Levitt Pavilion San Jose Targets Summer 2028 Opening

San Jose advances its cultural landscape with the upcoming Levitt Pavilion, a $21 million music venue planned for a corner of St. James Park in Downtown San Jose. This project, in development since 2012, recently secured a tri-party agreement among the city, the Levitt Foundation, and Friends of Levitt San Jose. The agreement allocates $15 million from the city and $500,000 from the Levitt Foundation, plus annual operational support of $250,000. Friends of Levitt San Jose aims to raise at least $5 million to initiate construction, with hopes of reaching $7 million for added operational funds.

Once completed, the pavilion will host at least 50 free concerts each year, accommodating up to 5,000 guests. This setup promotes accessible live music for all ages, aligning with the mission to build community through performances. The venue's plug-and-play design allows local art groups and organizations to rent the space for events, enhancing its versatility. Acoustic technology ensures sound directs forward, minimizing impact on surrounding areas.

Similar Levitt pavilions in other cities have spurred significant development. For instance, Levitt Pavilion Dayton generated $310 million in capital investment since 2018, revitalizing vacant buildings. Levitt Pavilion Sioux Falls brought $560 million in new projects over five years, including retail, residences, and hotels. In San Jose, the pavilion could catalyze development around St. James Park, potentially adding 1,000 to 1,200 housing units on nearby sites.

Pop-up concerts sponsored by Levitt have already demonstrated the park's potential, drawing crowds to diverse acts like cumbia-punk-rock bands. These gatherings unite varied community members, from east side enthusiasts to local neighbors. The projected $14 million annual economic impact to Downtown San Jose underscores the venue's role in fostering growth and vibrancy.

For more information: https://levittsanjose.org/

Source: SVBJ

Trick-or-Treat Along Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen

San Jose offers a range of neighborhood events that strengthen community ties and create joyful experiences. The Trick-or-Treat Along Lincoln Avenue in Downtown Willow Glen stands out as a cherished Halloween tradition organized by the Willow Glen Business Association. Scheduled for tomorrow, October 30, this gathering invites families to explore the area's charming streets while collecting treats from local businesses.

The event features two sessions tailored to different age groups for a comfortable pace. Toddlers can participate from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by school-aged children from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Along Lincoln Avenue between Minnesota Avenue and Willow Street, participants follow a clockwise route for smooth navigation. Local shops hand out candy and goodies, turning the stroll into a delightful adventure.

A unique aspect involves the partnership with Books for Treats, where children receive one free book of their choice. During the morning session, books for kindergarten-aged and younger are available in front of Bertucelli's La Villa Gourmet Italian Deli at 1319 Lincoln Avenue. The afternoon session offers selections for first through sixth graders at the Garden Theater at 1165 Lincoln Avenue. This addition blends literacy with holiday fun.

Volunteers help ensure safety as crossing guards and sidewalk monitors, and opportunities remain open for those interested. Such community involvement reflects the welcoming spirit of Willow Glen within San Jose.

For more information: https://www.willowglen.org/trick-or-treat-along-lincoln-avenue

Good Samaritan Hospital's $1.3 Billion Transformation Elevates San Jose Healthcare

Good Samaritan Hospital has launched a massive $1.3 billion initiative to build a state-of-the-art medical center right here in San Jose. This ambitious project promises to deliver advanced healthcare services to residents, turning the campus into a modern hub for patient care. Owned by HCA Healthcare, the hospital will feature a brand-new structure with 234 private inpatient rooms, all designed for individual patients to ensure comfort and privacy.

The new facility connects seamlessly to the existing four-story women's hospital, enhancing overall operations. Key additions include a revamped emergency room, expanded operating suites, and specialized inpatient treatment areas. Investments in artificial intelligence and robotics will enable more sophisticated procedures, positioning San Jose as a leader in innovative medical technology.

Groundbreaking occurs this Wednesday, with completion targeted for 2032. During construction, the project will generate around 1,550 jobs, boosting the local economy. A new parking garage adds 658 spaces, and a central utility plant ensures reliable, efficient support for hospital functions. Once finished, the campus will offer 339 beds, meeting current demands and preparing for future growth over the next decade.

After the new tower opens, the older building will be removed to create open green space, with room for a potential second tower based on community needs. This development addresses California's seismic standards under SB 1953 while prioritizing better patient outcomes in the South Bay.

Source: The Mercury News

Halloween Family Festival at Santana Row

San Jose thrives on community gatherings that bring joy to residents and visitors alike. The annual Trick-or-Treat the Row Halloween Family Festival at Santana Row captures this energy perfectly. Held on October 28th from 10 AM to noon, the event turns the stylish shopping and dining district into a playground of seasonal delights for families.

Attendees can dive into a variety of activities designed for all ages. Live music sets a festive tone while pumpkin decorating stations spark creativity. Trick-or-treating along The Row offers sweet rewards, and stilt-walkers add a touch of whimsy. Balloons float through the air, rounding out the morning with even more surprises.

This free celebration encourages everyone to arrive in costumes and carry treat bags to make the most of the experience. No registration is needed, so families can simply show up and join the fun.

Club Studio Fitness Gym Enhances El Paseo de Saratoga in San Jose

Fitness International recently secured a lease for about 30,000 square feet at El Paseo de Saratoga, paving the way for a new Club Studio Fitness gym in the shopping center. Located at 910 to 1000 El Paseo de Saratoga, next to the AMC Saratoga 14 theater, this addition fills a space previously occupied by short-term fitness tenants that have since closed. The move aligns with the company's expansion under its LA Fitness and City Sports Club brands, offering San Jose residents modern workout facilities in a convenient spot at the corner of Saratoga Avenue and Lawrence Expressway.

Sand Hill Property Company oversees the ongoing redevelopment of the mixed-use neighborhood, which includes plans for new housing alongside retail growth. In the past three years, the center has welcomed 16 new merchants, with 10 more on the horizon, including anchors like Whole Foods Market.

Source: The Mercury News

Dog Man: The Musical Premieres at San Jose Civic for Family Adventure

Dog Man: The Musical arrives at the San Jose Civic in Downtown San Jose on January 24 and 25, 2026. This production, based on Dav Pilkey's beloved book series, follows the heroic antics of a half-dog, half-policeman character who battles villains while staying true to his playful nature. Tickets go on sale October 24 at 10 a.m., with performances scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at noon, offering convenient times for weekend outings.

The story centers on Dog Man's efforts to protect the city from threats like Flippy the cyborg fish and his Beasty Buildings army, alongside Petey the evil cat and his clone. Young creators George and Harold weave the tale, racing to complete their show before lunch. Produced by TheaterWorksUSA, the musical combines humor, music, and heartfelt moments that appeal to kids and adults alike, drawing from Pilkey's other hits like Captain Underpants.

Behind the scenes, the show features book and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila, music by Brad Alexander, and direction and choreography by Jen Wineman. The creative team includes scenic design by Timothy R. Mackabee, costumes by Heidi Leigh Hanson, lighting by David Lander, sound by Emma Wilk, and orchestrations by Lloyd Kikoler. Originally premiering off-Broadway in 2019 and returning in 2023, the production has earned acclaim for keeping audiences engaged through its lively 90-minute runtime.

For tickets, head over here.

Diwali Carnival Illuminates Downtown San Jose This Weekend

Downtown San Jose will come alive with the spirit of Diwali on October 25 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Organized by the Association of Indo Americans, this free event invites everyone to join in the Festival of Lights, complete with colorful decorations that transform the area into a festive wonderland. Attendees can look forward to a mix of cultural elements that highlight Indian traditions, making it a welcoming gathering for families and friends across the community.

The evening features a live concert by Vidya Vox, whose energetic performances blend global sounds with South Asian influences, drawing crowds eager for music and dance. Alongside the show, visitors will find vendor booths offering shopping for clothing, jewelry, and handicrafts, plus a variety of street foods that capture the flavors of the season. Activities include interactive dances and displays that encourage participation, fostering a sense of unity and joy under the stars.

This carnival adds to San Jose's calendar of multicultural celebrations, showcasing the city's diverse heritage in the heart of Downtown. With over 20,000 expected participants, the event provides an accessible way to experience new customs and connect with neighbors.

Facchino Neighborhood Breaks Ground for Vibrant Housing Near Berryessa BART

Facchino Neighborhood broke ground on Oct 20th in Berryessa, which will transform a 13-acre industrial site at 1655 Berryessa Road into over 700 residential units. Property owner Bob Facchino personally operated an excavator to begin demolishing the building that once housed his family's trucking business for more than 50 years, calling the moment bittersweet yet necessary for progress. This redevelopment, near the Berryessa BART station that opened in 2020, aligns with plans for an urban village that integrates housing with transit accessibility.

KB Home leads construction on 48 for-sale single-family homes and townhomes, while Swenson develops a 260-unit affordable apartment complex, both set to advance quickly with Swenson aiming for completion in about two years. Additional phases include 338 apartments and 62 more for-sale units, addressing the city's need for diverse living options. A neighborhood park and replacement wetland, mandated after the site's drainage area earned protected status, will add green spaces that enhance community appeal.

This project exemplifies San Jose's shift toward sustainable growth, turning underused land into homes that support families and reduce commutes via nearby public transit. Local leaders gathered at the ceremony to highlight how such initiatives ease housing pressures and foster connected neighborhoods. As construction ramps up, Facchino Neighborhood promises to draw new residents eager for transit-oriented living in the South Bay.

Source: SVBJ

San Jose Wishlist - Halloween in the Park (Part XVII)

As Halloween approaches, it is time to resurrect one of my favorite wishlist items for San Jose. "Halloween in the Park."

Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year. It's the one day where you get to interact with your neighbors and the wider community. The level of creativity in decorations and costumes is also the most eclectic and interesting out of all the holidays for me--whether that's for trick-or-treating, Halloween parties, or work events.

In October it's tradition for The San Jose Blog have a wish-list post for Halloween in the Park. The idea is to build on the momentum that Christmas in the Park brings to San Jose each year and create something of similar scale for the month of October. A lot of the infrastructure such as wiring, lighting, and booths might even be able to be shared between the events. The goal would be to make Downtown San Jose the epicenter of October Halloween experiences, much as it is today with Christmas in the Park.

Below you will find brainstorming ideas we have collected for this concept so far over the years. Please have a look and provide your feedback and suggestions in the comments or on X (Twitter). Thanks!

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The largest draw to Downtown San Jose for many years now has been Christmas in the Park. It has continued to grow year after year and brings in visitors from all over the Bay Area. It's economic impact is substantial and helps keep many Downtown businesses and restaurants alive.

What would you think about a similar event for Halloween? Picture Downtown lit up in orange and purple with elaborate Halloween displays assembled by local artists. Perhaps infrastructure could even be shared with Christmas in the Park (e.g. retail booths). A strong event in October would help maintain traffic between the summer months and Christmas in the Park. Here are the ideas we have so far:

• Animated Halloween Displays
• Created by local artists
• Analogous to the Christmas displays that attract many families during Christmas in the Park (almost half a million visitors)
• Family friendly so that everyone can enjoy it (PG/PG13, perhaps around the same level as Great America's Halloween decorations)
• Halloween Lighting
• Orange, purple, and green LED lighting on trees
• May be possible to use programmable LED lighting that can go from Halloween colors to Christmas colors with the push of a button, allowing the lights to stay up for Christmas in the Park as well and reducing setup/take-down costs.
• Halloween Food
• Booths with candied apples, chocolates, candy, pumpkin seeds, etc.
• Food trucks
• Trick-or-treating station - a free piece of candy to anyone wearing a costume any day in October (could also be used to hand out promotional flyers for Downtown events/businesses/resources)
• Retail Booths selling Halloween items, for example:
• Artwork (paintings, glass pumpkins, etc.)
• Home decor/crafts like candles
• Light-up hats/necklaces/bracelets
• Costumes
• Zombie/Halloween make-up station 
• Halloween-themed Carnival Games
• Pirates of Emerson and Candlelighters (Fremont) do a good job of providing family-friendly games themed around Halloween
• A handful of children's rides could also be added to the Paseo and reused for Christmas in the Park
• Interactive Art
• Subzero-style, but with a Halloween spin.
• Halloween-themed video game kiosks and/or arcades
• Pumpkins
• Instead of the sponsored Christmas trees in Christmas in the Park, how about decorated Pumpkins (can even be Styrofoam so there is no mess/decay)?
• Pumpkin carving station for families. 
• Pumpkin carving contest.
• Costumed Entertainers
• Walking around the area, not necessarily scaring people but adding to the ambiance and providing photo opportunities for families
• Haunts / Mazes
• Would be ideal if these were nearby, perhaps in vacant retails spaces, surface parking lots, the San Jose Convention Center tent, or at SJSU.
• Could partners with one of the established San Jose haunt providers such as the Winchestor Mystery House or The Bernal SCREAM.
• Potential Events
• Zombie Crawl / 5k Run
• Dia De Los Muertos Events (already quite a few today)
• Halloween/Dia De Los Muertos Bike Party
• Horror Movie Trivia Contest
• Weekly horror movie screening (perhaps in the Circle of Palms area?)
• Costume Ball
• Pet costume contests and pet-friendly events

Inspirations:

• Winchester Mystery House Unhinged
• Candle Lighters
• Pirates of Emerson
• The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze (photos below)

Cadence Boosts San Jose State University's AI Innovation Hub with Key Partnership

San Jose State University has secured a multiyear collaboration with Cadence Design Systems to enhance its upcoming artificial intelligence innovation hub, set to open by summer 2026. This alliance joins efforts from companies like Nvidia and Adobe, positioning the University as a central player in Silicon Valley's tech landscape. Cadence, already present on campus through its IC Design Laboratory, will provide AI design software and digital twin technology, described as virtual replicas that help identify inefficiencies in real-world systems.

The hub aims to serve students across various fields, from engineering and computer science to healthcare and social sciences, allowing them to explore AI applications for practical challenges. For instance, the university's work with the city of San Jose and Nvidia on a digital twin of the city models infrastructure layers, including underground utilities, streets, and buildings, to simulate scenarios like wildfires for better emergency planning. This partnership expands those capabilities, leveraging Cadence's expertise in digital twins to foster innovative problem-solving.

San Jose's broader push to lead in AI includes initiatives like the Plug & Play business incubator, where entrepreneurs develop startups with venture support. As the region's largest public university, SJSU takes on the role of equipping graduates with skills for human-centered AI use, aligning with the city's tech-driven growth. This development not only prepares the workforce but also draws talent to San Jose, strengthening its reputation as an innovation epicenter.

With investments like this, San Jose continues to build an ecosystem where education and industry intersect seamlessly. Students gain hands-on access to cutting-edge tools, while companies like Cadence contribute to community impact while training potential future employees.

Source: SVBJ