Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture that is observed every year on May 5th. It’s a day to remember and honor the Mexican army’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Cinco de Mayo has become a significant holiday in the United States, especially in places with large Mexican-American populations like Orange County, California.

Orange County is home to many fantastic Cinco de Mayo events and celebrations. Here are some of the top events you can attend to commemorate this special day:

ANAHEIM
Cinco de Mayo Events in Anaheim
Cinco de Mayo Celebration | Center Greens Park
12:00pm – 8:00pm
Food, local entertainment, vendors, community booths, and a kid zone. 

SAN CLEMENTE
Cinco de Mayo Events in San Clemente
36th Annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta | Max Berg Plaza Park
2:00PM –6:00PM
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with live entertainment, authentic food, exciting activities, and more! . This free-admission family event features live mariachi music, ballet folklorico, food trucks, and a vendor fair. Activity wristbands for kids are available for $15.

SANTA ANA
Cinco de Mayo Events in Santa Ana
Cinco de Mayo Festival | Bowers Museum
11:00AM-3:00PM
Enjoy a fun-filled day for the whole family with festive performance by Mariachi Kids, and Relámpago del Cielo Grupo Folklórico. Get creative with hands-on art projects like min piñatas andpaper animalitos, enjoy free face painting, and treat yourself to a delicious sampling of pan dulce. Don’t miss this colorful day of music, culture, and community!

TUSTIN
Cinco de Mayo Events in Tustin
Cinco de Mayo Celebration | Frontier Park
May 1, 2026 | 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Celebrate Hispanic culture with us at the Viva Tustin Celebration on Friday, May 1 from 3:00pm – 6:00pm at Frontier Park located at 1400 Mitchell Avenue

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Orange County offers a wide range of Cinco de Mayo events and celebrations that celebrate the Mexican-American heritage. Whether you’re looking for traditional music, dance, food, or family-friendly activities, Orange County has something for everyone. Make sure to mark your calendar for these events and join in the festivities to honor this important day in Mexican history.

Originally published on April 29, 2026. Last Updated on April 29, 2026 by Pattie Cordova