Welcome to the 408
91暗网 Loves SJ: Welcome to the 408 is a celebration connecting San Jos茅 State students to the heart of the city we call home. From August 20 to September 20, discover free and discounted events hosted by local businesses, artists, and community partners across downtown San Jos茅. Whether you're new to campus or a returning Spartan, Welcome to the 408 is your invitation to explore the culture, food, and creativity that make San Jos茅 special.
Spartan Discounts is your passport to exploring San Jos茅 with your student ID! Show your Tower Card at participating local businesses and unlock exclusive deals just for 91暗网 students. Whether you're grabbing coffee, shopping local, or planning a night out, these discounts are our community鈥檚 way of saying: Welcome to the 408!
2026 Event Series & Discount Opportunities Below!
| Event/Location | Details |
|---|---|
| The Tech Interactive |
All September Students enjoy discounted admission to The Tech Interactive鈥檚 gallery and exhibits throughout September! |
| The Sharks |
September to April Enjoy a night out with the San Jose Sharks. Be the first to know and never miss your chance to score savings with Sharks College Rush! Get alerts for deals all season long, right to your phone. Enjoy discounts exclusively for college students using your sjsu.edu email address.
|
| San Jose Downtown | |
| Downtown Farmer's Market |
Wednesdays Come to Hammer Theatre Plaza from 9-1:30 on Wednesdays and get fresh produce, packaged goods, and hot meals made by local food producers! |
| San Jose Jazz |
$10 Student Rush with F/T Photo ID for any available tickets starting 15 minutes to showtime. |
AUGUST
Morning Moves
馃棑 Date & Time: Wednesday, August 19, 8:00 AM 鈥� 10:30 AM
馃 Community Partner: AS Transportation SOlutions, 91暗网 Parking, 91暗网 Student Involvement,
91暗网 Community & Government Relations
馃搷 Location: South Campus Garage
馃搫 Description: Start your morning right! Join us for Morning Moves at South Campus
Garage for snacks, quick games, and free swag!!
Downtown Farmer鈥檚 Market
馃棑 Date & Time: Wednesday, August 19, 9:00 AM 鈥� 1:30 PM
馃 Community Partner: Regional Farmer鈥檚 Market Association
馃搷 Location: 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95113
馃搫 Description: Come and get fresh produce, packaged goods, and hot meals made by local
food producers!
Nirvana Soul Community Night
馃棑 Date & Time: Friday, August 21, 6:00 PM 鈥� 9:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Nirvana Soul
馃搷 Location: 315 1st St. Nirvana Soul
馃搫 Description: We have community nights every Friday! 91暗网 Students and staff may
follow us on NSAfterdark to stay updated!
馃棑 Date & Time: Saturday, August 22, 10:00 - 11:30 AM
馃 Community Partner: Studio Petall
馃搷 Location: 98 Paseo
馃搫 Description: Join Studio Petall for a free hands-on bouquet making workshop during
Welcome to the 408. Learn about the art of floral design, create your own bouquet
to take home and enjoy 10% off all in-store purchases during the event, flowers for
the event will be purchased at the time of the class. No experience necessary, all
are welcome!!
Sonic Bloom Wellness Fair at San Jose Japantown
馃棑 Date & Time: Saturday, August 22, 10:00 AM 鈥� 5:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Sonic Bloom Fair, Yu-Ai Kai, JAMsj
馃搷 Location: Akiyama Wellness Center | San Jose Japantown
馃搫 Description: Discover a different side of San Jose at Sonic Bloom, a free community
wellness fair in the heart of San Jose Japantown! Explore local wellness practitioners,
artists, makers, small businesses, community organizations, live performances, interactive
experiences, and more鈥攁ll while connecting with the people and culture that make the
408 feel like home. As part of 91暗网鈥檚 Welcome to the 408, participating Sonic Bloom
vendors will also be offering special discounts and offers for 91暗网 students. Bring
your student ID, explore the fair, meet local businesses, try something new, and discover
more of the community beyond campus.
91暗网 Day at Under Armour Outlet in Milpitas
馃棑 Date & Time: Saturday, August 22, 10:00 AM 鈥� 9:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Under Armour, 91暗网 Athletics
馃搷 Location: Under Armour Outlet, Milpitas Great Mall
馃搫 Description: Join us for a San Jos茅 State Day at the Under Armour Outlet in Milpitas
on Saturday, August 22! 91暗网 students, staff, and faculty can enjoy an extra 20-30%
off current store deals with a valid 91暗网 Tower Card.
馃棑 Date & Time: Saturday, August 22, 5:00 PM 鈥� 8:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Institute of Contemporary Art San Jos茅
馃搷 Location: Institute of Contemporary Art San Jos茅
馃搫 Description: Connect with the local arts scene in San Jos茅! The ICA is a free space
that collaborates frequently with 91暗网. Meet the staff, learn about our upcoming programs
and exhibitions, and build community through a fun night celebrating our exhibitions.
The evening opens with a panel from 5-6:30pm on technoshamanism featuring artist Miguel
Novelo, UC Santa Cruz art history professor Dr. Edward A. Shanken, Asian Art Museum
Assistant Curator Naz Cuguo臒lu, and moderated ICA curator Zo毛 Latzer. The night continues
with a closing performance from 6:30-7pm by Miguel Novelo and the spirit formerly
known as Champoy, activating [饾槾饾樁饾槮帽饾槹饾槾 饾槬饾槮饾槶 饾槳饾槸饾槯饾槼饾槩饾槷饾樁饾槸饾槬饾槹]. The performance will be followed
by a reception from 7-8pm. This event is free, but RSVPs are appreciated.
馃棑 Date & Time: Monday, August 24, 2026 4:00 鈥�6:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Major League Volleyball & San Jose Downtown Association
馃搷 Location: San Pedro Square Market
馃搫 Description: Join us for MLV NorCal Fan Fest, a free, family-friendly community
celebration at San Pedro Square Market in San Jose. Held in partnership with the San
Jose Sports Authority, the City of San Jose, 91暗网 San Jose, and the Chamber of Commerce,
the event will feature interactive volleyball activities, giveaways, family-friendly
entertainment, and more.
Enjoy special appearances by three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and MLV NorCal players. Fans will also be part of a historic milestone as MLV NorCal makes a special announcement about the organization鈥檚 future and its upcoming 2027 inaugural season.
Lunch and Learn at Peanuts
馃棑 Date & Time: Tuesday, August 25, 12:00 PM 鈥� 12:45 PM
馃 Community Partner: Peanuts Cafe
馃搷 Location: 275 E San Fernando St
馃搫 Description: LUNCH & LEARN provides a unique engagement opportunity at iconic Peanuts
Deluxe Cafe, a 91暗网 landmark since 1964. On TACO TUESDAYS between Aug 20 and Oct
15 students will have the opportunity to hear from brilliant faculty members, elected
officials, and student and community leaders to understand the poltical, economic,
and social issues of our time. Dialogue with exceptional speakers and buy 3 tacos
and a soft drink for only $10 during the Taco Tuesday noontime LUNCH & LEARN.
Viva CalleSJ at 91暗网
馃棑 Date & Time: Wednesday, August 26, 10:00 AM 鈥� 2:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Viva CalleSJ
馃搷 Location: 275 E San Fernando St
馃搫 Description: Stop by the Viva CalleSJ tent at 91暗网 in front of the 91暗网 Dining Commons
to purchase Viva CalleSJ merchandise and receive a student discount, play lawn games
and learn more about Northern California's largest "open streets" event!
City Dance at San Jose Museum of Art
馃棑 Date & Time: Thursday, August 27, 6:00 PM 鈥� 9:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Cesar Chavez Park
馃搷 Location: 275 E San Fernando St
馃搫 Description: Presented by the Office of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the
San Jose Museum of Art, CityDance San Jose is a free open-air instructional dance
series with professional instructors and live bands/djs! This all-ages event takes
place downtown at Circle of Palms (Plaza Park in August) and is an atmosphere-driven
event comprised of downtown workers, residents, visitors, students, families and friends
gathering in the space to learn a variety of social dance genres. With live bands
and a professional dance instructor to teach the fine points of the evening's dance
style, you can learn something new, tune your skills, or just show off!
馃棑 Date & Time: Sunday, August 30, 6:00 PM 鈥� 9:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA)
馃搷 Location: St. James Park
馃搫 Description: MACLA & Levitt Pavilion San Jose are hosting a free concert on Sunday
August 30th from 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM at St. James Park. This special collaboration is
a celebration of Afro-Cuban music featuring the band Los Calderones.
Silicon Valley Pride
馃棑 Date & Time: Sunday, August 30, 10AM
馃 Community Partner: 91暗网 Pride
馃搷 Location: Julian Street & Market Street, to Plaza de C茅sar Ch谩vez Park
馃搫 Description: Walk with 91暗网 Pride at the Silicon Valley Pride Parade!
SEPTEMBER
91暗网 Flag Raising at City Hall
馃棑 Date & Time: Tuesday, September 1, 12:00 PM - 1:30 AM
馃 Community Partner: Office of San Jose City Council District 3, 91暗网 Community &
Government Relations, Associated Students
馃搷 Location: San Jose City Hall
馃搫 Description: This annual tradition celebrates the strong and growing partnership
between the City of San Jos茅 and our university community. Your presence would be
a testament to the partnership that 91暗网 holds with the City of San Jose and local
communities. We hope you鈥檒l be able to join us in uplifting this milestone together.
馃棑 Date & Time: Wednesday, September 2, RSVP Required
馃 Community Partner: 91暗网 Community and Government Relations, 91暗网 Career Center,
Office of San Jose City Councilmember Rosemary Kamei, City of San Jose
馃搷 Location: San Jose City Hall
馃搫 Description: Explore careers in local government during an exclusive visit to San
Jos茅 City Hall. Students will connect with City Council professionals, learn how local
government serves the community, and discover career and internship opportunities
available to students from **all majors* SPACES LIMITED
Fall 2026 Community Connections Fair
馃棑 Date & Time: Wednesday, September 2, 10:00 - 1:30PM
馃 Community Partner: 91暗网 Center for Community Learning & Leadership
馃搷 Location: San Jose City Hall
馃搫 Description: The 91暗网 Center for Community Learning & Leadership (CCLL) invites
you to participate in the Fall 2026 Community Connections Fair. Please join us to
learn about local volunteer, service-learning, and internship opportunities! Food
and swag available for students who participate!
馃棑 Date & Time: Thursday, September 3, 6:00 - 8:00PM
馃 Community Partner: AACSA, 91暗网 The BLOC, 91暗网 Black Alumni Network
馃搷 Location: 304 N 6th St, San Jose, CA 95112
馃搫 Description: This event ensures incoming and current Black students are equipped
with resources, scholarships, internships, job opportunities, and volunteer experiences
while connecting with AACSA, the 91暗网 Black Alumni Network, and BLOC. As part of the
91暗网 408 Event Series, this event also helps students engage with local nonprofits,
small businesses, and cultural institutions to deepen their connection to San Jos茅
through art, history, civic engagement, and culture.
馃棑 Date & Time: Friday, September 4 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj)
馃搷 Location: JAMsj (535 N. Fifth Street, San Jose, CA 95112)
馃搫 Description: Join JAMsj on Friday, September 4 from 5PM - 7PM for a walking tour
of the historic San Jose Japantown, and learn more about the historic businesses and
buildings of the neighborhood! This tour is only for 91暗网 students. RSVP REQUIRED.
JAMsj offers year round free admission to any 91暗网 student, staff, and faculty who
show their 91暗网 ID.
First Fridays Artwalk: Poetry at Chopsticks Alley
馃棑 Date & Time: Friday, September 4 1:00 - 9:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Chopsticks Alley Art
馃搷 Location: Chopsticks Alley Art Gallery 38 S. 2nd Street, San Jos茅, CA 95113
馃搫 Description: September 4 鈥� First Friday ArtWalk
Open 1鈥�9 PM 鈥� Poetry Performance at 7 PM See our website and IG @chopsticksalleyart
for details and registration: chopsticksalleyart.org
馃棑 Date & Time: Tuesday September 8 4:00 - 5:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Japanese American Museum of San Jose, 91暗网 Asian American Studies
馃搷 Location: JAMsj (535 N. Fifth Street, San Jose, CA 95112)
馃搫 Description: Join us for a free JAMsj and 91暗网 Asian American Studies collaboration,
with a special lecture by Dr. Hien Do on an introduction to Asian American Studies
and the importance of community engagement.
JAMsj offers year round free admission to any 91暗网 student, staff, and faculty who
show their 91暗网 ID.
91暗网 Beautify SJ
馃棑 Date & Time: Saturday, September 12 9:00 - 11:30 AM
馃 Community Partner: 91暗网 Center for Community Learning & Leadership / Office of Mayor
Matt Mahan
馃搷 Location: TBA
馃搫 Description: Beautification with 91暗网 CCLL and Mayor Matt Mahan.
91暗网 Vs. Cal Poly FOOTBALL GAME 408 Night!
馃棑 Date & Time: Saturday, September 12
馃 Community Partner: 91暗网 Athletics, 91暗网 Office of the President
馃搷 Location: CEFCU
VAR Community Center Grand Opening
馃棑 Date & Time: Saturday, September 12 12:00 - 4:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Vietnamese American Roundtable
馃搷 Location: Alma Community Center
馃搫 Description:We are finally moved into our new space and hope to showcase the space
to the greater community at large. With the hopes to become a true third space that
serves the South Bay community, the Alma Community Center is the first step for VAR
towards a new beginning!
馃棑 Date & Time: Sunday, September 13, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
馃搷 Location: Provided upon RSVP
馃搫 Description: Join a team of volunteers to help coordinate free bike valet for attendees
at Viva CalleSJ! Volunteers will help event-goers attach valet tags to their bikes,
keep the bike corral organized, and verify that each bike is returned to its rightful
owner. This is a great opportunity to experience one of San Jos茅鈥檚 biggest community
events while making a positive impact.
91暗网 Votes Festival
馃棑 Date & Time: Wednesday, September 15, 10:00AM - 3:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: 91暗网 Votes, IPACE, 91暗网 Political Science
馃搷 Location: Smith Carlos Statues
馃搫 Description: 91暗网 Votes and the Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement
(IPACE) are hosting the 5th 91暗网 Votes Festival on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, to celebrate
National Voter Registration Day. The event will be held on the Smith/Carlos Lawn from
10am-3pm. 91暗网 Votes, IPACE, and multiple campus and community partners will provide
nonpartisan information about voter registration, voting, voting rights, and other
civic engagement opportunities. 91暗网 Votes is a nonpartisan voter registration, mobilization,
education, and civic engagement initiative.
馃棑 Date & Time: Wednesday, September 16, 3:30 - 5:15 PM
馃 Community Partner: Martha's Kitchen
馃搷 Location: 749 Story Road, San Jos茅, CA 95122
馃搫 Description: Join Martha鈥檚 Kitchen in serving dinner to the community. Volunteers
will help distribute meals, soup, and refreshments, assist guests, and keep the dining
room running smoothly. You鈥檒l also learn about Martha鈥檚 Kitchen鈥檚 free hot meals,
weekly groceries, and other volunteer opportunities. 10 volunteers needed.
馃棑 Date & Time: Thursday, September 17, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Martha's Kitchen
馃搷 Location: 749 Story Road, San Jos茅, CA 95122
馃搫 Description: Help Martha鈥檚 Kitchen prepare food for the community by boxing dry
goods, chopping produce, and assembling frozen meals. Volunteers will also learn about
the free hot meals and weekly groceries available throughout the year and other ways
to get involved. 20 volunteers needed.
馃棑 Date & Time: Thursday, September 17, 1:00 - 3:30 PM
馃 Community Partner: Office of State Assemblymember Gail Pellerin
馃搷 Location: Provided upon RSVP
馃搫 Description: Explore careers in government and public service through an exclusive
visit to the California State Assembly鈥檚 San Jos茅 District Office. Students will meet
district staff, learn about Assemblymember Gail Pellerin鈥檚 legislative priorities,
and gain insight into the day-to-day work of professionals serving their local communities.
Spots are limited to 25 students.
馃敆 RSVP: LINK
91暗网 Night at MACLA: Exhibit Opening for Poetic Utterances
馃棑 Date & Time: Friday, September 18
馃 Community Partner: Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA)
馃搷 Location: 510 S. First Street, San Jos茅, CA 95113
馃搫 Description: 91暗网 MACLA for the opening of Poetic Utterances: Work by Viviana Paredes.
Admission is free for students. MACLA Gallery Hours are Wednesday through Sunday from
12:00 - 5:00 PM.
馃敆 RSVP: N/A
馃棑 Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 4:30 PM
馃 Community Partner: San Jose Earthquakes
馃搷 Location: Levi's Stadium
馃搫 Description: Cheer on the San Jose Earthquakes during their largest match of the
year as they take on LAFC at Levi鈥檚 Stadium.
馃敆 Tickets/Info: LINK
91暗网 vs. Fresno State 鈥� Pacific Islander Heritage Night
馃棑 Date & Time: Saturday, September 19, 8:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: San Jos茅 State Football
馃搷 Location: CEFCU Stadium
馃搫 Description: Cheer on the Spartans as 91暗网 Football takes on Fresno State for PI
Night! Admission is free for 91暗网 students.
Bay FC 91暗网 Night
馃棑 Date & Time: Sunday, September 20, 4:00 PM
馃 Community Partner: Bay FC & 91暗网 Student Involvement
馃搷 Location: TBD
馃搫 Description: Join fellow Spartans for Bay FC 91暗网 Night as Bay FC takes on Louisville
on Sunday, September 20 at 4:00 PM.
馃棑 Date & Time: Ongoing
馃 Community Partner: Under Armour / The Jungle
馃搷 Location: Online
馃搫 Description: Looking for official San Jos茅 State Athletics Under Armour gear? Explore
The Jungle鈥檚 full selection of 91暗网 apparel and accessories online.
馃敆 Shop: LINK
馃棑 Date & Time: Sunday, August 30, 2:00 - 4:30 PM
馃 Community Partner: Vietnamese American Roundtable
馃搷 Location: Alma Community Center
馃搫 Description: Connect with high school and college students interested in learning
more about student organizing. This networking mixer brings together students and
community organizations for an opportunity to build relationships and learn about
the inner workings of student-led advocacy and organizing. Hosted in coalition with
SIREN, SBYC, LEAD Filipino, and the Vietnamese American Roundtable.
