Free Music Series Thursday Live on California Avenue Announced
Published on May 21, 2026
New event series attracts local musicians, offers multiple concerts, themed experiences and community connection to Cal Ave.
PALO ALTO, CALIF. – The City of Palo Alto, in partnership with the Palo Alto Recreation Foundation, and signature event series sponsors including Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan, Stanford Research Park, and the Palo Alto Weekly, announced today the launch of Thursday Live on Cal Ave., a free outdoor concert series bringing together local musical talent, themed experiences and community activity to California Avenue.
Thursday Live on Cal Ave. is a new music event series of six signature dates, held one Thursday each month from 5 to 8 p.m., spanning May through September, and a special October event set for a Saturday. Thursday Live on Cal Ave. will transform car free Cal Ave. into a lively gathering space with popular, local music talent, interactive activities, free giveaways, games and themed programming for all ages. Attendees are encouraged to stay, dine, shop and explore Cal Ave. before and after each event.
“Thursday Live is a fresh and vibrant way to bring people together to celebrate the vitality of our community,” said Vicki Veenker, Palo Alto mayor. “California Avenue has always been a special place to gather, and this new music series creates even more opportunities for residents and visitors to connect, enjoy local businesses and experience Palo Alto in a fun and welcoming way.”
Palo Alto Recreation Foundation has been a partner with the City of Palo Alto since 1989, with a mission to support Palo Alto’s Recreation Division, enhancing programming and special events to promote the social, cultural, and recreational needs of Palo Alto, the broader regional community and visitors to Palo Alto. The Foundation was a natural partner for the California Avenue event series because of its strong event-planning experience and its community-centered approach to producing Thursday Live on Cal Ave.
“We’re excited to partner with the City to activate Cal Ave. with experiences that feel both engaging and accessible,” said Mora Oommen, Palo Alto Recreation Foundation board chair. “Each event offers something a little different — from music and movement to food and community — creating a space where people can come together and enjoy the moment.”
Thursday Live will feature a range of themed events throughout the season to connect the community together through music, activities, and more. Each event is free and open to the public. Building on the prior music and event series on Cal Ave., Thursday Live is expanding entertainment and activities on Cal Ave in response to positive feedback from both the community and businesses involved.
“Community partnerships and shared spaces are essential in building thriving communities," said Priscilla Chan. "Mark and I are proud to support local initiatives like this, and Thursday Live on Cal Ave. is an opportunity to continue to activate our public spaces and connect our community."
Thursday Live Confirmed Event Dates with Themes (held once a month from 5 to 8 p.m. on a Thursday, unless noted):
- May 28: Car show, presented by headlining sponsor Terún Pizzeria
- June 25: Taste of Cal Ave featuring world music
- July 30: Wine Walk, presented by headlining sponsor John Wade King
- Aug. 27: Wellness and End of Summer
- Sept. 24: Jazz and Harvest Fest
- Special Saturday event starting tentatively at 10 a.m., Oct. 31: Halloween and Oktoberfest
The series is part of a broader effort by the City and event partners and sponsors to support an economically vibrant and connected Cal Ave. The Stanford Research Park is a long-term supporter of continued activation and engagement on Cal Ave.
“Stanford Research Park is thrilled to sponsor Thursday Live, and encourage residents, visitors, employers and employees to visit and connect on Cal Ave.,” said Jamie Jarvis, Stanford Research Park executive director of strategic programs. “We are excited to offer the first 300 event attendees a free first aid kit on May 28. Pacific Art League will coordinate an all-ages craft activity, and a complimentary photo booth will be onsite to capture memories.”
The Cal. Ave. Business District offers a wide variety of boutiques, casual and upscale restaurants, art gallery, and is home to a year-round farmer’s market. The area has more than ten dynamic public artworks, from large scale permanently sited works to colorful murals and temporary installations. Connected regionally through a Caltrain stop, visiting Cal Ave. is easy whether you are driving, walking, biking or taking public transit.
Thursday Live Event Series Kickoff on May 28: Not to be missed, is the first event in the Thursday Live series. Coming up on Thursday, May 28, this inaugural event will showcase local favorite the Terún Family Band located at the Ash stage and the El Camino stage talent is local Palo Alto-based community favorite Past Curfew Band. Marcus from Marcus in The Morning on Star 101.3 will be the event’s emcee and host. Planned activities include a high-end luxury car show featuring a dozen cars and coordinated by Auto Vino, a kid zone, and community ribbon-cutting to launch the event series with City officials, community leaders, and more beginning at 6:00 p.m.
General Event Series Details
What: Thursday Live on Cal Ave. Event Series
When: Monthly, May through September, held on one Thursday per month, 5 to 8 p.m. with October held on Saturday, 10 a.m.
Where: Car Free Portion of Cal Ave., Palo Alto (on Cal Ave. between El Camino Real and Birch Street)
Cost: Free
Parking: Cal Ave. Business District offers several parking lots, and the Cal Ave. parking garage located at 350 Sherman offers 627 parking spaces and over 50 bicycle parking spaces.
Biking to Cal Ave.: Community members are encouraged to ride their bikes to Cal Ave. for Thursday Live. There is plenty of bicycle parking spaces. Click for a map of bike routes.
Calling All Performing Artists: Thursday Live is always looking for entertainment, music, dance, and performing artists. To be considered for Thursday Live, please reach out to Entertainment Chair Mike Annuzzi at thursdaylivebooking@gmail.com.
Visit Thursday Live online.
Thank you to Thursday Live Event Series Sponsors