AccessAlmaden - What’s Happening in Almaden Valley

19th Annual Harvest Festival at the Almaden Community Center

19th Annual Harvest Festival at the Almaden Community CenterIt’s almost time for the 19th Annual Harvest Festival at the Almaden Community Center!

When: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: Almaden Community Center, 6445 Camden Ave., San Jose, CA 95120

Bring your family and friends and join in the fun!

• Holiday Boutique
• Haunted Hallway
• Bake Sale
• Pumpkin Patch
• Tiny Transylvania
• Raffle & Much More!

For more information about the 19th Annual Harvest Festival at the Almaden Community Center, call (408) 268-1133 or stop by the Almaden Community Center front desk.

Almaden Valley is a great place to live! Looking to buy or sell? Contact The Swan!

Mining Museum Tour at Casa Grande

Sign up nowMining Museum tour at Casa Grande for the upcoming Mining Museum Tour at Casa Grande – Almaden Quicksilver County Park!

Friday, September 4, 2026
10:00am – 11:30am

If the tour at @10am fills up, a second tour at 1pm may open.

Casa Grande – Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum
21350 Almaden Road
San José, CA 95120

During this 1-hour Mining Museum Tour at Casa Grande:

  • Discover how local cinnabar significantly impacted the California gold rush. Explore how cinnabar was mined and processed into mercury and hear about the lives of the hardworking miners and their families.
  • Witness authentic mining equipment and family artifacts used by the miners in their families.
  • After the museum tour, participants will have 30 minutes to look at the museum exhibits on their own and visit the gift shop.

Limited space! Please only sign up a max of 4-5 people. If you know more people would like to join, please share the sign-up link.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Tour content is best for ages 9+.
  • Please, no food, drinks, or pets in the museum (service animals welcome).
  • If you would like to simply browse exhibits at your leisure, the museum is open to the public Saturdays and Sundays 12pm-4pm.
  • If you are part of a larger group that wants its own tour, has a minimum of 10 and maximum of 35 participants, please consider a Friday Group Tour.

Further questions? Email interp@prk.sccgov.org or call 408-918-7770.

Almaden Valley is a great place to live! Looking to buy or sell your home? Contact The Swan!

Charity Run at Almaden Lake Park

Sign up nowCharity Run at Almaden Lake Park to participate in the 10th Annual SJVRC One Mile for One Child Charity Run at Almaden Lake Park on Sunday, September 20, 2026.

Check-in begins at 7am and the race starts at 8:30am. Participants can choose from a one-mile run, 5K or 10K, with virtual options also available.

Whether you participate or simply enjoy seeing neighbors come together for a community cause, events like this charity run are part of what gives Almaden Valley its strong neighborhood feel.

One Mile for One Child Charity Run
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Almaden Lake Park, 5989 Winfield Boulevard, San Jose

For more information, call SJVRC at 408-824-4425 or email sjvrc16@gmail.com

The SJVRC Mission

The SJVRC ONE MILE FOR ONE CHILD INC, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established with a vision to inspire and empower its members to adopt healthy lifestyles while creating opportunities for meaningful community engagement through volunteering and fundraising efforts aimed at supporting underprivileged children in Vietnam and across the globe.

Almaden Valley is a great place to live! Looking to buy or sell your home? Contact The Swan!

Almaden Community Center Fall 2026 Activity Guide

Almaden Community Center Fall 2026 Activity GuideThe Almaden Community Center Fall 2026 Activity Guide is now available! Instructors from Brick Tech, Futsol Kingz, Dance Arts Academy, Skyhawks, Young Rembrandts and more are back with fun and educational classes in basketball, golf, cheerleading, cartoon drawing, LEGO® creativity – the list goes on! You can also find information about the R.O.C.K. afterschool program and Camp San Jose Fall Break Camp, as well as special fall and winter events including the 19th Annual Harvest Festival and Boo-tique as well as Breakfast with Santa and the North Pole Party. There are so many great options to choose from, for families, kids, and adults of all ages.

Register online now or stop by the Almaden Community Center in person. For additional information about any Almaden Community Center classes, programs, and events, call the Almaden Community Center at 408-268-1133.

The Almaden Community Center is located at 6445 Camden Ave., San Jose, CA 95120.

Almaden Valley is a great place to live! Looking to buy or sell your home? Contact The Swan!

Fratello Marionettes Presents Carnival of the Animals

Fratello Marionettes Presents Carnival of the AnimalsBring the family to the Almaden Branch library Summer Learning finale: Fratello Marionettes presents Carnival of the Animals!

When: Thursday, July 30, 2026, 3:00PM – 4:00PM
Where: Almaden Library Community Room
6445 Camden Ave.
San Jose CA 95120

Saint-Saens’ fanciful score serves as a canvas upon which three classic storybook fairy tales are interwoven: “The Three Little Pigs”, “The Tortoise and the Hare”, and “The Ugly Duckling”. This production is performed without dialog, allowing the classical score to shine. The puppets and puppeteers perform on a raised stage, fully visible to the audience.

Fratello Marionettes has produced timeless marionette shows since 1989. Puppeteer Kevin Menegus brings classic stories and vignettes to life through hand-crafted marionettes. For more information about Fratello Marionettes, visit the website here.

Free. No registration required. Suitable for all ages.

For more information, contact Marie Sollitt at (408) 808-3040 or marie.sollitt@sjlibrary.org.

This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Almaden Library and the SJPL Foundation’s Pat Dando Endowment.

Almaden Valley is a great place to live! Looking to buy or sell your home? Contact The Swan!

Almaden Library Presents: NorCal Bats by Corky Quirk

NorCal Bats by Corky QuirkAlmaden Library Presents: NorCal Bats by Corky Quirk!

Come to the Almaden Library for an exciting, informative family program about bats presented by NorCal Bats by Corky Quirk.

When: Thursday, July 16, 2026, 3:00PM – 4:00PM
Where: Almaden Library Community Room
6445 Camden Ave.
San Jose CA 95120

In this program, participants will learn about the importance of bats to the environment and harmful myths that tend to surround bats. NorCal Bats is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of bats throughout Northern California. Live bats, native to California, will be safely present for viewing.

NorCal Bats is a Northern California-based rescue and educational organization founded by Corky Quirk, offering bat rehabilitation, bat walks, and public presentations. The group provides care for injured and orphaned bats and features non-releasable “ambassador bats” to educate the public about native bat species and dispel common myths.

Free. No registration required. Suitable for ages 5 and older.

For more information, contact Marie Sollitt at (408) 808-3040 or marie.sollitt@sjlibrary.org.

This program is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Almaden Library and the SJPL Foundation’s Pat Dando Endowment.

Almaden Valley is a great place to live! Looking to buy or sell your home? Contact The Swan!

Almaden Summer Concert Series 2026

Almaden Summer Concert Series 2026The Almaden Community Center has announced the entertainment lineup for the Almaden Summer Concert Series 2026 at Greystone Park!

Thursday July 9, 2026: The Iconics

From the The Iconics website: We are a 7-member band covering the most iconic 60’s Rock, Pop, Surf and Soul music. Let us transport you back to the early and vibrant days of rock ‘n’ roll!

Thursday July 16, 2026: Chain of Fools

From the Chain of Fools website: Chain of Fools is a hot rockin’ dance band playing new and classic rock and blues dance tunes, with outstanding lead vocals and harmonies, and smoking guitar licks.

Thursday July 23, 2026: Country Cougars

From the Country Cougars website: The Country Cougars are a hot rockin’ country band playing modern and classic country and are one of Northern California’s favorite bands! The energy of this band is high octane and can light a fire on any dance floor!

Thursday July 30, 2026: The Houserockers

From the Houserockers website: The Houserockers are a 10-piece Rock & Soul band from Northern California that plays the greatest songs ever recorded. With a wailing 5-piece horn section and rock solid rhythm section, we bring the timeless classics and today’s hits to life.

The Almaden Summer Concert Series 2026 shows are from 6:30-8 pm. Bring your own lawn chairs, drinks, and snacks and enjoy a great evening with your friends and family!

The Almaden Community Center has also partnered with Lazy Dog Restaurant on a fundraiser again! From Thursday, July 9 through Friday, July 31, you can support the Almaden Youth Advisory Council by showing the flyer available on the Almaden Community Center Facebook page to your server. 15% of your total bill will be donated back to the organization.

For more information about the concert series, check the Almaden Community Center Facebook page or call (408) 268-1133.

Greystone Park is located at Camden Avenue and Mt. Carmel Drive, San Jose, CA 95120.

Almaden Valley is a great place to live! Looking to buy or sell your home? Contact The Swan!

Family Storytime at Almaden Library

Family Storytime at Almaden LibraryJoin Family Storytime at Almaden Library on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 10:15am – 10:45am.

Storytime is a fun and interactive experience geared for children ages 0-5 and their parents/caregivers. Storytime promotes the joys of reading and learning through early literacy activities such as stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays, and movement activities.

Free, with limited capacity.

Seating for Storytime is available on a first-come, first-served basis. A limited number of tickets will be distributed at the Information Desk before Storytime. A second Storytime will be held if many families miss the first one.

This program is developed to align with the Early Education Quality Standards.

Family Storytime at Almaden Library is offered every Thursday from 10:15am – 10:45am.

Almaden Valley is a great place to live! Looking to buy or sell your home? Contact The Swan!

Water Lantern Festival at Almaden Lake Park 2026

Early bird tickets are on sale nowWater Lantern Festival at Almaden Lake Park 2026 for the Water Lantern Festival at Almaden Lake Park July 17-19, 2026. Along with entry to the festival, each adult and youth ticket comes with a floating lantern kit, entry into a scavenger hunt giveaway, and a gift pack with card games and a drawstring bag.

Event Schedule

Gates open at 5:30, when you and your family can enjoy food trucks, live music and fun! At 8:00 you’ll design your lantern, and then from 8:30 – 9:30 is the Lantern Launch, where you’ll witness the beauty of thousands of lanterns and their lights reflecting upon the water.

Eco-Conscious

Water Lantern Festival at Almaden Lake Park 2026 is committed to sustainability. The price covers the cost of collecting and removing the lanterns from the water following the event as well as cleaning up any trash that may have previously been in or around the water. The lanterns are biodegradable with paper covers and natural wood bases that return to the earth. The LED candles are reusable, recyclable, and battery-powered – no open flames.

What to Bring

In addition to your event ticket, bring lawn chairs, blankets, and sunscreen/bug spray, and wear weather appropriate clothes. Water Lantern Festival is rain or shine, though in severe weather (lightning, high winds) the event may be delayed or rescheduled. Any changes will be communicated via email and social media.

Learn more about this memorable, awe-inspiring event and get tickets on the Water Lantern Festival website.

Almaden Valley is a great place to live! Looking to buy or sell your home? Contact The Swan!

Mother’s Day 2026 in Almaden Valley

Mother's Day 2026 events in Almaden ValleyReserve space now for your Mother’s Day 2026 celebration!

Mothers and Flowers Hike 2026

When: Saturday, May 9, 2026, 9am -12pm
Where: Santa Teresa County Park, Stile Ranch Trailhead, 22581 San Vicente Avenue, San Jose, CA, 95120

Join Santa Clara County Park volunteers and the Friends of Santa Teresa Park members for a moderate 2.5-mile pre-Mother’s Day hike on the Stile Ranch, Mine, and Fortini trails. Learn about the mothers who were important to the history of the area. View late spring wildflowers display, look for wildlife, and take in the gorgeous views.

Parking is free but limited, so arrive with enough time to find a space. Bring water, sturdy shoes, hat, sunscreen, and snacks. Must be comfortable hiking on uneven surfaces with a moderate rocky slope.

For reservations or further information, click here: https://santaclaracountyparks.ticketspice.com/mothers-and-flowers-hike

La Forêt Mother’s Day Brunch

When: Sunday, May 11, 2025, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Where: La Forêt, 21747 Bertram Road, San Jose, CA 95120

La Forêt offers classic and authentic fine French dining in an old country setting. The historically significant building rests next to a quietly meandering stream in the verdant foothills of New Almaden. Their dedicated, fully-trained staff is available to offer an unpretentious but upscale dining experience, perfect for celebrating your mother.

Proper attire requested. For further information about their Mother’s Day 2026 brunch, call (408) 997-3458 or reserve your table here: https://www.laforetrestaurant.com/events/mothers-day-brunch.

Almaden Valley is a great place to live! Looking to buy or sell your home? Contact The Swan!