San Jose Raises Nearly $5 Million for Epic 2026 Activations

San Jose and the San Jose Sports Authority have secured close to $5 million from corporate, public, and philanthropic partners to support a series of community activations throughout Silicon Valley in 2026. This funding arrives just in time for a major lineup of events, including Super Bowl LX, three March Madness games, and six World Cup matches from February 8 to July 1.

The money will finance over 100 watch parties, 13 concerts featuring national acts like Kehlani, and seven drone shows, with more details forthcoming. Most of these experiences come at no cost to residents and visitors, creating inclusive ways to join the excitement without game tickets. Additional support goes toward local youth programs, ensuring the benefits reach younger community members.

Contributions from Silicon Valley giants such as Adobe, eBay, and Google, along with local entities like Visit San Jose and San Jose Mineta International Airport, make this possible. An estimated 500,000 travelers are expected in the Bay Area for these events, generating $1.4 billion in economic impact that supports hotels, restaurants, small businesses, and cultural areas across the city.

Source: SVBJ

Invisible Skies: A Flash Art Spectacle at San Jose City Hall

San Jose is hosting Invisible Skies, a free flash art event set for January 31, 2026, at City Hall on East Santa Clara Street in Downtown San Jose. Umbrella distribution starts at 5:30 PM, with the main activity kicking off at 6:30 PM once the sky darkens. This gathering will turn the plaza into a canvas for communal creativity, open to all ages and designed to last about two hours.

Attendees receive illuminated umbrellas as gifts, using them to form galaxies and celestial patterns across the space. The collective effort creates a living artwork, documented by drones overhead for later digital presentations and media sharing. Participants play a direct role in the display, becoming stars in the night sky formation.

Organized by ETProjects.Foundation alongside the City of San Jose's Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs, the event emphasizes community involvement. Wear black clothing without graphics to enhance the visual effect, and avoid flash photography to preserve the drone footage. A photo release form must be signed electronically through registration or brought printed.

The event operates on a first-come, first-served basis with limited spots remaining. Parking is available through nearby options listed at parksj.org.

For registration and full details, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/invisible-skies-tickets-1407918806049.

2026 Silicon Valley Map is now available

Silicon Maps, Inc. has just released their 2026 Silicon Maps series. These are high-quality calendar posters highlighting various high tech and biotech companies in our area. They tend to sell out pretty quickly, so if you're interested you can order one right over here.

New Apartments Approved in West San Jose: Boosting Housing with Smart Redevelopment

This project at 1000 South De Anza Boulevard, led by Borello Asset Management, leverages the builder's remedy to transform a underutilized site into vibrant residential space. By qualifying under this provision before the city's housing element was finalized, the development gains flexibility to mix affordable and market-rate units, addressing the pressing need for more homes in our growing city.

The seven-story building will feature 20 percent of its units reserved for low-income households, with the remaining 80 percent at market rates. Amenities include a fitness center, pet spa, outdoor courtyard, and rooftop patio, creating a welcoming community hub. With about 150 parking spaces planned, the project replaces a vacant single-story commercial building that once housed a Carl's Jr. and later a sushi restaurant, turning an empty lot into a productive asset for West San Jose.

The site, long held by the Borello family, sat idle after the pandemic closed the last tenant, prompting a shift toward housing. Now, with the environmental impact report certified and permits approved, the path is clear for construction that could help ease the housing shortage. Whether Borello develops it or sells the entitled property, the outcome promises new opportunities for residents.

Source: SVBJ

Symphony San Jose Presents Hopelessly Romantic this January

Symphony San Jose brings a powerful program of Romantic-era works to the stage with Hopelessly Romantic, scheduled for January 24 and 25, 2026. The concerts take place at the California Theatre on South First Street in Downtown San Jose, a restored venue that adds its own historic charm to live orchestral music. This weekend offers San Jose audiences a chance to experience sweeping melodies and intense emotions from three celebrated composers.

The program opens with Franz Schubert's Overture to Rosamunde, a graceful piece full of elegance that has long been a favorite in concert settings. Guest violinist Geneva Lewis then performs Jean Sibelius's Violin Concerto, known for its soul-stirring melodies that build from a haunting start to a dramatic finish. Lewis brings her renowned artistry and command of the instrument to this demanding work.

Robert Schumann's Symphony No. 4 closes the evening, a deeply personal composition with soaring themes, vivid orchestral textures, and innovative structure. Conductor François López-Ferrer leads the orchestra through this expressive journey that captures the full range of human feeling.

Concert ticket holders can arrive an hour early for the free Music Notes session in the main auditorium. This pre-concert talk provides insights, background details, and guest interviews to enrich the listening experience. Youth 17 and younger can attend at half price when accompanied by an adult, and inexpensive parking is available at the nearby city garage on San Carlos Street.

Tickets range from $35 to $115. For tickets and full details, visit www.symphonysanjose.org or call 408.286.2600.

Tang Bar Expands to San Jose: Sichuan Hot Pot Arrives in Vietnam Town

Tang Bar is coming to 909 Story Road in The Shops at Vietnam Town. This San Francisco-founded restaurant specializes in Sichuan-style Chinese cuisine, focusing on fast-casual hot pot and malatang. Set to welcome guests later in January, the new spot adds to our city's diverse food scene, drawing from a brand already established in San Francisco, San Mateo, Rancho Cucamonga, and Bellevue, Washington.

The 1,600-square-foot space, complete with a patio, represents an $800,000 investment and plans to employ 40 to 50 people with competitive compensation, including benefits like medical coverage, tuition reimbursement, and retirement contributions. Tang Bar stands out by sourcing produce from nearby Gilroy farms and supporting local vendors, enhancing the community's economic ties while delivering fresh ingredients.

Diners can look forward to a do-it-yourself hot pot experience, selecting meats, vegetables, seafood, and broths, or opting for malatang, a numbing spicy hot dish prepared in the kitchen and served in a large bowl. Positioned near Grand Century Mall and other Asian eateries, including Vietnamese favorites and fellow hot pot spot Long Men Bay, Tang Bar fits seamlessly into this vibrant area, promising flavorful meals that celebrate cultural fusion.

As competition grows in the fast-casual hot pot market, Tang Bar's arrival underscores San Jose's appeal as a hub for diverse eateries, catering to a large population with tastes for bold, authentic flavors.

Source: SVBJ

First Fridays: A Fresh Start to 2026 at the San Jose Museum of Art

San Jose invites art enthusiasts to begin the new year with an evening of inspiration at the San Jose Museum of Art's First Fridays event on January 2, 2026, from 6 to 9 pm. This monthly gathering opens the galleries for free, allowing visitors to wander through current exhibitions that showcase diverse creative voices. Highlights include Pao Houa Her: The Imaginative Landscape, Young Bay Mud, and ektor garcia: loose ends, each offering unique perspectives on culture and innovation.

Located in Downtown San Jose, the museum transforms into a welcoming space for the community after hours. Guests can enjoy late-night access to El Cafecito by Mezcal Restaurant for light bites and a cash bar, adding a relaxed social element to the night. The Museum Store stays open late too, perfect for picking up local artisan goods, with members receiving discounts to make the experience even more rewarding.

Plan ahead by registering for a fast check-in. Get your $0 tickets over here: https://52102.blackbaudhosting.com/52102/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=82ee37c6-b090-4981-8669-476f8728bf57

San Jose's Unforgettable 2026: Global Events and Citywide Celebrations Ahead

Happy New Year! 🎆

2026 will stand out as a landmark year for San Jose with two of the world's biggest sporting events right in the South Bay at Levi's Stadium. Super Bowl LX arrives in February, drawing massive crowds to the region. San Jose will host watch parties, concerts, drone shows, and over 100 fan experiences across the city, turning Downtown into a hub of excitement and bringing an economic lift to local businesses, hotels, and restaurants.

Summer brings the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Levi's Stadium hosting multiple matches full of international flair. Fans from around the globe will flood the area, and San Jose hosts fan fests, cultural activations, and events that highlight the city's diversity. Easy access via San Jose Mineta International Airport makes San Jose a prime base for visitors, while residents enjoy the vibrant atmosphere spilling into neighborhoods and venues.

Beyond the stadium spotlight, San Jose's cultural scene will thrive with favorites like San Jose Jazz Summer Fest delivering top performances in Plaza de César Chávez. New housing projects will move forward, adding modern apartments and townhomes to welcome more residents to growing districts. Tech innovations and business expansions keep the momentum strong, creating jobs and opportunities.

This combination of world-class events and steady progress on local projects will position San Jose as a premier destination. From game days to festival nights, 2026 offers countless reasons to take pride in being a San Josean.

San Jose 2025 Recap

Urban Development and Housing

Major projects advanced downtown revitalization, including new renderings for the Fountain Alley mixed-use towers designed by Bjarke Ingels Group—featuring 768 apartments, retail space, and bike-focused amenities.

Tech and Economic Growth

2025 marked a significant year for San Jose's role in the AI boom, driven by massive investments in data centers and infrastructure. The city planned to double its power capacity with two gigawatts over five years, supported by $2.4 billion from PG&E, to accommodate surging demand from AI computing. Nvidia advanced its presence by converting an office building in North San Jose into a data center and expanding its campus.

Tourism, Business, and Downtown Vitality

Downtown San Jose saw record momentum, with 15.9 million visitors in the first half of the year alone. Business growth included 16 new food and beverage spots, 933 new business tax certificates citywide, rising hotel occupancy, and food sales tax revenue exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 21%. The year built excitement for major 2026 events like the Super Bowl and World Cup.

Safety Improvements

San Jose earned recognition as America's safest major city in a SmartAsset study of the 50 largest U.S. cities, topping metrics for low violent crime, property crime, and emergency response. Local reports noted a nearly 12% drop in crimes against persons in the first ten months. Other analyses showed mixed results, placing the city around average nationally.

Cultural Events and Community Highlights

The San Jose Jazz Summer Fest stood out with performances, crowds, and giant Alebrijes folk-art sculptures at Plaza de César Chávez. Holiday traditions like the Blinky’s Drive-Thru lights at Christmas in the Park drew families, alongside exhibits celebrating the South Bay's musical heritage.

San Jose's Momentum Builds: Record Visitors and Business Growth in 2025

Downtown San Jose welcomed 15.9 million visitors from January to June this year, marking a clear increase from the previous period. This surge reflects growing interest in the area's attractions, from new restaurants to public events that draw crowds. Sixteen food and beverage spots opened in the past 12 months, adding fresh options for dining and gathering. Events like DJ performances by Fisher and Steve Aoki on Santa Clara Street brought thousands together, fostering a sense of community pride against the backdrop of City Hall.

Public art installations have also played a role in enlivening the spaces. Giant folk-art sculptures known as Alebrijes appeared around Plaza de Cesar Chavez during the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, offering unique experiences that encourage exploration. City leaders emphasize activating public areas creatively to attract more people, building on the organic energy from local developers and restaurateurs who shape the Downtown vibe from within.

Safety remains a priority, with San Jose earning recognition as the safest large U.S. city in a recent study. Crime against persons dropped nearly 12 percent in the first ten months compared to last year, while efforts to address homelessness have cleared encampments along the Guadalupe River and improved areas like Arena Green. These steps contribute to a cleaner, more welcoming environment that supports the return of office workers and boosts visitor confidence.

Business activity shows strong progress citywide, with 933 new business tax certificates issued this year, including 104 in Downtown. Hotel occupancy rose about 3 percent, and food and beverage sales tax revenue hit an all-time high, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 21 percent. This growth positions San Jose as a dynamic hub ready for major events in the coming year, like the Super Bowl and World Cup matches.

Source: SVBJ