Weekend events kick off a festive season in the South Bay

The first full weekend of June is upon us, and if your calendar has some empty spaces, there are plenty of outdoor events starting this weekend to fill up that schedule.

That kicks off Friday night with the return of SubZERO, the DIY mashup of tech, music and art that fills South First Street in downtown San Jose. SubZERO coincides with the monthly First Fridays art walk — when galleries stay open late in the SoFA district and beyond — but it brings the creativity out onto the street with bands and artists stretching for blocks. It runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday night and then returns Saturday from 2 to 8 p.m. The lineup of Friday’s gallery offerings is available at southfirstfridays.com.

This weekend also marks the 50th annual Sunnyvale Art & Wine Festival, which will likely draw thousands of people to Washington Avenue and South Murphy Avenue on Saturday and Sunday. Any event that’s been around as long as this one — that’s going back to the 1970s — likely has a strong following.

And then on the other side of the spectrum, Santa Clara has launched a Night Market series that continues this Friday and Saturday on the 900 block of Lafayette Street. It’s got your usual “night market” amenities with food and music, but there are a couple of fun additions for soccer fans anticipating the FIFA World Cup games at Levi’s Stadium. There’s a Vintage Village, curated by Pop Up San Jose, where fans can pick up vintage jerseys and sports memorabilia, and visitors can use their creativity on Saturday to help make a Community Soccer Mural.

If you’re still in a shopping mood on Sunday, you can swing by the Tiki Bazaar at Dr. Funk Tiki Bar in downtown San Jose. There’ll be live music and vendors selling all things tropical and tiki from noon to 6 p.m. at 29 N. San Pedro Street.

BUILDING A COMMUNITY HUB: Palo Alto celebrated the opening of the Bryant Street Community Center on Wednesday, which could actually help bridge the generation gap. The city-owned building, formerly a private gym, went through a $1.3 million renovation and now includes not only a Teen Center but a downtown home for La Comida, a program that’s been providing meals and social activities for seniors for more than 50 years.

Palo Alto leadership used some smarts when working on the new Teen Center. They actually let teens — the young people who will be using it — design it, and that includes a new mural, too.

"Bryant Street Community Center reflects the city's commitment to fostering community wellness and belonging through the renovation of an unutilized space into something amazing for us to continue programs like senior meal services that our community relies on and a new hub for teens created by teens improving community connection and wellbeing," Palo Alto Vice Mayor Greer Stone said at Wednesday’s ribbon cutting ceremony.

KICKING IT WITH THE SYMPHONY: Symphony San Jose Executive and Artistic Director Robert Massey didn’t want to pass up a chance to celebrate soccer’s biggest event coming to the Bay Area this month. The symphony’s program on Saturday and Sunday, “Symphonic World Cup,” features works from international composers and featuring conductor Carlos Vieu and harp soloist Katherine Siochi.

For a little pre-show warmup, the San Jose State men’s soccer team will be showing off their skills at the California Theatre, which I’m told will be appropriately decorated.

As a bonus, Symphony San Jose will have an open rehearsal at the California Theatre during the SubZERO festival Friday night, starting at 7:30 p.m. There’ll also be live music in the lobby from the Pre-Pre-University Percussion Group, directed by Galen Lemmon, the symphony’s principal percussionist. They’ll play at 6:45 p.m. and again during a break in the rehearsal.

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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 2:28 PM.