When Mother's Day and Cinco de Mayo fall in or around the same week, it makes for a lively fusion of celebrations in California. Mother's Day is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday in May, so it will be held on Sunday, May 8 in 2011. Cinco de Mayo is always May 5, as its Spanish name indicates, but when that day happens during the work week (Monday through Friday) celebrations generally occur the weekend before or after May 5. This year there have been celebrations before and some after, which means Mother's Day and Cinco de Mayo meld into fiesta time.

Merchants, vendors and festival planners say they hope for larger family turnouts when families come together to celebrate Mother's Day at free festival events throughout California.

Events include:

Mother's Day Weekend Art Show in Sunset Beach (pictured) that happens on May 7-8, 2011.

Mother's Day Bluegrass Festival at Calico Ghost Town, Yermo May 7-8

Corona Cinco de Mayo May 7, 2011 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Corona City Park, 930 E. Sixth St., Corona, CA.
A 10 a.m. parade down Sixth Street with Mexican dancers, marching bands, local youth groups, and a fiesta immediately following the parade with mariachis, Folklorico dancers, salsa and rock bands, kids' fun zone, food vendors, and more. coronacincodemayo.net

Los Angeles Fiesta Broadway May 8, 2011 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (310) 914-0015. Held in Downtown Los Angeles, this free family event with 500,000 attendance in the world's largest Cinco de Mayo festival features music starting at 11:30 a.m. on two different stages on either ends of the festival on Broadway. Ozomatli will headline at 4:30 p.m. on the Red Bull Stage, located on the west end of the street and Diana Reyes appears on the KWHY-TV Stage on the east at 5 p.m. Hundreds of exhibitors and food vendors sell sizzling favorites along the route. fiestabroadway.la

Santa Barbara Cinco de Mayo May 7 -8, 2011. The 20th annual celebration takes place at Plaza de la Guerra and Casa de la Guerra in downtown Santa Barbara.This year's celebration will be the biggest and best event yet. There will be even more great music, dance, savory food, and a kids corner full of activities. Free admission. Time: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily. cincodemayosb.com