San Jose Obon Festival is a must-do summertime event. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
With summer in full swing, it’s prime time for big events in the great 408. Some of major festivals + events go down in July — here are the highlights.
Dine Downtown San Jose|Thursday, July 3-Sunday, July 13 | Downtown San Jose | Enjoy prix fixe menus, food + drink pairings, and chef specials from participating restaurants and cafes during this local Restaurant Week.
San Jose Obon Festival | Saturday, July 12-Sunday, July 13 | Japantown | This annual Buddhist event commemorates those who are no longer with us and features food, bon odori dances, and live performances.
Music in the Park | July-September | Plaza de Cesar Chavez | Rocking downtown SJ since 1989, next month’s concerts include Stevie B on Friday, July 25 and The Psychedelic Furs with Rooney on Saturday, July 26.
Italian Family Festa | Saturday, July 26-Sunday, July 27 | History Park | The Italian American Heritage Foundation’s free festival features culinary demos, arts and crafts, live music, vendors, activities for the kids, Italian cars + Vespas, and a Grape Stomp — magnifico.
An Evening with Masood Boomgaar + Self-Help Singh | 8 p.m. | San Jose Improv | $32+ | Get ready for unapologetic real talk, courtesy of a globe-trotting comedian + YouTuber and his “demotivational guru” alter-ego.
Friday, June 27
2025 Sharks Draft Party| 3 p.m. | SAP Center at San José | Free | The future is teal — enjoy a live viewing of the NHL’s Draft on the SAP’s video board, plus fan photo opportunities and interactive games.
FoodieLand Food Festival | Friday, June 27-Sunday, June 29 | 3-10 p.m. | Santa Clara County Fairgrounds | $12 | More than 100 food vendors and 75 merch vendors will line the fairgrounds for this big family-friendly foodie festival; admission is free for kids under 5.
PAC SJ 35th Anniversary Celebration | 6:30-10 p.m. | Hotel de Anza | $150 | Celebrate the ongoing work of the Preservation Action Council of San Jose at this shindig featuring music, cocktails, food, games, raffles, and a live auction.
Saturday, June 28
Yoga + Pilates on The Row | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Santana Row | Free | Bring your yoga mat and find your balance at this outdoor class; registration is at 8:30 a.m. at the lululemon store.
“Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” 45th Anniversary | Saturday, June 28-Sunday, June 29 | Times vary | 3 Below Theaters and Lounge, San Jose | $15 | Settle in for a screening of the dark + thrilling chapter that changed the “Star Wars” universe forever.
Shane Gillis Live | 8 p.m. | SAP Center at San José | $74+ | The actor, podcaster, and comic who hosted “SNL” earlier this year takes the mic live from the great 408.
Sunday, June 29
“The Mix & Mingle Tour” 2025 | 7 p.m. | San Jose Improv | $38+ | This lineup features talk show host and entrepreneur Sheryl Underwood, as well as Kyle Erby and Mike Washington.
Monday, June 30
Pride Flag Keychains | 4 p.m. | New Museum Los Gatos | $10 | Celebrate Pride Month by making keychains inspired by the colors in the pride flag; this activity is included in museum admission.
Wednesday, July 2
Concacaf Gold Cup Semifinal | 7 p.m. | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara | $61 | The international soccer competition heats up with this big match in the Bay Area — score a seat.
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What a shake-up. San Jose Earthquakes owner John Fisher is planning to sell our city’s MLS team. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan hopes the ownership switch will entice the team to play in downtown SJ’s future arts and entertainment district and help enhance the city’s “experience economy.” (KRON + The Mercury News)
Civic
Looking for results from this week’s District 3 runoff election? The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters is keeping tabs on ballots, reporting numbers on its official website. The winner will fill the seat left vacant by the embattled Omar Torres. (NBC Bay Area)
Coming Soon
When one pizza shop closes, another one opens.Slice of Homage Pizza will take over A Slice of New York’s shuttered shop in Sunnyvale in the coming months, offering its Sicilian, New York, and Detroit-style pies. A Slice of New York’s Stevens Creek Boulevard location remains open.
Development
As more tech, housing, and commercial projects land in downtown San Jose, PG&E plans to revamp two electricity substations to meet the increase in local energy demands driving economic growth. The utility will upgrade Substation A next to the Diridon train station and Substation B on Coleman Avenue. (The Mercury News)
Award
Fin City forever. Sharks legend Joe Thornton — who played in the NHL for 24 years — was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. Thornton played in SJ from 2005 to 2020 and shaped our team. The Sharks retired his No. 19 in November 2024. (Bleacher Report)
Tech
According to new research from CoWorkingCafe, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara is the best large metro where STEM professionals like AI developers, scientists, and engineers flourish. The study said one in four jobs is located within 3,500 local STEM businesses. The average income for Silicon Valley scientists was $142,000 in 2024.
Legacy
SJSU is mourning former Spartan wide receiver and coach Chandler Jones, who was killed in a car accident in Los Angeles last weekend. Jones holds several SJSU football records, including the team’s career leader in catches + receiving touchdowns. “Forever in our hearts, #89,” the university posted on social media. (CBS Sports)
Real Estate
Per RentCafe, San Jose ranks No. 14 among trending metro areas for “millionaire renters” — households with an annual income greater than $1 million who rent an apartment or house. SJ’s number of millionaire renter households tripled to 577 between 2019 and 2023.
Plan Ahead
The first-ever Downtown Blitz Flag Football Tournament is coming to downtown San Jose on Saturday, Aug. 23. The all-day tourney will feature youth, competitive, and women’s + recreation divisions. Sign ups are now open via ShowYouRightZone.
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🥽 POV: You just designed your dream kitchen with immersive VR
Presented by Lowe's
Need input? Friends + family can follow along on an iPad that mirrors the 3D experience. | Photos provided by Lowe’s
The future of home design is here, y’all — and it’s free to try.
Lowe’s just launched Lowe’s Style Studio at five SJ-area stores, letting you design your dream kitchen in 3D, in real time, with one-on-one guidance from a Lowe’s associate.
California’s Great America will host Fourth of July fireworks shows this year.
Post via @cagreatamerica
City officials canceled the Fourth of July fireworks at Almaden Lake this year due to safety concerns, but our skies will still light up with other patriotic celebrations, including Star-Spangled Nights at California’s Great America on Friday July 4 + Saturday, July 5.
Don’t miss these other Fourth of July festivities:
The basics you need while they’re on sale. Amazon Basics just marked down tons of products in a sale exclusive for Prime members — time to restock the bathroom/office/supply closet shelves:
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
The Winchester Mystery House will turn 102 years old on Monday, June 30 and the celebration will be sweet. Every guest who visits the landmark this weekend will be treated to a free cupcake from SJ’s iconic Peters Bakery. Get tickets and plan your visit.
Birthdays make me a bit nostalgic — this is the perfect time to revisit our story about the life of Sarah Winchester.
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