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Most cities save their parades for a holiday. Palo Alto gives one to its kids. The May Fete Parade is a Saturday morning procession of school groups, dance troupes, scouts, sports teams, families and dogs down University Avenue, followed by a free fair in a downtown park. It is small-town, homemade and a little chaotic, which is exactly why locals love it. Generations of Palo Altans have marched in it as children and come back to watch their own kids do the same.
This guide covers the parade's history, the route and road closures, how to take part and the practical details of a parade morning. We give the 2026 details because those are the most recent the city has published. The 2027 date had not been announced in October 2026, so confirm on the city's May Fete page before you plan around it.
About a century of May Fete
Local histories date the parade to 1924, when Palo Alto was still a small college town of tree-lined streets and bungalows. Its name recalls the old May Day festivals that welcomed spring. Over the decades it became the city's signature community event, run today by the City of Palo Alto with the Kiwanis Club of Palo Alto hosting the fair that follows.
The count of parades runs a little behind the calendar, since the event has been skipped in some years. Most recently it took a three-year break during the pandemic and returned in 2022. The city marked 100 years of May Fete in 2024 with the theme "Celebrate 100." Organizers invited marchers to dress in clothes from their favorite decade and collected items for a time capsule. The 2025 parade was the 101st and the 2026 parade on May 2 was the 102nd.
Each year has a theme. In 2026 it was "Honor a hero or heroes in your community," inviting groups to celebrate the people who make Palo Alto better. Floats and costumes range from elaborate school projects to a wagon with a hand-painted sign. Both get cheered equally.
The parade's past is part of a larger local story. Our history of Palo Alto covers how the town grew up around Stanford. The future Palo Alto Museum at 300 Homer Avenue, steps from the parade's finish, held a sneak peek in May 2025 with photographs and memorabilia from past May Fetes.
When it happens
The parade is held on a Saturday morning in early May. Recent editions:
| Year | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Saturday, May 4 | Centennial celebration, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| 2025 | Early May | 101st parade |
| 2026 | Saturday, May 2 | 102nd parade, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
| 2027 | Not yet announced | Check the city's page in spring |
The parade steps off at 10 a.m. It moves at a child's pace, so plan on at least an hour of floats and walkers passing any one spot. The fair in Heritage Park continues into the early afternoon.
The route and road closures
Marchers gather at University Avenue and Emerson Street, travel along University Avenue through the heart of downtown and turn toward Heritage Park on Homer Avenue, where the fair takes place. In 2026 the city listed these closures:
- University Avenue from High Street to Waverley Street, closed from 8 a.m. to noon.
- Homer Avenue from Bryant Street to Waverley Street, closed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the fair.
Cross streets near University Avenue are blocked or crowded during the parade. Drivers coming from Highway 101 or El Camino Real should park in a downtown garage early or use the lots south of the route. Better still, arrive by Caltrain. The Palo Alto station sits at the foot of University Avenue, a few minutes' walk from the starting point. See getting to Palo Alto for train details.
Where to watch
Any curb along University Avenue between High and Waverley streets works, but each stretch has its own feel. Near Emerson Street you see marchers fresh at the start, with groups still lining up and plenty of energy. The middle blocks around Ramona and Bryant streets are a little less crowded and have shade from the street trees. Families with small children often settle near the turn toward Heritage Park, so they can slip into the fair as soon as the last group passes. Wherever you stand, leave room at the curb for the marchers and keep dogs on a short leash. Bring something to sit on if you plan to stay for the whole parade.
How to march
Anyone can take part. There are two ways in:
- Register a group. Schools, scout troops, teams, neighborhood groups and clubs can enter a float or a walking group using the entry form on the city's page. In 2026 the deadline was April 24. Prizes are awarded for floats.
- Walk as a family. Individuals and families without a group can march in the Friends, Family and Pets section. In 2026 the check-in desk was at University Avenue and Emerson Street from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Dogs are welcome in this section, which makes it one of the crowd's favorites.
Nonprofits can also run a booth at the fair at no charge. Businesses can get a booth by becoming sponsors. Contact details for the city's special events team and the Kiwanis Club are on the city's page.
The fair in Heritage Park
When the last marchers arrive, the party moves into Heritage Park on Homer Avenue. The Kiwanis Club hosts a free fair with booths from local community groups, games and prizes for kids and food trucks for lunch. It is relaxed and very kid-focused. Expect lines at the most popular games.
The park sits next to the Museum of American Heritage, a free museum of pre-digital technology in the 1907 Williams House at 351 Homer Avenue. Its regular hours are Friday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., so it is normally open on parade Saturday and makes an easy next stop. We could not confirm a special museum festival tied to the parade, so check the museum's site for any events that day.
Good to know
- Arrive by 9:30 a.m. for a curb spot near the start. The blocks near the Emerson Street start fill quickly.
- Bring sunscreen and water. Early May mornings start cool and warm up fast.
- Strollers are fine, but the sidewalks get tight. A carrier is easier for babies.
- The downtown Saturday farmers market runs the same morning on Gilman Street, one block from the route.
Make a day of it
Parade Saturday is a good excuse for a full day downtown. Start with coffee or a pastry, pick up fruit at the farmers market on Gilman Street (see our farmers markets guide) and find your spot on University Avenue. After the fair, walk ten minutes south into Professorville to see the shingled houses of Stanford's first professors and the HP Garage on Addison Avenue.
Families visiting from out of town will find more ideas in our guide to Palo Alto with kids. If you want to stay within walking distance of the route, compare hotels in downtown Palo Alto early. Spring weekends are busy and Stanford events can fill rooms. For the rest of the year's festivals, see our events calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 May Fete Parade?
The city had not announced the 2027 date in October 2026. The parade is held on a Saturday morning in early May. In 2026 it ran on May 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check the City of Palo Alto's May Fete page in early spring.
What is the May Fete Parade route?
The parade gathers at University Avenue and Emerson Street, travels along University Avenue and ends at Heritage Park on Homer Avenue, where the fair takes place. University Avenue closes to cars from High Street to Waverley Street on parade morning.
Can anyone march in the May Fete Parade?
Yes. Groups such as schools, scout troops and teams register a float or walking entry ahead of time. Individuals and families without a group can walk in the Friends, Family and Pets section by checking in at University Avenue and Emerson Street on parade morning.
How old is the May Fete Parade?
Local histories date the parade to 1924. The city celebrated 100 years of the parade in 2024 with the theme Celebrate 100. The 2025 parade was the 101st and the 2026 parade the 102nd.
Is the May Fete Parade free?
Yes. Watching the parade, marching in it and visiting the fair in Heritage Park are all free. Food trucks at the fair sell meals and snacks.