Rock the Block Live Concerts at Hillsdale Shopping Center

There’s nothing quite like strolling from Bay Meadows for an evening of food, friends, and live music. Rock the Block is back at Hillsdale Shopping Center, and it’s your September weekend ritual waiting to happen. Free concerts every Friday from 6-8pm at the North Block Plaza make for the perfect way to wind down and connect.

Starting Friday, September 4 through September 25, gather under the open sky with your neighbors and enjoy some of the best local music around. Here’s who’s playing in September 2026:

September 4: Mike Annuzzi

September 11: UFO UFO

September 18: Top Secret

September 25: K-Pop DJ

Since Bay Meadows is just a short walk from Hillsdale, these concerts are more than an event—they’re a chance to make the neighborhood feel more like home. Here are some ways to make the most of the nights:

Stop by Bahche Mezzehouse & Wine Bar in Bay Meadows’ Town Square after work before a concert for Mediterranean Mezzes paired with your favorite glass or wine or beer or get a Souvlaki to-go. Bring a blanket and picnic under the stars, or grab food and drink to go from Hillsdale. Some great spots on North Block to check out are Shake Shack, Jamba Juice, Palette Tea Garden, Pinstripes, Mikiya Wagyu Shabu House, and The Refuge. If you’re up for exploring more, the Dining Terrace offers several options so you can mix and match.

Picture this: post-work walk from Bay Meadows, find a good picnic spot, listen to live music, maybe grab some souvlaki, a burger, or a bubble tea, and enjoy time with friends or family under the evening sky. It’s the kind of fall moment we live for.

And the best part…it’s free and open to all.

Rock the Block Hillsdale
Photo Credits: Hillsdale Shopping Center

Conveniently located between San Francisco and Palo Alto in San Mateo, Bay Meadows offers housing within walking distance of Caltrain. Ease of transportation is only one reason you’ll fall in love with Bay Meadows. Smartly-designed, high-quality new homes and The Bay Meadows Apartment Collection sit among 18 acres of open space, which includes parks, a community garden, public art, ball fields, bocce and basketball courts and a new playground. All this just a walk from Hillsdale Shopping Center, Whole Foods, Sidewalk Juice, Blue Bottle Coffee, The Breakfast Club at Midtown San Mateo, Bahche Mezzehouse & Wine Bar, LFBA Studios, Basecamp San Mateo, Clayroom San Mateo, Fieldwork Brewing Co. and more. Learn more about what Midurban life offers by joining us on Instagram.

 

Ring in the Year of the Horse at Hillsdale Shopping Center

Living at Bay Meadows means having more than great homes and parks at your doorstep — it means being steps away from a destination that keeps the calendar full year-round. Just across the way, Hillsdale Shopping Center transforms everyday convenience into something much more dynamic. On Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 12–3pm, the center invites the community to celebrate the Year of the Horse with a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration hosted inside Macy’s Center Court. For Bay Meadows residents, a short stroll to this lively cultural performance and a relaxed afternoon of Dim Sum is the kind of effortless weekend plan that makes neighborhood living feel truly connected.

This year’s celebration promises a lively and colorful afternoon filled with tradition and entertainment. Guests will enjoy thrilling Lion Dancers, graceful Fan Dancers, and acrobatic performances that capture the spirit of the holiday. Families can snap photos with a life-sized costumed Panda, receive a fortune cookie gift giveaway, and share their wishes for the year ahead by posting personal sentiments on the Cherry Blossom Tree. It’s festive, joyful, and welcoming to all — a beautiful reflection of the diverse Peninsula community.

One of the greatest perks of living adjacent to Hillsdale is the ability to turn moments like these into a full day out. Before or after the celebration, residents can gather for a memorable meal at Palette Tea Garden at Hillsdale Mall, known for its modern Cantonese cuisine and dim sum favorites. Crowd-pleasers like delicate shrimp dumplings, barbecue pork buns, crispy honey walnut shrimp, Peking duck, and silky mango pudding make it easy to linger around the table. It’s the perfect pairing: cultural celebration followed by a shared meal that brings everyone together.

Bay Meadows was designed for exactly this kind of lifestyle — where meaningful experiences can be accessed in mere moments. With Hillsdale just steps away, residents enjoy more than retail convenience; they enjoy access to seasonal events, entertainment, dining, and community gatherings all year long. The Lunar New Year celebration on February 21 is just one example of how living here keeps you connected — to culture, to neighbors, and to the vibrant rhythm of San Mateo life.

Event Details
When: Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 12–3pm
Where: Macy’s Center Court, 358 Hillsdale Mall, San Mateo, CA 94403
Cost: Free and open to the entire family

For more information, visit hillsdale.com or call 650-586-7750.