Baile folklórico dancers perform in the Mission District of San Francisco in 2023.
Felix Uribe/S.F. Chronicle
Cinco de Mayo’s fifth of May celebration roots lay deep in the heart of Gold Rush-era California.
The holiday got its start in May 1862, when news of a surprising Mexican military victory at the Battle of Puebla reached the small Tuolumne County town of Columbia. The area’s Mexican mining community celebrated this event with a large-scale fiesta.
Today, the Bay Area continues to celebrate with the best Cinco de Mayo events featuring cultural activities, Mexican cuisine, lowriders, mariachi, ballet folklórico and more.
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Hayward Cinco de Mayo Festival and Car Show
Community group La Alianza de Hayward will host its 41st annual celebration, set to include live folkloric dance and mariachi ensembles, a car and bike show, food and drinks, a vending marketplace, and more.
10 a.m-5 p.m. Saturday, May 2. B and Main streets, Downtown Hayward. www.laalianzadehayward.com
Momotombo SF
Redwood City’s Rock the Dock presents an outdoor Cinco de Mayo performance featuring the 10-piece Latin jazz-rock fusion group, with artists from Malo and Santana.
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3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 2. Free-$20. Redwood City Port, 459 Seaport Ct., Redwood City. www.rockthedockrwc.com
Richmond Cinco de Mayo Festival
Enjoy the 21st anniversary of the 23rd Street Merchant Association’s Cinco de Mayo celebration with vendors, children’s crafts and activities, live music and dancing, wrestling, authentic Mexican cuisine, and more.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 3. Free. 23rd Street, between Rheem and Clinton avenues, Richmond. www.23rdstreetmerchants.com
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Live music and baile folklórico dance, lowriders, and a vending marketplace are scheduled for San Jose downtown’s Cinco de Mayo festival on Sunday, May 3.
San Jose Cinco de Mayo
San José Cinco de Mayo Festival
The community celebration is set to include a lowrider car show, ballet folklórico, live music, local vendors, food and live entertainment.
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, May 3. Free. Cesar Chavez Plaza, 1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose. www.sjcincodemayo.com
Selena de Mayo Brunch
Celebrate with a hit of Reina del Tex-Mex energy at an afternoon party featuring mimosas, food trucks, Latina-owned vendor marketplace, Latina classics DJ sets, craft and sip activity, a Selena drag and lip sync competition hosted by Linda Summers, and more.
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Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, May 3. $15-$30. Reservations recommended; 21 and older. Spark Social SF, 601 Mission Bay Blvd. N., S.F. www.sparksocialsf.com
Sonoma Valley Cinco de Mayo Celebration
La Luz Center will host a family-friendly afternoon event with culturally relevant activities, handmade crafts and artworks inspired by Mexican heritage, food vendors, live Mariachi performances, folklórico dance, storytelling sessions and informational community booths.
Noon-6 p.m. Sunday, May 3. Free. Sonoma Plaza, 453 First St. E., Sonoma. 707-938-5131. www.laluzcenter.org
Mexican jazz vocalist Lucía is scheduled to perform at the Presdio Theater in San Francisco on Thursday, May 7.
Shervin Lainez/Presidio Theatre
Drinko de Mayo Corridos y Más Cruise
Hop onboard a riverboat-style vessel for a three-hour bay cruise with live DJ dance sets, from MC Chuy Gomez and DJ Krazy on two levels — with view decks, cocktails, tacos, snacks and festive decor.
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2-5 p.m. Sunday, May 3. $30-$160.24. Reservations recommended. Jack London Square, 1 Broadway, Oakland. www.baycelebrations.com
Cinco de Meow
The Imperial Council of San Francisco is set to host its annual LGBTQ+ community celebration that blends Cinco de Mayo festivities with a cat-themed show, including a Chika Diva and Chico Chulo contest and more.
4-7 p.m. Sunday, May 3. Aunt Charlie’s Lounge, 133 Turk St., S.F. www.sfimperialcouncil.org
In the Tradition Piano Trio
Pianist Bill Jackman, bassist Michael Jones and drummer Albet Brooks will perform a Cinco de Mayo program featuring works by Mexican composers.
4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3. $25-$30. Reservations recommended. Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave., Piedmont. www.piedmontcenterforthearts.org
A Mexican flag flies from the window of a classic car at a past Cinco de Mayo lowrider car show in San Francisco.
Paul Chinn/S.F. Chronicle
Cotati Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Rotary Club of Rancho Cotati presents its inaugural Cinco de Mayo party with live music, dancing and DJ sets, vending marketplace, Food and drinks, a Show n’ Shine car show, raffle and more.
4-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 5. Free. La Plaza Park, 8167 La Plaza, Cotati. 707-584-1415. www.rohnertparkchamber.org
Chulita Vinyl Club: Chinga la Migra
Hang out on the decks at El Rio for a Cinco de Mayo party with live DJ sets from Malcriada, Chantilly Lace and Earth Angel.
6-10 p.m .Tuesday, May 5. $5-$10. El Rio, 3158 Mission St., S.F. 415-282-3325. www.elriosf.com
Nightlife x Carnaval SF
Enjoy a colorful celebration of music, dance and soccer pride from Latin American, Caribbean, and Afro-diasporic cultures. Experience the joy of Carnaval season throughout the museum with hands-on activities, live music and dance performances, a popup marketplace, and more.
6-10 p.m. Thursday, May 7. $25. California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, S.F. 415-379-8000. www.calacademy.org/nightlife
Dúo Cascada de Flores’ Arwen Lawrence, left, and Jorge Liceaga are scheduled to perform as part of the San Francisco International Arts Festival on Sunday, May 3.
SFIAF/R+A Multimedia
San Francisco International Arts Fest: Dúo Cascada de Flores
Vocalist Arwen Lawrence and guitarist Jorge Liceaga will present an evening of original songs and oldies from hidden corners of the Latin American songbook.
6 p.m. Sunday, May 3. $20-$30. Abanico Coffee Roasters, 2121 Mission St, S.F. www.sfiaf.org
Lucía Quartet
Keep the Cinco de Mayo spirit going with a performance from 2022 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Award-winning artist, Lucía. The Veracruz, México-based performer is part of a musical family steeped in son jarocho, a traditional regional style that blends Spanish, African and indigenous Mexican influences.
7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7. $39-$77. Presidio Theatre Performing Arts Center, 99 Moraga Ave., S.F. 415-960-3949. www.presidiotheatre.org
Mariachi El Bronx is scheduled to perform at the Great American Music Hall on Thursday, May 7.
Randy Holmes/Getty Images
Mariachi El Bronx
Check out a performance from a distinctly alternate, large band incarnation of Los Angeles-based punk rock band, the Bronx. They will perform a program of music highly influenced by Latin-American cumbia and bolero traditions, in support of a 2026 self-titled release.
8 p.m. Thursday, May 7. $27-$34.43. Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell St., S.F. www.gamh.com
Cinco de Mayo S.F. Lowrider Cruise and Block Party
Check out cool rides on display, followed by a cruise on Mission Street between Cesar Chavez and 24th streets at 4 p.m. There will also be a popup block party on Harrison street with vendors and live entertainment.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 9. Free. John O’Connell High School, 2355 Folsom Street and along Mission Street, S.F. 415-206-0577. www.sanfranciscolowridercouncil.org
A family looks on as the baile folklórico dancers perform in the Mission District of San Francisco in 2023.
Felix Uribe/For the S.F. Chronicle
Salsa on the Bay and West Coast Makers Market
West Coast Makers and Gold Bar Whiskey plan to host an afternoon of dancing and more. The event includes salsa dance instruction, DJ sets by Chuy Gomez, live music from Yeny Valdés & Team Bahía and Edgardo & Candela, a local vendors marketplace, Latin-inspired food, cocktails and waterfront views.
1-8 p.m. Sunday, May 9. $10-$41. Reservations recommended; ages 4 and younger free. Gold Bar Distillery and Tasting Room, 1 Avenue of the Palms, Treasure Island, S.F. www.goldbarwhiskey.com
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival: Hermán Olivera y Orquesta Taíno
Kick off the start of the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival’s 2026 season with a salsa dance party featuring a live performance from the New York sonero.
Batey Tambó, a high-energy, women-of-color-led cultural troupe grounded in bomba music and dance led by Oakland percussionist Denise Solís and Julia Caridad Cepeda’s are scheduled to perform after a 1 p.m. preshow set from KALW DJ Wonway Posibul.
2-4 p.m. Saturday, May 9. Free. Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission Street between Third and Fourth streets, S.F. 415-543-1718. www.ybgfestival.org
Calidanza Dance Company: ‘Festejos’
The Sacramento-based folklórico organization is set to present a celebration of Mexican culture through dance. With live music from Oakland-based Vinic-Kay Ensemble, the program highlights the history and diversity of folk traditions.
7 p.m. Saturday, May 9. $30-$55. The Sofia, 2700 Capitol Ave., Sacramento. 916-443-5300. www.bstreettheatre.org