Upcoming Events

Music in the Plaza Finale This Friday

The final live, outdoor concert will take place this Friday, September 29th at 10th Street Plaza. Come enjoy live, outdoor musical entertainment from Autum’s Garden at 7pm. Come early for a good seat.


“Taco Jesus” Final Weekend at Prospect

“Taco Jesus” written and directed by Michael Lynch, winner of Bay Area Critics Award 1982

SEPT 28, 29, 30, OCT 1

Cecil Pedigrew experiences the miracle of the face Jesus on a corn tortilla. A funny/sad tale about the quest for faith in our jaded society. Written and directed by noted Modesto actor, director, playwright, MJC Drama Professor and PTP veteran (Ride Down Mount Morgan 2005, To Kill a Mockingbird 2011) Michael Lynch.

Talkback with Cast and Director in the theater Sunday, Oct. 1st

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Prospect Theatre Project
1214 K Street
Modesto, CA 95354

Peace Officer Memorial Run, October 1st

A race to honor police officers from Stanislaus County who were killed in the line of duty will make its way through downtown in early October. Dedications to each of these 20 fallen officers will be displayed at the start line, finish line and each mile of the half marathon. Visit their website for more information.

SCHEDULE

6:45am – The event will start with a short ceremony honoring the 20 fallen officers who paid the ultimate price in Stanislaus County.
7:00am – Half Marathon – Relay Start
7:20am – 5K Start
9:30am – Kids Fun Run Start
6am to 12pm – Safety Faire / Race Expo on I Street, between 10th and 11th Streets

VENDOR BOOTHS AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Vendor booths will be accepted on a first-come/first-served basis. Learn more.
Volunteers play an essential role in providing a safe, organized and fun race. All volunteers receive a Race Crew T-shirt and some light refreshments, depending on their location. Visit the Volunteer page of their website to see what help is needed and register.

First Friday October 6th

Connect with the coolest businesses, chefs and artists in town. Eat some tasty food, check out the merchandise at the many vendor booths, do some salsa dancing, and maybe catch a roller-skating demonstration. From pop-up dance workshops to international graffiti art mural festivals, goodness is found at First Fridays in downtown.

6-9pm at 10th and J Streets in downtown Modesto.


Community Pilates at Gallo Center, October 7th

The Gallo Center for the Arts Music Garden offers a chance to experience some fun and wellness. A community Pilates class takes place on the first Saturday of every month at 9:00am through October. Classes are being conducted by Studio V for a $15 donation. Proceeds will benefit the non-profit Gallo Center for the Arts.

After getting energized, we recommend heading over to one of our fantastic downtown eateries for brunch (see “Downtown Dining Information” below.)

Pilates class details may be found on the Gallo Center’s Community Events Calendar here.


“Off the Air” Concert Saturday, October 21
Ethereal psych-folk that might make you JOY cry a little! $20 Advance// $25 Day of Show
Saturday, October 21st, 8pm-10:30pm.
Greens on Tenth – 953 10th Street, Modesto, CA 95354

Purchase Tickets

Get ready to experience an unforgettable musical journey! Shana Cleveland, the talented frontwoman, guitarist, and songwriter of the powerhouse indie psych band La Luz, is coming to Modesto to perform songs from her latest solo album, Manzanita, on Hardly Art Records. This highly anticipated event promises to be a heartwarming and mind-blowing experience, as her new album is filled with heartbreakingly beautiful tracks that are sure to leave a lasting impression. Don’t miss your chance to witness this incredible artist’s raw talent and captivating performance!


Central West Ballet Presents “Frankenstein”

October 20 & 21, 7.30pm

Gallo Center for the Arts, Modesto

The runaway hit returns! Sold out last year to enthusiastic audiences, Central West Ballet brings Frankenstein’s Creature to life once again at the Gallo Center for the Arts. In collaboration with Prospect Theater Project, Opera Modesto, Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Central Valley Film Project, this epic story is electrifying, emotional, romantic and tragic. Be prepared to get your fright on with CWB’s Frankenstein and purchase tickets before they sell out again!  Tickets available at www.galloarts.org .  For more information, visit www.centralwestballet.org


Catch a Movie at Downtown Theatres

The State – Showtimes and Tickets

Brenden Modesto 18 – Showtimes and Tickets.


Gallo Center 23/24 Season On Sale

Tickets to all performances in the Gallo Center’s 23/24 season are now on sale to the public. The world’s finest performers are coming to the Central Valley’s premier arts and entertainment destination, and you don’t want to waste a minute in securing the best seats to the shows you want to see the most. It’s going to be an amazing season! Get your tickets at the Gallo Center Ticket Office in downtown Modesto or online at galloarts.org.

1000 I Street, Modesto, CA 95354


Art Walk 3rd Thursdays

Art Walk is a FREE casual event featuring a diverse range of artwork at locations that join together to showcase the best of the arts. You will have the opportunity to listen to local musicians, enjoy food and beverage from one of your favorite downtown restaurants as well as view artwork for purchase at local art galleries and shops. Participating businesses/galleries will be marked with an Art Walk banner.

A downloadable map is available here.

For more information, visit the Art Walk website.


Celebration of Lights Parade, December 2nd

Save the Date.
Traffic and parking in downtown Modesto will be heavily impacted by the parade. Watch for “No Parking” signs and allow extra time to get to your destination. Road closures begin as early as 1pm and will remain closed until approximately 8pm.

For an interactive route map, click here.


Food Tour

Calling all local FOODIES! Explore hidden gems, classic standbys, and up-and-comers in the heart of Downtown Modesto’s growing food scene through the Back of House Food Tour!

Four restaurants, one mile, three hours of progressive dining and learning every Friday and Saturday. @backofhousefoodtour</a >

Learn more or book a tour.


DoMo Walls Coming October 6th

An annual Downtown Modesto mural festival that happens every October! DoMo Walls was envisioned as an expansion of Fasm Creative Battle, a mural festival that operates like an art competition.

In 2018, the Downtown Modesto Partnership partnered with the Fasm Creative Battle to amplify the growing energy of Downtown Modesto by bringing large-scale art installations to the heart of the city. To date, 22 world-stage murals have been installed by DoMo Walls artists and are treasured by this Central Valley community. Now, the festival is less like a competition and more like an art love fest, a celebration of the whimsy that always resides in the beating heart of every solid community.
Come out for DoMo Walls 2023 on Friday, October 6th! @domowalls</a >


Morbid Obsession is Back!

For a different Halloween Experience, take a self-guided, one-of-a-kind tour through the McHenry Mansion where you will experience the Victorian Way of Death including Strange Funeral Customs. Most funerals took place in the family residence. The McHenry’s were no exception. Express your condolences to Mrs. McHenry standing by the open casket of dearly departed Robert McHenry. Learn about the “fashionable disease”—Consumption. For some, consumption or tuberculosis as we call it today, ended in a swift death. For others, it became a lingering illness, and for others, there were no symptoms. (Sound familiar?)

For the Victorians, it was important to remember the dead. This could be done by preserving the deceased’s hair in a locket or broach or a hair wreath. With the advent of photography, post-mortem photographs were in demand, particularly if no pictures were taken when the person was alive. Many times, the bodies were posed with other family members as if they were alive. A gallery of these photographs awaits you.

The custom of wearing black was a way to let friends and strangers know that you have lost a member of your family. Learn about the rules for appropriate attire.

19th Century embalming came into its own due to the Civil War.

See a portable embalming bed and equipment that could be used in the home. See lithographs of major Presidential funerals: Lincoln, Garfield, and Grant.

Then there are the cemeteries, spiritualists, and much more!

The dates are Tuesday, October 24th, Wednesday, October 25th, and Thursday, October 26th, 2023. Tours start at 5:30 p.m., and the last entrance is at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. More information.


Looking for Something Fun to Do?

There’s so much to do in downtown Modesto, whether you’re looking for a great meal, a movie, a boutique, or a fun place to have a drink with friends. Click here for the downtown directory.


Downtown Dining Information

For your convenience, we are providing the following link with dining options for downtown Modesto eateries.

Please be sure to call first since posted information is subject to change.
Please remember that you may also support these local businesses by using your RAD Card, purchasing a gift card and/or gift certificate.

View dining information