Cinequest Film and Creativity Festival (March (typically early-to-mid March; 2026 dates: March 10-22)). Annual independent film festival founded in 1990 by Halfdan Hussey and Kathleen Powell; held each March in San Jose and Mountain View, California. Grew from 3,000 attendees at Camera 3 Cinemas in 1990 to over 100,000…
SJMADE Fest (May (2026 dates: May 30-31 at History Park San José)). Recurring maker and artisan fair produced by San Jose Made, celebrating locally made goods and San Jose's creative economy. Multiple editions per year (Spring, Summer, Holiday).
Rose, White and Blue Parade and Street Festival (July 4 (Independence Day)). Annual Fourth of July parade winding through the Shasta/Hanchett and Rose Garden neighborhoods of San Jose; began in 2008 and has grown into a Bay Area-wide draw.
San Jose Jazz Summer Fest (August (typically second weekend; 2026 dates: August 7-9)). Annual outdoor jazz festival founded in 1990 at Plaza de César Chavez, downtown San Jose. Grew through the 1990s to become the largest free jazz festival in the United States; began charging admission in 2006. Features…