Hot Summer Guide
WITH BANDS GOING on tour, venues opening up and the return of outdoor festivals, it’s a perfect time to compile a list of events to attend this summer. Just putting it together has been a sweet reminder of how vast and varietous our valley is, how ready it is to get out and be entertained. Many of these events will be delivered online and in person, a virtual and physical reality of how we will approach events for at least the rest of this decade. Readers can use this guide as a compass—a map to a new start and a summer of warmth beyond the sun.
MAY
Comedy | Only Laughs
Image courtesy Diana D’Angelo.
Saturday, May 29, 7pm | $10–$40
LvL Up Arcade, 409 S Second St, San Jose
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
Who better to begin the summer than Ato Walker, downtown San Jose’s true stand-up comedy master of ceremonies. With Only Laughs, Walker has pulled together some of the funniest comics around the Bay Area for the first post-pandemic comedy showcase in his domain. Set inside and outside of LvL Up Arcade, an appetizer of old school video games whets your palette for a comedic line-up that includes a set by Walker, Pete Munoz, Chree Powell, Faco, Chris Riggins and headliner Frank Castillo. Hosted by Tyler Stannard with DJ Cutso spinning vinyl.
JUNE
Stage | Shylock
Friday–Sunday, June 4–20 | $15–$50
Tabard Theatre, 29 N San Pedro St, San Jose
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
Tabard Theatre opens their 20th anniversary season with an in-person and streamed production of Shylock. In the play, written by Mark Leiren-Young, a Jewish actor playing The Merchant of Venice’s notorious money-lender spurs protests and controversy at a Shakespeare festival when he chooses to play the character as an outright villain. Tabard’s production of Shylock stars local playwright, actor and teacher Doug Brook and is directed by Jonathan Rhys Williams.
Pride & Joy | Tacos + Comedy
Saturday, June 5 | $1–$40
School of Arts & Culture, 1700 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
Bangou Productions and Jo’s Comedy present this hybrid in-person and streamed comedy event just in time for SF Pride Month. The LGBTQ+ comedic lineup includes TammyTea Love (SF Punchline), headliner Marcus Williams, Ivy Vasquez and Kyle from Work. With music by Lovey and DJ Asthmatc. Hosted by CynthiaInPublic.
Dance | Looking Back Seeing Forward
Saturday, June 12, 8pm (7pm doors) | $30+
Los Gatos Ballet, 125 Alerche Dr at Harwood Road, Los Gatos
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
San Jose Dance Company presents their return to live, in-person (and streamed) events with their spring show, Looking Back, Seeing Forward.
San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles
Friday–Sunday, June 18–20, 11am–3pm | $8 General
520 South First St, San Jose
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
The SJMQT (emphasis on QT!) re-opens to the public with new hours June 18–20. Featured exhibits include work by artists Kira Dominguez Hultgren, Ryan Carrington, and American Tapestry Biennial 13.There will be a sneak peak Member & Artists Only event the weekend prior. Reservations recommended, but not required.
Pruneyard Open Air Pop-Up Artisan Market
Saturday-Sunday, June 26–27, 10am–5pm
1875 S Bascom Ave, Campbell
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
Pruneyard Shopping Center has invited a parking lot full of local arts and crafts vendors to sell their wares over two days in the safety of the great outdoors. Artisan booths will line the parking lot at the Union Avenue entrance near the Highway 17 overpass.
JULY
Online | Starover Blue
Saturday, July 24, 8:30pm | Free
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
This California/Oregon pop band are a dreamy ensemble whose album Ordinary Magic is one that should be heard live. Luckily, Art Boutiki Music Hall is making that happen. One of the few venues in the South Bay to keep live music, well, live, the “geekeasy” has been streaming performances from their incomparable studio for over a year now.
2021 Gilroy Garlic Festival
Friday–Sunday, July 23–25, July 30–Aug 1
Several locations
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
The “world’s greatest summer food festival” returns with a bevy of food and entertainment options for those at home around the world and locally.
Joe Bonamassa
Friday, July 30, 8pm | $82
San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
The Grammy-winning jazz and blues guitarist spends the night with us on his U.S. tour. All rescheduled 2020 tickets will be honored.
AUGUST
Street MRKT + South FIRST Fridays
Friday, Aug 6, 5–9pm | Free
S First Street between San Carlos Street and William Street, San Jose
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
The streets are back, from the booths and artists to the galleries and exhibits spilling out onto the sidewalks. Street MRKT is back for the first Fridays of August, September and December. Get thee to SoFA District for the food, the jacaranda trees and the artists doing what they love to do in San Jose.
Country | Dierks Bentley
Sunday, Aug 22 | $75+
Shoreline Amphitheatre, One Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
Award-winning country music star Dierks Bentley opens up the long-awaited concert season at Shoreline Amphitheatre.
20 PearFect Years, Now 20 More
Image courtesy Pear Theatre.
Season begins Fri, Aug 20
Pear Theatre, 1110 La Avenida St, Mountain View
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
Pear Theatre is incredibly proud to introduce their 20th season: 20 PearFect Years, Now 20 More. This season will bring audiences back into the building for familiar faces and experimental productions. Subscriptions are available beginning in July and individual tickets can be purchased by visiting thepear.org or calling 650.254.1148.
Silicon Valley PRIDE 2021
Saturday, Aug 28–29
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
Silicon Valley’s largest Pride gathering celebrates 45 years as a champion for the lives and livelihoods of those in our South Bay LGBTQ+ communities.
Rock | Caifanes
Saturday, Aug 29, 8pm
San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
Legendary Mexican rockers Caifanes bring their big show and sound to downtown San Jose.
SEPTEMBER
Electro Pop | MitiS
Saturday, Sep 4, 8pm | $29
San Jose Civic, 135 W San Carlos St, San Jose
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
Pianist-producer-turned-brilliant-pop-artist MitiS is embarking on a world tour and San Jose is one of his stops. Fans can stretch out the summer with a little “music for the soul.”
Korn & Staind
Saturday, Sep 11, 6:30pm | $22+
Shoreline Amphitheatre, One Amphitheatre Pkwy, Mountain View
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
If one wanted to party as though it is 2001, they’d be pleased to know that the bands Korn and Staind are ready to make that happen.
7th Annual San Jose Poetry Festival
Saturday–Sunday, Sep 11–19
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
San Jose’s premier poetry and literature festival brings to its newly international audience a live and online experience with guest performers from all over California, the U.S. and beyond.
The Mosaic Festival Silicon Valley
Saturday, Sep 25
More info, tickets and guidelines here.
The Silicon Valley chapter of Mosaic brings together a diverse community gathered around history, culture and identity—one that celebrates the art and heritage that represents the people of Silicon Valley.
Must-See Events for Silicon Valley: Week of May 19 
Axe This Year 
