Although much of the traditional Downtown holiday celebrations had to be cancelled or re-imagined to comply with health orders this year, Downtown visitors are enjoying amazing visuals that cry out to be captured via Instagram, FaceTime and selfies.

Hosted by the City of San Jose, the star of the show Downtown is an ever-changing light projection that is animating the façade of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 80 S. Market Street. Called video mapping, the light show uses a state-of-the-art video projection system, specialized software, and a team of artists who bring the façade alive with moving images and sound. This emerging form of art, already popular in Europe and large cities, can also be found at Cinderella's castle in Walt Disney World and the Sydney Opera house in Australia.

Led by Terry Estioko, Estioko Design spent weeks planning and preparing the installation.  "With our roots in Santa Clara, we are excited to show off our work, which we have developed for decades but usually travel outside of the area to show", stated Terry, "We hope this display brings a little magic and holiday cheer in an otherwise disrupted holiday season.". 

Estioko Design's team includes artists and techs, Michael Cascino, Jason Chandler, and Lana Goder. 

The Cathedral façade display will be changing every week, as it is an active art installation, The display runs nightly from 6pm till at least 9:30pm. Check out our video taken the first night of the show.

In addition to the Cathedral light show, visitors can stroll along a path of illumination along First Street from the SoFA District to the Historic District, through the end of the year and possibly beyond. Locations include:

• 300 S. First Street – First and San Carlos (building illumination)

• The Fairmont Hotel Annex along First Street (video projection)
• The Pavilion - 150 S. First Street (building illumination)
• 50 W. San Fernando – First and San Fernando (building illumination)
• Security and Leticia Buildings at 70 S. First Street (building illumination)
• Bamboo Panda Mural - First and San Fernando

Partners in the light shows include:

• San Jose Jazz
• Hopkins & Carley
• Jay Paul Co.
• St. Joseph Cathedral
• Portfolio Realty Management
• Digital Realty
• City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs

 Creators and Technical Team:

• Chris Esparza – Giant Creative – project management and implementation
• Fil Maresca – Filco Events – project management and implementation
• Terry Estioko- Estioko Design – video/projections artists
• Vern Brooks - D&V Sound – building illumination
• Perry Thorwaldson – Thor Audio Solutions – building illumination
• Event Architects, Inc and Opel Productions – 30K and 10K HD projectors for Cathedral and Fairmont Annex projections
• Carlos Diaz -  Knightsounds, soundtrack to the Cathedral video mapping
• Omar Rodriguez – Kooltura Marketing

 City Hall will be in on the festivities as well – the  Rotunda and Tower at 200 E. Santa Clara Street will be lit in a variety of colors during the month so December to acknowledge the various cultural holidays celebrated during this time: