Events

Every year downtown

October 2026

15Santa Clara Broncos Womens Volleyball vs. Pacific Tigers Womens Volleyball The Phantom of the Opera (Touring)RUSH: Fifty Something+1 more

16San Jose Barracuda vs. Calgary Wranglers The Phantom of the Opera (Touring)Are You Garbage Podcast: Army of Garbage Tour+3 more

17Santa Clara Broncos Womens Volleyball vs. St. Marys CA Gaels Womens Volleyball The Phantom of the Opera (Touring)Ghoul, Dry Socket+6 more

18The Phantom of the Opera (Touring)Hocus Pocus Drag Brunch Bay FC vs. Portland Thorns FC+2 more

19San Francisco 49ers vs. Washington Commanders

21Bo Johnson

22Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero Switchfoot Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: In Concert 40th Anniversary+3 more

23Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero Marlon Wayans

November 2026

December 2026

Nearby listings: Powered by Ticketmaster, via bossfeed.fun.

Every year

The downtown plaza (Plaza de César Chávez), South Market Street · Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. In 2026-27: November 27, 2026 to January 1, 2027, daily noon to 10 pm

Christmas in the Park

A free holiday tradition since the 1980s: decorated trees, more than 40 animated displays including the Lima Train, a giant Christmas tree you can step inside, Santa photos and nightly entertainment. Run by a nonprofit and paid for mostly by community fundraising.

Read on The downtown plaza (Plaza de César Chávez), South Market Street ↗

Circle of Palms, 120 South Market Street · Late November through January. The 2025-26 season opened November 26 and was extended to February 8, 2026

Skate Under the Palms (Downtown Ice)

An outdoor ice rink under the palms beside the plaza, a downtown tradition since 1994 and formerly called Downtown Ice.

Read on Circle of Palms, 120 South Market Street ↗

Downtown San Jose theaters (in 2019 the California Theatre, the Hammer Theatre and Camera 3, among others) · Every March; dates are announced on the festival’s site

Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival

An independent film festival founded in 1990, known for premieres, the Maverick Spirit Awards and a silent film with live organ.

Read on Downtown San Jose theaters (in 2019 the California Theatre, the Hammer Theatre and Camera 3, among others) ↗

SoFA District, South First Street between San Carlos and Reed streets · Early June, two days. In 2026: Friday June 5, 5 to 10 pm, and Saturday June 6, 2 to 8 pm

SubZERO Festival

A free DIY arts festival of outdoor stages, artists, performers and musicians, where, in its own words, street meets geek. It is presented with the South First Fridays art walk.

Read on SoFA District, South First Street between San Carlos and Reed streets ↗

SoFA District galleries and museums on and near South First Street · First Friday of the month, from 5 pm

South First Fridays Art Walk

Galleries and museums stay open late with free entry, often with the Street Mrkt indie art fair outside.

Read on SoFA District galleries and museums on and near South First Street ↗

Main stage in the downtown plaza, with stages nearby · Three days in mid-August. In 2027: August 13-15

San Jose Jazz Summer Fest

San Jose Jazz’s festival, begun in 1990 as a one-day, one-stage event, now spans jazz, blues, Latin and soul across downtown.

Read on Main stage in the downtown plaza, with stages nearby ↗

The downtown plaza · Summer weekends; 2026 was its 36th season

Music in the Park

A concert series begun in the late 1980s to bring people back downtown, now ticketed, with national and local acts and a free Kids Day in the Park.

Read on The downtown plaza ↗

Around the downtown plaza · Late August, Labor Day weekend. In 2026: August 29-30

Silicon Valley Pride Festival & Parade

San Jose’s largest LGBTQ+ celebration, which began as a rally at San José State in 1975 and has been held around the plaza since 2015.

Read on Around the downtown plaza ↗

Little Italy, around Sharks Way (formerly West St. John Street) near SAP Center · Early October, a Sunday. In 2026: October 4, 11 am to 7 pm

Little Italy San Jose Italian Festival

Begun in 2016, the festival draws 20,000 to 25,000 people for Italian food, music, an Italian car show and tours of the cultural center and museum.

Read on Little Italy, around Sharks Way (formerly West St. John Street) near SAP Center ↗

The downtown plaza · A two-day weekend each summer

San Jose Fountain Blues & Brews Festival

Founded in 1981, it is described as the longest-running blues festival on the West Coast.

Read on The downtown plaza ↗