Friend Fest is back? Let's goooo!!
Happening on Feb. 22-23, 2025, our fifth annual Friend Fest will feature 250+ makers, artists, artisans, designers & creative small businesses all celebrating best friends, new friends, old friends, "we're just friends", "wanna be more than friends" or whatever!
In addition to our large scale friendship inspired vendor marketplace, Friend Fest 2025 will feature lots and lots of special Friend Fest programming and activities, special Friend Fest door giveaways and most importantly, lots and lots of friendship vibes.
Plus special Friend Fest event experiences for friends, roommates (😳), siblings, lovers, loners, enemies (but soon to be friends). Stay tuned for special programming announcements, coming soon.
Located at South Hall (435 S. Market Street, San José, CA). Open from 11 am to 6 pm each day. Free admission. All ages. Indoor venue. Strict service animals only policy.
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Event Map & Vendor Lineup
View the Vendor Lineup w/ Instagram Links in Google Sheets
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Parking
For those driving to the event, we highly recommend using the ParkSJ website to find a nearby parking lot or parking garage. The nearest lots are:
While there is a lot on-site at South Hall, the lot will be almost–if not completely–full by the time the event begins, due to the vendors using this lot for their own parking.
On Sunday, most street parking in downtown San José is free all day. Please check the parking signs in the area in which you are parking before leaving your vehicle.
Door Giveaway
This year's giveaway item is an exclusive Friend Fest 2025 grocery bag featuring the Friend Fest logo and icon design by Kai Kwong of dollgirls / Slumptown Supply Co. We'll be giving these away to the first 1,000 attendees through the door each day.
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Special Programming: Felt Pizza Making with BB Mad Designs!
Learn how to felt with BB Mad Designs at Friend Fest. BB Mad Designs will be leading participants through the process of making their very own 100% wool pizza slices, with toppings and all! This is a welt felting class so please come prepared to get your hands soapy and wet. Towels will be provided to help keep things dry. The class will take about an hour and a half to complete. At the end of the workshop you will leave with your beautiful creation! BB Mad Designs will also be selling brand new blocks, needles and kits will be available to purchase if you want to continue your felting journey!
NOTE: If you are inline out front and your time slot is within 30 minutes, please go to the front entrance and show staff your ticket so you don't wait in line.
PRICE: $10 per person (or $15 for a two people)
Reserve your spot in advance. 75% of spots each day are available for pre-order, the rest will be available for walkups at event. Limited to 100 participants per day.
Follow BB Mad Designs on Instagram
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Special Programming: Keyboard Keycap Making with Tiny Makes Things
Join Tiny Makes Things and Tiny Keyboard Shop for their always super popular DIY Keycap Making Station.
Price: $10 per person. First come first serve. Approximately 20 people per session with each session taking about one hour (30-45 mins to sculpt with 20 mins to bake the keycap). Limited to 100-150 people per day.
Follow Tiny Makes Things on Instagram / TikTok
Follow Tiny Keyboard Shop on Instagram
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Special Programming: Special High-Angle Photo Booth Experience by Y2K Glam Shotz
SJMADE favorite Y2K Glam Shotz returns with a special new high-angle photo booth experience. We're so excited about this as these types of photo booths directly inspired this year's Friend Fest 2025 event poster illustrations! Preview photos coming soon though if you search online for "high angle photo booth" you should be able to get a sense of what the experience will be like!
PRICE: $7 per photo session. First come first serve. 2 poses per photo booth session for you and your besties. Due to space restrictions, there will be a strict limit of 4 people max per session. You will receive 2 wallet size prints of each pose per session, a total of 4 prints. $5 for extra prints.
View photo booth photos from past SJMADE events
Follow Y2K Glam Shotz on Instagram
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Special Programming: Free Friendship Bracelet Making Station
San José Made will be setting up a free Friendship Bracelet Making Station at Friend Fest 2025. Attendees are encouraged to take a rest from all the amazing Friend Fest 2025 booths and activities, and spend some time leaning into the nostalgia of friendship bracelet making! String and charms will be provided for free (while supplies last).