From world-class performing arts to beloved local festivals, Silicon Valley’s cultural scene continues to thrive. Here are the venues, companies and events that make the South Bay a stage for artistic expression.
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Best Author Readings
Gold Award Winner
Center for Literary Arts
Silver
Tshaka Campbell
Bronze
Flash Fiction Forum
Best Ballet Company
Gold Award Winner
San Jose Dance Theatre
Silver
New Ballet
Bronze
Los Gatos Ballet
Best Comedy Night
Gold Award Winner
7 Stars Bar and Grill
Silver
Open Mic, San Jose Improv
Bronze
Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Club
Best Cover Band / Best Local Band
Gold Award Winner
The Houserockers
Silver
Lavender Fields Band
Bronze
Hootenanny! (Best Cover Band)
Deathgrave (Best Local Band)
Best Dance Company
Gold Award Winner
Los Lupeños de San Jose
Silver
Grupo Folklorico Los Laureles
Bronze
San Jose Dance Theatre
Best DJ Night
Gold Award Winner
The Ritz
Silver
Cardiff Cocktails
Bronze
The Caravan
Best Festival — Central Silicon Valley
Gold Award Winner
Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival
Silver
Local Artist Street Fair, Makers Market
Bronze
Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival
Best Festival — San Jose
Gold Award Winner
Christmas in the Park
Silver
Japantown Obon Festival
Bronze
San Jose Jazz Festival
Best Festival — West Valley
Gold Award Winner
Campbell Oktoberfest
Silver
Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival
Bronze
Boogie Music Festival (Campbell)
Best Gallery Openings
Gold Award Winner
New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU)
Silver
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
Bronze
Empire Seven Studios
Best Jazz/Blues Club
Gold Award Winner
Poor House Bistro
Silver
Art Boutiki Music Hall
Bronze
SJZ Break Room
Best Karaoke
Gold Award Winner
7 Bamboo
Silver
7 Stars Bar and Grill
Bronze
Khartoum
Best Live Music Venue — Large
Gold Award Winner
Mountain Winery
Silver
Shoreline Amphitheatre
Bronze
Montalvo Arts Center
Best Media Personality
Gold Award Winner
Sal Pizarro
Silver
Chris Jackson — KFOX
Bronze
Robert Handa — NBC Bay Area
Best Movie Theater
Gold Award Winner
Pruneyard Cinemas
Silver
3Below Theaters
Bronze
CineLux Los Gatos Theatre
Best Museum
Gold Award Winner
The Tech Museum of Innovation
Silver
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
Bronze
Winchester Mystery House
Best Music Festival
Gold Award Winner
Boogie Music Festival (Campbell)
Silver
San Jose Jazz Summer Fest
Bronze
SoFA Street Fair
Best Outdoor Art Event
Gold Award Winner
Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival
Silver
Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival
Bronze
SubZERO Festival
Best Outdoor Music Venue
Gold Award Winner
Mountain Winery
Silver
Music in the Park
Bronze
Campbell Music in the Park
Best Performing Arts Center
Gold Award Winner
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts
Silver
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts
Bronze
Hammer Theatre Center
Best Place to Dance
Gold Award Winner
The Ritz
Silver
Number 1 Broadway
Best Place to Discover Local Musicians
Gold Award Winner
Poor House Bistro
Silver
The Caravan
Bronze
Boogie Music Festival (Campbell)
Best Small Museum
Gold Award Winner
Japanese American Museum of San Jose
Silver (tie)
San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles | New Museum Los Gatos (NUMU)
Best Theater Company — Small
Gold Award Winner
South Bay Musical Theatre
Silver
City Lights Theater Company
Bronze
San Jose Stage
Best Trivia Night
Gold Award Winner
Risky Quizness
Silver
7 Stars Bar and Grill
Bronze
Trials Pub
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The Best of Silicon Valley 2025 represents the choices of Metro Silicon Valley readers.
