Upcoming Events
South First Fridays
South First Fridays
Friday, August 7
5:00-9:00 PM
5 East San Salvador Street
San Jose's SoFA District has history, independent retailers, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, museums, galleries and is the creative center of downtown. Many of these unique venues participate in the South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk by presenting exciting exhibitions, live music and special performances on the first Friday of each month (except July and January). Each venue has a unique personality and on this special night the doors are thrown open free of charge and they stay open until late! South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk is the perfect opportunity to come downtown, mingle amid the night culture and be inspired. June's 1st Friday has been dubbed the subzero festival and closes off the street and brings in outdoor stages, art vendor booths and a beer garden.
South First Fridays
South First Fridays
Friday, August 7
5:00-9:00 PM
5 East San Salvador Street
San Jose's SoFA District has history, independent retailers, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, museums, galleries and is the creative center of downtown. Many of these unique venues participate in the South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk by presenting exciting exhibitions, live music and special performances on the first Friday of each month (except July and January). Each venue has a unique personality and on this special night the doors are thrown open free of charge and they stay open until late! South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk is the perfect opportunity to come downtown, mingle amid the night culture and be inspired. June's 1st Friday has been dubbed the subzero festival and closes off the street and brings in outdoor stages, art vendor booths and a beer garden.
Avenida de Altares
Avenida de Altares
Saturday, October 31, 2026
5:30-10:30 PM
Mexican Heritage Plaza
On Saturday, October 31, Avenida de Altares will fill La Plaza with color, music, and the vibrant spirit of Día de los Muertos.
Families and community members from across the Bay Area will gather to celebrate Día de los Muertos and transform East San José into a vibrant tapestry of culture and tradition.
Guests can explore a community altar gallery, participate in hands-on art activities for all ages, browse an artisanal vendor market, and experience colorful face painting. Stay tuned as we announce our lineup of live performances and special entertainment!
Alebrijes
A mythologized telling of the life (and almost death) of the little-known alebrije creator, Pedro Linares. Join La Muerte as she chases Pedro, and his three tonas (totems) in this family-friendly Day of the Dead celebration of fantastical Mexican folk art.
Follow Pedro on a nostalgic visit to Mexico City, discover his special relationship to his animals, and join him in his journey through a psychedelic Oaxacan jungle (or is it the afterlife?).
Balancing the weight of mortality with delightful comedy, beautiful colors, and traditional music, Alebrijes: A Día de Muertos Tale is a joyful story that celebrates the fantastical journey of life and the art that unites us all, even across realms.
Alebrijes is presented in Spanish with supertitles in English and Spanish.
Alebrijes
A mythologized telling of the life (and almost death) of the little-known alebrije creator, Pedro Linares. Join La Muerte as she chases Pedro, and his three tonas (totems) in this family-friendly Day of the Dead celebration of fantastical Mexican folk art.
Follow Pedro on a nostalgic visit to Mexico City, discover his special relationship to his animals, and join him in his journey through a psychedelic Oaxacan jungle (or is it the afterlife?).
Balancing the weight of mortality with delightful comedy, beautiful colors, and traditional music, Alebrijes: A Día de Muertos Tale is a joyful story that celebrates the fantastical journey of life and the art that unites us all, even across realms.
Alebrijes is presented in Spanish with supertitles in English and Spanish.
South First Fridays
South First Fridays
Friday, October 2
5:00-9:00 PM
5 East San Salvador Street
San Jose's SoFA District has history, independent retailers, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, museums, galleries and is the creative center of downtown. Many of these unique venues participate in the South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk by presenting exciting exhibitions, live music and special performances on the first Friday of each month (except July and January). Each venue has a unique personality and on this special night the doors are thrown open free of charge and they stay open until late! South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk is the perfect opportunity to come downtown, mingle amid the night culture and be inspired. June's 1st Friday has been dubbed the subzero festival and closes off the street and brings in outdoor stages, art vendor booths and a beer garden.
City Dance San José
An interactive session for makers and thinkers to collaborate, connect, and spark new ideas.
Chile, Mole, Pozole
Chile, Mole, Pozole
Saturday, September 12, 2026
12:30 PM 5:00 PM
Mexican Heritage Plaza
Celebrate Méxican Independence Day on Saturday, Sept. 12 at La Plaza!
On Saturday, September 12, the air will thicken with the scent of roasting chiles, and live music will echo as Chile, Mole, Pozole (CMP) returns for its 9th annual festival. Celebrate Mexican culture and community pride in East San José as we honor the spirit of Mexican Independence Day and the legacy of immigrant communities across the U.S.
Awaken your palate with the rich depths of mole—a velvety, slow-cooked sauce infused with chiles, spices, and hints of chocolate. Savor the warmth of comforting pozole, and feel the fiery kick of salsas that capture the passionate spirit of CMP. Just steps away, visitors can explore hands-on art workshops and create vibrant pieces that honor the beauty of Mexican tradition.
This year’s CMP will ignite with the thunderous sounds of local mariachi, echoing the spirit and sacrifice of those who crossed borders to build a better future. Calpulli Ocelocihuatl will perform a powerful Aztec ritual dance, honoring ancestral roots and the enduring spirit of community. High-flying heroes from Pro Wrestling Revolution will leap into the ring, bringing lucha libre’s legendary drama and heart-pounding action to celebrate resilience.
City Dance San José
An interactive session for makers and thinkers to collaborate, connect, and spark new ideas.
San José Jazz Summer Fest
Jazz, soul, funk, Latin energy and pure showmanship–San Jose Jazz Summer Fest is BACK!
South First Fridays
South First Fridays
Friday, August 7
5:00-9:00 PM
5 East San Salvador Street
San Jose's SoFA District has history, independent retailers, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, museums, galleries and is the creative center of downtown. Many of these unique venues participate in the South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk by presenting exciting exhibitions, live music and special performances on the first Friday of each month (except July and January). Each venue has a unique personality and on this special night the doors are thrown open free of charge and they stay open until late! South FIRST FRIDAYS art walk is the perfect opportunity to come downtown, mingle amid the night culture and be inspired. June's 1st Friday has been dubbed the subzero festival and closes off the street and brings in outdoor stages, art vendor booths and a beer garden.