Hundreds of people lined South King Road on Sunday for the third annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival.

The free family-friendly festival featured food vendors, artisan booths, live entertainment, a lowrider car show and more. People gathered at Emma Prusch Farm Park after the parade.

Cinco de Mayo began as a commemoration of Mexico’s victory over French forces in the Battle of Puebla in 1862, but it has morphed into a celebration of Mexican American pride. The event was sponsored by the United Lowrider Council of San Jose and the office of City Councilmember Peter Ortiz in collaboration with the Cinco de Mayo Committee.

 

Spectators watch the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival as they head south down South King Road in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Spectators watch the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival as they head south down South King Road in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
A dog rides in his owners car south down South King Road during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)A dog rides in his owners car south down South King Road during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Riders head south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Riders head south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
San Jose Sharks mascot S.J. Sharkie waves a flag as he heads south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Jose Sharks mascot S.J. Sharkie waves a flag as he heads south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
The San Jose Homies head south down South King Road during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)The San Jose Homies head south down South King Road during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Dancers with Folklorico National Mexicano perform during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival as they head south down South King Road in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Dancers with Folklorico National Mexicano perform during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival as they head south down South King Road in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Cars head south down South King Road during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Cars head south down South King Road during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Cars head south down South King Road during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Cars head south down South King Road during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Dancers with California Distinguished School dance during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Dancers with California Distinguished School dance during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Spectators watch the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival as they head south down South King Road in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Spectators watch the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival as they head south down South King Road in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Cars head south down South King Road during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Cars head south down South King Road during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Cars head south down South King Road during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Cars head south down South King Road during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Dancers head south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Dancers head south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan heads south down South King Road with his wife Silvia-Wedad Scandar and their two children Luke and Nina during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan heads south down South King Road with his wife Silvia-Wedad Scandar and their two children Luke and Nina during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Riders head south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Riders head south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Dancers head south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Dancers head south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Musicians head south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Musicians head south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas heads south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas heads south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong heads south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong heads south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph heads south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph heads south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Riders head south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Riders head south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Cars head south down South King Road during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Cars head south down South King Road during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) 
Vintage San Jose Police cruisers head south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)Vintage San Jose Police cruisers head south down South King Road in a vintage police car during the 3rd Annual San Jose Cinco de Mayo Cultural Parade & Festival in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, May 3, 2026. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)