San Jose tattoo shops mark 408 Day with flash specials

Several parlors showcase unique art as part of the annual 408 San Jose Day festival.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:52pm

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A high-contrast, brightly colored silkscreen print of a tattoo machine repeated in a grid pattern, representing the vibrant tattoo scene in San Jose.The 408 San Jose Day festival celebrates the city's thriving tattoo culture and the unique artistry of local parlors.San Jose Today

Wednesday, April 8, marks the beginning of the 408 San Jose Day festival, an annual celebration of the city's vibrant arts and culture. To commemorate the occasion, multiple tattoo shops across San Jose are offering one-day flash specials, including Upscale Ink in Willow Glen, which is showcasing its unique tattoo art as part of the festivities.

Why it matters

The 408 area code is an important part of San Jose's identity, and the annual 408 San Jose Day festival provides an opportunity for local businesses like tattoo parlors to showcase their artistry and connect with the community. This celebration helps promote San Jose's thriving creative scene and support small, locally-owned businesses.

The details

The 408 San Jose Day festival runs from April 8 through April 12, with a major celebration planned for Saturday, April 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Barack Obama Boulevard. Several tattoo shops, including Upscale Ink in Willow Glen, are offering one-day flash specials as part of the festivities to highlight their unique tattoo art and celebrate the city's culture.

  • The 408 San Jose Day festival begins on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
  • A large celebration is planned for Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Barack Obama Boulevard.

The players

Upscale Ink

A tattoo parlor located in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose that is participating in the 408 San Jose Day festival by offering one-day flash specials to showcase its unique tattoo art.

Sophia Reboja

A tattoo artist at Upscale Ink who expressed the importance of representing the San Jose community and culture through the 408 San Jose Day celebration.

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What they’re saying

“'408 is important to us because we originated in San Jose and all our artists are from San Jose, and it means a lot to us to represent the culture and be a part of it. So for us to be able to participate in 408, it just means a lot to us and we want to represent our community.'”

— Sophia Reboja, Tattoo artist, Upscale Ink

The takeaway

The 408 San Jose Day festival provides an opportunity for local businesses like tattoo parlors to celebrate the city's vibrant arts and culture, foster community connections, and showcase the unique talents of San Jose-based artists and entrepreneurs.