For those who love murals, music, and Modesto’s creative pulse

Friday, April 25 – Creative Vibes & Local Sounds

Arrive early and check into a downtown hotel to settle in close to the action.
Take a walking tour of downtown Modesto’s murals using the Visit Modesto Mural Map. With dozens of artworks from local and visiting artists, this self-guided tour brings the city’s walls to life.
7:00–9:00 PM: Live jazz at Intermission — Sip cocktails, snack, and enjoy smooth sounds in this stylish downtown lounge.
Prefer the stage to music? Head to the Prospect Theater Project to catch ARTIST LAB: April ModPlayers Improv Show for laughs and quick wit in an intimate space.

Saturday, April 26 – GarageFest & Artful Moments

7:00–8:00 AM: Prep for the treasure hunt by using the GarageFest map to scout homes selling albums, instruments, and music memorabilia.
8:00 AM–4:00 PM: Explore GarageFest — Make your way through Modesto’s neighborhoods, searching for vintage vinyl, collectibles, and more.
Midday lunch break near downtown – try out Grub Hubs food truck park or Picasso’s Gourmet Deli for great sandwiches with an artsy vibe.
Afternoon: Visit the Emerging Artists Exhibit at the Stanislaus Arts Council — Celebrate new voices in the visual arts with this inspiring collection. It’s the perfect cultural interlude after a morning of shopping.
Evening: The Jacksons at Gallo Center for the Arts — Close your day with a high-energy concert from the legendary musical family.

For the curious and adventurous traveler

Friday, April 25 – Museums & Mystique

Arrive early and check into a downtown hotel to be near the action.
Visit the Be Anything Museum for playful and colorful exhibits showing off Barbie history.
6:30–9:00 PM: MoChiMu After Dark – Swords, Sorcery & Sci-Fi (21+ only) — Enjoy snacks, drinks, and after-hours museum magic.
9:00 PM: Late-night dinner at Galletto Ristorante, Tresetti’s, or Dewz downtown.

Saturday, April 26 – From Fresh Finds to Funky Sales

7:00–8:00 AM: Map out your must-sees — Look for antiques, vintage clothing, and rare memorabilia.
8:00–10:00 AM: Modesto Certified Farmers Market — Start your day with local produce and handmade goods.
10:00 AM–4:00 PM: GarageFest — Explore city-wide sales and one-of-a-kind finds.
Afternoon & evening: Unwind at a local café or check out the Great Valley Museum or McHenry Museum before heading home, or support one of our local bookstores during Independent Bookstore Day at Bookish!

For those strong with the Force

Friday, April 25 – Murals, Movies & Galactic Inspiration

Morning: Begin your Star Wars adventure with Modesto’s murals
Download the Visit Modesto Mural Map and start your journey with a self-guided art tour. The map includes an optional audio guide and will lead you to a variety of large-scale murals scattered around the city—many of which feature sci-fi, pop culture, and Star Wars–inspired imagery. Whether you’re a devotee of the original trilogy or a fan of the newer installments, you’ll find artwork that brings your galactic favorites to life.

Midday: Hotel check-in and recharging
After a morning of mural exploration, check into your Modesto hotel to refresh and prepare for an afternoon packed with cinematic nostalgia.

Afternoon: Star Wars on the big screen
Head to The State Theatre for an epic lineup of Episodes IV, V, and VI, playing all weekend in one of Modesto’s most iconic and historic theaters.
Prefer something newer? The Jewel, located next door, will be screening Solo and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
🎟️ Check movie times and grab tickets here

Snack break: Refuel at Rodin Farms Farmers’ Market
Just down the street at 1001 J St, grab some fresh, premade snacks or a drink to keep your energy up between murals and movies.

Evening: Galactic lore and local roots
After your final screening or downtown stroll, wind down with some lore and learning:
Visit MeWuk.com to explore the story of the MeWuk tribe, whose name inspired the beloved Ewok characters in the Star Wars universe. It’s the perfect local connection to the galaxy far, far away.

Saturday, April 26 – Brunch, Browsing & One Last Screening

Morning: Sleep in and brunch in style
After a restful night, ease into your morning with a relaxing breakfast at The Twisted Pig or Lucille, favorite weekend brunch spots with locals and visitors alike.

Late morning: Shop GarageFest
Take a detour into GarageFest, where you can focus on sales offering movie memorabilia, sci-fi collectibles, or vintage toys. Use the interactive GarageFest map to target homes featuring categories that match your collector’s heart. You never know when you’ll stumble upon the ultimate Star Wars score.

Afternoon: Optional second round of screenings
Head back to The State or The Jewel for a second helping of your favorite films. Rewatching Empire or finally catching Rogue One on the big screen is the perfect way to wrap your themed weekend.

Late afternoon: Last stroll and farewell coffee
Take a final walk downtown or relax with a coffee from Penny University or Preservation Coffee. Reflect on a weekend of art, nostalgia, and local charm before heading back to your home planet.

For the savvy shopper who lives for the hunt

Friday, April 25 – Shop Local & Settle In

Arrive early and check into your hotel to drop off bags and fuel up.
Afternoon: Thrift store hopping — Explore hot spots like: Chasing Nostalgia, Threads Boutique, New Life Thrift, Endless Possibilities Thrift, TNT Antiques and Collectibles, Mo Stuff Thrift & More, Once Upon a Child, and more!
Dinner: D’Forno Cocina — Enjoy wood-fired Italian cuisine in a cozy downtown setting.

Saturday, April 26 – GarageFest Goldmine

7:00–8:00 AM: Use the GarageFest map to target vintage, décor, and clothing sales.
8:00 AM–2:00 PM: Hit garage sales across town by your favorite category.
2:30 PM: Lunch at Taco Fest — Street tacos, aguas frescas, and lively energy.
4:00 PM: Downtown stroll for more shopping or a museum stop.
5:30 PM: Happy hour at a local brewery like Contentment Brewing or Churchkey.

For gamers, collectors, and tabletop enthusiasts

Friday, April 25 – Level Up on Local Fun

Arrive early and check into your hotel.

Lunch: Velvet Creamery
Head to Velvet Creamery for a well-deserved lunch, offering comfort food like burgers and shakes to recharge you for the afternoon.

3:00 PM: Learn to Play at Meeple Valley Board Games
Participate in the “Learn to Play” event at Meeple Valley. Whether you’re trying out a new board game, meeting fellow gamers, or brushing up on the rules of an old favorite, it’s a welcoming hub for casual and serious players alike.

Evening: Collectibles & Cards
Visit Utopia Games, Modesto’s go-to for TCGs like Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, Pokémon, and other tabletop essentials. Their friendly staff can help you find the perfect addition to your deck or guide you through new releases.

Dinner: Try out Fast Eddie’s MOAB, a local favorite with classic favorites and a room of pinball machines!

Saturday, April 26 – GarageFest & Gameplay

Morning:Pre-Game Your Treasure Hunt
Start your adventure by browsing the GarageFest interactive map and identifying homes that list vintage board games, trading cards, electronics, or pop culture collectibles. With the whole city participating, this is your chance to score rare finds and expand your collection with one-of-a-kind garage sale gems.

8:00–9:00 AM: GarageFest Scouting Time
Hit the road with purpose! Use your notes to target GarageFest sales offering vintage video games, consoles, electronics, or rare game-themed merch. The interactive map helps you sort by category, so you can game the system in your favor.

9:00 AM–1:00 PM: Treasure Hunt Continues
Spend the morning navigating Modesto’s neighborhoods and hunting for collector’s gold—whether it’s that NES cartridge you’ve been looking for or a forgotten box of Pokémon cards waiting to be rediscovered.

Lunch: Queen Bean Coffee & Social House — Refuel with coffee, sandwiches, or pastries in a relaxed indoor-outdoor space that’s great for solo downtime or group hangouts.

Afternoon: Casual Gaming & Final Finds
Head back to Meeple Valley or Utopia Games to test out your new finds, browse their expansive game collections, or join in for some light gameplay. Got a group? Challenge each other to a quick round before heading out.

Evening: One Last Level-Up
Optional: Finish your visit with a final stroll downtown, one more sweet treat (Yogurt Mill, anyone?), or toast your weekend wins with a local brew.

For Modesto locals who want to give back and shop with heart

Saturday, April 26 – Volunteer, Explore, Support

7:00–8:30 AM: Kick off your morning with Love Modesto
Join fellow community members at the Love Modesto Kickoff Party downtown! Enjoy a pancake breakfast, music, raffles, giveaways, and the energy of hundreds of volunteers ready to make a difference. You’ll meet your project leaders and get inspired to serve.
🔗 Sign up for a project at LoveModesto.com

8:30–10:30 AM: Volunteer in your city
Whether you’re beautifying a park, assisting a local nonprofit, or delivering care packages, you’ll be part of the hands-on work that helps Modesto shine.

10:30 AM–11:00 AM: Quick refresh and regroup
Grab a coffee from Penny University or Bakeshop to refuel before jumping into your next activity.

11:00 AM–1:00 PM: Shop Modesto GarageFest
Support your neighbors by browsing garage sales across town! From gently used furniture to baby gear, sports equipment, clothing, and more, every purchase helps a local household and keeps good stuff out of the landfill.
💡 Use the interactive map to find categories that interest you or shop by neighborhood!

1:00 PM: Celebrate local flavors at Taco Fest
Downtown Modesto transforms into a festival of food, featuring mouthwatering street tacos, aguas frescas, churros, live music, and more. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a meaningful morning and connect with others who love Modesto as much as you do.

3:00 PM: Swing by a nearby farm stand
Grab a bag of fresh-picked cherries, apricots, or citrus from local vendors and enjoy a taste of Modesto’s agricultural roots. A few great stops include Rodin Farms, SONS Farm Fresh, and roadside stands along McHenry.

5:00 PM: Evening options
If you’ve still got energy, head to a park with your new thrifted treasures, attend a local gathering or concert, or unwind with friends over drinks or dessert at Food Fix Butcher & Baker or The Ice Cream Co.

For families looking to play, explore, and make memories together

Friday, April 25 – Parks, Play & Family Fun

3:00 PM: Arrive and check into your hotel
Pick a spot near downtown for easy access to kid-friendly stops.

4:00 PM: Playtime at Graceada Park
Let the kids run free at this scenic park with water play (seasonal), playgrounds, and space to picnic or relax.

5:30 PM: Family dinner downtown
Enjoy casual eats at Camp 4, Food Fix Butcher & Baker, or Twisted Pig—all kid-friendly with tasty options.

7:00 PM: Evening fun
Head to FunWorks for mini golf and arcade games, or stroll downtown with the Modesto Mural Map for a colorful, interactive walk.

Saturday, April 26 – Fresh Finds & GarageFest Adventures

8:00 AM: Breakfast at the Farmers Market
Browse the Modesto Certified Farmers Market for fruit, pastries, and local snacks, then check out Mocha Magic Cafe & Bakeshop for coffee and goodies within walking distance of the market!

10:30 AM: Pick your adventure

🧠 Modesto Children’s Museum for hands-on discovery

🌼 Modesto Children’s Garden for outdoor learning

🎮 Boomers for playtime

12:30 PM: Lunch at Taco Fest
Fuel up with tacos, churros, and aguas frescas—fun flavors and festive vibes.

2:00 PM: GarageFest scavenger hunt
Use the GarageFest map to target sales with toys, games, and kid gear. Let the little ones help with the “hunt”!

4:00 PM: Sweet treat to wrap up
Celebrate your finds with frozen treas from Yogurt Mill, La Reina Michoacana, or The Ice Cream Company before heading home.

For road-trippers and weekend warriors

Friday, April 25 – Scenic Arrival & Nightlife

3:00 PM: Check into a hotel near downtown or close to the freeway for convenience and comfort.
4:00 PM: Mural walk downtown — Use the Visit Modesto Mural Map for a self-guided art stroll.
6:00 PM: Dinner at Galletto Ristorante or Commonwealth — Great flavors, stylish ambiance.
7:30 PM: Entertainment at The State Theatre or Prospect Theater — Choose between Star Wars movies or live theater.
Optional nightcap — Craft beer or a cocktail (or mocktail!) at The Intermission or 18Seventy Brewing.

Saturday, April 26 – GarageFest & Downtown Delights

8:00 AM: Coffee & pastry at Penny University or Bakeshop.
8:30 AM–2:00 PM: GarageFest — Explore with the interactive map in hand.
12:30 PM: Lunch at Taco Fest — Refuel with tacos and live music.
2:00 PM: Explore local favs like Mobaak Aromatherapy, Bookish Modesto and Chasing Nostalgia.
5:00 PM: Dinner at one of our many food trucks — A relaxing end to a vibrant day.

Sunday Optional – Brunch & Farewell

Still in town? Treat yourself to brunch at The Secret Garden or The Biscuit Basket before hitting the road.