Holi Fest 2026 Brings Vibrant Festival of Colors to Discovery Meadow

San Jose will welcome an unforgettable burst of color when Holi Fest returns to Discovery Meadow on March 7. This largest Festival of Colors in Downtown San Jose runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 180 Woz Way and delivers nonstop excitement organized by the Association of Indo Americans.

Attendees will dance to energetic Bollywood music while tossing traditional gulal powder in every shade imaginable. Food booths will serve authentic Indian foods and live performances will keep the energy high across the park all afternoon.

Families will appreciate free admission for children under seven along with complimentary thandai (cold Indian drink made from nuts, spices, rose water, milk, and sugar) for the first thousand guests. The event keeps expanding year after year and shows exactly how San Jose embraces cultural traditions that unite everyone.

San Jose Chicken Fans Gain a New Spot at Capitol Square Mall

San Jose chicken fans now gain even more convenient access to those crispy tenders everyone craves. Raising Cane's has launched its latest Silicon Valley location at 440 N. Capitol Ave. in the Target-anchored Capitol Square Mall. This addition sits just a few miles from the chain's first South Bay restaurant and responds to strong local demand.

The new restaurant includes a double-lane drive-thru built to move orders along quickly. Inside, the space celebrates San Jose pride through vintage photography and dedicated tributes to legendary acts like the Grateful Dead, the Doobie Brothers, and Los Tigres Del Norte. It also highlights nearby schools such as Independence High School, San Jose High School, and San Jose State University, creating a warm connection to the community.

Extended hours make this spot especially practical for busy schedules. The restaurant stays open until 2 a.m. most nights and pushes to 3:30 a.m. on weekends, perfect for grabbing a meal after events or late shifts.

Source: SVBJ

South First Fridays - March 2026

Step into one of San Jose’s most beloved monthly traditions when you attend South First Fridays. Held on the first Friday of each month from 5 to 9 p.m., this free event transforms the SoFA District and nearby areas into an open gallery and performance space.

You can explore multiple venues filled with new exhibitions and live programming. Galleries such as ANNO DOMINI, KALEID, and the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles present fresh works while offering late hours and free entry to everyone.

The art walk extends beyond SoFA into the Historic District and Martha Gardens District. This gives you access to a rich mix of contemporary pieces, cultural storytelling, music performances, and interactive experiences.

Downtown San Jose gains tremendous energy from nights like these that bring people together around creativity. You should plan to join the next South First Fridays on March 6 and soak in the artistic heartbeat of San Jose.

The Teal Reimagination Elevates SAP Center in Downtown San Jose

SAP Center will be completely renovated, shaped by the Teal Reimagination project. The San Jose Sharks launched this multi-year $425 million transformation to turn the arena into a more connected and immersive destination that anchors Downtown San Jose as a true civic landmark.

There will be dramatic upgrades that improve every moment of a visit. The team store triples in size with immersive displays, smoother circulation for easier shopping, and more Sharks pride. Distinct atmospheres unfold level by level, delivering vibrant energy on the main concourse and refined intimacy in premium areas (primarily underground). There will be a new outdoor concourse and additional entrance into the SAP Center to help reduce crowding.

Premium offerings will set a new standard. Private Cove Suites provide concierge-level retreats for hosting without missing the action. The Captain’s Lounge delivers direct sightlines into the player tunnel while the First Line Lounge brings high-energy ice views with all-inclusive elevated food and beverage. Three unique clubs on the Premier Level will add layered comfort and hospitality tailored to your preferences.

One of the most impressive proposed features is the exterior of the Shark Tank will actually look like a tank. The Teal Reimagination ensures SAP Center welcomes fans and visitors with experiences that match the passion of the Teal faithful and support the city’s long-term vision.

Sumi Sushi Brings Outstanding Fresh Sushi to Downtown San Jose

Sumi Sushi has quickly established itself as a favorite for quality Japanese cuisine at 119 Paseo de San Antonio in Downtown San Jose. It has a casual Japanese pop-culture vibe with anime on the walls and fun lighting. Food wise they specialize in classic rolls, creative specialties, and generous Chirashi bowls.

Service is super fast and efficient. You can order to-go from a kiosk or use a QR code to quickly pick food the moment you sit down. Prices are reasonable, which should appeal to San Jose State University students and really anyone casually walking by.

I got to try the Ladybug Roll (soft shell crab tempura, crab meat, torched salmon), White Dragon Roll (shrimp tempura, crab meat, cucumber), a nigiri sampling, and a green tea cheesecake. I'd recommend them all, but would likely go heavy on the nigiri next time since it was so good. The salmon and Hamachi especially were excellent.

Don't let it's humble entrance and location fool you. Downtown San Jose now has six different sushi spots, and this might just be the new benchmark.

Nokia Subsidiary Launches Photonic Semiconductor Facility in South San Jose

Infinera Corp., a Nokia subsidiary, purchased the 82,000-square-foot facility at 6373 San Ignacio Avenue for nearly $27 million. The team will convert this former headquarters in South San Jose into a dedicated photonic semiconductor fabrication plant.

Federal support accelerates the transformation. Nokia secured $40 million through the CHIPS and Science Act to fund advanced manufacturing capabilities for photonic chips that power high-speed data transmission and artificial intelligence systems.

The move follows Nokia’s $2.3 billion acquisition of Infinera and builds on construction progress at the Valley Oak Technology Center. San Jose will gain a powerful new asset that brings high-value production jobs and reinforces the city’s role in critical global innovation.

Source: SVBJ

Black Family Day SV Brings Culture and Joy to Downtown San Jose Today

Experience a heartwarming celebration when you make your way to Black Family Day SV. This free public event runs today from 11am to 4pm at Parque de los Pobladores on 510 S 1st Street in Downtown San Jose.

You can gather with your family amid lively performances, interactive activities, and wellness resources that honor African and African ancestry heritage. The gathering marks the vibrant close to African and African Ancestry Month in Silicon Valley and fills the park with laughter, music, and genuine connections.

Presented by the Black Leadership Kitchen Cabinet and produced by the Silicon Valley African Film Festival, the day empowers every attendee through shared pride and community strength. You will discover moments that uplift and remind you why diversity fuels San Jose’s growth.

For more info, head over here.

PayPal Park Expands Its Role with Regular Concert Nights in San Jose

You'll soon discover more opportunities to catch major live performances at PayPal Park. The San Jose City Council gave unanimous approval for the stadium to host up to 15 concerts each year. This decision locks in the venue’s future as an essential part of the city’s entertainment lineup.

Careful planning went into the approval. City officials established volume limits and reporting requirements that respond to neighborhood feedback. You can expect concerts to run between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. while maintaining respect for those living nearby.

The stadium delivered impressive results for the local economy. In 2024 events there produced $111 million in total economic impact and backed nearly 1,000 jobs. Concerts will amplify these benefits and bring more crowds to support Downtown San Jose businesses.

You also have big matches to look forward to at the park soon. The U.S. Women’s National Team will face Japan in a friendly. Fans will also see Cruz Azul take on Atlético Nacional. PayPal Park will additionally serve as a venue for early-round action in the 2028 Olympic soccer tournaments.

Source: SVBJ

Strata Layers New Dining Experiences in Downtown San Jose

You will soon discover a captivating new restaurant transforming the prominent space across from City Hall. The former Rollati location at the base of the Miro towers will become Strata. The extremely talented team behind Eos & Nyx, Paper Plane, Miniboss, Alter Ego and Still OG will step in with their proven touch.

They will channel their previous successes into the nearly 7,000-square-foot flagship venue. The result promises to be a concept designed to grow and delight over time through seasonal shifts. Already Eos & Nyx and Alter Ego are well known for their exceptional menus.

At Strata, the multicultural menu will evolve continuously and creatively explore new techniques. Rare for San Jose, it will also feature a prix-fixe or tasting menu. A strong cocktail program is a given with a thoughtful wine list rounding out the offerings. If you have been to any of their other venues, you'd expect nothing less when it comes to drinks.

Positioned at Fourth and Santa Clara streets in the base of the Miro towers, you'll have a nice view of the City Hall rotunda and tower alongside the Sonic Runway art installation.

I've missed Rollati, and can think of no better restaurant group to take its place. They are conducting staff interviews from March 3-5, so an official launch should be here before summertime.

Source: The Mercury News

Championship Pizzas Land at Downtown San Jose's Marketcenter

You will find your next favorite slice waiting at the Marketcenter on Coleman Avenue in Downtown San Jose. Slice House steps in to replace the old Blaze Pizza setup at 685 Coleman Ave., and the "Coming Soon" signs are already up.

Fremont native Tony Gemignani brings his 13 world pizza titles and deep Bay Area roots to this venture. He started things nearly 16 years ago in San Francisco's North Beach, then scaled this fast-casual concept to over 135 sites in eight states.

You'll gain easy access to these pies while handling errands at anchors including Target, Marshalls, and Trader Joe's. Slice House fits right in with quick-service neighbors like El Pollo Loco, Carl's Jr., and Starbucks. The new eatery keeps things approachable yet elevated, perfect for grabbing lunch or dinner on the fly.

Now the real question is... will it be as good as Slice of Homage in the Downtown core. That is currently the king of benchmarks for San Jose pizza.

Source: SVBJ