Holidays in Modesto
Apres Skate Modesto.
We have a new thing to do in Modesto. With the amazing new Modesto on Ice rink, it asks the questions, what are you going to do before and after your ice skating? Apres Skate anyone?
Rediscover downtown Modesto this holiday season. It you haven’t been downtown in weeks, months or maybe even years, now is the time. There are new holiday decorations on 10th St thanks to Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group, Collins Electric and ModestoView. There is a new 10th St landscape by the Downtown Modesto Partnership and there is an amazing Ice Skating rink at 11th and K and you will see a downtown that is all lit up and ready for you. Fantastic restaurants, great shows at the State and Gallo Center, nightlife at local cafes, heated patios and cool boutiques for unique gift shopping. It is not just in downtown Modesto, but all over our county there are great things to do. For the latest in local holiday home lighting showcases, try this www.lightsofthevalley.com
If you know of something else going on, email us ASAP and we ill add it to our calendar events@modestoview.com
Modesto On Ice
If you haven’t been yet, Modesto On Ice is your place for holiday enjoyment. This amazing real ice rink is covered, features night light show, snacks, photo booth and 90 minute skating sessions daily until mid January. You can book your skate times in advance. This will be the cornerstone of your downtown experience this winter. www.modestoonice.com
So now that we have that covered, what to do or Avant or Apres Skate?
Dec 5
Dicken’s Faire & Modesto Certified Farmer’s Market 7am-3pm
Take a step back in time! The McHenry Mansion will be fully decorated like a Victorian Christmas and there will be crafts and activities for the kiddos at the McHenry Museum. You may tour the beautiful McHenry Mansion, which will be decorated for the holidays as it was in Victorian Times. Docents dressed in period clothing, and stationed throughout the home, will be available to answer questions about the history and artifacts of this beautiful Victorian house. There is no charge for the event.
5:30pm Celebration of Lights Parade
The theme this year is “Miracle on 10th Street”! Parade starts on I & 14th Streets. Following the parade will be the Rockin’ Christmas Tree Lighting in 10th Street Plaza, with Modesto’s brand new 50 foot tree. Ice skate at Modesto on Ice on 11th & K St, while you wait for Rockin’ Holiday to start!
Rockin’ Holiday at the Rockin North Pole in 10th St Plaza
Fun for the whole family! We are take you back with rockin retro cheer and special vintage style décor to the original cruise route on 10th Street! Rockin’ Santa, his Rockin’ elves and his Rockin’ hot rod sleigh will be available for free photo ops for your family Christmas cards! Every half hour look up into the sky to see snow right here in Modesto! Sip your hot cocoa or your Irish Coffee, and eat your roasted chestnuts. This fun family holiday party is not one to miss!
Opening Night – December 5th with music fun and Rockin’ tree lighting after the parade
This continues every Thurs, Fri & Sat in December (weather permitting)
Rockin Holiday features our own Rockabilly music to get you in that toe tappin holiday spirit.
Dec 5th Tony Trevino & Tiffany Rose Band
Dec 10th Greasehound
Dec 11th Love Core
Dec 12th Rockin’ Rick and the Rhythm Wranglers and Johnny Devil & His Sins
Dec 17th Lodge Pole Pickers and a guest appearance from Gottschalks Band There will be Star Wars themed events too for the Premier at Brenden.
Dec 18th Greasehound
Dec 19th Rockin’ Rick and the Rhythm Wranglers and Johnny Devil & His Sins
8pm Latkes & Vodka
Congregation Beth Shalom, 1705 Sherwood Ave., Modesto.
A Jewish celebration! $4 per person. 209-571-6060 more info www.cbsmodesto.org.
Dec 12th
7am Spirit of Giving Run
Runners will receive a snowy start at the 6th Annual Modesto Spirit of Giving Run, Also features a wheelchair division. Start/finish line in Tenth Street Plaza with holiday vendor booths and festivities, including a FREE quarter-mile kid’s fun run where children 10 and under can chase the Grinch out of Modesto! Santa will be there too, so don’t forget your camera! Please support Modesto Gospel Mission by bringing canned food or monetary donations and receive raffle tickets to win great prizes. Cost to Register: Adult 13+: $35 Child 12 and under: $20. Groups of 10 or more adults will receive a $5 discount per entry. Entries must be received before December 7th, 2015 to be eligible for group rate. www.modestospiritofgiving.org/
Brenden will feature a free Christmas movie with canned food donation.
The Rockin’ Holiday festival will go on all day with lights and snow starting at 5:30
Christmas in Grandpa’s Barn December 12
Dec 4,5,6, 11, 12, 13
Lorina’s Edible Garden, 17693 Enterprise Rd, Escalon 10am-4pm
Come out for a special holiday at the barn! Loads of shopping, fresh produce and nuts, and tons of fun! Santa will be attendance with a campfire, Christmas music, scones and hot drinks.
Dec. 18th & Sun. Dec. 20th Candlelight tours of the McHenry Mansion
Tours begin at 5pm and the last tour leaves at 8:30pm.|
During the tours, visitors will see docents dressed in period clothing demonstrating Victorian life as it was during the holidays. One might see popcorn stringing, musicians, a gingerbread house being decorated and much more. The Mansion is beautifully decorated for Christmas as it would have looked in the 1880s. McHenry Mansion is located at 15th and I Street, Modesto. Come take the family for a Christmas Tour!
Christmas Tree Lane, Ceres
Every night in December, Moffett Road, between Henry & Thomas Avenues. Stop by your favorite café for some hot cocoa and cruise slowly down the streets of Christmas Tree Lane with your family to enjoy beautifully decorated houses! Start your new tradition this year!
Santa Con – Dec 11
RAIN or SHINE! The NORTH POLE is invading Modesto! Call it Santarchy, Santapalooza, or Santa Rampage. He paints the town red, white, and green accompanied by eccentric elves and dancing deers. Join up for a sozzled inspired hoopla that wreaks ‘merry-ho’ all over the streets of Modesto. Here’s our list of participating downtown bars! Firkin ‘n Fox 7pm-7:30pm Cheroot 7:45-8:15pm Fuzio’s 8:30-9:00pm Commonwealth 9:15-9:45pm Concetta’s 10-10:30pm Speakeasy 10:40-11:20pm Tresetti’s 11:30- DONE
State Holiday Movies
Show times are 12:00, 4, and 7:00 pm and all movies are $ 5 Bring the whole family and enjoy the splendor of Modesto’s historic theatre, with full digital sound and fantastic picture quality.
December 21 – It’s a Wonderful Life, Holiday Inn, Babes In Toyland
December 22 – Holiday Inn, Babes in Toyland, A Christmas Story
December 23 – A Christmas Story, It’s a Wonderful Life, Holiday Inn
December 24 – Babes in Toyland, A Christmas Story, It’s a Wonderful Life
Artsy Folks Boutique – Dec 19
Bethel One Church Campus – Scenic & Oakdale 12pm – 6pm
For the 3rd year, this event will benefit Interfaith Ministries and our Feed Modesto Pantry, providing healthy groceries to over 40,000 low-income residents and families in Stanislaus County. Come enjoy our boutique environment and shop handmade, vintage items, make-and-take goodies, coffee, sweets and of course, art of all kinds
Night Before Christmas – Dec
MJC East Auditorium 5 – 7 pm
The Modesto Junior College Music Department presents “The Night Before Christmas, a family friendly program of traditional Christmas music, favorite children’s songs, a musical setting of the poem “The Night Before Christmas,” and excerpts from The Grinch movie! $6 general admission and $3 for students, seniors and children. Campus parking is free on weekends. Tickets are for sale in advance at the Auditorium Box Office, (209) 575-6776
Holiday Lighted Bike Parade – Dec 19
Old Save Mart shopping Center near Five Points 6pm
Decorate and light your bike and join us for a Leisurely YET Attention-Grabbing Ride through Modesto. Meet up at 17th Street between H and I street next to Starbucks and Mr. Pickles. Bring your friends and lots of bikes as there’s plenty of room to park if you are traveling far. Leave for a fun ride to see Christmas Light displays towards downtown and beyond. It is a lighted magical mystery bike parade. Dress warm and festive! Invite your friends! All bike types welcome.
Christmas at the Mansion – Dec 8
Join your special friends at the McHenry Mansion for a very special Christmas Tea. These are moments you will treasure for every with your loved one or kids. Spaces still available at the 2 p.m. seating. For reservations at $30 per person, contact Janie at 522-1739.
Dickens Christmas Faire – Dec 5
This annual event is a MUST do for the holiday season. The Modesto Farmers market transforms into Victorian England and the McHenry Mansion is open for tours, caroling and horse and carriage rides. There will be Santa Ukulele concerts, school choirs, and other great music, fun and vintage crafts and characters. Enjoy the beauty of our Modesto history from 7 – 2 pm on 15th St in front of the mansion. This is a free event and fun for the family.
Latkes and Vodka at Congregation Beth Shalom Dec 5 8-11
This may be one of the most fun fundraisers with Hot Club Faux Gitane and Kyle Barker Band. Vodka, Wine Bars, Latke’s & Cocktail Foods with an outside heated tent venue. Food, beverages & entertainment in both indoor/outdoor venues and a fundraiser silent auction. All proceeds benefit the CBS Youth Programs and The Jewish Community. www.cbsmodesto.org
Omegu Nu Christmas Home Tour – Dec 5
Omega Nu is excited to celebrate their 28th Annual Christmas Home Tour with four beautifully decorated homes for to tour. Omega Nu pledges and high school volunteers will serve more than 600 chicken phyllo lunches and guests are able to purchase our famous shortbread, toffee, peppermint crunch, fruitcakes and fudge. Omega Nu’s eagerly anticipated special drawings make the day of fun and excitement complete. Omega Nu members decorate the beautiful homes to and create scrumptious baked goods and prepare the delicious lunch. Omega Nu’s Christmas Home Tour is the event of the season and is a fun raiser local civic project.
Info at: www.omeganumodesto.org/
At the Gallo Center for the Arts
Dec 1 – Point Of Grace Christmas Show: 7:30 p.m.
Dec 2 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Wild And Swingin’ Holiday Party: 7:30 p.m.
Dec 4-5 “It’s A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play”: 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 4-5; 2 p.m. Saturday
Dec 4 – Modesto Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4; 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; $15-$25.
Dec 17 – Opus Handbell Ensemble: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17; $8-$15.
Dec 21 Dave Koz & Friends Christmas: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21; $39-$79
Dec 12-20 Central West Ballet “The Nutcracker”: 7 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 11 and 18; 2 p.m. Saturday-Sundays, Dec. 12, 13 and 20; 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19; $19-$54
At the State Theatre Holidays with the Rat Pack: 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3; Free show.
