May Holidays & Celebrations in San Francisco

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo in San Francisco

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. While celebrated across the United States, San Francisco is a particularly vibrant destination to experience Cinco de Mayo, with a large Mexican-American community and a wide range of events and activities to enjoy. The holiday celebrates the rich culture, history, and traditions of Mexico and its people, who have overcome many challenges throughout their history.

Celebrate in San Francisco!

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo is a long-standing tradition in San Francisco and if you live in the Bay Area or are planning a visit in early May and love music, great food, dancing and celebrating a rich and vibrant culture, head down to Valencia Street and get ready to have a blast! This is a family-friendly, alcohol-free street party, which stretches between 21st and 24th Streets on Valencia St.

Cinco de Mayo Celebrations in San Francisco

San Francisco offers a diverse array of events and activities to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, from festivals to cruises, runs, parades, and more. Here are some of the best options to consider:

Friday Happy Hour: Peña Toribio presents Cinco De’ Mayo Concert

Cinco de Mayo Concert in Golden Gate Park
May 5 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Golden Gate Bandshell

SanFranCinco: Cinco De Mayo Pub Crawl San Francisco

Come and be part of the most significant Cinco De Mayo Bar Crawl in SF! Experience an abundance of Cinco De Mayo entertainment and inexpensive drinks at the official San Francisco Event. The event will span two days of Pub Crawlin' Fun on Friday, May 5th and Saturday, May 6th. Delight in exclusive drink deals at fantastic San Francisco bars, groove on the dance floor with your buddies, catch the Kentucky Derby, and much more!

Cinco de Mayo Cruise - San Francisco Bay

The Cinco de Mayo Cruise is a fun and unique way to celebrate the holiday in San Francisco. You can enjoy live music, food, and drinks, while you cruise around the San Francisco Bay.

Holy Guacamole Cinco de Mayo Run

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with The Best Races! Join their one-of-a-kind run that adds more excitement to the festivities. Experience a lively atmosphere and a scenic route with your friends and family. Register now and get ready to run!

As a participant, you'll receive our shirt (or upgrade to a tech shirt), a Finisher's Award, and access to their global community of runners. You can choose to run 5K, 10K, or the 13.1 Half-Marathon.

They're committed to giving back to the environment, and for every registration, they'll plant a tree on your behalf through OneTreePlanted.org!

The run sells out fast! Waves fill up quickly, so if it's sold out, you can still sign up for the virtual run option and join the waiting list for future runs.

Join this small, private group run with pacers and other runners through a beautiful route along the San Francisco Bay Trail! All ages and paces are welcome, and you can choose to run or walk. For health, safety, and personalized encouragement, each wave is  limited to just 15 participants. No need for equipment or setup, just come and run!

Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that celebrates the resilience, pride, and determination of the Mexican people. Whether you're interested in a lively festival, an entertainment-packed cruise, an active run, or a colorful parade, San Francisco offers a wide range of options to celebrate the holiday in style. So, whether you're a local or a visitor, head to San Francisco and join in the festivities!

 Mother's Day in San Francisco, Sunday, May 14

Please visit my San Francisco Mother's Day blog for a myriad of events to enjoy while celebrating Mom!

Carnaval San Francisco 

Get ready to samba your way through the 45th Annual Carnaval San Francisco! This two-day extravaganza happening May 27 and 28 is a multicultural festival celebrating the art, music, and dance of Latin American and Caribbean communities. With over 400,000 visitors each year, Carnaval is an exciting and vibrant cultural experience that you won't want to miss!

[continued in a separate blog post:  San Francisco's Carnaval!]