Free Concerts Keep the Energy High at St. James Park This Summer

Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose continue filling St. James Park with free live music through September, giving Downtown San Jose another strong summer of outdoor performances while plans for a permanent pavilion move forward. The series already draws families, friends, and neighbors for afternoons that mix quality artists, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and activities for kids.

This Sunday, August 30 at 4:30 p.m., the park shifts into salsa mode with Los Calderones as headliners and DJ Leydis opening the evening with salsa dance instruction. The Bay Area Cuban Afro-Latin funk band, led by trombonist and arranger Obrayan Calderon, blends reparto energy with urban and traditional Latin sounds for an explosive set that invites the whole crowd onto the lawn. MACLA co-presents the night, adding another layer of cultural connection to the program.

The schedule still holds a few more strong dates after that. Tomorrow, August 16, The Purple Ones deliver a Prince tribute with a Michael Jackson versus Prince DJ set to open the afternoon. On September 6 the series closes at St. James Park with Peach Tree Rascals, co-presented by CUKUI. Two additional “Levitt on Location” shows land at Cypress Pavilion at Lake Cunningham later this month and next.

All of these concerts stay free and open to every age. Bring a blanket or chair, grab something from the food trucks, and settle in for an easy evening. The music keeps rolling, and St. James Park remains one of the simplest ways to spend a late-summer Sunday in the city.

More details, volunteer opportunities, and the full remaining schedule live at www.levittsanjose.org.

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.

Free Summer Concerts at St. James Park: 2025 Series Announced

Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose is bringing back their beloved free concert series to St. James Park, and the 2025 lineup promises to be a standout season. Running from May through September, this series offers a dazzling array of musical genres—think Afrobeats, blues, country, cumbia, and more—designed to delight every listener. Beyond the music, these events weave together the fabric of our community, blending local flavors, family fun, and a shared love for live performances in one of San Jose’s most iconic green spaces.

The series kicks off on May 25 with a dynamic celebration of Africa Day, co-presented by AWO. Expect an afternoon filled with the infectious rhythms of Riddim Exchange, a Bay Area collective delivering electrifying Afrobeats, alongside the traditional Zimbabwean sounds and dances of the Chinyakare Ensemble. The day starts strong with the Anambra State Cultural Association of Nigeria showcasing the rich heritage of the Igbo people through music and masquerade. This is just a taste of what’s to come—summer highlights include soulful blues on June 1 with Maxx Cabello Jr., psychedelic Latinx funk from Valley Wolf on August 3, and a roots reggae bash featuring Groundation on August 24. With concerts spanning the season, there’s always a new sound to discover.

Bring the family and settle in for a day of enjoyment: kids can dive into tailored activities while adults unwind with a cold drink from the beer and wine garden or savor bites from an array of food trucks. Every event is free and open to everyone, making it an inviting way to spend a weekend in Downtown San Jose.

Each concert is co-presented by local cultural powerhouses like The Fountain Blues Foundation, MACLA, and Needle to the Groove, reflecting San Jose’s diverse artistic spirit. These partnerships elevate every performance and underscore a collective commitment to enriching our city’s cultural landscape. Even more exciting, this series is paving the way for the permanent Levitt Pavilion structure—a future landmark that will amplify San Jose’s reputation as a hub for creativity and connection.

Don’t let this summer pass you by without joining the fun at St. James Park. Head to www.levittsanjose.org for the full schedule and details on how to donate or volunteer to support this incredible initiative. Follow

@LevittSanJose

on social media to catch the latest updates on artists and events.