It’s a new year filled with great things to do in the South Bay and Peninsula. We’ve pulled together the best events, festivals, museum exhibitions and concerts of January to start your year off right. Whether you’re in San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Jose or elsewhere, there’s plenty to do.
Featured photo by Skyler Fusco (@slfusco on Instagram).
Through January 25
San Mateo
CuriOdyssey, 1651 Coyote Point Drive
For most of January, you can still play with colors and learn about light with CuriOdyssey’s seasonal exhibit IlluminOdyssey. The interactive San Mateo museum presents a maze of glowing projections and phosphorescent surfaces, where the whole family can learn about refraction, photoluminescence, color and the properties of light. Grab your lantern and bask in its glow!
January 1
Woodside
Filoli, 86 Cañada Road
Working on your New Year’s resolution but don’t want to stop celebrating just yet? Filoli is leading a boozy hike through a trail connected to its beautiful Woodside estate. This self-guided hike includes a bit of bubbles to start, mimosas at the halfway point and a poolside bloody Mary to finish. IT lasts from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
January 10
San Jose
Children's Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way
Celebrate Latino culture with Mariachi bands, dancing, crafts and more at the Children’s Discovery Museum in San Jose. El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos — Three Kings’ Day in English, or the Epiphany — ends the season of Christmas festivities and is widely celebrated in Spanish-speaking countries. Experience folkloric dance while enjoying a slice of King’s Cake in this vibrant event.
January 24-25
San Jose
California Theatre, 345 South 1st Street
Get out of the cold weather and cozy up while listening to top-notch classical music at the California Theatre. With a season running from winter to late spring, Symphony San José is a solid activity for a January afternoon or evening. This program features performances of Schubert’s Overture to Rosamunde; Jean Sibelius’s Violin Concerto; and Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 4.
January 3, 6, 10, 11 and 23
San Jose
SAP Center, 525 W Santa Clara Street
When we say the Bay Area has everything, we mean it. This is particularly true when it comes to sports. Case in point: the San Jose Sharks, who represent the NHL by hosting teams such as the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and even the New York Rangers. Don’t miss the chance to see the action on the ice up close, perhaps on one the Sharks’ beloved theme nights.
Event Venues
Looking to see what’s happening right now in the South Bay? Our comprehensive list of venues below will help you find what you need to know what’s going on.
Looking for more things to do in the area?
Visit our What to Do in Northern California page!