There is something special about a local event that lets you experience a neighborhood beyond its usual errands and commute. Over the next two weekends, Santa Clara County offers three very different ways to gather: a food and music festival in Willow Glen, a downtown San Jose basketball celebration, and a long-running parade in Santa Clara. Here is what each outing offers and how to plan your visit.

Glen Fest: an afternoon in Downtown Willow Glen

Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 11 a.m.–6 p.m. | Bank of America lot, 1245 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose

The third annual Glen Fest brings food vendors, beer and wine, live bands, and family activities to Downtown Willow Glen. The Willow Glen Business Association lists a kids’ area with bounce houses, face painting, and a photo booth. The event is open to the public; food and drinks are available for purchase. Willow Glen Business Association | Visit San Jose location listing

This is the kind of outing that works at several speeds. Come for lunch and music, make an afternoon of it with children, or use the festival as a starting point for a stroll along Lincoln Avenue. The neighborhood’s tree-lined downtown has cafes and independent businesses close together, so you can explore more than the festival footprint. Expect a lively central area and allow extra time to park and walk in.

For someone considering a move, an event like Glen Fest shows a practical side of neighborhood life: where people meet, how easy it is to spend time outdoors, and what the commercial district feels like when it is full of neighbors. It is a snapshot, of course, not a substitute for visiting on an ordinary weekday.

Slam Jose!: basketball and a downtown block-party atmosphere

Saturday–Sunday, September 26–27, 2026 | Downtown San Jose, 1 Paseo de San Antonio

Slam Jose! is built around 3-on-3 basketball, with men's, women's, and wheelchair pro-am divisions, plus music, food trucks, vendors, and contests. The organizer describes a partnership between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley and the San Jose Sports Authority. Spectators can RSVP for free; playing on a registered team has a fee. Slam Jose! organizer | Visit San Jose event listing

You do not need to play to enjoy it. Watch a few games, explore the vendor area, grab something to eat, and take in the energy of a public sports event in the heart of the city. Families with young basketball fans may especially enjoy seeing a range of players and skills up close. The organizer also lists a dunk contest for Sunday and shooting contests among the activities.

Planning note: the organizer's landing page lists Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and references both September 26 and 27. Visit San Jose lists 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday, and displays two different venue addresses on the same page. Use the organizer's 1 Paseo de San Antonio location and confirm the final daily schedule and entrance before leaving home. If you intend to register a team, check eligibility, fees, and the organizer's current deadline directly rather than relying on a general event listing.

Santa Clara Parade of Champions: a full day of community tradition

Saturday, October 3, 2026 | Festival 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; parade scheduled 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | Historic Downtown Santa Clara, around Franklin Square

The 57th Santa Clara Parade of Champions and Festival offers much more than a parade route. The organizer's current program starts with an optional ticketed Breakfast of Champions from 8 to 10 a.m. at American Legion 419, 958 Homestead Road. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 10 a.m., followed by the parade from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Sports FAN Zone and street food area are planned from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with community booths, performances, and activities for children. General festival admission is free; breakfast and reserved seating cost extra. Parade organizer and schedule | Event overview

This is a good pick if you want a full outing. Watch marching and community bands, dance and drill teams, and locally built floats, then stay for the food vendors and activities. The festival celebrates both athletic achievement and people who contribute to the community. Families can choose a short parade visit or spend several hours exploring the different zones.

Plan your arrival carefully. The organizer says parade-route traffic restrictions begin around 10 a.m., and portions of Monroe and Jackson streets remain closed later for festival activity. Its FAQ lists parking options and recommends parking outside the route if you need to leave before the parade ends. Check the current map and closures before driving, especially if you are coming from Almaden Valley or another part of the county. Parade FAQ and parking

Three events, three ways to experience local life

Glen Fest centers on a neighborhood shopping street and its food and music scene. Slam Jose! turns public space into a place to play and cheer. The Parade of Champions brings generations together around a Santa Clara tradition. Each offers a different look at the people and places that make up Santa Clara County.

Pick the outing that suits your weekend—or make time for all three. Check the linked organizer pages shortly before attending, since schedules, locations, weather plans, and road closures can change.