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Downtown San Mateo Association Community
News
JANUARY 2026
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December was here and gone in the blink of an eye! Downtown was lively — events included Sounds of the Season, Santa Mateo 2025, Winter Wonderland, Gala d’Oro, the Holiday Train, Breakfast with Santa, Las Posadas on North B Street, a Santa Visit, ice skating at San Mateo on Ice, and the Downtown San Mateo Farmers Market. And our Downtown merchants participated in a holiday decorating contest. Did your favorites win?
We have some great things planned for the new year. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
Don’t forget that DSMA.org has an Events Calendar, Restaurant Guide, Deals and Promotions page, a Walking Tour, and an archive of our past newsletters.
Thank you for your support of our small business community!
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Holiday Decorating Contest
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In December, the Executive Committee of the DSMA had the nearly impossible task of selecting the storefront with the “best holiday decorating.” Once the votes came in, it was clear we had three winners: Bay Watch, Espetus Churrascaria, and Lion’s Den Shave Parlor. Congratulations to these neighborhood businesses!
See more photos on our Instagram.
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The San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown San Mateo Association (DSMA) thank you for shopping small on Small Business Saturday, and then entering Shop Small to Win Big. If you haven’t already, please check out our video highlights of Anatolian Market and Golden Moon Gallery, two wonderful Downtown small businesses.
Congratulations to the Shop Small to Win Big winners: Aaron Campbell, Timothy Carmona, Emily Kiefer, Laura Oborne, David Ragusa, Jacquelyn Siminitus, Raymond Wang, and Adrian Yusi.
Thank you to the donors: Avenida, Clawesome, Elements Massage, Fanloli,
Golden Moon Gallery, Porterhouse, Sports Basement, and Susan European Beauty Therapy.
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Celebrate Lunar New Year on Saturday, January 24, in Downtown San Mateo.
We’re especially excited to welcome
LionDanceME, an award-winning Lion Dance troupe, as part of our third annual Lunar New Year event.
Event Highlights:
- 12–1pm: LionDanceME performs for the community on B Street (between 1st & 3rd Aves.)
- 12–2pm: Community booths and family-friendly activities, red envelopes, and giveaways for kids on B Street
- 1–2pm: The Lion Dancers will visit participating businesses to spread good luck and blessings for the new year, and pose for photos
Co-sponsored by Florian Orthodontics, with support from The City of San Mateo and
City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation.
*Event details may change in case of inclement weather. Registration is not required, but space and supplies are limited
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So Much Fun Downtown in 2025
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What a great year we had Downtown! 2025 included so many fun events — a Lunar New Year celebration, A Kiss and a Song, Downtown San Mateo Boba Day, a Mother’s Day Pop-Up, Splash into Summer, the B Street Train, Boos and Brews on B, Shop Small to Win Big, HEAD WEST Marketplace, Las Posadas on North B Street, and a Santa Visit.
There were also Historical Walking Tours, Eggstravaganza, Bay Area Fit Fest, the Pride Parade and Celebration, the Central Park Music Series, a 4th of July Celebration, Central Bark, an Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy, September Nights on B Street, the September Arts & Culture Fest, the Autumn Moon Festival, Movies in the Park, the Chili Cook-Off, Winter Wonderland, Breakfast with Santa, the Holiday Train, Santa Mateo 2025, San Mateo on Ice, an Ice Skating Gala, Painting and Vino, and Peninsula Comedy shows.
Music rang out in our neighborhood all year: Live Music with Makule, Jazz on B Street, Sounds of the Season. There was also music at A2 Wine Bar, Espetus, Gao Viet Kitchen, McGovern’s, O’Neill’s, and San Mateo Public Library.
We’re so excited to spend 2026 with you!
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Downtown Business Updates
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Motion Arts Center,
217 S. Claremont
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- Each month, Amici’s has 20% off items of the month. Check out their Instagram page for January’s specials
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Chill Spot Rendezvous has new hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 4-9pm. They also welcome inquiries about booking their space during non walk-in hours (To inquire: (650) 445–7203)
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Motion Arts Center will add new classes to their schedule this month, and is going to be offering daytime classes
- Applications are now being accepted for the Tri Counties Bank Scholarship Program. The application deadline is February 25. Find details here
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City of San Mateo Announcements
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Storm & Flood Preparedness
Sandbag stations are now open! Find information about sandbags, and preparation and safety tips on the City’s Storm & Flood Preparedness page
Age-Friendly Businesses Downtown
Congratulations to our newly certified Age-Friendly Businesses Downtown! We’re proud to recognize these local businesses for their commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and excellent service for all generations. By taking steps to make their spaces more welcoming for older adults, they’re helping us build a more vibrant and age-friendly community for everyone. This page has more information about the program and the full list of certified businesses. Downtown businesses are: Baking Arts & Coffee, Chill Spot Rendezvous, Footwear etc., Peninsula Family Service, Porterhouse, San Mateo Lock Works, Site for Sore Eyes
Free Downtown Parking
Parking is FREE Downtown on Sundays and after 6pm every day. Find more information here. (Please note that this does not apply to private lots)
Pedestrian Scrambles on B St.
Pedestrian Scrambles are active at 1st & B St., 2nd and B St., and 3rd and B St. A pedestrian scramble temporarily stops all vehicular traffic, and allows pedestrians to cross an intersection in every direction, including diagonally, at the same time
Daylighting Law and Red Curbs
To improve visibility and keep families safe, the City is adding red curbs near schools and crosswalks in line with California’s new Daylighting Law (AB 413). Find more information here
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Downtown San Mateo in the News
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Downtown San Mateo Association
Phone: (650) 342-5520
HQ@dsma.org
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