Travelers seeking rich cultural experiences in Northern California have a standout date to add to their autumn itineraries. On Saturday, September 19, 2026, San José will host the 35th Annual Children’s Festival, locally celebrated as the Moon Festival or Tết Trung Thu. Held at Andrew P. Hill High School on Senter Road, this free public gathering provides international visitors and local residents a gateway to authentic Vietnamese art, traditional culinary delights, and community-led performances.
Rooted in centuries-old harvest celebrations marking the full moon of the eighth lunar month, the festival represents one of the largest Vietnamese cultural showcases in the Bay Area. Presented through collaborations involving the East Side Union High School District, martial arts organizations, and prominent regional arts institutions, the event highlights how cultural heritage thrives in the heart of Silicon Valley.
Schedule and Key Event Windows
The single-day event offers ten full hours of family-friendly activities, performances, and interactive art exhibits. Guests planning their day can reference the verified schedule to optimize their visit:
12:00 PM – General Gates Open: The school grounds welcome the public, with food trucks, artisan booths, and main stage cultural performances operating continuously until 10:00 PM.
12:00 PM to 5:30 PM – Interactive Folk Art Workshops: Specialized art booths hosted by regional cultural institutions, including the San José Museum of Art, offer hands-on folk art activities. Visitors can create tò he—a traditional Vietnamese folk art featuring sculpted figurines made from colored rice dough.
6:00 PM to 10:00 PM – Evening Festivities: As night falls, evening lantern displays, martial arts demonstrations, traditional calligraphy showcases, and live music highlights take center stage under the full moon.
Admission to the entire festival ground remains completely free, requiring no advance registration or tickets.
Ground Transportation and Logistics Strategy for Travelers
Attending a high-density community festival in East San José requires proactive travel planning, particularly regarding ground movement and parking. Because the venue sits on an active high school campus at 3200 Senter Road, localized traffic congestion is expected throughout the afternoon.
Transit and arrival recommendations include:
Ride-Sharing Services: Travelers arriving after 1:00 PM are strongly encouraged to utilize ride-sharing platforms such as Uber or Lyft to bypass campus parking restrictions and avoid residential street congestion.
Public Transportation: The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) operates direct bus routes along Senter Road, connecting passengers seamlessly from downtown San José transit centers to the event gates.
Payment Methods: While festival entry is free, food vendors, food trucks, and specialty market stalls operate independently. Most commercial vendors accept digital or contactless payments, but carrying small cash denominations is recommended for community-operated booths.
Cultural Etiquette and Community Impact
Tết Trung Thu is historically known as the Children’s Festival, placing family unity, youth participation, and intergenerational storytelling at the core of all activities. Visitors attending the event are welcomed to participate fully in folk games, sample traditional mooncakes, and watch martial arts showcases such as Vovinam.
To ensure a seamless experience, guests are advised to follow directions issued by student volunteers and event organizers, respect designated performance boundaries, and maintain a courteous distance when observing live calligraphy artists.
Beyond its immediate entertainment value, the San José Moon Festival serves as a significant economic and cultural driver for Santa Clara County. By transforming a local educational facility into a vibrant community gathering hub, the celebration showcases the diverse multicultural demographics that define modern San José, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into California’s rich immigrant heritage.
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