Upcoming Summer and Early Fall Events in San Jose
San Jose's summer festival season kicks off this month with a variety of great festivals, activities and events now through September.
San Jose, CA (Vocus) July 9, 2008 –-
San Jose's summer festival season kicks off this month with a variety of great festivals, activities and events now through September.
Among the endless choices for fun, San Jose is proud to host three of the biggest festivals of the season: the San Jose Obon Festival, taking place in one of the three remaining Japantowns in the country, the Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival and the 17th Annual San Jose International Mariachi Festival. Along with these and a multitude of others favorites such as Cinema in the Park and Music in the Park, here is a preview of what is coming up in the next few months from the biggest city in Northern California:
Entertainment, Events and Festivals
Alice's Wonderland: A most Curious Adventure
Now through January 11, 2009
Children's Discovery Museum
The renowned Museum proudly welcomes Alice's Wonderland back from its highly successful four-year national tour. Crawl through a rabbit hole to enter a world of optical illusions and puzzle solving, "Create a Mad Tea Party," and manipulate time with a "Crazy Clock." Admission is $8 General, $7 Seniors, Under 1 yr. free. www. cdm. org.
Cinema San Pedro
Wednesdays, July 9-August 20
San Pedro Square
Cinema at St. James Park
Saturdays, July 19-August 23
St. James Park
Movie fans are encouraged to come together for free movies at dusk in San Pedro Square and St. James Park. These weekly screenings are BYOC - Bring Your Own Chair. Attendees can sit back and relax, grab a snack or dinner and watch a classic movie. It's best to arrive early, not only for the best seat, but to participate in fun games and amusing antics. Free admission. www. sjdowntown. com.
Metro Music in the Park
Thursdays, July 10-September 4
Plaza de Cesar Chavez
Celebrating 20 years of outdoor concerts in the heart of downtown San Jose, artists from local to international stature will grace the stage at Plaza de Cesar Chavez and perform music from a variety of genres. Performances are from 5:30 p. m.-8:45 p. m. Free admission. www. sjdowntown. com.
San Jose Obon Festival
July 12-13 Saturday 12 p. m.-10 p. m., Sunday 12 p. m.-8 p. m.
Held in one of the three remaining Japantowns in the United States, the free outdoor festival offers a rich cultural experience complete with dance, games, music and food. The festival draws approximately 900 dancers of all ages every year, many of which wear ceremonial kimonos or hapi coats and dance to the beat of live music under a canopy of colorful lanterns. Free admission. www. sjbetsuin. com.
Founders' Day Fiesta Fandango
July 27, 12:00 p. m.-5:00 p. m.
Kelley Park (West Saint John St.)
Families are wanted to help celebrate the founding of San Jose, featuring stories and authentic singing and dancing of the Mission and Rancho period with the Alta California Orchestra and Calicanto Singers. Free admission. www. historyofsanjose. org.
Comcast San Jose Jazz Festival presented by Southwest Airlines
August 8-10
Downtown San Jose
Jazz fans can enjoy soothing tunes on at least seven stages during the celebration of the 19th annual San Jose Jazz Festival in and around Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park. Come celebrate diverse artists and styles from around the globe from the brilliant Cuban saxophonist Yosvany Terry, and the rising Brazilian guitarist-composer Chico Pinheiro, to North African-inflected rhythm and jazz of the Mo'Rockin Project. Admission is $10 per day and $25 for all three days while children 12 and under get in free. www. sanjosejazz. org
Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus
August 20-24
HP Pavilion
Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey proudly present a terrific trio of magnificent family productions touring the nation. Tickets range from $15-$95. www. ringling. com.
6th Annual Electronic Sports World Cup Grand Final
August 25-27
Video-game champions from 50 countries will battle and compete to grab one of the six ESWC world titles after surviving qualifier tournaments involving more than 100,000 players. General Admission is $50. www. eswc. com
17th Annual San Jose International Mariachi Festival
September 7-28
Downtown San Jose
Now in its 17th year, the San Jose International Mariachi Festival, the largest in the nation, presents a weeklong schedule of music and educational events, drawing a crowd of over 50,000 people to hear artists like Linda Ronstadt, Aida Cuevas, Lila Downs, Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Mariachi Cobre, Los Tigres Del Norte and Pepe Aguilar. www. sanjosemariachifestival. com.
Tapestry Arts Festival
August 30-September 1
Downtown San Jose
With four entertainment stages, 35 food booths, a creativity zone with free hands-on art activities for kids of all ages, rock climbing, hang gliding simulator, golf, spas and Jacuzzis, there is something for everyone. Free admission. www. tapestryarts. org.
Fiesta Patrias/Mexican Independence Day
September 14
Downtown San Jose
The celebration commemorates Mexico's independence. Thousands come to view the floats, colorful costumes, marching bands and drill teams vying for a first place finish in competition. www. sjgif. org.
To access the full release featuring a complete list of events, festivals, expositions and cultural performances, please visit http://www. sanjose. org/pressroom/pressreleases/2008.php? x=0708_event (http://www. sanjose. org/pressroom/pressreleases/2008.php? x=0708_event).
About The San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau (SJCVB)
The San Jose Convention & Visitors Bureau (SJCVB) mission is to enhance the image and economic well being of San Jose by marketing San Jose as a globally recognized destination. The SJCVB offers meeting planners, tour operators, and individual visitors a wide range of services to ensure a successful event and fun visit to San Jose. To receive a copy of the Bureau's Meeting Planning Guide or Official Visitors Guide, please contact the SJCVB at 1.800.SAN. JOSE (1.800.726.5673) or visit http://www. sanjose. org (http://www. sanjose. org).
CONTACT: Meghan Horrigan, 408-792-4175, mhorrigan @ sanjose. org
Jeanne Sullivan, 650-215-8156, jsullivan @ sanjose. org
Sarah Hildenberger, 408-792-4101, shildenberger @ sanjose. org
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