Northern California Chapter of Sister Cities International

Sister Cities International: 2026 Spring Leadership Meeting - San Jose, California
2026-03-06 17:00 - 2026-03-07 21:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
Join Sister Cities International for the 2026 Spring Leadership Meetings in San Jose, California! SCI Members and SCI Leadership Teams are invited to attend.
March 6-7, 2026
San Jose, CA
Deadline for a refund is Feb. 20 by 11:59 p.m. ET
Register online (special pricing for NorCal SCI)
Tentative Schedule
All times are Pacific Time
Friday, March 6, 2026

5 p.m. – Honorary Board/1956 Society Happy Hour – Dutch treat
6:30 p.m. – San Jose Mayor’s Welcome Reception and Tribute to Tim Quigley (heavy apps and cash bar)
Hosted by: The San Jose-Dublin Sister City group

Saturday, March 7, 2026
Breakfast on your own

9 a.m. – State/Region/Country Reps meeting
11 a.m. – Special session with NorCal (NorCal is also welcome to come to the 9am meeting)
Noon – Box lunch provided
12:45 p.m. – Sports Diplomacy Panel
Hosted by: Past Olympian Tommy O’Hare (Super Bowl, NCAA basketball championship, FIFA, LA28 Olympic Games)
Hear from Team San Jose, Sports Authority on their marketing plans!
2 p.m. – SCI Board Meeting

Sonoma Sister Cities Association Board Meeting
2026-03-09 18:00 - 19:00 | TBD

San Jose Shamrock Run
2026-03-14 | San Pedro Square Market, 7 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA, 95110, United States
Get Your Green On!
Join us Saturday, March 14, 2026, for the San Jose Shamrock Run which benefits the San Jose—Dublin Sister City Program.
Don’t miss the largest St. Patrick’s Day running party in the Bay Area!

Lodi Sister Cities' 19th Annual Crab Feed
2026-03-14 17:30 - 20:30 | Lodi Japanese Community Hall, 210 E Elm St., Lodi, CA, 95240, United States
The Lodi Sister City Committee invites you to the 19th Annual Crab Feed on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at JACL Hall in Lodi (corner of Elm and Stockton Streets).
Doors open at 5:30 pm and dinner will be served at 6:30 pm, with a delicious crab dinner, great raffle prizes, and an evening of community fun in support of Lodi’s sister city programs.
Tickets are $75 per person and are available now at Graffigna Bros. Napa Auto Parts, 108 N. Sacramento St., Lodi, or by calling 209-369-4754.
Reserve your seats early—this popular event sells out quickly!

Vallejo Sister City Commission meeting
2026-03-16 17:30 - 18:30, 2026-05-18 17:30 - 18:30 | JFK Library – Vallejo Room (lower level), 505 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, CA, 94590, United States
The Vallejo Sister City Commission is a seven-person commission who advise the City of Vallejo council members in:
• Planning and recommending to the city council a sister city program.
• Provides recommendations to stimulate and sustain participation in and community support for an approved sister city program.
The Commission meets on the 3rd Monday – Bi-Monthly and meetings are open to the general public who are encouraged to participate in person or remote via teleconference at https://ZoomVallejoRoom.CityofVallejo.net.
Further information may be obtained by contacting Erik Rzomp, Commission Secretary at Erik.Rzomp@cityofvallejo.net.

Oakland-Fukuoka Sister City Association general meeting
2026-03-17 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-21 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-05-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom
General meetings are typically held on the third Tuesday of the month. All are welcome to attend!
To receive the Zoom meeting link, email ofsca1962@gmail.com.
This is an open meeting using the free Zoom video/audio meeting platform. No subscription is required, and Zoom is free to download for your desktop or mobile device, can be used with your device’s built-in microphone/camera, or can be joined via telephone call (audio only).

Concord Ambassadors General Meeting
2026-03-19 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-16 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-21 18:30 - 19:30 | Concord City Hall – Garden Conference Room, 1950 Parkside Drive, Concord, CA, 94519, United States

Morgan Hill Sister Cities meeting
2026-03-26 19:00 - 20:00 | Centennial Recreation Center – Senior Center, 171 W Edmundson Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA, 95037, United States
Join us anytime! Meetings always welcome the general public.
Sister Cities is an all-volunteer, membership organization formed in 2002.
We currently host relationships with six international cities in Italy, Turkey, Mexico, Japan and Ireland.

Vallejo Sister City Association - Annual Tea Gathering
2026-03-29 14:00 - 16:00 | JFK Library – Joseph Room, 505 Santa Clara St., Vallejo, 94590, United States
On behalf of the Vallejo Sister City Association (VSCA), we are delighted to extend a warm invitation to you for our upcoming Tea Gathering Event, hosted by Keiko Perri and performed by the Hagiwara Tea Group. This event helps to commemorate and celebrate our 58-year relationship with our sister city with Akashi, Japan.
📅 Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
⏰ Time: 2-4 p.m.
📍 Location: JFK Library, Joseph Room, 505 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, CA
This special gathering offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and serenity of a traditional tea ceremony while celebrating cultural heritage and fostering meaningful connections within our community. Your presence would be an incredible honor, and we would be grateful for the chance to share this experience with you.
We truly hope you can join us for this enriching and memorable event. We look forward to welcoming you with warmth and gratitude.

Richmond-Shimada Friendship Commission meeting
2026-04-01 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-05-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Richmond City Council Chambers – Shimada Conference Room, 440 Civic Center Plaza, 1 Fl, Richmond, CA, 94804, United States

Stockton Sister Cities Association Board Meeting
2026-04-02 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Valley Brew, 157 W Adams St., Stockton, CA, 95204, United States
First Thursday of the Month

Vallejo Fall 2026 Delegation Trip to Bagamoyo, Tanzania Monthly Planning Meeting
2026-04-05 14:00 - 15:30, 2026-05-03 14:00 - 15:30 | Vallejo John F. Kennedy Library – Sister City Room, 505 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, CA, 94590, United States
The Vallejo Sister City Association (VSCA) is thrilled to announce plans for an exciting international delegation to our sister city of Bagamoyo, Tanzania, scheduled for fall 2026. Community members are invited to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime cultural exchange experience – and the journey begins now.
Rooted in VSCA’s mission to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation – one individual, one community at a time – this delegation allows participants to build meaningful global relationships through person-to-person diplomacy.
Bagamoyo, a historic coastal town known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant arts scene, and warm hospitality, has long been a valued sister city partner. The fall 2026 delegation will focus on cultural exchange, educational collaboration, youth engagement, and strengthening economic and community ties between our cities. Planned activities include meetings with local leaders, school visits, cultural performances, historical tours, and community service opportunities.
“This is more than a trip – it’s an opportunity to represent our community abroad and deepen friendships that foster global understanding,” said a VSCA delegation organizer. “We welcome residents, educators, artists, business leaders, students and families who are interested in being cultural ambassadors.”
Join the Planning Process
VSCA invites interested community members to go to monthly delegation planning meetings, held on the first Sunday of each month. The meetings will be held from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Vallejo Sister City Room at JFK Library. These meetings provide important information about:
• Travel itinerary and timeline
• Cultural preparation and expectations
• Fundraising opportunities
• Youth and student participation
• Partnership and exchange initiatives
Whether you are ready to commit or curious to learn more, your participation in the planning process is encouraged.
By joining the delegation, participants will not only explore the beauty and history of Bagamoyo but also contribute to strengthening the bridge between Vallejo and Tanzania for generations to come.
For more information about the fall 2026 Delegation to Bagamoyo and upcoming meeting details, community members are encouraged to go to the next planning session on the first Sunday of the month.
Together, we continue building global friendships – one community at a time.

Cupertino-Hsinchu Sister City Association board meeting
2026-04-06 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-04 17:30 - 18:30 | West Valley Elementary School, 1635 Belleville Way, Sunnyvale, CA, 94087, United States

Vallejo Sister City Association Monthly Meeting
2026-04-09 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Vallejo John F. Kennedy Library – Sister City Room, 505 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, CA, 94590, United States

Santa Clara Sister Cities Association Board Meeting
2026-04-16 19:30 - 20:30 | CA
The SCSCA board meeting over Zoom. Email the board secretary if you are interested in attending.

Orinda/Tabor Sister City Foundation
2026-04-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Internationally interested Orindans are always invited to the Foundation’s meetings on the 4th Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. PDT via Zoom currently. We love to hear that you would be interested in being a Host Family or any part of our team. If your background is Czech or you have visited the Country and realized its charm and continued democratic government, contact Bobbie Landers by email bobbielanders@yahoo.com or call 925-254-8260 to receive a link to the next Zoom meeting.
It would be great to hear from you!

2026 2nd Quarter NorCal Chapter Board meeting
2026-04-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Mark Green Sports Center, 31224 Union City Boulevard, Union City, CA, 94587, United States
NorCal SCI Board meetings are open to all Northern California sister city organizations, jurisdictions and supporters.

Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival
2026-04-25 10:00 - 2026-04-26 17:30 | Cupertino Memorial Park, 21121 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Cupertino, CA, 95014, United States
Cupertino-Toyokawa Sister Cities, Inc. (CTSC) invites the community to celebrate the arrival of spring at the Annual Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival on April 25 and 26, returning to Memorial Park, the Quinlan Community Center, and the Senior Center. This beloved two-day festival brings the sights, sounds, and flavors of Japan to the heart of Cupertino while honoring the city’s long-standing sister city relationship with Toyokawa, Japan.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., with free admission, free performances, and free parking available at De Anza College and the Flint Center Parking Structure—making it an easy and welcoming event for all ages.
Food lovers can explore two vibrant food areas throughout the festival. The food court behind the Quinlan Center features a wide range of Japanese favorites, from sushi and gyoza to bento boxes, teriyaki bowls, mochi, boba drinks, shaved ice, and sweet treats. Japanese beer, sake, and plum wine are also available. At the Senior Center, food trucks offer additional menu options and variety.
Inside the Quinlan Community Center, visitors can enjoy a full day of cultural exhibits, live demonstrations, and interactive activities, presented by artists, performers, nonprofits, and community groups. Highlights include music and dance performances, hands-on cultural experiences, and a special exhibition of student artwork from Toyokawa shared through CTSC’s annual art exchange program.
The Japanese Artisan Pavilion, located at the Senior Center and patio, brings together traditional arts and crafts vendors, Shogi demonstrations and instruction, and a visual timeline showcasing decades of friendship between Cupertino and Toyokawa.
Outdoor performances take place throughout the day at the Amphitheater featuring Taiko drumming, traditional and contemporary Japanese dance, martial arts, and live music. A special Saturday midday presentation welcomes festival guests, community leaders, student delegates, and honored visitors. Across the park lawns, attendees can browse arts and crafts displays and connect with special interest groups, including Japanese dog and koi clubs. Be sure to stop by the Festival Information Booth for a fun photo opportunity with Toyokawa’s mascots and an opportunity to receive a gift, by simply filling out a short survey.
Families will find plenty to delight younger visitors, with children’s games, creative craft activities, and a petting zoo adding to the festive atmosphere.
New for 2026 – we will have a Cosplay Meetup on Saturday, 2 p.m. at the Memorial Park Gazebo!
Whether you come for the food, the performances, or the chance to experience Japanese culture up close, the Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival offers a joyful weekend of community, culture and celebration.
For more information about the event: www.cupertinocbf.org/

APA Heritage Awards & Community Gala
2026-05-06 17:30 - 20:30 | CA
The APA Heritage Awards is a signature program of San Francisco’s celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Each year, the AAPI Heritage Celebration Committee honors civic organizations and individuals who have achieved significant milestones in serving the community.
The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Registration opens in April 2026.
*The Northern California Chapter of Sister Cities International is an annual Publicity Partner for San Francisco’s AAPI Heritage Month celebration.

A Celebration of the Traditional String Instruments of Madeira
2026-05-09 18:30 - 20:00 | The Pines, 33 Miller Avenue, Sausalito, CA, 94965, United States
The Sausalito – Cascais Sister City Council invites you to an unforgettable evening of traditional Madeira string instruments and culture, featuring Robert Moniz sharing the history of the traditional string instruments of Madeira Island at The Pines historic mansion overlooking Richardson Bay and the City.
Fado at The Pines continues its tradition of bringing the finest in Portuguese music to Sausalito. From traditional Fado of Lisboa, Fado of Coimbra, Contemporary Folk Music Roots of Minho and Classical Chamber Music and now the traditional strings instruments. Each style represents a unique part of the Portuguese musical culture.
This is a fund raising event in support of the Youth Sailing Exchange between the Sausalito Yacht Club and Clube Naval de Cascais. This exchange has been held annually since 2015. This July, youth sailors from Sausalito will go to Cascais to stay with the host families for Clube Naval and sail for 10 days.
