Looking for the coolest things to do in the South Bay as spring rolls in? From the best hiking trails to antiques shows and events celebrating this blooming time of year, we’ve got you covered. We’ve done the deep research for you on the best things to do in the South Bay this April including museums, cultural events and food tours and more. Speaking of food, we also have an extensive list of our best restaurants in the South Bay, and if you’re planning a weekend, the best places to stay.
Spring weather is lovely in the South Bay, with averages in the 60s and a few sunny 70s days sprinkled throughout.
Feature photo: Culture Night Market, courtesy of Plus Light Media.
April 4
Cupertino
Cupertino Civic Center, 10350 Torre Avenue
Earth Day is the world’s most widely celebrated secular holiday, and Cupertino won’t miss out on the big day. Visit Library Field Park to learn about sustainability and how to defend our environment against climate change. Not just educational and filled with interactive activities (which it is), this event will also host live music and food trucks, so you can turn up while protecting the Earth.
April 8
Menlo Park
Guild Theatre, 949 El Camino Real
You may know English musician Gary Numan from his 1979 smash hit “Cars,” but the synth-pop and new wave pioneer has no less than eight top 10 albums to his name. Thankfully for music fans, he’s been incredibly busy with new releases and touring the last few years. See Numan in one of the South Bay’s best music venues, and remind yourself just why icons as diverse as Trent Reznor, Prince, Lady Gaga and Kanye West have cited him as an influence.
April 11
San Jose
377 Santana Row
Stop by San José’s Santana Row for an open-air market filled with crafts, jewelry, plants, home goods and so much more. More than an opportunity to get some goodies, this event is also a chance to explore the offerings of Santana Row, including its world-class shops. Also, this is a “sip & stroll” event, so you can simultaneously enjoy food and drinks from the surrounding eateries.
April 19–May 3
San Jose
California Theatre, 345 South 1st Street
The season concludes with Verdi’s tragic love story, La Traviata. The scandalous love affair between the courtesan Violetta Valery and the young gentleman Alfredo Germont threatens to tear the fabric of the Parisian social order apart. Set during the construction of the Eiffel Tower, this glittering production brings us into the heart of French society and makes us a bystander to one of the greatest and saddest love stories of all time.
April 25
Los Gatos
30+ downtown shops and restaurants
Though the North Bay and Napa get lots of attention for wine, the South Bay also boasts a healthy wine scene. You can participate in this seasonal stroll through Downtown Los Gatos, wine glass in hand. For three hours, local shops, restaurants and wineries will offer food samples and wine tastings for rambling participants. This event typically sells out at 1,200 folks enjoying wine from primarily the Santa Cruz Mountains and the central coast region of California.
April 25–26
Cupertino
Memorial Park, 21121 Stevens Creek Boulevard
A weekend full of performances, exhibitions and Japanese-style vendors distinguishes this festival, named the “Best of the Best Family Event in Silicon Valley” by Bay Area Parent Magazine. With martial arts, bonsai and ikebana demonstrations, tea ceremonies and more, this festival celebrates the continued cultural exchange and friendship between Cupertino and its sister city, Toyokawa, Japan. Guests are invited to participate in crafts and activities, like making your own Hachimaki headband or taking a selfie in a kimono.
April 26
San Jose
Japantown, 640 North 5th Street
Lovingly put together by community members tied to San Jose’s Japantown, the Nikkei Matsuri festival celebrates and perpetuates Japanese American culture. In Japanese, matsuri means “festival,” and Nikkei refers to the Japanese diaspora and their unique identity. Accordingly, this festival has celebrated San Jose’s Nikkei community for decades, leading to this year’s 48th annual festival. Take part to enjoy the day’s artisan shops, cultural exhibits and delicious food.
