.jpg) The Plaza de César Chávez withSt. Joseph's Cathedral-Basilica in the background. | |
 | |
| Former name(s) | Plaza del Pueblo Plaza Mayor Market Plaza |
|---|---|
| Area | 2.3 acres (0.93 ha) |
| Location | San Jose, California |
| Coordinates | 37°19′55″N121°53′24″W / 37.332°N 121.89°W /37.332; -121.89 |
| Construction | |
| Foundation | 1797 |
ThePlaza de César Chávez is an urbanplaza and park inDowntown San Jose,California.[1] The plaza's origins date to 1797 as theplaza mayor of theSpanishPueblo de San José de Guadalupe, making it the oldestpublic space inNorthern California. The plaza was rededicated after Californiancivil rights activistCésar Chávez in 1993.
The Plaza de César Chávez is one of San Jose's primary civic spaces and the historic center of Downtown San Jose. It is bounded by numerous San Jose institutions and landmarks, includingThe Tech Museum of Innovation, theSan Jose Museum of Art,City National Civic,San Jose State University, andCircle of Palms Plaza. The plaza hosts numerous notable events, including theSan Jose Jazz Festival,Music in the Park andChristmas in the Park.
The Plaza was established whenSan Jose moved from its original location on the bank of theGuadalupe River to the current downtown location in 1797 and has been in use ever since, making it the oldest public open space in California.[citation needed]
The present-day park was the site of California's capitol from 1849 to 1851, a period during which theCalifornia Republic gained Americanstatehood; hence, the site contained California's first state capitol. From 1889 to 1958, San Jose's city hall occupied the center of the park before the local government moved it northward to North First and Mission Streets.[2] Today,San Jose City Hall is located nearby on Santa Clara Street.
TheFairmont San Jose's main tower was built in 1997, while its annex tower was completed in 2002.[citation needed]
At different times of the year it hosts livemusic, culturalfestivals,arts and crafts fairs,food shows, the official cityChristmas tree, waterfountains, and open-airtheater.
TheSan Jose Fountain Blues & Brews Festival is a two-day recurring event every summer. Founded in 1981, it is the longest-running blues festival on the West Coast.
TheMusic in the Park concert series has been held in the park since 1988, except duringthe 2020 pandemic and in 2011 and 2012, when security issues forced the organizer of the formerly free series to take a break and return as a ticketed event.[3][4]
TheSan Jose Jazz Summer Fest has its main stage in the park.
Since 2015,Silicon Valley Pride has been held in the vicinity of the plaza, which had hosted the event in the 1980s as well.
Every winter fromThanksgiving untilNew Year's it hosts theChristmas in the Park.
At the south end of the plaza is the statue ofQuetzalcóatl byRobert Graham.
In 2023, a group of San Jose civic leaders formed a Plaza Conservancy,[5] a non-profit organization that intends to encourage public use of Plaza de Cesar Chavez and enhance the experience for park visitors through restoration and stewardship.
.jpg)
.jpg)
