Modesto’s big holiday kickoff, Christmas Tree Lane to light up. What you need to know
The biggest Christmas celebrations are ready to put you in the yuletide spirit. A day of holiday events is set for Modesto, while Ceres will open its Christmas Tree Lane. The always popular Central West Ballet production of “The Nutcracker” also returns to the Gallo Center for the Arts. These are just a few of the many entertainment events set for Dec. 2-8.
Breakfast With Santa
A day of Christmas cheer in Modesto begins with Breakfast With Santa. There will be pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, milk, orange juice and coffee. Children will have photo opportunities with Santa and can listen to story time by Mrs. Claus. There also will be arts and crafts.
WHEN: 8-11:30 a.m. Dec. 2
WHERE: Modesto Senior Citizens Center, 211 Bodem St.
ADMISSION: $10, free ages 2 and under
CALL: 209-577-5344
Modesto parade
The Celebration of Lights Parade, with the theme “Toys, Trains and Candy Canes,” will run through downtown Modesto. It will begin at the corner of 14th and I streets, travel west on I Street to 10th Street, north on 10th to J Street and east on J Street to 17th Street.
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2
WHERE: Downtown Modesto
ADMISSION: Free
CALL: 209-577-5200
Rockin’ Holiday
Tenth Street Plaza will become a winter wonderland again with a retro garland-lined street. The Rockin’ North Pole returns with snow shows. Rockin’ Santa also will be on hand and there will be live music. A tree lighting will be held after the Modesto holiday parade. Rockin’ Holiday continues with light and music shows 7-9 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays from Dec. 7-23.
WHEN: 6-9 p.m. Dec. 2
WHERE: Tenth Street Plaza, Modesto
ADMISSION: Free
ONLINE: www.facebook.com/rockinholiday
Christmas Tree Lane
The region’s largest nightly neighborhood display kicks off as Ceres’ Christmas Tree Lane lights up again. There will be an event to begin at the Ceres Community Center with arts and crafts, live music, food vendors, pictures with Santa and more. A parade begins at Fowler and Moffett roads at 7 p.m.
WHEN: 4-6 p.m. Dec. 2
WHERE: Ceres Community Center, 2701 Fourth St.
ADMISSION: Free
CALL: 209-538-5628
“The Nutcracker”
Central West Ballet brings back its family holiday family tradition, “The Nutcracker,” to the Gallo Center. This year’s production features new sets and backdrops as Clara visits the land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. There will be a boutique in the lobby and Sugar Plum Fairy Parties on stage after select performances.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Dec. 8-9, Dec. 16; 2 p.m. Dec. 9-10, Dec. 16-17
WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto
TICKETS: $27-$73
ONLINE: www.galloarts.org
“Joyful World Journey”
Domara Orchestra brings its “Joyful World Journey” to the Gallo Center. Pierre Noghli leads Assyrian musicians as they present songs from around the world. Ardeshir Farah from Strunz & Farah, Armenian composer Artashes Kartalyan and Persian violinist Keyavash Nourai will perform.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Dec. 2
WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto
TICKETS: $39-$55
ONLINE: www.galloarts.org
Christmas with the Celts
Celebrating 12 years of touring, Christmas with the Celts performs a combination of ancient Irish Christmas carols and Irish dance with modern contemporary songs. The groups brings its show featuring Irish instrumentation to the Gallo Center.
WHEN: 5 p.m. Dec. 3
WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto
TICKETS: $39-$69
ONLINE: www.galloarts.org
Handbell group
The Opus Handbell Ensemble returns to the Gallo Center. The community handbell choir has been performing its music in the Modesto area since 1992. The group’s music stretches from Bach to heavy metal to rock ’n’ roll. The ensemble will bring its holiday music for this program.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Dec. 8
WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto
TICKETS: $15-$25
ONLINE: www.galloarts.org
Table viewing
The Modesto Garden Club will hold its annual Elegant Holiday Table Viewing at Del Rio Country Club. There will be 30 tables, designed by members of the garden club and decorated in holiday finery for the season.
WHEN: 1-7 p.m. Dec. 6
WHERE: Del Rio Country Club, 801 Stewart Road, Modesto
TICKETS: $10, available at the door
CALL: 209-529-7360
Rat Pack music
Return to the era of the Rat Pack with an afternoon of classic Christmas and crooner tunes at the “Only The Hits With The Rat Pack” show at the State Theatre. The program features local performers.
WHEN: 2 p.m. Dec. 7
WHERE: State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto
TICKETS: Free
ONLINE: www.thestate.org
“Sh-Boom: A Christmas Miracle”
Sierra Repertory Theatre presents “Sh-Boom: A Christmas Miracle.” It’s set in 1965, a few years after Denny and the gang achieved overnight fame winning a talent contest. The group broke up over slights and grievances but gets back together to perform a Christmas show.
WHEN: Various times through Dec. 22
WHERE: Fallon House Theatre in Columbia State Historic Park
TICKETS: $35-$48
ONLINE: www.sierrarep.org
MAPS program
In a Modesto Area Partners in Science program, marine ecologist Ari Friedlaender will share how he and other scientists study baleen whales in the Antarctic. New technologies answer questions about how baleen whales feed and about their role in the Antarctic marine ecosystem.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1
WHERE: Modesto Junior College West Campus Sierra Hall 132, 2201 Blue Gum Ave.
ADMISSION: Free
ONLINE: www.mjc.edu/instruction/sme/maps.php
