New Heights for Senior Living in Downtown San Jose

Planners approved the transformation of a key site at 19 North 2nd Street into a 22-story mixed-use tower. The plans incorporated the historic facade of the Realty Building and called for 220 affordable studio apartments aimed at residents aged 55 and older, placed above nearly 18,643 square feet of commercial space.

The transit-oriented setup positioned the tower ideally for easy access to light rail and bus lines. Future residents will navigate the city without needing on-site parking, thanks to basement bicycle parking and the prime location in central Downtown San Jose. Rooftop common areas will provide spots for connection and breathtaking skyline vistas.

Seniors will gain an opportunity to thrive in the vibrant core of the city, close to parks, shops, and cultural spots. Ground-floor commercial activity will bring new energy to this part of Downtown, filling another gap on a key corner and creating benefits that ripple out to the entire community.

Source: Sequoia and Tsovo Massena, hat tip to Wendy Warren for sending this in!

Beethoven’s Pastorale Brings Spring to Life at Symphony San Jose

San Jose music lovers will discover a fresh celebration of nature and renewal when Symphony San Jose presents Beethoven’s Pastorale on May 9 and 10, 2026. The program gathers three distinctive works that blend tradition with innovation to create an evening filled with color and emotion.

Dvořák’s Carnival Overture will launch the concert with its lively festival spirit and sense of joyful arrival. Mason Bates’ Philharmonia Fantastique will then unfold as a concerto for orchestra paired with an animated film, where a magical Sprite leads audiences on an inventive exploration inside the instruments themselves. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 will close the night, guiding listeners through serene countryside scenes alive with bird calls, a gently babbling brook, and a dramatic thunderstorm.

Ticket holders can enhance their evening by arriving early for Music Notes, the free pre-concert discussion that shares fun facts and insights one hour before showtime. The May 10 performance will also include a special Mother’s Day recognition from the orchestra.

Tickets range from $24 to $121 and can be purchased over here.

San Jose Day Returns with Creative Events Across the City

San Jose will honor its dynamic community spirit with the 8th Annual San Jose Day celebration running through April 12. The multi-day series will showcase local art, music, fashion, and culture at venues across the city.

On Saturday the centerpiece festival will unfold at Creekside Social at 50 Barack Obama Blvd. from 10 AM to 3 PM. It'll feature live music, a lowrider showcases, over 70 vendors, and live art demonstrations.

Sunday will provide a relaxed close with the Sunday Social at Clandestine Brewing. These events will deliver memorable experiences and deepen appreciation for all that makes San Jose thrive. You can see the full lineup over here.

Downtown San Jose Welcomes Foodies Fandom Night Market to Plaza de Cesar Chavez

Plaza de Cesar Chavez in Downtown San Jose stands will host an exciting celebration of street food culture this weekend. The Foodies Fandom Night Market will arrive April 10 through 12 in conjunction with FandomCon weekend. Local vendors will fill the space with global street eats, tempting desserts, artisan booths, and unique activations that promise something for every palate.

Free admission will open the doors wide for food enthusiasts to sample a diverse array of flavors. Attendees will wander past stalls showcasing multicultural dishes and innovative creations while discovering giveaways and a silent disco.

To make the most of the three days, plan for hours running from 3PM to 10PM on Friday and 1PM to 10PM on Saturday and Sunday. Bring an appetite and comfortable shoes to fully embrace the experience.

For more info, head over here.

The Price Is Right Live Brings Iconic Game Show Thrills to San Jose Civic

The Price Is Right Live comes to the San Jose Civic on Friday, October 9 at 8 PM with its high-energy stage production and all the classic elements fans know and love.

You will step right into the nostalgic world of the original sets featuring The Big Wheel, Plinko, Cliffhangers, and the Showcase. A celebrity host will keep the laughs flowing while randomly selected contestants compete for big prizes that range from household appliances and dream vacations to electronics and even a brand-new car.

Lucky audience members can score prizes without ever leaving their seats. The touring show has played to packed houses for more than twenty years and has awarded over fifteen million dollars in cash and prizes across the country.

San Jose now joins the fun with this special stop that turns television memories into an interactive night out right in the city.

Tickets will go on sale Friday, April 10 @ 6 AM via Ticketmaster.

San Jose Sparks Everyday Creativity with WeCreate408 This April

The City of San José Office of Cultural Affairs launched WeCreate408, a month-long creative challenge that invites everyone to participate through simple weekly prompts.

Participants will photograph a favorite neighborhood spot, sketch a meal that brings back memories, or capture small details from daily routines. All contributions will appear together on a digital public art wall where hundreds of responses from across the city will showcase unique perspectives on life in San Jose.

This year organizers collaborated with more local artists than ever before. The campaign artwork came from several San Jose creators working together, and short video features highlight local talent including Los Panaderos, the energetic Mexican folk band known for mixing music with badminton.

Community art days at spots like Voyager Coffee and the Children’s Discovery Museum will offer fun in-person ways to participate. Classroom projects guided by local artist Julie Cardenas have also brought the challenge into schools.

For more information and to participate, head over here.

Santana Row Hosts Vibrant Local Artist Street Fair This Weekend

Makers Market will host its Local Artist Street Fair on Saturday, April 11 from 11am to 6pm, filling Santana Row with unique finds from over sixty-five talented makers.

You will browse handmade jewelry, pottery, fragrances, candles, crochet, apparel, leather goods, and many other special creations while live music by local musician Mike Annuzzi plays in the background. The kid- and pet-friendly atmosphere paired with the sip-and-stroll format lets you pair shopping with tasty food and drinks from the surrounding restaurants and bars.

Right beside the fair at 378 Santana Row, the Makers Market store will open its doors to even more unique American-made products. An outdoor DIY candle bar will give you the chance to craft your own non-toxic soy and beeswax candle on the spot.

Head over to Santana Row and support the local artists who help make our city such a dynamic place to explore and enjoy!

4/10/26 UPDATE: Unfortunately due to weather, this event has been cancelled. The brick-and-mortar Maker Market will still be open on Saturday from 10am-9pm. The next Local Artist Street Fair will be on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10 for Mother's Day weekend.

Google Deepens Commitment to San Jose with New Meadow Point Research Campus in Alviso

Google has outlined a major research and development hub in the Alviso district. This project will expand the company's footprint and signal strong ongoing investment in the Bay Area's largest city.

At the site near 5087 Disk Drive, crews will demolish an existing warehouse to make way for one to three new buildings totaling up to 482,800 square feet. Google has also arranged for a dedicated 250-megawatt electricity facility with PG&E to power the lab spaces effectively. The company has already invested $452 million in acquiring ten buildings in the surrounding area to form the Meadow Point campus.

These changes will attract advanced research teams and create high-quality jobs that will bolster North San Jose as a key employment center. Google has maintained other nearby locations on West Tasman Drive and Brokaw Road, and this development has built seamlessly on that foundation.

Even as the company has paused its Downtown West mixed-use project near the SAP Center and Diridon station in Downtown San Jose, this Alviso initiative has demonstrated continued dedication.

Source: The Mercury News

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