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Join Us at Glen Fest 2026

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 23:20:35 GMT

Celebrate the Willow Glen community with a day of food, shopping, and live music.

Plan to attend the 3rd Annual Glen Fest on September 26th, 2026, from 11 am - 6pm for our largest community event of the year! Unique food from local vendors will be offered for purchase, as well as beer, wine and refreshments. Live bands will be pumping out the tunes throughout the event, so come get your groove on with your friends and family. The kids court will feature bouncy houses, face painting, local sports teams and more.

Location: Bank of America Lot, 1245 Lincoln Ave.

Event Details: https://www.willowglen.org/glen-fest

Interested in becoming a Glen Fest sponsor?

Early Bird commitment is 10% off until 5/1/2026

Glen Fest 2025 Recap — What a Day!

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 17:14:40 GMT

Highlights from our community event

Did you make it out to GLeN FeST on Saturday, September 27? It was a blast—delicious food, refreshing drinks, great live music, and that unbeatable Willow Glen community vibe.

Highlights included a packed Kid’s Court with special guests @eklund_72 and @timothyliljegren from the @sanjosesharks signing autographs and taking photos, followed by a high-energy set from @houserockers that kept Lincoln Ave dancing into the evening. Between the 10+ local food trucks and vendors, family activities, and non-stop entertainment, there was something for everyone.

Huge thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, Willow Glen Business Association board members and event coordinators, all food, beverage, and entertainment vendors—and of course the Willow Glen community—for making this one of the best events of the year.

Already counting down to next year. Until then, peek at the photo highlights and relive the day!

The Garden Theatre: A Willow Glen Landmark

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 21:43:22 GMT

From neighborhood cinema to glowing landmark on Lincoln Avenue

The Garden Theatre has been a familiar sight in the heart of Willow Glen for more than seven decades. While its role in the community has evolved, the preserved facade and glowing neon marquee continue to connect residents with a rich cultural past.

Opening Night in 1949

The theatre opened its doors on June 22, 1949, designed by architect Otto A. Deichman. Operated by General Theatrical, it quickly became a hub for Willow Glen families to enjoy the latest first-run films without traveling into downtown San Jose.

Changing Screens

Through the 1950s and 1960s, the Garden Theatre thrived as a local cinema. By the mid-1970s, however, it shifted to screening Spanish-language films, reflecting the neighborhood’s growing Latino community. This chapter lasted for more than a decade until the programming became unprofitable. In 1988, the Garden Theatre closed its doors.

Conversion and Preservation

In 1989, the interior of the theatre was gutted and redeveloped into an office and retail mall. Yet not all was lost—its iconic facade, marquee, and vertical sign were preserved. To this day, the neon lights still illuminate nightly, a nostalgic reminder of its place in Willow Glen’s history.

Artistic Legacy

Before the conversion, significant artistic elements were carefully removed. Murals by the Anthony B. Heinsbergen decorating company and the bas-relief friezes from the lobby were saved. Some of these pieces, including etched glass doors and mural figures, found new homes in historic theatres like the Orinda Theatre and the Oaks Theatre in Berkeley, preserving fragments of the Garden’s artistry.

A Community Icon

Although no longer a working theatre, the Garden’s presence continues to anchor Lincoln Avenue. Its preserved marquee and glowing sign remind passersby of summer nights at the movies, the smell of popcorn, and the sense of community that defined Willow Glen in the mid-20th century.

The Garden Theatre remains more than just a building—it’s a landmark of Willow Glen’s cultural story, where history and modern life meet under the glow of neon lights.