Cinco de Mayo Weekend in San Jose: What to Know & Where to Celebrate
Cinco de Mayo might technically fall on Monday, May 5, but San Jose is getting the party started early! With the holiday landing on a weekday this year, the city is embracing the weekend before and turning May 3 and 4 into a festive, family-friendly celebration of culture, community, and of course, classic lowriders.
Here’s a roundup of where to go and what to expect around town this Cinco de Mayo weekend:
🚗 Lowrider Car & Truck Show at SAP Center
📅 Date: Saturday, May 3
🕗 Time: 8 AM – 4 PM
📍 Location: SAP Center, Downtown San Jose
🎟️ Admission: Free
Start your weekend off right with a stunning showcase of custom cars and trucks in front of the SAP Center. This event is completely free to attend and features live entertainment alongside an impressive lineup of lowriders. Click here for all the details!
Heads-up: West Santa Clara Street (Stockton Ave. to Hwy 87) and Barack Obama Blvd. (St. John to San Fernando) will be closed until 6 PM—so plan ahead for parking and traffic.
🎉 Parade & Festival in East San Jose
📅 Date: Sunday, May 4
🕘 Parade: 9 AM – 11 AM (King Rd. from Alum Rock to Story Rd.)
🎶 Festival: 11 AM – 4 PM at Emma Prusch Farm Park
🎟️ Admission: Free
Sunday kicks off with a vibrant morning parade down King Road, followed by a community festival at Emma Prusch Farm Park. Expect traditional music and dance, delicious food, and—yes—more lowriders! This event is brought to you by the United Lowrider Council of San Jose and City Councilmember Peter Ortiz.
🌮 Cinco de Mayo Festival at Plaza de Cesar Chavez
📅 Date: Sunday, May 4
🕚 Time: 11 AM – 8 PM
📍 Location: Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Downtown San Jose
🎟️ Admission: Free
No parade downtown this year, but the vibes will still be strong at Plaza de Cesar Chavez with a full-day festival featuring food trucks, live music, and cultural dance performances. Grab your friends and family, enjoy some great eats, and soak in the festive atmosphere in the heart of the city.
Whether you celebrate Cinco de Mayo observado or Cinco de Mayo tradicional, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the weekend in San Jose. From lowriders and live music to cultural celebrations, it’s the perfect time to get outside and experience the energy of the city.
Sources: Mercury News & SJ Downtown
