Modesto has several summertime traditions that will definitely catch your attention. A parade will shut down main streets, car shows will pack parking lots and heavy foot-traffic is expected for concerts in the park all month long.
June officially kicks off Graffiti Summer in Modesto and the enthusiasm reaches across the region with car shows, parades, a movie screening, and lots of nostalgia. It’s a month of carefully curated, and mostly free, events for the family.
MoBand will kick off the month’s festivities in Graceda Park, merging more than 100 years of its own history with the Graffiti Summer’s. It’s sure to be a busy pre-weekend event every week in June.
If you’re hoping to seek out your own fun, there are concerts, festivals and pride events happening all over the region.
If you see commotion and wonder what’s going on, this guide will help:
Thursday, June 4
Graffiti Night at Mancini Bowl: Graffiti Summer kicks off with the start of Modesto Band of Stanislaus County’s (MoBand) annual summer concert series. The 107th season starts with a “Good Vibrations” theme and attendees are encouraged to participate in the free event by wearing “wacky ties and socks.”
- 8 p.m. June 4
- Graceda Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto
- Free, info
Friday, June 5
Knights Ferry Art & Music Festival: A mini festival on the banks of the Stanislaus River offers food, art and live music during the fourth annual community event by Randy Mandy and the Knights Ferry Art Studio & Gallery.
- 12:30 p.m. June 5 – 7
- 17525 Sonora Road, Knights Ferry
- $20 – $75, tickets/info
DoMo First Fridays: Learn more about the community, cuisine and culture of downtown Modesto as the city puts on its third installment its outdoor night market series that draws local vendors, businesses and talent to the streets. June’s event brings new offerings for kids (with support from Camp Jack Hazzard and the Stanislaus County Library) and aspiring salsa dancers.
- 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. dance lessons begin at 6:30 p.m. June 5
- 10th Street, between I and J streets, Modesto
- Free, info
Music in the Plaza: Each Friday, enjoy local musicians performing various styles as part of the outdoor series locals have come to expect from the people behind the Modesto Area Music Awards, from April through September. Stay up to date on Facebook as each theme is announced.
- 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26
- Tenth Street Plaza, 1010 10th St., Modesto
- Free, info
Elvis in Person: Matt Stone, an Elvis Presley impersonator recognized by Graceland and the Elvis Presley Estate, performs a tribute show to The King of Rock and Roll .
- 8 p.m. June 6
- State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
- $35 – $45, tickets
Saturday, June 6
Valley Auto Salon: Valley Dream Car Club presents an indoor and outdoor car show to celebrate the group’s 10th anniversary as part of Graffiti Summer. Pre-registration “roll-in” begins at 8 a.m.
- 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. June 6
- Howard Prep, 1424 Stonum Road, Modesto
- Free, info
American Graffiti: The annual screening of George Lucas’ classic film that sparked an entire month of events in Modesto. The 1973 movie, with its tagline “Where you were you ‘62,” celebrates the region’s rich car culture and features a cast of then unknown stars from Harrison Ford to Ron Howard.
- 1 p.m. June 6
- State Theatre, 1307 J St, Modesto
- $7, tickets
“Nowhere to Wear This” Party: Prospect Theater Project hosts its annual fundraiser in two parts. Guests are asked to wear anything they have in their closets that could use an opportunity to be seen. No outfit will be out of place.
- 5 – 9 p.m., afterparty begins at 9 p.m. June 6
- Greens on Tenth, 953 10th St. and Lo-fi Lounge (afterparty), 953 10th St., Modesto
- General Admission $125, table of 10 $1250, tickets
Sunday, June 7
Graffiti Classic Car Show: Car enthusiasts and community members alike will join in the festivities sponsored by the Modesto Area Street Rod Association. Early registration for the car show begins the evening before. First come, first parked rules apply. Attendees can expect the car show, raffles, music, prizes and more.
- 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. June 7
- McHenry Village, McHenry and Briggsmore avenues
- Free for attendees, $55 day-of registration for participants, info
One Night in Memphis: This tribute show recreates the impromptu jam session at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee on Dec. 4, 1956 when Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash were all in the same room.
- 5 p.m. June 7
- Gallo Center, Rogers Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $48 – $78, tickets
Monday, June 8
Graffiti Car Show Park n’ Shine: Vehicles made in 1986 or before are welcome to register for this registration-free, first-come-first-park, car show at the Chevrolet dealership. Food will be available for purchase.
- 5 – 8 p.m., parking begins at 2 p.m. June 8
- American Chevrolet, 4742 Mchenry Ave., Modesto
- Free, info
Wednesday, June 10
Legends of the Cruise: Graffiti Summer enshrines its newest members to its Graffiti “Walk of Fame.” The free park n’ shine event coincides with the ceremony inducting the “Legends of the Cruise.”
- Car staging 1 – 5 p.m ., inductees ceremony 6:30 p.m. June 10
- Tenth Street Plaza, 1010 10th St., Modesto
- Free, info
Thursday, June 11
Cool Hand Luke’s Park N’ Shine: As part of the official Graffiti Summer events lineup, this event is free for car enthusiasts and spectators, and features activities for kids at a local steakhouse. Classic car parking closes at 5 p.m.
- 5 – 8 p.m. June 11
- Cool Hand Luke’s, 2505 Patterson Road, Riverbank
- Free, info
Passport to Dance: 5678 Dance Studio presents its annual recital. This year, music chosen from around the world invites audiences to “embark on a global adventure.
- 6:30 p.m. June 11, June 12, June 13, 1 p.m. June 13
- Gallo Center, Rogers Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $29 – $41, tickets
Cole Swindell: This Georgia-born country music performer known for his debut single “Chillin It” (2013) brings his latest set to the Fruit Yard concert series.
- 7 p.m. June 11
- Fruit Yard Amphitheater, 7948 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto
- $74 – $162, tickets
Star Power night at Mancini Bowl: MoBand continues its free summer concert in the park series with musical stylings from “Hamilton the Musical,” “Stranger Things,” and more. Feel free to dress as your favorite character from any universe.
- 8 p.m. June 11
- Graceda Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto
- Free
Friday, June 12
American Graffiti Parade: The North Modesto Kiwanis Club presents the 27th annual parade and festival. Some 1,000 classic cars will cruise through downtown, onto McHenry Avenue towards Briggsmore Avenue. A ticketed car show will be held on the Modesto Jr. College West Campus.
- 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. June 12
- Parade route starts Downtown and goes along McHenry Ave.
- Free, info
Cult Classics and Coffee: Modesto Artists Movement hosts its free movie night. Watch a free screening of Kinji Fukasaku’s 2000 cult classic “Battle Royal,” a Japanese dystopian film.
- 7 – 10 p.m. June 12
- Queen Bean Coffee & Social House, 1126 14th St., Modesto
- Free, info
Present Laughter: Prospect Theater Project presents English-playwright Noel Coward’s 1939 piece on a touring-actor’s mid-life crisis. The show will offer two matinees for a “Page 2 Stage” discussion and talkback with the cast and director on the final Sundays of the show’s run.
- 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. June 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27, 2 p.m. June 21, 28
- Prospect Theater Project, 1214 K St., Modesto
- Student tickets $11, general admission $31.75, tickets/info
Saturday, June 13
Allensworth Trip: Silver Square Lodge #66’s Creator’s Club coordinates a daytrip to California’s first all-Black town for its members, families and friends.
- 8 a.m. June 13
- Amtrak, 1700 Held Dr., Modesto
- $30, info
Block Party: Carnegie Arts Center hosts a community arts celebration in downtown Turlock. Attendees can experience work by local artists, live music and more.
- 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. June 13
- Central Park, Turlock
- Free, info
American Graffiti Car Show and Festival: Hundreds of classic cars, live music, car gear vendors, crafts and a kids’ zone will take over MJC’s campus for the weekend. Tickets are available online or in person with cash or card.
- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. June 13-14
- MJC West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Avenue, Modesto
- General admission $10, kids under 12 free, parking free, tickets
Califaz Style Car & Bike Show: Tuolumne River Regional Park hosts a park “n’ shine” event for Graffiti Summer. Classic cars and motorcycles are invited for a $20 registration fee. 50 awards will be given to contestants. Spectators can enjoy the sixth annual show alongside live performances and food vendors.
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 13
- Tuolumne River Regional Park, 1200 Tioga Drive, Modesto
- Free for spectators, info
Ceres Pride: CalPride Presents one of its seven events across the San Joaquin Valley and Foothills honor of Pride Month. Attendees can expect local vendors, health and wellness resources, drag performances, free food, games, and more.
- 12 p.m – 4 p.m. June 13
- Whitmore Park, Third Street, Ceres
- Free
Juneteenth Community Celebration: King Kennedy Board of Directors presents a fashion show, live performances and local vendors downtown in celebration of unity, freedom and Black culture.
- 1 p.m. June 13
- Graceda Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto
- Free, info
Fiddler on the Roof: Modesto Performing Arts brings this Broadway classic by Jerome Robbins and Harold Prince. Spend a few hours with local performers directed by the community theater company’s longtime director and founder Paul Tischer.
- 7:30 p.m. June 13, June 19, 2 p.m. June 14, June 20, June 21
- Gallo Center, Foster Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $38 – $58, tickets
Sunday, June 14
Bill Engvall: Modesto thought it had seen the last of this popular stand-up comedian and TV personality four years ago when he announced his farewell tour. Join Engvall again for his new tour, “Here’s Your Sign, It Wasn’t My Time”.
- 5 p.m. June 14
- Gallo Center, Rogers Theater, 1000 I St, Modesto
- $98 – $158, tickets
Thursday, June 18
Game Night Dance Recital: Footnotes Dance Studio presents its 29th annual recital, offering a wide range of choreography and storytelling inspired by family game nights.
- 6:30 p.m. June 18, June 19, June 20, 1 p.m. June 20
- Gallo Center, Rogers Theater, 1000 I St, Modesto
- $31 – $34, tickets
“Innovation Nation” night at Mancini Bowl: MoBand attendees are encouraged to wear white shirts, for a full audience “white out.” The night’s music is a mash-up of pieces dedicated to space, songs from the movie “Up” and more.
- 8 p.m. June 18
- Graceda Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto
- Free
Friday, June 19
Hot & Ready: A comedy roast battle presented by Modesto Artists Movement and hosted by “one of the country’s top five Roast Battlers,” Josh Means.
- 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. June 19
- Queen Bean Coffee & Social House, 1126 14th St., Modesto
- $12.51, tickets
Saturday, June 20
Mi Casa’s Cars & Coffee: Enjoy food and drinks and a free car show featuring members of local car clubs.
- 7 – 11 a.m. June 20
- Mi Casa restaurant, 624 N. Golden State Blvd., Turlock
- Free, info
Back to Graffiti Car Show: A community park n’ shine event and fundraiser for Shriner’s Hospitals, Soroptimists, and Community Hospice, presented by Modesto F-100 Elite. Cars of all makes and models are invited to enter.
- 8 a.m. June 20
- Fruit Yard, 7948 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto
- Free for spectators, entry registration $50 or $55 day-of, info
Turlock Pride: CalPride Presents one of its seven events across the San Joaquin Valley and Foothills honor of Pride Month. Attendees can expect local vendors, health and wellness resources, drag performances, free food, games, and more.
- 12 p.m – 4 p.m. June 20
- Donnelly Park, 600 Pedras Road, Turlock
- Free
Sunday, June 21
Melodies & Mimosas: A free community live music event at Queen Bean featuring local artist Mitchell Dill.
- 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., June 21
- Queen Bean Coffee & Social House, 1126 14th St., Modesto
- Free, info
Open Mic Music: Queen Bean’s final open mic of the month.
- 6 – 9 p.m., June 21
- Queen Bean Coffee & Social House, 1126 14th St., Modesto
- Free, info
Wednesday, June 24
June Slam on Rye: Modesto Artists Movement returns with its regular poetry slam competition. First prize wins $200 and an automatic bid to participate in the 21st annual ILL LIST Poetry Slam Invitational in December. Second place wins $50.
- 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. June 24
- Queen Bean Coffee & Social House, 1126 14th St, Modesto
- $12.51, tickets/info
Thursday, June 25
Graffiti Exhibit: Kruse Lucas Art Gallery welcomes Valley Springs-based artist Brad Stone. His paintings focus on cars of different time periods. He aims to intertwine creativity with a sense of nostalgia and aims to convey the elegance of vehicle lines.
- 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Thursday, except holidays
- Kruse Lucas Imports, 525 Tully Road, Modesto
- Free
“Bright Lights, Modesto Nights” at Mancini Bowl: Casino and nightlife-themed dress is recommended for this MoBand concert in the park evening. Prepare to hear popular artists’ music, including Frank Sinatra, Bruno Mars, Cher and Elvis.
- 8 p.m. June 25
- Graceda Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto
- Free
Friday, June 26
ModPlayers Improv Show: A team of local improv actors will fill the night with skits made up on the spot in a “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” style. Space is limited.
- 7:30 p.m. June 26
- Prospect Theater Project Artist’s Lab, 1214 K Street, Modesto
- $16.25, tickets
Saturday, June 27
Cars Show & Coffee: As the end of Graffiti Summer approaches, enjoy fresh brewed coffee, hot rods and classic vibes at a Hughson’s annual car show in the Samaritan Village.
- 9 – 11 a.m. June 27
- Samaritan Village, North Parking Lot, 7700 Fox Road, Hughson
- Free, info
Belmare Classic Car Show: Fourth annual free event at Belmare Senior Living offers a show filled with competition, imported, classic cars and more.
- 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. June 27
- Belmare Senior Living, 1450 West F St., Oakdale
- Free, info
Waterford Pride: CalPride Presents one of its seven events across the San Joaquin Valley and Foothills honor of Pride Month. Attendees can expect local vendors, health and wellness resources, drag performances, free food, games, and more.
- 12 p.m – 4 p.m. June 27
- Beard Park, 540 C Street and Bonnie Brae Ave., Waterford
- Free
Made in America!: Gottschalk Concert Band presents patriotic music from movies, theater and jazz roots in celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday.
- 2 p.m. June 27
- Gallo Center, Foster Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $29, tickets
The Bacon Brothers: Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael debut at the Gallo Center with their People in the World Tour. The famous actor and his brother, who play a mix of folks, rock, soul and country, have previously played the Stanislaus County Fair.
- 7:30 p.m. June 27
- Gallo Center, Rogers Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $48 – $108, tickets
Sunday, June 28
Rod & Custom Car Show: Modesto Elks Lodge #1282 presents its 48th annual contribution to Graffiti Summer. Participants will receive a free hotdog and bag of chips with entry, spectators can purchase food. This indoor show offers plenty of space to stay cool during the heat.
- 7 a.m. roll in, show 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. June 28
- Modesto Elks Lounge, 645 Charity Way, Modesto
- Free entry, breakfast until sellout $13, info
Oakdale Pride: CalPride Presents the first-ever Oakdale Pride, one of its seven events across the San Joaquin Valley and Foothills honor of Pride Month. Attendees can expect local vendors, health and wellness resources, drag performances, free food, games, and more.
- 10 a.m – 3 p.m. June 28
- Dorada Park, 600 N 2nd Ave., Oakdale
- Free
CelloVoci with Effie Passero: Modesto’s own “American Idol” contestant, Effie Passero performs alongside cello and vocalist duo known as Branden & James. The trio brings music from their first collaborative album “Happy Days,” released in 2024.
- 5 p.m. June 28
- Gallo Center, Foster Theater, 1000 I St., Modesto
- $48 – $108, tickets
