Expect to see a variety of local vendors at San Jose Day selling art, handcrafts, clothes, jewelry, and more. | Photo by Leopoldo Macaya
You know what time of year it is, SJ — it’s time to celebrate the great 408. The 7th annual San Jose Day, a free festival highlighting our local arts + culture, will go down on Sunday, April 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Emma Prusch Farm Park.
Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:
A series of official community events will lead up to the big day, including the premiere of “With Love, From San Jose,” a documentary about the evolution of San Jose Day, on Saturday, April 5, 6-9 p.m., at CreaTV San Jose. Learn more + RSVP.
This year’s event will also honor Viva CalleSJ’s 10th anniversary of transforming streets into car-free spaces. Roll, skate, or walk your way into the festival along the special Viva Calle SJ route.
San Jose Day will feature five live music acts, dance performances, 100+ local vendors (the event’s biggest market to date), food vendors, and live art demos.
Candlelight: Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons | 6:30-7:45 p.m. | Corinthian Grand Ballroom | $42+ | Listen to covers of songs like “Clocks” and “Radioactive” by the glow of candlelight — that is, if you want something just like this.
Friday, March 28
We Love the ‘90s Trivia | 6 p.m. | The Plex | Free | Test your knowledge of 40 questions covering the music, movies, and pop culture of the decade that was all that and a bag of chips.
Abbotsford Canucks vs. San Jose Barracuda | 7:30 p.m. | Tech CU Arena | $22+ | It’s “Hometown Heroes” night at The Reef, a celebration of those who make the 408 great.
Saturday, March 29
“Wizard of Oz” Ballet | Saturday, March 29-Sunday, March 30 | Times vary | Hammer Theatre Center | $45+ | This enchanting ballet adaptation of the classic tale follows Dorothy and her lovable friends through the magical land of Oz, one tendu at a time.
FISHER Block Party | 2 p.m. | San Jose City Hall Plaza | $194 | Santa Clara Street and City Hall are closed off to traffic for this epic 18+ block party spotlighting the world-renowned DJ.
Seattle Sounders FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes | 7:30 p.m. | PayPal Park | $34+ | As if our MLS team didn’t already shake things up on the reg, it’s Tacos & Tequila Night at the park.
Sunday, March 30
Taste of Campbell | 3 p.m. | Heritage Theatre, Campbell | $65 | Sip and savor your way through samples from local restaurants, breweries, and wineries at this 7th annual fundraiser for disaster preparedness group Campbell CERT.
Tuesday, April 1
#WeCreate408 | Tuesday, April 1-Wednesday, April 30 | Times vary | San Jose | Free | Sign up to receive creative prompts from the Office of Cultural Affairs every day this month for fun ways to explore San Jose at your own pace.
Randy’s Cheeseburger Picnic | 8 p.m. | San Jose Improv | $38+ | The “Trailer Park Boys” character played by Patrick Roach brings his comedy act filled with songs, contests, and prizes to SJ.
Wednesday, April 2
Comedians and Empanadas | 6-8 p.m. | Casa Guzmania | Cost of purchase | Catch some laughs with talented Bay Area comedians while enjoying an empanada or two.
San Jose approved a “first responder fee” that would charge residents $427 for calling 911 for medical emergencies. Local firefighters respond to ~186 calls daily and this fee could generate $4 million. In most cases, it could be covered by insurance. (CBS News Bay Area)
Development
A proposed development along downtown SJ’s Park Avenue could bring eight new retail options to the ground floor of an existing, 1,260-spot parking structure. The 35,000-sqft Shops at CityView would include a corner plaza and restaurants with outdoor dining. It would be part of the ambitious redevelopment of CityView Plaza.(The Mercury News)
Coming Soon
Santana Row’s shopping scene recently added stores like Bluemercury cosmetics, Kohler, and EVEREVE women’s clothing, and more new tenants are coming this spring. Vuori will open an expanded athleisure showroom next to EVEREVE (at the former H&M site) and a taqueria called Parranga will debut with patio dining. (The Mercury News)
Festival
Ah, music to our ears. The San Jose Jazz Summer Fest is coming to Plaza de César Chavez on Friday, Aug. 8-Sunday, Aug. 10 and the 2025 lineup just dropped. Among the 80+ acts are rapper Common, soul legend Mavis Staples, and Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton. Get tickets.
Tech
Santa Clara County-born genetic testing company 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy. If you’re intestested in tracking down your California lineage, consider attending San Jose Public Library’s Geneology Research Workshop at Edenvale on Saturday, April 19, 3-4 p.m. (NBC News)
Closed
The Red Robin restaurant on El Paseo de Saratoga is closed. Earlier this month, the chain said it was considering closing ~70 underperforming restaurants in order to repay debt. The Red Robin on Eastridge Loop remains open and you can also find locations in Santa Clara and Morgan Hill. (NBC Bay Area + USA Today)
Sports
Bay FC’s home opener victory last weekend was one for the books. Bay Area native Karlie Lema scored the first goal of her pro career and said, “A dream come true. I’m so glad that I got my first goal at home.” The team’s next home game is on Sunday, April 13.
Plan Ahead
SJSU’s basketball season has officially wrapped, but our city will be in the NCAA Tournament spotlight next year. Among the many high-profile sporting events coming to the great 408, SJSU is slated to host the tourney’s West Regional games on March 26, 2026 + March 28, 2026 at SAP Center. (SiliconValley.com)
Job
The San Jose Fire Department is recruiting 911 dispatcher trainees to complete its academic + on-the-job training program. Applications will be accepted through Friday, April 11. Want more info? SJFD will host an in-person “Ask a Dispatcher” event on Saturday, April 5; the location has not yet been determined.
Watch
The Ben Raemers Foundation — a nonprofit inspired by the late Ben Raemers that supports mental health awareness in the skateboarding community — dedicated its latest installment of its “Feeling Scene” video series to San Jose. The episode reflects on SJ’s skateboarding culture and Raemers’ profound local impact on the sport. (Thrasher Magazine)
Trending
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City Guide
City Guide
🏔️ Happy trails to you
The Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve links to many regional and city trails in San Jose. | Photo via @biaobobo
Lace up your hiking boots. We’ve compiled a curated hiking guide for the San Jose areawith 15 trails and routes to help you plan your next adventure.
Note: Before heading out, we recommend checking park websites for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area.
A purse organizer that’s 69% off thanks to Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Say goodbye to a messy handbag with this organizer featuring 13 thoughtfully designed pockets to keep everything in its place. Read: You’ll never be endlessly digging around for your keys again.
While we’re talking about big San Jose events, the United Lowrider Council of San Jose (ULCSJ) is gearing up for its Cinco de Mayo celebration at King + Story roads on Sunday, May 4. The festivities will include a parade showcasing SJ’s vibrant lowride culture and lowrider registration opens today at 6 p.m.
ULCSJ will share the registration link on its Instagram page — spaces are likely to fill up fast, so rev up and show out.
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