Entertainment calendar: A look at what’s happening in the Modesto region
ART
CARNEGIE ARTS CENTER ▪ 209-632-5761
Through Jan. 2, “Making Your Mark: Prints and Drawings from the Hechinger Collection.” Through Jan. 23, “Elements of Renewal.” Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays. 250 N. Broadway, Turlock. www.carnegieartsturlock.org.
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ART ASSOCIATION AND MISTLIN GALLERY ▪ 209-529-3369
Through Dec. 23, “Home for the Holiday’s Member Show.” Gallery hours: 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, noon-4 p.m. Saturdays. 1015 J St. Modesto. ccaagallery.org.
MCHENRY MUSEUM ▪ 209-618-5387
Ongoing exhibits. Noon-4 p.m. Friday-Sunday. 1402 I St., Modesto.
MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ▪ 209-577-5757
Dec. 3, pop-up exhibit of works by Laura Stokes and Jim Abuan. Noon-4 p.m. Modesto Chamber of Commerce, 1114 J St.
GALLO CENTER FOR THE ARTS
HOLIDAY POPS! ▪ Dec. 3-4
Modesto Symphony Orchestra with the symphony’s chorus. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 2 p.m. Dec. 4. $19-$94.
“THE NUTCRACKER” ▪ Dec. 8-19
Central West Ballet presents the holiday classic. Dec. 8 is a low sensory matinee performance at noon, $7. Regular shows 2 p.m. Dec. 11-12 and Dec. 18-19; 7 p.m. Dec. 10 and Dec. 17. $23 to $65.
“ALL IS CALM” ▪ Dec. 10-12
Gallo Center Repertory Company presents real-life World War I story of how soldiers from France, England and Germany called a battlefield truce on Christmas Day. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10-11, 3 p.m. Dec. 12. 15-$30.
WINDHAM HILL'S WINTER SOLSTICE ▪ Dec. 14
Original and traditional acoustic music. 7:30 p.m. $29-$49.
OPUS HANDBELL ENSEMBLE ▪ Dec. 17
Community handbell choir. 7 p.m. $12-$20.
The Gallo Center for the Arts is at 1000 I St., Modesto. Call 209-338-2100. www.galloarts.org.
MUSIC
HANDEL'S "MESSIAH" ▪ Dec. 5
75th presentation of the birth, life, death and resurrection of the Messiah. 3 p.m. Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, 517 Orange Ave., Ripon. Offering will be taken. 209-996-0468
GOLDEN BOUGH ▪ Dec. 5
Group presents “A Celtic Christmas” with champagne reception at 2 p.m., concert 3 p.m. Alhambra Music Room at Ironstone Vineyards, 1894 Six Mile Road, Murphys. $50. 209-754-1774.
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 MINUTES CONCERT ▪ Dec. 5
Opera Modesto presents. 2 p.m. Prospect Theater Project, 1214 K St., Modesto. $30. www.operamodesto.org
VOICES FOR THE KING ▪ Dec. 11
Christmas concert featuring 19-voice male chorus. 7 p.m. Zion URC, 1220 Canal Blvd., Ripon. Free-will offering to benefit Stockton Gospel Rescue Mission.
SCARYPOOLPARTY ▪ Dec. 12
Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Alejandro Aranda. 7:30 p.m. Turlock Community Theatre, 1574 E. Canal Drive. $31-$51. www.turlocktheatre.org.
HOLIDAYS
ROCKIN’ HOLIDAY ▪ Dec. 3
Kickoff of the ongoing Rockin’ Holiday featuring lights, garland, retro decorations, snow machine flurries and music. Tree lighting 6:30 p.m. Tenth Street Plaza.
TURLOCK DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE ▪ Dec. 3
The city’s parade along Main Street beginning at Canal Drive with the theme “Christmas in Toyland.” 6:30 p.m. 209-668-5594.
LIVINGSTON COURT OF TREES ▪ Dec. 3
This event displays 50-plus decorated Christmas trees for families to stroll through. Grand lighting 6:30 p.m.; trees remain up through Dec. 25. Court Plaza, Main Street. 209-394-8830.
LATHROP CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS ▪ Dec. 4, Dec. 11
Dec. 4, drive-through Donuts with Santa includes family photo with Santa, two craft kits and a half-dozen doughnuts. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 16201 Harlan Road. Spaces limited, registration required. Dec. 11, Christmas Parade, 11 a.m. Fifth to J streets. 209-941-7370.
HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR ▪ Dec. 4
Vendors with homemade and other items including knit and crocheted items, blankets, scarves, hats, more. Lunch available. Santa visits 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Fair hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuolumne River Lodge, 2429 River Road, Modesto. 209-537-6651.
MCHENRY MANSION HOLIDAY TOURS ▪ Dec. 4 and Dec. 11
Docents in period costume lead tours of the mansion decorated for Victorian holidays. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. McHenry Mansion, 906 15th St., Modesto. Free. Tours begin at Visitor Center, 924 15th St. 209-549-0428.
MODESTO CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS HOLIDAY PARADE ▪ Dec. 4
Parade downtown begins at 5:30 p.m. at 14th and I streets, ending at J and 17th streets. www.modestogov.com/553/Holiday-Parade
CHRISTMAS TREE LANE OPENING ▪ Dec. 4
Festivities at Smyrna Park on Moffett Road including crafts, live music, food vendors, pictures with Santa and more at 5 p.m. Parade begins at 7:15 p.m. Free. 209-538-5648.
ESCALON CHRISTMAS ON MAIN ▪ Dec. 4
Parade of Lights in downtown Escalon begins at 5:30 p.m. Before and after, booths will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. Santa arrives at 6 p.m. Main Street, Escalon. Free. www.escalonchamberofcommerce.org.
ROCKIN’ HOLIDAY ▪ Dec. 9-23
Lights, garland, retro decorations, snow machine flurries and music. 6-9 p.m. Dec. 9-11, Dec. 16-18 and Dec. 23. Tenth Street Plaza.
LIVINGSTON LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE ▪ Dec. 10
Parade at 6:30 p.m. begins at Livingston Middle School and winds through the community before ending at Main and D streets. 209-394-8830.
WATERFORD CELEBRATION ▪ Dec. 11
Vendors on Bentley Street 2:30-8:30 p.m. Lighted parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at Moon School, ending at Waterford Museum where there will be refreshments and Santa will light the Christmas tree. 209-874-2328.
ODDS & ENDS
CHiPs FOR KIDS TOY DRIVE ▪ Through Dec. 15
Modesto California Highway Patrol accepting donations of new unwrapped toys, sporting goods or games. Donations go nonprofits in the community who will distribute the toys. Drop off 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays at CHP office, 4030 Kiernan Ave., Modesto.
TRAINS, CONSTRUCTION AND FARM TOY SHOW ▪ Dec. 4-5
San Joaquin Valley Toy Train Operators offers operating train layouts, vendors and door prizes. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 5. Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, 900 N Broadway, Turlock. $8, free under age 12 with paid adult. 209-883-1663.
MAPS PROGRAM ▪ Dec. 10
Modesto Area Partners in Science Zoom program featuring Margaret Turnbull on “Will There Ever Be Another Earth?” 7:30 p.m. Go to www.mjc.edu/instruction/sme/maps.php to sign up for notification of the link.
FAMILY FRIDAY ▪ Dec. 17
Carnegie Arts Center offers Holiday Pajama Party with cocoa, crafts and holiday stories. 7-8 p.m. Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock. Free. 209-632-5761.
STORY INTO SONG VIRTUAL TRIVIA NIGHT ▪ Dec. 17
Stanislaus County Library and Opera Modesto event for individuals or teams who will answer questions about “Don Quixote” and “Bless Me, Ultima.” Two devices needed participate. 7 p.m., advance registration required. For details call 209-558-7817.
STATE THEATRE
FILM: “WARREN MILLER FILM TOUR: WINTER STARTS NOW – 2021” ▪ Dec. 3
Society for disABILITIES presents skiing film. 7 p.m. $25.
FILM: “JULIA” ▪ Dec. 3-16
Traces Julia Child’s path to a television sensation.
FILM: “HOLIDAY AFFAIR” ▪ Dec. 4
Modesto Film Society presents. 4 p.m. $9.
ILL LIST POETRY SLAM ▪ Dec. 11
Sold out.
TOGETHER AT CHRISTMAS ▪ Dec. 12
Center Stage Kids presents Christmas through comedy, drama, dance and song. 2 and 6 p.m. $12-$18.
THE TWELVE GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS ▪ Dec. 17-19
Strut Performing Arts presents musical stage production on the significance of what gift giving really means. 7 p.m. Dec. 17-18, 2 p.m. Dec. 19. $27-$35.
The State Theatre is at 1307 J St., Modesto. Call 209-527-4697. www.thestate.org.
THEATER
“MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS: A LIVE RADIO PLAY” ▪ Through Dec. 19
Sierra Repertory Theatre stages the classic film as a 1940s radio broadcast. Various times. Fallon House Theatre, 11175 Washington St., Columbia. $20-$42. www.sierrarep.org.
“HOLIDAY AFFAIR” RADIO CAVALCADE ▪ Dec. 11
Based on 1949 romantic comedy. 7:30 p.m. $10. prospecttheaterproject.org.