San Jose celebrates its annual 4/08 Day festival this week, marking the eighth year of the event that takes its name from the city’s area code.
The San Jose Day festival kicked off Tuesday evening with an art show at NOBLE Workshop & Gallery on South Almaden Boulevard. More than 100 local artists displayed works dedicated to the city, with DJ Cutso providing music.
The main event takes place Saturday, April 11, on Barack Obama Boulevard starting at 10 a.m. The free street festival features live music from San Jose Jazz, dance performances, more than 70 local vendors, food trucks and a lowrider car show.
Tattoo shops across the city launched one-day flash sales for 4/08 Day. Participating studios include Upscale Ink in Willow Glen, Blacksuit Tattoo, Vampire Battle Mansion, Humble Beginnings and about a dozen other shops. Sophia Reboja from Upscale Ink told NBC Bay Area that all their artists are from San Jose, and participating in 4/08 Day gives them a way to represent their community.
The festival grew from a 2017 interview with rapper Equipto. The first 4/08 Day took place in downtown San Jose as an intimate exhibition featuring 35 artists and 300 guests. Last year’s San Jose Day drew 15,000 people to East San Jose.
Other events leading up to Saturday include a photo walk hosted by SJ Shooters starting at Foto Express on East Santa Clara Street Friday at 5 p.m., a fashion show at Hotel De Anza and a Goldsprints bike race at Hapa’s Brewing Company.