What’s happening in the arts this April in Modesto? Entertainment, other community events across the city

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From coffeeshop punk shows to local Bookstore Appreciation Day celebrations, these third-spaces are inviting Modestans to experience artistry and community that can be found right down the street.

Here’s a look at the major arts happenings including concerts, plays and other community events to check out this April.

Friday, April 3

DoMo First Fridays: Free night market returns to start the 2026 season with vendors, food and entertainment. Downtown Modesto Partnership event runs the first Friday of each month from May to October.

5 – 9 p.m. April 3
Tenth Street, between I and K streets, Modesto
Free

A Festival of Art Spring Show: Advocates for the Visual Arts presents an artists reception and awards ceremony open to the public. Event includes light refreshments, live musicians and poetry readings.

6 – 8 p.m. April 3
Graffiti USA Museum, 610 N. Ninth St., Modesto
Free, info

Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show: Vicki Lawrence, a comedienne and Carol Burnett Show regular, is an Emmy award winning actress known for her character Mama.

7:30 p.m. April 3
Gallo Center for the Arts, Rogers Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
$45 – $85, tickets

Stop Kiss: Prospect Theater presents the 1998 play by Diana Son, originally starring Jessica Hecht and Sandra Oh in the leading roles of the off-Broadway production.

7:30 p.m. April 3 & 4 and April 5 at 2 p.m. Sunday matinee and Page 2 Stage discussion on closing weekend April 3-5
Prospect Theater Project, 1218 K St., Modesto
$11 student, $31.75 general admission, tickets/ info

Saturday, April 4

Cabaret: Modesto Junior College presents the musical classic, following nightlife entertainers in 1930s Berlin.

2 p.m. & 7 p.m. April 4
MJC, Main Auditorium, East Campus, 435 College Ave., Modesto
$15 to $25, tickets

Hardcore Music Show: Queen Bean event offers hard core jams for a punk adjacent night of slam dancing.

6 – 10 p.m. April 4
Queen Bean Coffee & Social House, 1126 14th St, Modesto
$20 tickets at the door

Friday, April 10

Cult Classics & Coffee: Queen Bean presents the 1988 cult film “Killer Clowns from Outerspace.” The outdoor film screening series runs the second Thursday of each month.

6:30 – 9 p.m., April 10
Queen Bean Coffee & Social House, 1126 14th St, Modesto
$10, tickets

Life on Our Planet Live hosted by Dan Tapster: Emmy award-winning team from Netflix’s “Our Planet” present a live making of show featuring behind the scenes stories and images.

7 p.m. April 10
Gallo Center for the Arts, Foster Family Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
$45 – $65, tickets

Off The Air: Prospect Theater Project hosted indie music series features bands Talking Ghosts and Strange Vine. All ages welcome.

7 p.m. April 10
Prospect Theater Project, 1218 K St., Modesto
$16 – $20 general admission, tickets/ info

Modesto Symphony Orchestra 95th Birthday Celebration: Anniversary fundraiser features a chamber orchestra performing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons led by Musical Director Nicholas Hersh and featuring guest violinist Amaryn Olmeda.

7:30 p.m. April 10
State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
$83– $265, tickets

Saturday, April 11

Modesto Pollinator Festival: Free all-ages events lets families learn about the Central Valley’s pollinators and native plants with interactive activities and demonstrations, food trucks and a children’s pollinator costume parade. More at www.lalomaneighborhood.org.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
La Loma Native Garden, 2000 Encina Ave., Modesto
Free

Punk Music Show: Queen Bean event features backyard for dancing and live music.

6:30 – 9:30 p.m. April 11
Queen Bean Coffee & Social House, 1126 14th St, Modesto
$10 tickets at the door

You Should Be Dancing: A Tribute to the Bee Gees: Musicians and singers recreate harmonies of the 1970s band known for hits like “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever” and “You Should Be Dancing.”

8 p.m. April 11
Gallo Center for the Arts, Rogers Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto.
$46- $76, tickets

Definitely Dead: Grateful Dead tribute band offers a psychedelic lighting and video show recreates the visuals from the original band’s signature performances during the 1960s in San Francisco.

8 p.m. April 11
State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
$39, tickets

Sunday, April 12

Rockabilly Families Reunion Crazy Days: Rockabilly bands play a mix of rock, country and punk for the 25th anniversary show of local music promoter JB Presents. The lineup includes John Clifton Blues Band, Bill Clifton’s Chicken & Whiskey Band, Daffney Payne and Tony T and the Pendletons. Proceeds go to Peer Recovery Art Project, a Modesto-based nonprofit focused on mental health and recovery.

12:30 p.m. April 11
State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
$23 advance, $28 door, tickets

Mimosas and Melodies: Queen Bean music series featuring area acts Old Dudes Jamming and ODJ.

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. April 12
Queen Bean Coffee & Social House, 1126 14th St, Modesto
Free

Saturday, April 18

Earth Day in the Park: The city of Modesto Public Works Department community event celebrates sustainability and the environment with family activities, music, games and more.

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. April 18
Graceada Park, Sycamore and Needham streets, Modesto
Free

Modesto Garden Club Spring Tour: Five varied gardens featured in the annual self-guided tour, including the club’s demonstration garden.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. April 18
Various locations, Modesto
$25, tickets

The Clay Garden: More than a dozen local ceramicists will gather for pottery throwing and raku firing demonstrations at a first-of-its-kind show sponsored by the Modesto Artists Movement. The event will feature a variety of garden sculptures, floral themed clayware and more.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. April 18
2003 Ladd Road, Modesto
Free

Central Valley Ska Fest III: Valley-based ska festivals from Central Valley Reggae & Soul Club and This is Ska Radio partners with the Queen Bean and Modesto Artists Movement in its third year. Featuring four DJs and six live bands, including Modesto-based group The Bracers and others from Sacramento, Sonora, Chico and Fresno.

3 – 10 p.m. April 18
Queen Bean Coffee & Social House, 1126 14th St, Modesto
$20 advance tickets, $30 door

Radio Cavalcade: Classic noir murder-mystery “The Maltese Falcon” will be featured in the regular series which presents live re-creations of classic radio programs from the 30s to 60s. All ages welcome.

7:30 p.m. April 18
Prospect Theater Project, 1218 K St., Modesto
$16.25, tickets

Wednesday, April 22

Warren Zeiders: Country-rock artist known for 2023 hit single “Pretty Little Poison” kicks off The Fruit Yard/Chicken Ranch Casino Amphitheater 2026 season.

7:30 p.m. April 22
The Fruit Yard Amphitheater, 7948 Yosemite Blvd, Modesto
$149- $390, tickets

Friday, April 24

A Thousand Words: Modesto Artists Movement events features 16 local writers sharing poetic interpretations of art.

6 – 8 p.m. April 24
Graffiti USA Museum, 610 N 9th St., Modesto
$12.51, tickets

A Tribute to Eric Clapton: Featuring live band The Vibes and special guest artists for a benefit show for the State Theatre and Stanislaus County’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

7 p.m. April 24
State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
$23- $34, tickets

Alfred Robles: Comic known for his appearances on Loco Comedy Jam, Latino Laugh Festival and all three seasons of “Stand Up Revolution” on Comedy Central brings his “Vatos with Gatos” tour to Modesto.

7:30 p.m. April 24
Rogers Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto.
$46- $56, tickets

Rusalka: Opera Modesto presents the show by Antonín Dvořák based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” without the Disney ending.

7:30 p.m. April 24
Gallo Center for the Arts, Foster Family Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
$45- $95, tickets

Saturday, April 25

Love Modesto: Annual citywide day of volunteerism and service returns. Hundreds gather downtown for the kickoff party, and then deploy throughout the city on more than 80 different projects — from cleanup to beautification to helping seniors and schoolchildren.

7 a.m. breakfast, 8:30 a.m. kickoff
I & 10th streets, downtown Modesto
Free, volunteer signups/info

Stanislaus Artist Open Studio Tour: Annual events invites public into the studios of local artists in Modesto, Turlock and Oakdale to view and purchase their work.

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. April 25 – 26
Various locations
Free

Queen’s Rave: Monthly free Queen Bean event featuring vendors and a live DJ.

4 p.m. – 10 p.m. April 25
Queen Bean Coffee & Social House, 1126 14th St, Modesto
Free

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain: Show featuring ukuleles of all sizes features sometimes tongue-in-cheek renditions of popular and classic songs.

7:30 p.m. April 25
Gallo Center for the Arts, Roger Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
$45 – $75, tickets

Independent Bookstore Day: Three of seven bookstores participating in a Central California Book Crawl for the entire month of April are in Stanislaus County. Each store will provide a stamp, small giveaways and its own celebration on April 25.

All month
- Bookish: 811 W. Roseburg Ave., Modesto open Tues. – Sat., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- BK Bookstore: 2943 4th Street, Ceres open Mon. – Sat., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Story Books & Toys: 150 S 2nd Ave, Oakdale open Mon. – Fri from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
More information about the book crawl

Sunday, April 26

Arts in the Garden: Carnegie Arts Center will host a garden party at the home of Brad & Nancy Hawn. The fundraiser will feature pizza, beer, wine, live music and artful activities.

7 p.m. April 26
231 Magnolia Ave, Modesto
$81.88, tickets

Monday, April 27

Spring Concert: The nonprofit Central Valley Youth Chorus presents its spring concert. The community chorus for Valley youth in first through eighth grades has been performing across the region for three years, including a show earlier this year with Opera Modesto. This performance will be a culmination of all age groups in the chorus.