San Jose City Hall Block Party on Thursday, Oct 17th

Dozens of businesses around City Hall will be participating in the last Downtown San Jose block party for 2024. This is an up and coming area that is starting to get a lot of traction. Rollati, one of my favorite Downtown restaurants, is located in this district as well as the new and unique Paleta Planeta.

The event will feature live music, tons of food, over 100 local makers & artists, tours of new businesses, and activities for the whole family. Ground zero will be right in front of San Jose City Hall.

The event runs from 5pm to 9pm and there is free parking for 90min in city-owned garages or free parking all night on metered spaces after 6pm.You can also easily take Light Rail to the Santa Clara Station and walk two blocks.

San Pedro Square Block Party on Thursday, July 18th

Over 60 businesses around San Pedro Square will be participating in the latest Downtown San Jose block party. The even will feature live music, tons of food, local makers & artists, and activities for the whole family. Ground zero will be along North San Pedro Street (you can't miss it now with the new mural). 

The event runs from 5pm to 9pm and there is free parking for 90min in the Market & San Pedro Square Parking Garage or free all night on metered spaces after 6pm.You can also easily take Light Rail to Saint James Park and walk two blocks.

The first Block Party of 2024 is at the Historic District, May 16th

Downtown San Jose advocates are hosting a series of six different block parties in Downtown San Jose, and the first kicks off this week in the Historic District at the heart of the downtown area. I didn't realize just how many businesses were located in this region until I saw the list below. Over 60 businesses are participating in the event!

The block party is expected to bring thousands of people and there will likely be live music and other special activities. It goes down on Thursday, May 16th from 5-9pm starting in Fountain Alley.

Upcoming block parties will take us to SoFA, San Pedro, Paseo De San Antonio, Little Italy, and City Hall. Every location has had new businesses arrive over the past year.

Urban Vibrancy Institute partners will be hosting more Downtown San Jose block parties in 2024

The 2023 block parties in Downtown San Jose were a lot of fun and highlighted underutilized neighborhoods. Some like Fountain Alley have a number of new restaurants worth checking out.

Now the Urban Vibrancy Institute is partnering with San Jose Live and Tailored By Design to expand its block party series in 2024. There will be a total of six events featuring all of the neighborhoods highlighted in 2023 and two new ones. The original events were in Fountain Alley, SoFA, San Pedro Square, and Little Italy. The new locations are Paseo de San Antonio and City Hall.

The Urban Vibrancy Institute's goal is to make San Jose the safest, cleanest, and most vibrant Downtown. Amen to that.

Specific objectives include increasing: pedestrian traffic to the Downtown core by 20%, awareness of amenities to residents, sales by 25-50% for local retailers and restaurants, and visitors' perception of safety.

Each event last year drew around 1,500 people and sales of highlighted businesses improved 20-35% from the previous week.

The first event of 2024 is tentatively scheduled for April 18th near City Hall.

Source: SVBJ

Super Bowl Festivities in Downtown San Jose

Downtown San Jose is going all out for Super Bowl 50 this week! This isn't just pandering to this big event. The Carolina Panthers are staying at the San Jose Marriott and Super Bowl Opening Night will be hosted at the SAP Center. The heart of San Jose's Super Bowl 50 activities will be in Plaza de Cesar Chavez. They have installed an advanced lighting system synced to live music, a beer garden, multiple game areas, and food trucks. Downtown Ice is still going strong and there is even a NFL store pop-up shop nearby. San Pedro Square has shut down a whole street, added turf, and provided 50 nerf footballs to throw around.

There is a lot going on, and thankfully the city has provided an interactive Super Bowl 50 map for Downtown activities. Check it out over here!

Content Magazine Turns 2 - Throwing Epic Party for Subscribers

The highest quality publication of all time documenting San Jose culture is turning two years old, and they are celebrating in a big way. We are talking Gordon Biersch beer served from an igloo, snow, a holiday potluck, and live music. Each subscriber and their +1 gets two free drink. How many magazines do you know that do stuff like this for their readers?

The party takes place next Tuesday at Method 42 (800 W. San Carlos, Building B). It's not too late to get in on the fun. You can learn more about Content or become a print subscriber right over here!

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It's PICK UP PARTY Time!   In the most epic Pick Up Party yet, we'll be celebrating our TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY in total funky style at Method 42's prop fabrication warehouse. Music from a life sized doll house, cold, Gordon Biersch beer served from an igloo and SNOW! Print Subscribers, Contributors and Featured Personalities (and their +1) are invited to enjoy two free drinks, and a night of connecting and picking up the latest issue of Content Magazine.  But wait! There's more!  Since this issue is focused on "FEAST" we felt there's no better way to celebrate than having one ourselves. And, since Content believes strength is found in community, we're doing it potluck style.  Here's how it's going to work: Bring a dish that represents your holiday season. Bring enough to serve 10. (Main dish, side, dessert)  Sign up to bring that dish on our online form. And, if you'd like to also be included in our special "Content Magazine Family Cookbook"--submit your recipe as well. We'll assemble all the recipes and make a digital version available in January.   Stop on by. Meet new people. Learn new reasons to love your city.  RSVP (Facebook) //RSVP(email) Subscribers. Featured. Contributors. Method42 800 W. San Carlos Street, Building B San Jose, CA 95126

Island Grill & Bamboo Lounge