Weekend events: Artists open their studios; museum duck will finally get a name

For art, museum and history enthusiasts this weekend:

IT’S NOT QUACK: In a naming ceremony Saturday, May 2, the huge mascot atop the Children’s Discovery Museum in downtown San Jose will finally get to be called something other than “that duck on the purple building next to Highway 87.” The Birthday Bash and Official Name Reveal will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with duck meet-and-greets, selfies, a ducky parade, hands-on activities, treats and the 12:30 p.m. announcement of the name the public selected from among five choices. The event will conclude the museum’s 35th anniversary celebration. Details: Tickets, $18; the museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 180 Woz Way, San Jose; cdm.org

ARTISTS WELCOME ART LOVERS: May marks the 40th anniversary of Silicon Valley Open Studios, with 370 artists participating at more than 100 locations. Artists from a different region are featured each weekend. This weekend, May 2-3, showcases studios along the coast and the northern Peninsula; the weekend of May 9-10 highlights mid-Peninsula artists, and South Bay artists will be front and center May 16-17. Studios are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Details: To see an interactive map of the exhibit locations, view a gallery of all the participating artists and learn about their work, visit svos.org.

AT HISTORY PARK: History San Jose will present a book talk by John Doll, author of “St. James Park,” at noon Saturday, May 2. Doll is a third-generation San Josean whose novel is based on actual events, including the infamous 1933 hangings in the park. The talk will take place in the Empire Firehouse on the History Park grounds, 635 Phelan Ave., San Jose. Admission is $5 for HSJ members, $10 otherwise. Details: historysanjose.org

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This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 4:04 PM.