Free Live Music Returns to Lake Cunningham with Levitt on Location

Lake Cunningham Park hosts a free evening of live music on Friday, August 28, as Levitt on Location joins the Fridays at the Lake series. The concert runs from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Cypress Pavilion, 2305 South White Road.

Hella Doubtful headlines with a high-energy tribute to No Doubt and Gwen Stefani, delivering the ska-punk sound of the 1990s. Fire Peach opens the night with alternative rock and pop-rock hits from the 1990s and early 2000s, a set the Bay Area band has performed across Northern California since 2015.

Food trucks, beer and wine for purchase, and kids’ activities round out the evening beside the lake. Free parking is available, and guests can bring lawn chairs or blankets for an outdoor picnic-style experience. The full Fridays at the Lake series continues through October 2 with additional concerts and movie nights.

The next Levitt on Location date is set for September 25, featuring Discos Resaca and a Selena tribute. These free, all-ages evenings offer a straightforward way to spend a summer Friday outdoors with live music and a lakeside atmosphere.

Boot Barn Heads to Blossom Hill Road Near Oakridge

Western-wear retailer Boot Barn will bring its first San Jose location to 932 Blossom Hill Road, the former Wagly Veterinary Hospital site. The 18,277-square-foot store is expected to open in 2027 and will sit close to Westfield Oakridge.

The Irvine-based chain specializes in boots, clothing, and accessories for work and everyday western style. Its nearest current stores stand in San Martin and Livermore, so the new site fills a clear gap for local shoppers. Brokers from Econic and CBRE handled the lease, noting the corridor’s strong mix of established shopping centers, nearby homes, and easy access.

Silicon Valley retail vacancy recently tightened to 4.9 percent, reflecting solid demand and limited new construction. Boot Barn continues expanding nationally with plans for 70 additional stores this fiscal year as it works toward a long-term total of 1,200 locations.

Source: SVBJ

Willow Glen will host its annual National Night Out on August 4 at Willow Street Bramhall Park. From 5 until 8 in the evening, neighbors and families will gather for live music, food trucks, games, and activities that turn the park into a hub of summer community spirit.

The evening includes a giant jumpy slide, free face painting, a selfie booth, and plenty of games alongside the music and refreshments. Local police officers will join the celebration, offering residents a relaxed chance to connect and learn more about neighborhood safety resources in a setting built for fun.

Organized by the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, the event follows a nationwide tradition that strengthens ties between communities and law enforcement. In this corner of San Jose the gathering brings people together across generations for shared activities that build familiarity and trust.

This kind of neighborhood-led evening highlights the active spirit that sets Willow Glen apart. Residents can enjoy the open park space, support local food vendors, and create connections that extend well beyond a single summer night.

Silicon Valley Pride Returns to Downtown San Jose with Flourish & Bloom Theme

Silicon Valley Pride will mark its 51st year with a two-day celebration in Downtown San Jose on August 29 and 30. The 2026 theme, Flourish & Bloom, centers on growth, resilience, and community strength.

Saturday evening brings the Night Festival at Plaza de César Chávez Park from 6 to 11 p.m., featuring live entertainment, food vendors, and opportunities to connect with local organizations and businesses. The main parade steps off Sunday at 10:30 a.m. from Julian Street and Market Street, traveling through Downtown San Jose and concluding at the park. The Day Festival then runs from noon to 6 p.m. with stages, vendors, family activities, and resource booths.

Spectators can watch the parade free of charge. Festival access requires tickets, which you can purchase here. The weekend welcomes participants of all ages and includes spaces focused on families, transgender and nonbinary communities, and other groups within the broader LGBTQ+ community.

Organizers continue their year-round advocacy work through this annual gathering, which draws thousands to the heart of Downtown San Jose. The combination of parade energy and park festival creates a full weekend of visibility and connection right in the city’s core.

El Mercadito Brings Weekly Night Market Energy Near SAP Center

A free weekly cultural night market now fills Wednesday evenings in Downtown San Jose through early October. El Mercadito runs every Wednesday from 4 to 11 p.m. at 105 South Montgomery Street, a short walk from Diridon Station and right by the SAP Center.

Organized by Creekside Socials, the market offers street food and gourmet bites from local entrepreneurs alongside stalls selling apparel, homewares, and handmade goods from San Jose makers. The Creekside Art Corridor adds visual interest with work by Ricardo Cortez.

Family-friendly and open to leashed dogs, the gathering creates an easy midweek stop for dinner, shopping, or simply spending time outdoors under the lights. The series began in late May and continues each Wednesday until October 7.

Source: Eventbrite

San Jose Posts Strong Second Place in Silicon Valley Housing Completions

Silicon Valley added more than 9,000 new housing units in 2025, according to state data, with San Jose finishing second behind Santa Clara. The city completed 2,192 units while Santa Clara led the region with 2,685.

Four cities in the area finished more than 1,000 units each. High construction costs continue to shape which projects move forward, yet the overall numbers reflect steady progress toward regional needs. Santa Clara’s total benefited from projects that secured financing earlier, particularly in the Clara District and the first phase of Gateway Crossings.

Morgan Hill completed just 35 units last year but sits on track to meet its state-assigned RHNA target of 1,037 homes for the 2023-31 cycle, with stronger permitting activity already showing in the first half of 2026. San Jose carries the largest regional obligation at more than 62,000 units over the same period.

The results highlight ongoing efforts across the South Bay to expand the housing supply. Continued collaboration between cities and developers will determine whether the momentum carries into the next several years as communities work to meet long-term goals.

Source: SVBJ

Free Outdoor Screening of How to Train Your Dragon at Joseph D. Grant County Park

Families can settle under the open sky on Saturday, August 1, for a free showing of the live-action How to Train Your Dragon at Joseph D. Grant County Park. The film begins at sunset, with the evening running from 8:00 p.m. to about 10:45 p.m. at the Canada De Pala group site.

Santa Clara County Parks hosts the event as part of its summer Movie Nights in the Park series. Entry costs nothing, though parking runs $6 per vehicle. Guests should bring a chair or blanket, a flashlight, and snacks. Dogs stay home for this one.

The park sits at 18405 Mount Hamilton Road in San José and offers a scenic backdrop of rolling hills for the adventure. Arriving early helps secure a good spot before the lights go down and the story of dragons and friendship unfolds on the big screen.

This simple outdoor gathering gives local residents an easy way to enjoy a popular family film without leaving the county’s natural spaces. Pack light, head out early, and settle in for an evening of movie magic among the trees.

Source: Santa Clara County Parks

New Bill Kee Park Takes Shape Near Almaden Expressway

A modest 1.4-acre parcel at the end of Rinconada Drive will soon become Bill Kee Park, a neighborhood gathering spot complete with a playground, walking loop, pollinator garden, public art, and a bioretention system that captures and filters stormwater. The site sits adjacent to the Almaden Expressway and Curtner Avenue off-ramp in south San Jose.

City Council approved the name earlier this year after community surveys ranked Bill Kee highest among the options. Kee, a Chinese American business leader who died in 1989, helped preserve San Jose’s historic Chinatown and broke barriers by becoming one of the first Chinese Americans admitted to several local civic organizations.

Design work is scheduled to wrap up this spring, with construction expected to begin in the fall and the park opening for public use by summer 2027. The project grows out of land dedicated during the Latitude 37 apartment development and forms part of broader efforts to improve water quality while adding recreation space to nearby residential pockets.

Families and neighbors in the area will gain a quiet place to walk, play, and learn once the improvements arrive. The combination of everyday amenities and environmental features turns an underused corner into a practical addition that supports both daily life and the city’s long-term sustainability goals.

Source: City of San Jose Capital Projects

San Jose Ranks Among Safest Major Cities for Weekend Driving

San Jose proved relatively secure compared with other large American cities over the past five years for weekend driving. An analysis of federal crash data placed the city ninth-lowest in weekend fatal crash rates among the 50 biggest U.S. metros, at 2.77 incidents per 100,000 residents.

From 2020 through 2024 the city averaged 27.4 weekend fatal crashes annually, for a total of 137 lives lost. Numbers held fairly steady in the earlier years before dropping to 22 in 2024, the lowest annual figure in the period and a 21 percent decline from 2020. That rate sits more than 80 percent below the highest-ranked city and matches Raleigh while trailing only denser places (with less freeway driving) such as New York, Boston, and San Francisco.

The 2024 reduction in particular points to progress that local safety programs may have helped produce. Still, every crash remains a loss, and continued attention to pedestrian infrastructure, speed control, and impaired-driving enforcement will determine whether the downward trend holds.

Source: Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers

New Indian Restaurant The Silk Route Prepares to Open in San Pedro Square

A longstanding Downtown San Jose restaurant space at 17 North San Pedro Street will soon welcome The Silk Route Bar and Kitchen after plans for a Mexican steakhouse fell through. Owner Jasbir Singh, who already operates the neighboring sports bar The Brit, filed for a Type 47 liquor license and aims for an October debut.

The two-story, 6,800-square-foot venue represents nearly a million-dollar investment and is expected to create about 25 jobs. Singh identified a clear gap for Indian fine dining in the district and intends to fill it with classics such as chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, and various lamb preparations alongside a full cocktail program.

The location sits squarely in the busy corridor between Farmers Union and O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub, a stretch that has drawn strong crowds in recent months. San Pedro Square recorded more than 400,000 visitors during FIFA World Cup watch parties, and additional openings including Southern Comfort Kitchen in the food hall continue to refresh the dining mix.

Earlier tenants of the site included a decade-long run by Olla Cocina, popular with Sharks fans headed to SAP Center, followed by the temporary Bar Tako pop-up. The shift to The Silk Route arrives as the surrounding blocks show renewed energy and private investment, including the recent purchase of the Old Wagon Saloon building by a group linked to an NFL player.

Local diners seeking expanded options in the heart of Downtown can look forward to this addition once the build-out finishes. The Silk Route’s arrival further diversifies the flavors available along San Pedro Street and reinforces the area’s momentum as a destination for both everyday meals and special occasions.

Source: SVBJ

Content Magazine Marks Issue 18.4 “Profiles” with Downtown Pick-Up Party and Tribute

Local creatives and supporters will gather Thursday, August 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the San José Museum of Art for Content Magazine’s traditional Pick-Up Party celebrating the release of Fall 2026 issue 18.4, titled “Profiles.” The free event at 110 South Market Street marks the magazine’s 76th issue and offers a chance to meet featured artists while picking up a fresh copy.

This gathering carries extra weight as the community bids farewell to founder and Cultivator Daniel Garcia, who steps into retirement after years of championing South Bay arts and culture. Hosted by Mighty Mike McGee, the evening will include speakers sharing stories of Garcia’s impact before he takes the stage for closing remarks.

Programming features live music from DJ Toonin, dance performances by Abhinaya Dance Company of San José and Folclórico Colibrí, a pop-up gallery exhibition drawn from the issue’s pages, and food and drinks provided by Mezcal Restaurant. Partners San José Museum of Art and Mezcal Restaurant help anchor the night in the heart of Downtown San Jose.

Pre-orders for the issue remain open through August 9 for free shipping. RSVPs help organizers plan for the crowd that typically fills these celebrations of local talent. The party continues Content Magazine’s long tradition of turning each new issue into a living community event that connects readers directly with the people and work featured inside.

San Jose Moves to Set Rules for Expanding Fleet of Delivery Robots

Small autonomous bots have rolled along Downtown San Jose sidewalks since spring, ferrying meals from local restaurants to nearby customers. Now the city is preparing formal regulations that could allow a broader rollout, including larger models designed for bike lanes.

Transportation officials presented draft rules during a community meeting this week. The proposal would create a year-long permit system for companies operating the devices. Speed on sidewalks, pathways and crosswalks would be capped at 5 mph. Smaller units would need visibility flags, and operators would have to clear any immobilized bots from public areas within a reasonable time. The city could withhold additional permits if numbers grew too high and would retain authority to issue fines or revoke operating rights for violations.

Two firms, Coco Robotics and Serve Robotics, currently run about 35 of the cooler-sized machines combined. DoorDash has signaled interest in introducing its taller Dot robot, roughly five feet high and capable of traveling up to 20 mph in bike lanes under a monitored pilot. Officials framed the electric machines as a way to trim vehicle trips for food pickups while improving access for residents with limited mobility.

Residents raised practical questions about sidewalk congestion, especially for people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids, and about how faster bots would share narrow bike channels with cyclists. Industry representatives stressed the need for public comfort if the technology is to succeed. Staff indicated the finalized package would head to City Council in September, with a possible launch of the permit program in late fall or winter.

The discussion reflects San Jose’s effort to guide new mobility tools rather than simply react to them. As more restaurants and delivery platforms explore automation, clear local standards will help determine whether these devices become a routine, low-impact part of city streets or create new friction on shared paths.

Source: San Jose Spotlight

San Jose Posts Nation’s Weakest Home Price Growth Amid Tech Layoffs

Local buyers gained a measure of breathing room in June as the San Jose metro area recorded the weakest year-over-year home-price change among the nation’s 40 largest housing markets. The median sale price fell 4.6 percent to $1.619 million, a drop of roughly $78,500 from the same month a year earlier, according to Homes.com data. Nationally the median rose $6,000 to $401,000.

San Francisco followed a different path. That city’s median climbed 7.2 percent to $1.7 million, lifted by concentrated AI hiring and startup activity that San Jose has not matched at the same scale. Analysts pointed to a sharp rise in second-quarter layoff announcements, including several thousand positions at Meta that touched Menlo Park, Sunnyvale and Fremont, plus additional cuts at Oracle, LinkedIn and Intuit. Recent monthly payroll reports also showed the broader Bay Area job market contracting after a period of modest growth.

Slower immigration has further cooled demand. Foreign-born residents make up about 41 percent of Silicon Valley’s population and have long filled high-skilled roles, founded companies and eventually purchased homes. With that pipeline thinning, one key source of both labor and housing pressure has eased. The resulting price softness stands out after years in which the region’s market appeared almost immune to gravity, raising questions about the longer-term strength of the local economic engine even as it offers short-term relief to would-be buyers.

San Jose remains one of the most expensive markets in the country, still more than triple the national median. Yet the recent dip, combined with rising inventory, gives shoppers slightly more choices and negotiating room than they enjoyed a year ago. Well-priced homes continue to move, but the balance has tilted just enough to matter for families and first-time buyers watching the listings.

For a city whose identity remains tightly linked to technology and global talent, the June numbers mark a noticeable shift. How the market absorbs further changes in employment and immigration will shape both housing costs and the broader vitality of Silicon Valley in the months ahead.

Source: SVBJ

Help Choose the Next Name for Downtown San Jose’s Historic Central Plaza

The heart of Downtown San Jose has long served as the city’s original gathering ground, dating back nearly 250 years to the founding of the Pueblo de San José. For decades this 2.3-acre space hosted celebrations, civic events, and everyday moments under successive names before carrying the title Plaza de César Chávez. Now residents have a direct hand in deciding what it will be called next.

A ranked-choice survey opened July 24 and remains available through midnight on August 3, 2026. Participants will order five finalist options drawn from community listening sessions and an earlier public suggestion period: Farmworkers Plaza, Plaza de Quetzalcoatl, Plaza de San Jose, Plaza del Pueblo, and Plaza Park. The process aims to surface the name that best reflects shared values of connection, history, inclusion, and a welcoming identity for everyone who uses the space.

Before ranking, take a moment with the short SurveyMonkey demo video that walks through the ranking feature. Then open the survey, arrange the options according to personal preference, and submit. Staff will review the results and present recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Commission on September 2. The commission’s input moves next to the City Council for a final decision later this year.

This plaza sits at the center of Downtown San Jose’s civic life, steps from City Hall, the Tech Interactive, and major transit routes. Giving it a name chosen by the people who walk its paths, attend its concerts, and claim its lawns strengthens the sense that public spaces truly belong to the community. Share the survey link with neighbors, coworkers, and local groups so the final ranking captures as many voices as possible.

Questions can go to Parkplanning@sanjoseca.gov. Additional project details, timeline, and FAQs live at the city’s capital projects page: https://bit.ly/prns-capitalprojects. The survey itself is at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/29TD923.

Freestyle Legends Take Over The Plaza Tonight in Downtown San Jose

A full night of classic freestyle hits lands at The Plaza this evening, right in the heart of Downtown San Jose. Freestyle Explosion brings Stevie B, The Cover Girls, Trinere, and a supporting cast that includes Johnny O, Seduction, Rockell, George Lamond, and Nyasia to the outdoor stage at 1 Paseo de San Antonio.

Doors open at 5 p.m. with the music starting at 7 p.m. General admission covers lawn space for dancing and standing, while reserved front sections offer assigned seating closer to the stage. Food trucks and beverage booths will be on site, and nearby Downtown restaurants remain available before the show. Blankets smaller than 6 by 8 feet are allowed on the lawn; chairs, outside food, and large bags are not.

Stevie B headlines with the songs that defined the late-’80s freestyle sound, including “Because I Love You,” “Spring Love,” and “Party Your Body.” The Cover Girls and Trinere add their own chart-topping tracks, creating a continuous run of dance-floor classics under the open sky. A lowrider car show by the United Lowrider Council and Highside NorCal Car Club adds another layer to the evening.

The Plaza’s central location makes the concert easy to reach by light rail, rideshare, or nearby parking garages. For fans of the freestyle era, the stacked lineup on one stage offers a rare chance to hear these artists together in Downtown San Jose.

Tickets remain available through CalTix for those still planning to attend.

Free Outdoor Screening of Zootopia 2 Comes to Jack Fischer Park

Families across San Jose and the surrounding South Bay have a free evening activity waiting later today at Jack Fischer Park in Campbell. The City of Campbell Recreation team is screening Zootopia 2 outdoors starting at 7:30 p.m., with the movie running until about 10 p.m.

The park sits at Abbott Avenue and Pollard Road, just a short drive from many San Jose neighborhoods. Organizers recommend arriving early to claim a good spot on the grass. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks; free parking is available on site. The event is open to all ages and requires no tickets.

Jack Fischer Park offers open lawns and a family-friendly setting that works well for an evening under the stars. The animated sequel follows the continuing adventures of Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, giving younger viewers a familiar story while parents can relax outdoors.

Campbell’s free movie nights have become a reliable summer tradition for nearby residents. With the screening happening tonight, it offers a simple way to spend a Friday evening outdoors without planning far ahead.

Summer Bill Relief Arrives for PG&E Customers in San Jose

I bet you weren't expecting a 2nd PG&E story in the same day. This is one you'll want to read if they are your utility provider.

Residential PG&E customers across San Jose and the wider service area will see two California Climate Credits appear on their upcoming electric bills. Each credit totals $36.18, applied automatically to the August and September statements for a combined $72.36 in relief during the highest-usage months of the year.

The timing change came after the California Legislature and Public Utilities Commission moved the electric credits to summer, when cooling demand typically drives higher bills. Eligible small-business accounts already received their first credit in April and will see the second in October. Since the program began in 2014, PG&E households have collected nearly $1,200 in cumulative Climate Credits.

These funds come from the state’s Cap-and-Invest Program and represent the public’s share of proceeds from efforts to reduce carbon emissions. For many local households the extra credit arrives just as air-conditioning use climbs, helping offset seasonal spikes without any action required on the customer’s part.

PG&E has also lowered residential electric rates five times since early 2024. Combined with the summer credits, typical monthly bills now sit roughly $25 lower than two years earlier for standard customers and about $30 lower for those on the CARE discount. Additional tools such as rate-plan comparisons, home energy checkups, and efficiency financing remain available for anyone looking to stretch the savings further.

PG&E Brings Hands-On Electrification Hub to Downtown San Jose

Pacific Gas and Electric will soon open a public electrification demonstration center right in the heart of Downtown San Jose. The utility plans to convert 8,445 square feet of ground-floor space at 160 West Santa Clara Street into a hands-on learning space that opens this fall. Residents, businesses and students will finally get a clear look at the tools that make the shift to cleaner energy simpler and more practical.

Inside the new hub, visitors can explore working exhibits of smart home controls, advanced EV charging concepts, smart electrical panels, heat pump water heaters and induction cooktops. Classroom and training areas will host community groups, local schools, apprenticeship programs and workforce organizations. The goal is straightforward: show people exactly how these technologies work in real homes and buildings so more San Joseans feel ready to make the switch.

This center deepens an already active partnership between PG&E and the City of San José. Both sides have spent recent years building stronger collaboration around reliable power delivery, especially as the city positions itself as a major destination for data center investment and broader economic growth. Locating the facility just a few blocks from City Hall puts the utility in a highly visible spot at a time when Downtown office space continues to seek new, productive uses.

The timing feels right for a city that wants residents and businesses to move confidently toward electrification. By placing working examples of heat pumps, induction ranges and smart systems in an easy-to-reach Downtown location, PG&E creates a practical resource that supports both individual households and the larger clean-energy goals of San José. When the doors open this fall, anyone curious about the next step in home or business energy upgrades will have a place to see the future in action.

Source: SVBJ

Vacant Building Near Downtown Gains New Life as Artist Studios

A long-empty structure at 255 West Julian Street is set to become a working home for local artists. Local Color, the San Jose arts nonprofit, is converting the Davidson Building’s ground floor into the Big Arts Building, with roughly a dozen below-market-rate studios, office space, a gallery focused on muralism, and areas for public programming.

Artists are expected to start moving in as early as August 1. The nonprofit selected participants after contacting hundreds of creators and hosting preview tours; more than 40 expressed interest following a recent walkthrough. The space includes natural light, air conditioning, secure storage for materials, and a Creative Outlet that redistributes unused art supplies to artists, educators, and youth programs.

A dedicated mural gallery marks a first for the city. The setup will give some artists their initial chance to work at mural scale while offering the public a place to experience that work up close. Local Color already has a track record with large collaborative projects, including the 100 Block mural effort downtown, and this new location expands that capacity closer to the core of Downtown San Jose.

The project grew out of a partnership with developer Westbank and arrives at a moment when affordable creative space remains hard to find. For muralists and studio artists who have worked in less comfortable conditions, the building’s practical features matter as much as the walls themselves.

Source: San Jose Spotlight

Midweek Fresh Finds Await at the Downtown San Jose Farmers Market

Every Wednesday morning, the Paseo de San Antonio in Downtown San Jose fills with stalls of just-picked produce, baked goods, and ready-to-eat meals from local makers. The Downtown Farmers Market operates from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 101 Paseo de San Antonio, giving residents and workers a reliable midweek stop for seasonal fruits, vegetables, and prepared foods.

Shoppers will find Asian vegetables from Xiong Farms, conventional fruits from Lopez Family Farm, organic greens and eggs from Green Mix Ranch, and strawberries from Bay Fresh. Packaged options include artisanal cookies and empanadas from California Bakeshop, honey from Mango Blossom Apiary, and specialty teas from Leafory. Hot food vendors rotate through dumplings, tamales, Thai street plates, and Filipino dishes, while a handful of craft tables offer jewelry, soaps, and handmade clothing.

The market accepts EBT benefits at the information booth, and visitors receive 90 minutes of complimentary parking in nearby ParkSJ garages. The setup keeps the focus on small local producers rather than large commercial suppliers, making it a practical way to support nearby farms and food businesses while stocking the kitchen.