles, a carnival, food, and more.
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