Cinco de Mayo, often mistaken as Mexico’s Independence Day, commemorates Mexico’s underdog victory against France in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. In Mexico, the day’s importance has faded over time, but its significance in the US has grown substantially as a time to celebrate Mexican-American culture. If you like to celebrate this unofficial holiday, we’ve put together a little guide about the best events and things to do this Cinco de Mayo 2024 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
1. Join the Cinco de Mayo Festival at District Six
District Six presents a lively Cinco de Mayo celebration in San Francisco with a day of traditional music, dancing, and Mexican cuisine from the Bay Area’s favorite vendors. You can expect appearances from TV personality Chuy Gomez; beats from DJ Hugo Gomez; and spectacular food trucks including Shrimp’n Ain’t Eazy, Los Bayuncos, and Aguas Frisco.
📅 Date: May 5, 2024
📍 Location: District Six, 428 11th St, San Francisco, CA
🌐 Learn more: @districtsixsf on Instagram
2. Check out the Cinco de Mayo Car Show: Viva la Raza
The San Francisco Lowrider Council presents the 2024 Cinco de Mayo Car Show: Viva la Raza. This is a lively block party and cruise celebrating lowrider culture, with proceeds going to support John O’Connell High School. See over 30 performers and street vendors from La Misión.
📅 Date: May 11, 2024, 10am-4pm. Cruise starts at 4pm.
📍 Location: John O’Connell High School, 2355 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA
🌐 Learn more: @sanfranciscolowridercouncil on Instagram
3. Embark on one of SF’s popular Cinco de Mayo pub crawls
Multiple pub craws will take over San Francisco this Cinco de Mayo weekend. Pick up a wristband and join the fun at one of these lively celebrations with drink specials at some of the best bars in SF.
San FranCinco Pub Crawl
📅 Date: May 5-6, 2024
📍 Location: Check-in at Mayes Oyster House
🌐 Learn more: Cincosf.com
Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl
📅 Date: May 5, 2024
📍 Location: Check-in at Comet Club SF
🌐 Learn more: PubCrawls.com
4. Head to Hayward’s 39th annual Cinco de Mayo celebration
La Alianza de Hayward presents the 39th annual Cinco de Mayo celebration featuring live music, mariachi, traditional Aztec and folklórico dancers, a car show, arts and crafts, and delicious food vendors.
📅 Date: May 4, 2024
📍 Location: B St & Main St, Hayward, CA
🌐 Learn more: La Alianza de Hayward
5. Sip your way through the best margaritas in SF
You’d be remiss not to indulge in the perfect margarita on Cinco de Mayo, and lucky for us, SF’s Mexican restaurants have their margarita recipes down to a science. Some of our favorites include El Techo, where you can sip through happy hour on their Mission District rooftop deck; Puerto Alegre, which has a massive margarita menu with tons of flavors; and Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant, where you can choose from over 300 different tequilas. See the full list of our favorite margaritas in SF here.
6. Join San Jose’s Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival
The streets of San Jose will come to life at the city’s massive parade and festival dedicated to uplifting Mexican history and culture. Enjoy a day of delicious authentic Mexican food, traditional music and dance, and vibrant events and festivities.
📅 Date: May 5, 2024
📍 Location: City Hall and Cesar Chavez Park, Downtown San Jose, CA
🌐 Learn more: San Jose Cinco de Mayo
7. Summertime Radness Pool Party at the Phoenix Hotel
This 21+ pool party at the Phoenix Hotel is a great option if you’re looking for a lively daytime party. J. Espinosa, Otebnsolrac, and DJ Persia will be playing live tunes all afternoon and you can get food and drink from the on-site Chambers Restaurant.
📅 Date: May 5, 2024
📍 Location: Phoenix Hotel, 601 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA
🌐 Learn more: Phoenix Hotel
8. Take advantage of drink and dessert specials at The Madrigal
The Madrigal presents a Cinco de Mayo menu in partnership with Diageo, Tequila Ocho, and Mezcal Vago. Enjoy drink specials on the “Dolores in May” cocktail with tequila and lemon glaze agave; and the “En Fuego” with Mezcal Vago Elote, blood orange, lime, egg white, and fire tincture. They’ll also serve delicious dessert specials including their handmade concha bread with chocolate mole and tres leches sauce.
📅 Date: May 2-4, 2024
📍 Location: The Madrigal, 100 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA
🌐 Learn more: The Madrigal SF
9. Chow down on the best Mexican food in San Francisco
You can’t celebrate Cinco de Mayo in San Francisco without digging into a flavorful plate of Mexican food. Here are a few Mexican food roundups that you’ll definitely want to scroll through for some more inspiration.
- Taquerias in SF’s Mission District – including Tacos El Patron, Taqueria Cancun, and La Oaxaqueña
- Mexican restaurants in SF – including Loló, El Buen Comer, Californios, and Garaje
- Burritos in SF – including Papalote, Chuys’ Fiestas, and El Farolito