Join us in San José all month for these exciting free and family-friendly events:
Sept. 8-Nov. 30
Pinoytown Rising Exhibit
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library
October 3
FAHM Proclamation
San José City Hall
1PM-1:30PM
October 7
Pinoytown Art Walk
San José Japantown
2-7PM
October 8
Pinoytown Tour
San José Japantown
10-12PM
October 13
Flag Raising & Lighting Ceremony
San José City Hall
5-8PM
October 15
Pinoytown Tour
San José Japantown
10-12PM
October 20
FAHM Jam
Garden at the Flea
5-9PM
October 22
Pinoytown Tour
San José Japantown
10-12PM
October 28
Bahay! Open Mic
Philz Downtown San José | 6-8PM
Event Descriptions
The exhibit focuses on the “First Wave” Filipinos who immigrated to the U.S. and settled in the Santa Clara Valley during the first half of the 20th century. Many worked in agriculture and settled in San José’s “Pinoytown,” an area nestled between Heinlenville Chinatown and Japantown. Attendees can expect a rich display of artifacts, historical photographs, traditional clothing, uniforms, and various materials generously loaned by the descendants of these pioneer families.
More Details
- When: September 8 – November 30, 2023
- Where: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, California Room, 5th floor
- Cost: Free
Join us as San José City Councilmembers David Cohen & Peter Ortiz recognize Filipino American History Month and Filipino Americans Coming Together in San José Coalition (FACTsj).
More Details
- When: October 3 from 1-2PM (during City Council Meeting)
- Where: San José City Hall, City Council Chambers in the Rotunda
- Cost: Free
The 2023 Inaugural Pinoytown ArtWalk is a dynamic Filipino American History Month celebration that honors the creativity of local artists, pays homage to historical significance, promotes present-day businesses, and captures the enduring contributions of Filipino Americans to the culture and economy of San Jose & the Santa Clara Valley.
Event Info or Artist/Vendor Applications
https://www.fahmjam.com/pinoytownartwalk/
More Details
- When: October 7 from 2-7PM
- Where: San José Japantown (208 Jackson St, San Jose, CA 95112)
- Cost: Free
FANHS-SCV and Robert Ragsac presents Pinoytown Historical Walking Tours every Sunday in October in celebration of Filipino American History Month.
A Pinoytown that once existed in San Jose’s Japantown, during the early 1930s and 1950s where Filipino families once thrived. They owned businesses and a community where majority of their residents were Filipino. We are here to revive the history….relive the stories..and keep the memories alive of our ancestors.
If you have any questions please email us at pinoytownsj@gmail.com
More Details
- When: October 8,15,22,29 from 10-12PM
- Where: San José Japantown (208 Jackson St, San Jose, CA 95112)
- Cost: Free
- Attendees must RSVP (first come, first serve)
Filipino American History Month (FAHM) was first celebrated in 1992 and has become an annual tradition celebrated by Filipina/x/o Americans across the United States every October.
Please join the members and families of the Filipino Americans Coming Together (FACT) San Jose Coalition , San Jose Councilmember David Cohen, and San Jose Councilmember Peter Ortiz for our annual celebration of Filipino American History Month at the Filipino Flag Raising and Lighting Ceremony at San Jose City Hall!
The evening program will include community and civic leaders, a live Rondalla ensemble, Filipino cultural and artistic performances, and nonprofit service providers, and free food for the first 100 attendees.
For any questions, please email us at info@leadfilipino.org
More Details
- When: October 13 from 5-8PM
- Where: San José City Hall (200 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95112)
- Cost: Free
- Attendees must RSVP (food is first come, first serve)
- We recommend parking at the 4th & St. John Garage (Please bring your parking ticket to be validated)
- Register here
October is Filipino-American History Month! Celebrate with us on Friday, October 20th at the Garden at the Flea. Showcasing the Bay Area’s Filipino American culture through live music, food, fashion, artists, small business, & more!
For event updates:
- Visit www.fahmjam.com
- Follow instagram.com/fahm_jam
More Details
- When: October 20 from 5-9PM
- Where: Garden at the Flea (1590 Berryessa Rd. San Jose)
- Cost: Free
Bahay! Home of the Kreatives is a community-made environment, where local FilAm,
AAPI, BIPOC, Queer, and Trans creatives are invited in to help shape what a safe, healing, and sharing space looks and feels like in the heart of the ever-changing San Jose.
Bahay!’s Open Mic Events are a growing community in the arts and culture scene, providing a space for artists to showcase their work, and for our community to engage, support, and connect with local talent. Our open mics are held once a month on every on the 4th Saturday and showcase a range of art forms, including small local art exhibitions, and local vendors.
More Details
- When: October 28 from 6-8PM
- Where: Philz Coffee in downtown San José (118 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95112)
- Cost: Free
- Register here
About Filipino American History Month
The celebration of Filipino American History Month (FAHM) in October commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States, which occurred on October 18, 1587, when “Luzones Indios” came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California. In 2009, U.S. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in the United States. Various states, counties, and cities in the U.S. have established proclamations and resolutions declaring observance of Filipino American History Month. The late Dr. Fred Cordova, along with his wife, FANHS Founder Dr. Dorothy Laigo Cordova, first introduced October as Filipino American History Month in 1992 with a resolution from the FANHS National Board of Trustees (FANHS).
Although the month was first recognized and celebrated officially in 1992, Filipinxs/as/os have informally celebrated our community’s contributions and experiences in America.
Special Acknowledgements
Our annual FAHM events are produced and hosted by the Filipino Americans Coming Together in San José Coalition also known as FACTsj. The partners in our coalition include:
We’d also like to thank the following sponsors and partners who support our programming and events. We appreciate your continuous partnership in helping celebrate the Filipinx/o/a American community in San José.
Volunteer with Us
Join us as a volunteer for any of our FAHM Events. Check out the different opportunities below. For any questions, please email us at info@leadfilipino.org
