The BigView
By Chris Murphy
Magic, that is what this season is all about. Twinkle lights, sugar plums, snow flurries in 10th St Plaza, Christmas movies at the 90 year-old State Theatre, ice skating at Modesto on Ice, ringing the Salvation Army bell to help raise money for others in need, the magic of an evening get together and the camaraderie of kids, friends and family, these are magic moments.
We can’t ever lose that sense of wonder.
The world around us is crazy enough so we really need to focus on what makes magic moments right here. Is it an extra string of lights on your porch? Making some holiday snacks out of Bugles and M&Ms? The smell of cinnamon orange in the kitchen? It doesn’t have to be much, but some fun thing that makes a magic memory or start a tradition. Maybe it is taking your kids to the “snow” in 10th St Plaza.
MoCheer!
Our friends at Visit Modesto have really made some great magic waves all over the world for Modesto, taking the cool things that happen here and telling our friends in Japan, London, or France and bringing people to visit. They are always working on fun ways to make some Modesto Cheer. Check out their ideas and tips at www.visitmodesto.com
Modesto on Ice
Skating in downtown Modesto is magic and fun for kids, families and is a great date night. There are sessions all day, every day until January 20, 2025. The rink is fully covered and skate sessions are 90 minutes long and there are even skating aids for new skaters. You can even ring in the New Year on ice. There are skating lessons on Saturday mornings and special theme nights. There are still some openings to book some parties and there are frequent skater packages available. Check www.modestoonice.com<www.modestoonice.com> and sign your waiver to save time getting on the ice.
11th and K Street, downtown Modesto.
RAM Farms presents Fields of Ice
You can skate daily until January 20, 2025 and there are even skate season tickets available. You can even get your Christmas tree at RAM Farm and enjoy an skating rink with that’s both indoor and outdoor. There is a skate lesson series as well and you can purchase photos with Santa. www.turlockfieldsofice.com
716 N. Daubenberger Rd. Turlock
Après Skate
When you go skiing, especially when you have travelled to ski, meeting up with friends, enjoying a post ski cocktail and dinner is really special. You can now do that right here in downtown Modesto after you take off your skates at Modesto on Ice. Don’t go back to your car to go home, take a moment, walk down the lighted streets and explore our downtown. Many of the windows are decorated, your fave restaurants are decorated for the holidays, there are holiday films at the State and Brenden Theatres and there are wonderful holiday shows at the Gallo Center and the Prospect. So when you skate, make your evening a little more special and tell your friends, “Let’s meet après skate!”
Holiday Winter Wonderland
If you need a big fix of lights, decorations in a magical space, then you need to go to Morris Nursery. Every year, this gets bigger and brighter and is one of the best holiday displays in the area. They even have a Christmas Vacation town display. Take a walk through this wonderland and get your nursery selections, décor, greenery, living trees and more. If you haven’t done this before, don’t miss it and keep your décor dollars local and out of the big boxes. Hope you run into their amazing owner, Ron Hoffman. He will run circles around everyone.
Morris Nursery, Open everyday, 8:30am-5pm, Sundays, 9am-5pm. 1837 Patterson Rd in Riverbank.
Rat Pack Christmas Party
This is Modesto’s season opening cocktail party with Matt “Sinatra” Henderson and his friends David and Dave Halverson, Ann and Katie Kline, with dancers and a celebration of our are Vets in all branches. Scratch off the rest of your day as you enjoy a State cocktail while Matt and his friends entertain with this free holiday show. December 5th – 2 pm at the State Theatre Just show up and the Chairman will be singing. More info at www.thestate.org<www.thestate.org>
SantaCon Modesto – December 14
Everyone can be Santa for a night. Don’t miss this FREE night of holiday frivolity and be your best Santa and enjoy a pub crawl through downtown Modesto. Meet up at 6 pm at Commonwealth on 11th St. Don’t miss the big Santa photo in 10th St Plaza at 8 pm. Purchase your own drinks, tip your servers, have fun and leave no Santa behind.
6:35 The Fox Pub
7:05 Che’root
7:35 Slides
8:00 Pic with Santa in the plaza
8:15 Fuzio
8:50 Speakeasy
9:45 Boardroom
10:30 – till ? Splash
Latkes, Vodka and Rock
Celebrate with your friends to prepare for Hanukah with a new kind of Latke party. Congregation Beth Shalom will be having a rockin’ 50s party with local award winning band Tongue & Groove while guests share cocktails, vodka, prime rib carving, a special California Latke and much more. This is also a fundraiser for Congregation Beth Shalom. Tix are $200 available at www.cbsmodesto<www.cbsmodesto>.org
December 14, 6:30 pm 1705 Sherwood Ave. Modesto
The Gallo Center has unfolded a beautiful holiday experience. This is one of Modesto’s most beautiful spots with decorated Christmas trees and a great line of holiday shows for the whole family. Check out these great events and while you are there, get a special holiday family photo.
Dec 1 – Home for the Holiday with Peabo Bryson, Ruben Suddard and more
Dec 3 – Pink Martini Holiday
Dec 4 – Kenny G Miracles Holiday & Hits
Dec 5 – Irish Christmas
Dec 6 & 7 – Modesto Symphony Holiday Pops
Dec 8 – Jane Monheit Christmas Show
Dec 17 – Modesto Symphony Candlelight Pops
Dec 23 – Dave Koz & Friends Christmas
Gallo Repertory Theatre presents Christmas from the Western Front 1914, about a soldier who steps into No Mand’s Land singing Stille Nacht and an evening of song and fellowship unfold. December 14, 15, 20, 21, 22
Nutcracker
There are few traditions in Modesto more beloved that the annual Central West Ballet Nutcracker. This fun family version of the Tchaikovsky classic has inspired many young dancers. You can’t miss the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Mother Ginger, the Nutcracker and King Rat battle as Clara winds her ways through an enchanted land. www.galloarts<www.galloarts>.org
December 13, 14, 15, 21, & 22, 2 pm and 7 pm
Nutcracker in Jazz
One night only. This is the cool cat Nutcracker with big band sounds, and swinging dance interpretation of the famous ballet. Get your beatnik berets and enjoy the cool vibes of the classic sounds. Can you dig it? Your tix include a beautiful reception in the Grand Lobby. December 20, 7 pm. Gallo Center. www.galloarts<www.galloarts>.org
Celebration of Lights –December 7
This holiday parade is one of Modesto’s greatest traditions and this year’s theme is Disco. Make sure you get your parade entry in and get your mirror balls to get ready to light up the streets of Downtown Modesto. Parade begins at 5:30 and runs I St to 10th St then up J Street. Everyone meets up in 10th St Plaza for the Rockin’ Holiday tree lighting between 7 and 7:30
Magic in the Hills
“Rudolph” at Sierra Repertory Theatre. Journey back in time to Columbia’s Fallon House Theatre for the special presentation of Rudolph, inspired by the iconic Rankin Bass holiday cartoon, to which we give ohmage on our December cover. Join Hermey, Yukon Cornelius, Bumble and friends as they save Christmas and perform the songs you know and love, live. Through December 22. Tix and info at www.sierrarep.org
Ugly Sweater Christmas Vacation
Be your best Clark W Griswold, Cousin Eddie, or even Ellen or Aunt Bethany at the 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater party featuring trivia, fun, snacks, spiked rum eggnog, AND a private screening of Christmas Vacation in the Intermission. Tix are $50 and you even get a Wally World cup. What more can you ask for? Get tix quickly. www.thestate.org
Give the gift of food,
drink and entertainment!
You know the ViewCrew shops local, and one of the best ways you can support local is to give gift certificates from our local restaurants, theatres, and retailers. It can be hard to give the right gift and whether it is a gift of a movie or a great dinner, it is always a good idea. Pretty much every place offers gift cards or certificates for purchase to make the perfect gift!
This is just a sampler of the magic things happening in Modesto this month. Check out the best calendar in the 209 at www.modestoview.com and follow us on the socials at @modestoview
