Cruisin’ Through Time: Your Ultimate Guide to Graffiti Summer 2025 in Modesto!
Buckle up, cool cats—Graffiti Summer is rollin’ into Modesto once again! Every June, the city that inspired American Graffiti transforms into a nostalgic playground where chrome gleams, engines purr, jukeboxes sing, and smiles are as wide as a ’59 Cadillac.
Whether you’re a longtime hot rodder or a first-time visitor, this is your chance to time trip through Modesto’s legendary car culture and summer magic. From Legends of the Cruise to the iconic American Graffiti Parade, there’s something groovy happening on nearly every corner.
And because Modesto sits in the heart of California’s harvest country, your weekend can be filled with fresh fruit, farm-fresh flavors, and family fun alongside the classic cars.
Here’s your ultimate Graffiti Summer guide—grab your leather jacket, twist your way downtown, and let’s hit the road! 🚦🕺
🗓 Graffiti Summer 2025: Key Events Calendar
Where & when to catch the action
🎤 June 4th – Legends of the Cruise
Downtown Modesto
A full evening of vintage vibes and community pride, kicking off Graffiti Summer in style!
Schedule:
5:00 PM – Park ’N Shine opens 🚘
Wander the boulevard of vintage beauties, chat with proud owners, and snap envy-worthy photos.
5:30 PM – Live rock ’n’ roll in 10th Street Plaza 🎸
Feel the beat of ’50s and ’60s classics under the California sky.
6:30 PM – Legends of the Cruise ceremony 🏆
Celebrate Modesto’s automotive icons and their timeless stories.
7:30–9:00 PM – Third Party band closes the night 🎶
Dance or lounge as the band revs up the nostalgia with crowd-pleasing hits.
Bring your friends, your camera, and your sense of wonder for a night where every fender tells a story!
🚗 June 6th – American Graffiti Parade
Downtown Modesto & McHenry Ave.
A true highlight of the season! Thousands line the streets to watch hundreds of dazzling classic cars cruise the historic route. Bring lawn chairs, cameras, and your best poodle skirts!
🚙 June 7th-8th – American Graffiti Festival & Car Show
Modesto Junior College West Campus
This blockbuster weekend attracts car lovers from across the country! Expect:
1,200+ classic cars from every era
50+ non-food vendors (flower art, spin art, vintage vinyl, crystals, hot wheels, auto memorabilia & more)
Kids Zone with bounce houses, a train ride, valve cover races, and collector Hot Wheels
Automobile-related vendors
Amazing live music
20+ food vendors offering everything from classic burgers to international eats
A perfect all-ages event with something for everyone!
👉 More info »
🎟 Graffiti USA Classic Car Museum
Currently offering private tours & special events
While the full museum isn’t open to the public yet, you can still experience its magic! Private tours are available by appointment—perfect for car clubs, family outings, or visiting groups.
Keep an eye on their events calendar for special open house dates, pop-up events, and Graffiti Summer programming.
📞 Call to book a private tour!
🚗 Cruisin’ Modesto: Where to Soak in Car Culture
Historic Cruise Routes – Follow McHenry Avenue & Downtown streets where legends rolled.
Public Art & Murals – Snap selfies with vibrant American Graffiti-themed murals.
Retro Diners & Drive-Ins –
The Ice Cream Co. (Don’t miss this local fave!)
🏁 Family-Friendly Picks: Fun for Kids & Grown-Ups Alike
Graffiti Summer is for everyone—especially families!
🚗 American Graffiti Parade
Kids LOVE the rumble of engines, vibrant paint jobs, and costumed characters.
🎥 Donuts, Coffee, & Cartoons at The State Theatre
Saturday mornings this summer—retro cartoons on the big screen, fresh donuts & coffee for the adults, and plenty of giggles for the little ones. A beloved local tradition! 🍩 🎬
👉 See schedule »
🏰 Modesto Children’s Museum
Bright, new, and bursting with hands-on fun—perfect for curious kids and families.
🎵 MoBand Concerts in the Park
Bring a blanket and enjoy free Thursday evening concerts at Graceada Park—great tunes, dancing, and picnics under the stars.
🤸 Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Beat the summer heat with wall-to-wall bouncing fun for kids of all ages.
🏎️ FunWorks & Boomers
Arcade games, mini-golf, bumper boats, go-karts—perfect for active family time.
📚 Bookish Modesto
A charming indie bookstore downtown—great for story time, summer reads, and local flair.
🌌 Great Valley Museum & Planetarium
Hands-on science exhibits + planetarium shows to spark curiosity about the world and stars!
🌳 Parks & Playgrounds
Modesto’s park scene is fantastic! Enjoy:
Graceada Park (playground + splash pad + concerts!)
Virginia Corridor Trailway (great for biking & walking)
Tuolumne River Regional Park
Countless neighborhood parks & green spaces in Modesto & surrounding towns.
🍦Retro Treat Stops
Yogurt Mill
(Perfect for a sweet pit stop between parades & concerts!)
🍑 Beyond the Cars: Cruise the Countryside for Farm Fresh Fun
Graffiti Summer also means harvest season in Modesto! In between parades and concerts, explore our beautiful orchards and farm stands
🌻 Farm Stands & Markets
Rodin Farms – Famous for peaches, nectarines, almonds, local gifts & goodies
Zinc House Farms / Clark Ferrea Winery – Beautiful spot for farm-fresh produce, wine, and picnic vibes
SONS Farm Fresh – Farm stand with delicious seasonal produce and fun extras
J&J Ramos Farms – A can’t-miss family farm stand for produce, fresh squeezed juice, and fresh baked goodies
🍒 U-Pick Farms (June & July)
Vanderhelm Farms – Pick-your-own cherries, blueberries, peaches, and more and check out their newly restored street car they fill with produce for purchase when you don’t have time to pick your own
Rancho Azul Blueberries – Sweet, plump blueberries just waiting to be picked
Ott Farms – Cherries, berries, and a great farm experience
🛏 Where to Stay: Make it a Weekend
Pro tip: Book early—Graffiti Summer is a popular time! Modesto offers:
Family-friendly hotels near Downtown
Boutique experiences and easy to access motels
Great lodging deals on VisitModesto.com
💥 Keep On Cruisin’: Plan Your Graffiti Summer Trip Today!
Whether you’re rollin’ in a vintage Chevy or cruising in spirit, Graffiti Summer 2025 offers a one-of-a-kind blend of nostalgia, community, and fresh summer fun.
👉 Start planning your trip now at VisitModesto.com!
Follow us on social for the latest updates, insider tips, and more.
See you on the cruise route! 🚦✨
