Easter Sunday Delivers Festive Experiences Across San Jose

Easter Sunday delivers festive experiences that bring families and friends together across San Jose.

Guests can savor a memorable brunch at the Hayes Mansion where an exclusive menu includes cracked crab legs, a prime rib carving station, and chef-selected decadent desserts. Little ones will hunt for eggs on the lawn in the historic surroundings.

Downtown San Jose will host the Soulful Sunday Easter Brunch at Jackie's Place with two sessions offering all-you-can-enjoy buffet items like fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and candied yams accompanied by bottomless mimosas and R&B sounds from a DJ.

Local churches such as VIVE San Jose will open their doors for services followed by a free post-service carnival featuring a petting zoo, bounce houses, and food trucks that extend the celebration into the afternoon.

These events highlight how San Jose transforms Easter Day into a vibrant celebration of community and tradition.

For tickets and more information:

• Hayes Mansion Easter Brunch & Egg Hunt: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-easter-brunch-at-the-hayes-mansion-tickets-1978479220608
• Soulful Sunday Easter Brunch at Jackie's Place: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/soulful-sunday-easter-brunch-2026-tickets-1985618515431
• VIVE San Jose Easter Services & Carnival: https://www.vivechurch.org/easter-san-jose

San Jose Prepares to Launch a World-Class Sports and Entertainment District in Downtown

San Jose locals have long watched their city build momentum, and recent planning efforts will deliver an exciting transformation. City officials have commissioned studies that will shape a dynamic sports and entertainment district in Downtown San Jose. These plans will weave together mixed-use spaces, upgraded public areas, and better linkages among landmarks like the SAP Center and major transit points.

Recent agreements with the San Jose Sharks have already paved the way for major arena renovations extending through 2051. Those commitments will spark detailed work on a future arena location alongside a full district filled with dining, hotels, and entertainment options. City leaders examined proven successes in Sacramento, Columbus, and Atlanta, where integrated venues have generated billions while keeping the energy high every day.

Analyses from Deloitte showed that dedicated city backing and streamlined processes will create zones appealing to fans and everyday visitors alike. San Jose will build on assets such as Diridon Station to develop walkable neighborhoods echoing the proven model at Santana Row. The district will bring steady activity to Downtown throughout the entire year.

At the same time, expansions at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center will push economic activity from conventions toward $182 million per year and back more than 1,000 positions. Planners will consider additional exhibition space and a new headquarters hotel near the Almaden site recently acquired by the city (former Boston Properties office development site). This approach will allow Downtown San Jose to land bigger events and integrate them smoothly with the surrounding entertainment hub.

Ongoing reviews through 2026 will examine financing options, land planning, and connections along the Guadalupe River and Highway 87. San Jose has assembled the core pieces and will now link them into a destination that residents like you and visitors will celebrate daily as the city rises toward its full potential.

Source: SVBJ

Downtown San Jose Celebrates Art, Music, and Culture at First Fridays ArtWalk SJ

Downtown San Jose will come alive with artistic possibility tonight as the First Fridays ArtWalk SJ unfolds across the SoFA District and surrounding neighborhoods. Between 5 and 9 pm, galleries and venues will open their doors wide for an evening of free exploration and live performances.

You will step into Anno Domini to experience Céline Lyaudet's AD SOMNIA exhibition, where the French artist translates lucid dreams and ancient incubation rites into paintings and sculptural fetishes that evoke shamanic journeys and spirit vessels. Close by at KALEID Gallery, Xuan My Ho's detailed mosaics will bridge real and imagined worlds while the Art for Vietnam show channels sales proceeds toward VNHelp's community projects in Vietnam.

MACLA will present its annual Latinx Art Now exhibition featuring diverse works from over thirty artists. At the California Theatre Opera San José will deliver outdoor arias at 5:30 pm, an indoor performance at 7 pm, free popcorn and lemonade, plus a scavenger hunt. San Jose Jazz will fill the air with sets from emerging talents and a special jam session featuring ska saxophonist David Hillyard.

The walk will extend into the Historic District for cultural storytelling at Chopsticks Alley Gallery and the community art auction preview at Works San Jose. In the Martha Gardens District galleries will showcase typewriter engravings, wooden memento mori installations, and traditional Peruvian chullos.

There is free street parking and 90 minutes of complimentary garage parking available at S. 2nd and San Carlos and the event is kid-friendly.

"Santos" Will Bring a Modern Mexican Steakhouse to San Pedro Square

San Pedro Square in Downtown San Jose will gain a sophisticated new dining destination this August. Santos opens at 17 North San Pedro Street as a modern Mexican steakhouse that blends regional flavors with premium steakhouse preparation.

MDM Hospitality Group commits between five hundred thousand and one million dollars to the buildout. The project generates twenty to thirty jobs across kitchen and service roles while establishing a lasting presence in the neighborhood.

The interior design creates a dark and elegant atmosphere suited for memorable evenings. This addition builds on the growing restaurant focus in San Pedro Square.

A Japanese Mexican fusion pop-up called Bar Tako will operate in the future home of Santos until July 3rd.

Source: SVBJ

California State Capital Heads Back to Downtown San Jose

California lawmakers delivered a decision that will reshape state government for decades ahead. The capital will relocate from Sacramento to Downtown San Jose beginning in 2027.

Thousands of state jobs will arrive in the city center along with major infrastructure upgrades. The historic Capitol building will take its place among the growing skyline of Downtown San Jose. This move will solidify the South Bay as the true heart of California. San Jose will gain fresh political and economic momentum that will benefit residents for generations.

The entire region will benefit from the increased attention and investment. San Jose will continue its steady rise as one of the most dynamic cities anywhere.

Happy April Fools’ Day. The team here at The San Jose Blog enjoys imagining these big leaps that help push our city toward becoming the greatest in the world.

Shake Shack Arrives at Sunnyvale Cityline with Classic Burgers and Community Support

Shake Shack latest Bay Area outpost will open its doors tomorrow at 10 a.m. inside Cityline Sunnyvale, located at 275 S Murphy Avenue. This marks the brand’s 16th location in the region and 51st throughout California.

Visitors who arrive early on opening day will walk away with limited-edition custom tote bags. Shake Shack also directs one dollar from every sandwich sold on April 1 toward Sunnyvale Community Services. The donation advances efforts to combat homelessness and hunger right here in the local community.

The menu features all the expected favorites. Diners will enjoy ShackBurgers, crinkle-cut fries, and thick hand-spun shakes. Seasonal specials rotate in regularly, and the restaurant will operate from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday while extending to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

San Jose Moves Forward with Over One Thousand New Homes

San Jose has unlocked substantial progress on housing by approving nearly ten million dollars in incentives for three residential developments. These waivers will help deliver more than one thousand one hundred new units while addressing affordability challenges that many residents face daily.

In Downtown San Jose the Gateway Tower project at 470 South Market Street will introduce two hundred twenty affordable apartments in a fifteen-story structure that also includes ground-floor retail space. Construction starts in May. Nearby the historic Bank of Italy building transforms into one hundred nine apartments, preserving architectural heritage and adding needed homes to the urban core with work beginning in April.

West San Jose gains momentum as well. Sand Hill Property Co. has already launched construction at El Paseo de Saratoga where seven hundred seventy-two units will take shape along the Saratoga corridor. Vertical building is expected to advance soon.

San Jose continues to demonstrate leadership by streamlining costs and encouraging developers to move forward despite broader market pressures. As these projects rise, residents will gain more choices for living spaces that fit their budgets and lives.

Source: SVBJ

San Jose Welcomes Rowan’s First California Studio to Santana Row

San Jose has welcomed Rowan to Santana Row and in doing so has secured a fresh destination that redefines ear piercing for everyone from first-timers to seasoned enthusiasts. This modern studio arrives with clinical training at its core, delivering procedures performed exclusively by licensed nurses who follow strict operational standards developed over years of nationwide growth. The result stands as a milestone experience rather than a rushed errand, complete with hypoallergenic earrings selected to minimize any discomfort long after the appointment ends.

Residents who value precision will notice the difference immediately. Rowan maintains an adverse reaction rate below one percent through its dedicated clinical protocol, a stark improvement over typical industry figures. That consistency has fueled expansion to more than one hundred studios across the country, and Santana Row now serves as the gateway for California. Families marking birthdays, teens choosing their first lobes, or anyone refreshing an existing look can step in knowing safety and style receive equal attention in a space designed for comfort from the moment of arrival.

Santana Row already draws crowds for its mix of dining, retail, lifestyle and entertainment attractions, so this just adds another option to the list. Rowan’s intentional design blends medical expertise with welcoming aesthetics, turning what could feel clinical into something celebratory and approachable.

San Jose Cat Day Returns This Weekend With Feline Fun Across Downtown

Cat enthusiasts across the South Bay will find their perfect gathering spot this Saturday in Downtown San Jose. The second annual San Jose Cat Day will take over Paseo de San Antonio and the Post Street area from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. as a free celebration packed with vendors, kittens, and creative activities.

More than 55 local makers, artists, and small businesses will set up shop at the Paseo de San Antonio with cat-themed goods ranging from artwork to one-of-a-kind accessories. Early arrivals among the first 1,000 guests will pick up a special San Jose Cat Day giveaway while supplies last.

Near the MOMENT Post Street storefronts, the Kitten Lounge from Mini Cat Town will let visitors meet adoptable kittens during 15-minute sessions. Craft stations will offer hands-on experiences including friendship bracelet making and cat-themed coloring, while food vendors will serve up themed treats and desserts. Head over to experience the fun firsthand and support local businesses in Downtown San Jose.

99 Affordable Homes Will Rise on South Almaden Near Downtown San Jose

Satellite Affordable Housing Associates will build a nine-story apartment complex with 99 units at 501 South Almaden Avenue. The project will stand right next to the Arya affordable housing development the same team previously completed. SB 35 will enable a speedy approval process that moves the project forward without traditional delays.

All apartments will deliver 100 percent affordable housing. The building will contain 67 studio units, 31 one-bedroom apartments, and one two-bedroom home. This thoughtful mix will support a broad range of households seeking a central San Jose location.

Source: The Mercury News