San Jose Day Recap – A Week We’re Still Buzzing From
San Jose Day number seven is officially a wrap… but is it really tho?! The energy, the community, the vibes are still alive and well—especially since the artists' exhibition is still on display through May. You can literally feel the positivity radiating from the walls. Over the weekend, hundreds showed up, early birds scored the art, and Foxtale Fermentation kegs were tapped mid-show. Ritmos Latinos kept the beat alive, and honestly? It was impossible not to move—inside or outside the gallery.
In an age of social media hustle, where everyone’s doing backflips to get attention, we leaned into simplicity. No sneak peeks. No circus acts. Just word of mouth and real connection. And it worked. Because when you create a space where families and friends feel welcome and safe, people show up with their whole hearts. That’s the kind of energy we’re about—and we’re staying rooted in that authenticity.
SJ Day 2025: More Than a Day, It Was a Movement
This year’s San Jose Day felt bigger, more alive. It stretched into a full-on week, almost like a cousin of San Jose Walls—and we were here for every moment. 408 Day kicked it all off with a dope documentary From San Jose With Love spotlighting creatives who are either born-and-raised or now call this city home. You can watch it on YouTube HERE —it's a solid 30 minutes packed with raw stories from some seriously inspiring humans.
The film features local powerhouses like Jorge Camacho (Jduh), Ellina Yin (Only In SJ), Alex Knowbody, (A Photo Night in Japantown ), and Executive Director Haley Cardemon, just to name a few. The premiere also hosted a panel discussion that dove deeper into their journeys—big respect to everyone who’s been hustling behind the scenes for the last decade to make cool stuff happen in the 408.
Art, Fashion, and All the Funky in Between
On Tuesday, April 8, the true spirit behind San Jose Day was brought to life through "Handled", a custom 1-of-1 tote bag-themed show co-curated by Jorge Camacho and Cukui. This wasn’t your average art show—it was an ode to upcycling, thrifting, and South Bay fashion ingenuity. Seriously, shopping for a wardrobe has never been more inspiring or challenging, in the best way.
Boutiques have been popping up from festival markets to full-on brick-and-mortar shops, keeping clothes out of landfills and injecting personality back into fashion. If you haven’t caught this exhibit yet, it’ll be on Cukui’s walls all month—go check it out.
Empire Seven Studios = Pure Vibes
Saturday’s pre-game party at Empire Seven Studios was next-level. Pure positivity. Our gallery keeps pushing boundaries with unique artworks, prints, sculptures, custom gear, and rad collabs. From Japanese calligrapher Hazu to Chicano historian Mr. 1777, our shelves reflect our community—nerdy, niche, and full of soul.
It’s an absolute joy when someone walks in and says, “I’ve been looking for this everywhere.” That’s the magic. That’s why we do what we do. We’re not here to compete—we’re here to curate with intention, bring something new to the table, and make space for everyone to thrive.
Viva Calle: Rolling Deep Through the 408
And then came Sunday, with Sunny, our official SJ Day mascot, smiling down from wherever mascots hang out. Viva Calle brought the city to life—streets shut down for bikes, boards, skates, and even those ridiculous (but awesome) scooter-coolers. The kids were out, training wheels and all, powering through the route like pros.
From Emma Prusch Park through a winding trail of 150+ vendors, food trucks, live art, and performances, it was a true celebration of San Jose's culture and creativity. The pit stop we co-curated? Hands down one of the best we’ve ever been a part of.
So yeah—if you missed it this year, we hope you’re feeling the FOMO just a little. Not in a petty way, but in that “dang, I need to catch this next time” way. More than anything, we’re just grateful. Grateful to participate, to host, to build with the SJ Day team, and to help shape a weekend that brought joy to so many.
Until next year, keep creating, keep showing up, and keep it 408. 💛
Photography by Alex Knowbody @alexknowbody www.alexknowbody.com