BTS didn’t just hold three sold-out shows while they were in the Bay Area: They filmed a trove of 13th anniversary content, including their hotly anticipated team dinner.
Each year, BTS celebrates the anniversary of their debut with Festa, a series of special events, videos and concerts. This year’s Festa dinner was especially significant, as the full group hasn’t held one since 2022. At that time, they spoke emotionally about how they would be going on hiatus so the seven members could complete their mandatory Korean military service. The dinner devolved into tears and anxiety as the members grappled with an uncertain future.
But four years later, the group is back and touring the world. Their 2026 Festa dinner, released on YouTube on Wednesday, had a much different tone than their last. The group was relaxed, cheerful and spoke about how much they were enjoying their time in the Bay Area, where they stayed for about a week in mid-May.
The dinner was filmed at Rosewood Sand Hill, one of the most exclusive hotels in the Bay Area. The Menlo Park property, nestled beside venture capital giants like Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital, is a hot spot for Silicon Valley big wigs and their guests. Along with rooms and suites, it offers five residential villas for even more privacy. The members of BTS shared private residences during their stay leading up to shows at Stanford Stadium in nearby Palo Alto.
Rosewood Sand Hill didn’t respond to SFGATE’s requests for more details, but the dinner appears to have been filmed in one of the private dining rooms of Madera, the hotel’s primary on-site restaurant. BTS was served a huge spread, including a burrata appetizer, steaks — which they raved about — and a trio of desserts, as well as a selection of local wines.
BTS couldn’t recall exactly where they were: They suggested San Jose, Stanford, south of San Francisco, California and, eventually, just the west side of America — which even locals who have confused Peninsula towns can empathize with. They did express their appreciation for the area. RM called the weather “seriously amazing,” while Suga said he’d been going for runs at night when he could see the stars. J-Hope added he was “definitely Team Cali.”
In addition to the dinner, many of the commemorative 2026 Festa photos and videos were shot during BTS’ week in the Bay Area. Their group photoshoot was done at a home on the Peninsula, as was the album cover for their song “Come Over,” which drops on streaming services Thursday (the song was previously only included in deluxe editions of the “Arirang” vinyl).