Guide to Celebrating Cinco de Mayo in LA

Cinco de Mayo is one of the most incredible days of the year to be in Los Angeles. The holiday commemorates the day the greatly outmanned Mexican army overtook French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. In modern-day Los Angeles, Cinco de Mayo endures as a celebration of underdog-style victory and Mexican-American culture. Colorful celebrations featuring delicious Mexican street food, parades, mariachi music, and more take place throughout the city on this day. Some common Mexican "street food" dishes enjoyed during Cinco de Mayo celebrations include mole poblano, tamales, and churros. Of course, you may be wondering exactly where you can join in on the celebration this year. Just take a look at this guide to celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Los Angeles to find the best spots for taking it all in!

Fiesta Broadway

Did you know that the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration in the United States takes place in Los Angeles? The only catch is that it doesn't actually happen on Cinco de Mayo. Fiesta Broadway is a free, family-friendly event with food and live music that has brought together hundreds of thousands of people celebrating Latin culture for more than 30 years. For 2026, the event is taking place on April 26. The day's itinerary includes a vendor village, a Latin-themed food court, brand giveaways, cultural showcases, live performances by beloved and emerging Latin artists, and lucha libre matches.

Cinco de Mayo on Olvera Street

For a once-in-a-lifetime Cinco de Mayo experience in Los Angeles on the actual holiday, there's no place like the city's famed Olvera Street. Lively and fragrant Olvera Street was founded in downtown Los Angeles as a cultural hub and place to honor Mexican heritage. Offering a shaded slice of the city with a pedestrian-only brick road, Olvera is home to shops, restaurants, vendor stalls, galleries, and a gorgeous Mexican-style plaza where you can catch live music and performers any day of the week. Cinco de Mayo on Olvera Street often features dancing, entertainment, carnival rides, activities for kids, sizzling, scrumptious food, a beer garden, and so much more.

Historical Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival

This fun event takes place each year over the Cinco de Mayo weekend at Oakwood Recreation Park in Venice, California. For 2026, the event is scheduled for May 2. The

The Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade Festival has been happening every year for 60 years! Its origins actually date back to the Civil Rights Movement and Chicano Movement. Kick the day off with a parade showcasing local Mexican-American groups, classic cars, and more as it snakes down California Avenue at 10 a.m. From there, the day continues with a lively festival at Oakwood Park featuring food vendors, live music, games, raffles, piñatas, Aztec dancers, and much more.

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes

While Cinco de Mayo is certainly about enjoying amazing tacos and tequila around the city, you can also turn this into a day of learning and exploration if the party scene isn't quite your thing. An amazing place to do that in Los Angeles is the LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. A Mexican-American museum and cultural hub in Los Angeles, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes offers a number of permanent and rotating exhibits, sensory experiences, and murals. Special workshops celebrating Mexican culture are usually offered on Cinco de Mayo for free. Workshops from past Cinco de Mayo celebrations have included vase painting, paper crafts, seed planting, and cooking demos.

Make the Most of Cinco de Mayo in Los Angeles

As home to the largest and best Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the country, Los Angeles is an incredible place to be during the first week of May. Any complete guide to celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Los Angeles includes the perfect mix of sizzling food, live music, and cultural appreciation. Whether you're ready to dig into some flan while exploring Olvera Street's cultural history or you love a parade, Los Angeles will put you in the mood to celebrate a holiday commemorating a true victory of the spirit!