Cinco de Mayo is right around the bend. The holiday, commonly celebrated with feasts and fiestas, honors a historic military victory in which a vastly outnumbered Mexican army defeated a formidable French invasion during the 1862 Battle of Puebla. It was first celebrated in the U.S. in California during the Gold Rush era in the town of Columbia (Tuolumne County) by the area’s Mexican migrant miners.
Raise a toast to underdog victories with these top Cinco de Mayo events happening around the Bay Area:
Top Mexican restaurants in the Bay Area
Passport to Mexico at the Midway Culinary
Tequila brands Cazadores, Patron and Ilegal Mezcal are partnering to create a transportive dining experience with Mexican cuisine, cocktails and live music from Gabriel Navia.
5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4. $57-$68, reservations recommended. The Midway, 900 Marin St., S.F. 415-301-4355. themidwaysf.com
Peña Toribio presents: Cinco de Mayo Concert
Celebrate with live music featuring singer/songwriter Francisco Herrera, Mexican folklore group Cascada de Flores and son jarocho (Veracruz sound) group Día Pa Són.
4-7 p.m. Friday, May 5. Free. Bandshell, Music Concourse, Golden Gate Park, S.F. goldengatebandshell.org
Alameda Recreation and Park Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
This family-friendly event will feature interactive exhibitors, food vendors, cultural information music and live entertainment. The celebration will conclude with games and craft activities followed by an outdoor screening of “Coco” (2017, PG, 105 min.). Movie snacks will be available for purchase.
4-10 p.m. Friday, May 5. Free. Bohol Circle Immigrant Park, 2901 Fifth St., Alameda. 510-747-7529. alamedaca.gov
5! 5! 5! Cinco de Mayo Celebration
S.F. Carnaval’s nonprofit supporter, Cultura y Arte Nativa de Las Americas, will host a Cinco de Mayo happy hour followed by a dinner featuring Mexican foods. The fundraising event will benefit the launch of ESL and citizenship class programming as well as voter education and registration events.
5-9 p.m. Friday, May 5. $55-$555, reservations required. Mission Language and Vocational School, 2929 19th St., S.F. 415-622-5432. givebutter.com/carnaval-san-francisco
Cinco de Mayo in the Fruitvale
The Unity Council hosts a party with margaritas, sangria, local beer and authentic Fruitvale taco bar eats included with admission. There will be raffles and fundraising games with all proceeds benefiting the East Bay nonprofit.
5-8 p.m. Friday, May 5. $50-$150, reservations required. 3301 E. 12th St., Suite 201, Building B, Oakland. 510-535-6900. unitycouncil.org
San Fran-Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl
CrawlSF presents its annual Cinco de Mayo pub crawl. This year there will be two crawls, both starting at Mayes Oyster House, where participants can check in from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday or from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday for wristbands and event maps. Stops will include McTeague’s Saloon, the Amsterdam Cafe, Route 101, Lush Lounge, Soda Popinski’s, the Wreck Room and others.
6-11 p.m. Friday, May 5; 4-10 p.m. Saturday, May 6. $15-$29, reservations required. Mayes Oyster House, 1233 Polk St., S.F. cincosf.com
Rainbow Community Center Cinco de Mayo Celebration
This cultural event and fundraiser will celebrate the Spanish-speaking and Latinx LGBTQ+ community. The evening features live performances by local performers, tacos, beer, sexual health resources and onsite HIV/STI testing. Proceeds will benefit the Rainbow Community Center.
6-10 p.m. Friday, May 5. Free admission; reservations and donations recommended. Del Cielo Brewing Co., 701 Escobar St., Martinez. 925-692-0090. rainbowcc.org
Son Jarocho Zapateado Workshop and Concert
This dance workshop direct from Mexico will be taught by Cecilia Pérez Urias, followed by live music from Mexico City-based ensemble Saltapatrás with special guest marimba player Dan Neville, and a dance party.
6-9:30 p.m. Friday, May 5. $15-$25, vaccination proof required; reservations recommended. La Peña Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. lapena.org
Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles de José Hernández
America’s first all-female mariachi ensemble brings its trailblazing spirit to the historic musical form. These Smithsonian Folkways Traditions Series artists enrich and expand the traditionally masculine mariachi narrative.
7:30 p.m. Friday, May 5. $54-$74, reservations required. Montalvo Arts Center, 15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga. 408-961-5800. montalvoarts.org
Stanford Jazz: Vince De Jesus and Bay Area Latin Soul
Pianist Erick Peralta, conga player Silvestre Martinez, trombonist Obrayan Calderon, saxophonist Anthony Thomas Martinez, bassist Yadier Noa and drummer Vincent De Jesus explore the origins of Latin jazz with music of the Caribbean and Americas.
7:30 p.m. Friday, May 5. $5-$20, reservations recommended. Campbell Hall, 541 Lasuen Mall, Stanford. 650-736-0324. stanfordjazz.org
Cinco de Mayo Bay Cruise Celebration
Switch up your party routine with a fiesta out on the bay. The event aboard a yacht includes refreshments and cocktails at multiple bars, nighttime sightseeing, four floors with live music from Fulanito, Oro Sólido, Banda Nueva Generación and Mariachi Guadalajara.
7:30 p.m.-midnight Friday, May 5. $70-$80, reservations required. Hornblower Landing, Pier 3. S.F. 650-281-5391. cincodemayocruisesf.com
Marina Crouse: Cantos de mi Corazón
Local powerhouse vocalist Marina Crouse will perform a concert at the intimate East Bay listening room in support of her latest release, which she recorded on the Little Village Foundation label, “Canto de mi Corazón.”
7:30 p.m. Friday, May 5. $25-$30, reservations recommended. The Sound Room, 3022 Broadway, Oakland. 510-708-9691. soundroom.org
Chillonas: Cinco de Mayo
A Latinx+, queer nightlife event produced by La Chucha, Princess Panocha and Jose Alejo will feature live DJ sets from Espina Letal and Vampi; drag performances by Paper Cut, La Morra Lisa, Amoura Teese and Hera Wynn; artwork by Chucha; and more.
10 p.m. Friday, May 5. $15-$20. Reservations recommended. Oasis, 298 11th St., S.F. 415-795-3180. sfoasis.com
Cinco de Mayo S.F. Lowrider Car Show, Cruise and Block Party
Check out the cool rides on display, followed by a cruise on Mission Street between Cesar Chavez and 24th streets at 4 p.m., and a pop-up block party with street vendors and live entertainment.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 6. Free. John O’Connell High School, 2355 Folsom St. and along Mission St., S.F. 415-206-0577. sanfranciscolowridercouncil.com
John Santos Sextet and the Afro-Peruvian Coalition
A percussion-packed double bill celebrates the resilience and creativity of African diasporic culture in the Americas. Bay Area percussionist John Santos’ sextet will present “Roots of Jazz Latino.” Special guests include Fania All-Stars timbales player Orestes Vilató and vocalist Marina Lavalle. Percussionist/vocalist Pedro Rosales’ Afro-Peruvian Coalition features conga player/vocalist Braulio Barrera and dancer Nadia Calmet.
1-3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6. Free. Esplanade, Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission St. between Third and Fourth streets, S.F. 415-543-1718. ybgfestival.org
Pete Escovedo Retirement Tour
Legendary percussionist Pete Escovedo and sons Juan and Michael will perform along with musicians from Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
1-4 p.m. Saturday, May 6. $45-$50, reservations recommended. Vino Godfather, 1005 Walnut Ave., Vallejo. 707-552-2331. events.vinogodfather.com
Cinco de Micro Brewfest and Street Festival
Downtown Novato will host the North Bay’s largest beer festival, featuring live music from the Sonoma Shakers and the Hots, local microbrews, wine, food trucks, vendors and more.
1-5 p.m. Saturday, May 6. $10-$20, reservations recommended; under 16 free admission. Trek Winery, 1026 Machin Ave., Novato. 415-899-9883. cincodemicronovato.com
Salsa by the Bay Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Bay Area Salsa and Jaffe Events present a celebration featuring dancing, live music from NRumba, food trucks, wine, beer, mimosas and more.
2-8 p.m. Sunday, May 7. Free with reservations. Building 43 Winery, 2440 Monarch, Alameda. building43winery.com
Reach Anne Schrager: aschrager@sfchronicle.com