Parents looking for family fun may be surprised by the wealth in Modesto area

From a production featuring beloved “Sesame Street” characters to Halloween-themed shows to animated films, there’s no lack of family-friendly entertainment in the Modesto region.

So if you’re a parent looking for places to take your children — of any age — you have an abundance of choices thanks to the many venues, companies and troupes that make up the arts community.

Two of the more obvious places to take your kids are the Modesto Children’s Museum and the Be Anything Museum, both in downtown Modesto.

The Modesto Children’s Museum, aka MoChiMu, is filled with hands-on exhibits and places for kids to explore. MoChiMu has a couple of special family events planned: a Worldwide Day of Play on Sept. 27 and a MoChiBoo Bash with a date to be determined in October. (See www.modestochildrensmuseum.org. for more.

The Be Anything Museum, BAM for short, features a large collection of Mattel’s Barbie dolls, accessories and more. (See beanythingmuseum.org for more.

When it comes to specific family events and entertainment, the Modesto area is lucky to have a host of treasures.

While by no means an exhaustive list, here’s a look at some of the activities, shows and special events coming up through the end of this year at arts venues and from companies or troupes. Many have plans that run into 2026; see the websites listed to learn more.

Carnegie Arts Center

Family Fridays – Monthly: Geared to provide a creative experience for entire families, the events are different each month and can feature dancing, singing, creating art or watching a film or play. 7-8 p.m. Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway Turlock. Free. Check website for dates, carnegieartsturlock.org.

Saturday Studio – Fourth Saturdays: Families can drop in anytime during event hours to enjoy art activities. A new project offered each month explores creative techniques and ideas for ages 4 and up. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Carnegie Arts Center, 250 N. Broadway, Turlock. Free. Check website for dates, carnegieartsturlock.org.

Central West Ballet

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” – Oct. 24-25: The company’s annual Halloween production features autumn scenes, barn dances and a journey through haunted woods as Ichabod Crane tries to escape the Headless Horseman. 7 p.m. Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. $46-$50. www.galloarts.org.

“The Nutcracker” – Dec. 12-14, Dec. 20-21: This annual presentation is a family tradition for CWB and the community. The story is of young Clara, who goes to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy. There will be a boutique in the lobby and Sugar Plum Fairy Parties on stage after select matinees where children can meet their favorite characters. 7 p.m. Dec. 12-13, 20; 2 p.m. Dec. 13-14, 20-21. Gallo Center, 1000 I St., Modesto. $33-$79. www.galloarts.org.

Gallo Center for the Arts

Family Fun Festival – Sept. 28: The Gallo Center joins with the city of Modesto to present the annual fest. Activities include dancing, chalk art, lawn games, exotic reptiles, face painting, balloon animals and prize giveaways. There will be food trucks to purchase hot dogs, frozen yogurt, ice cream and other treats. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Gallo Center Plaza and Modesto Rotary Music Garden, 1000 I St., Modesto. Free. www.galloarts.org.

Outdoor Stanislaus County Library Storytime – Aug. 29 and Sept. 26: The Stanislaus County Library takes its story time outdoors to the Gallo Center’s Modesto Rotary Music Garden. Children can hear new and classic picture books, dance and make music and participate in other activities. Open to preschoolers ages 3-5 and their caregivers. 10 a.m. 1000 I St., Modesto. Free. www.galloarts.org.

Community Drum Circle with Drum Love – Third Saturdays: The outdoor events feature a family-friendly community drum circle. Take a drum/percussion/found sound or use one provided. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 15, Dec. 20. Gallo Center’s Modesto Rotary Music Garden, 1000 I St., Modesto. Free. www.galloarts.org.

“Sesame Street Live: Elmo & Friends Say Hello” – Oct. 12: Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and others from “Sesame Street” will show up for a performance at which you can sing, dance, and play along with the furry friends, while also following Elmo’s puppy Tango in a game of hide and seek. 2 p.m. Gallo Center, 1000 I St., Modesto. $45-$75. www.galloarts.org.

Salzburg Marionette Theatre: “The Sound of Music” – Nov. 8: The nearly 100-year-old Salzburg Marionette Theatre presents a version of “The Sound of Music,” the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic that tells the story of Austria’s von Trapp family. 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. $45-$65. www.galloarts.org.

Disney’s “Moana Live-To-Film Concert” – Nov. 22: The show features a full-length screening of the animated classic accompanied by live performances of an ensemble of musicians, Polynesian rhythm masters and vocalists. 7 p.m. Gallo Center, 1000 I St., Modesto. $35-$95. www.galloarts.org.

“Into the Woods” – Dec. 6-7, 11-14: Gallo Center Repertory Company presents familiar storybook characters as they look to fulfill their deepest desires. But they find themselves in a web of magic, mystery and consequences. 2 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 13-14; 7 p.m. Dec. 11-12. $31-$51. www.galloarts.org.

Modesto Symphony Orchestra

“Picnic at the Pops! Windborne’s The Music of Queen” – Sept. 6: The annual concert under the stars this year will feature hits from classic rock band Queen, including “Somebody to Love,” “Under Pressure,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” among others. 7:30 p.m. E.&J. Gallo Winery grounds, 600 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto. $18-$51 general, $26-$81 reserved. Purchase through www.galloarts.org.

Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra Season Opening Concert – Nov. 15: MSYO serves young musicians and their families from more than 40 public and private schools in the Central Valley. The concert will be led by MSYO Music Director and Symphony Orchestra Conductor Elisha Wells and MSYO Concert Orchestra Conductor Stephanie Rawls. 2 p.m. Gallo Center, 1000 I St., Modesto. $11-$20. www.galloarts.org.

“Holiday Pops!” – Dec. 5-Dec. 6: Vocalist and pianist Tony DeSare will join Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray and the MSO Chorus for a program of jazzy holiday favorites. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 2 p.m. Dec. 6. Gallo Center, 1000 I St., Modesto. $26-$100. www.galloarts.org.

Holiday Candlelight Concert – Dec. 16: The concert features favorite Christmas hymns and carols performed by the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, MSO Chorus and the Opus Handbell Ensemble. Conducted by Daniel R. Afonso Jr. 8 p.m. St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 1200 Maze Blvd., Modesto. $16-$66. Purchase through www.galloarts.org.

Opera Modesto

The Elixir of Love by Donizetti – Sept. 19 and Sept. 21: The family-friendly rom-com will be sung in Italian with projected English supertitles. The show includes a large children’s chorus, and audience members are encouraged to dress in their favorite western outfits. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19, 2 p.m. Sept. 21. Gallo Center, 1000 I St., Modesto. $45-95. www.galloarts.org.

Stanislaus County Arts Council

Third Thursday Art Walks – August-October: The downtown Modesto art walks are monthly, family-friendly evenings featuring local artists, live music and interactive creation stations. Each event includes youth-centered art activities. The August walk features a partnership with the Modesto Nuts, Mocse Credit Union and Visit Modesto to host the Modesto Nuts Kid Zone in the Mocse Credit Union parking lot, corner of J and 14th streets. 5-8 p.m. Aug. 21, Sept. 18, Oct. 16. www.stanislausarts.org/3rd-thursday-art-walk.

State Theatre

All Ages Paint-Along and Movie – Sept. 21: Join a Paint & Create session led by the team from Dragonfly Art for Life. Participants can paint on a pre-sketched canvas. Afterward will be a screening of the film “Hola, Frida,” about a girl who loves to explore her Mexican village. When a diagnosed with polio, she is left only in her bedroom, where she finds solace in her imagination. Painting session starts at 3 p.m. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto. $40. thestate.org.

Donuts, Coffee and Cartoons – Dates below: The family series offers a craft for children at 9 a.m. then a film screening one Saturday morning each month. Coming up are the films “Mulan” on Sept. 6; “The Emperor’s New Groove” on Oct. 4; “Sleeping Beauty” on Nov. 1; and “Frozen” on Dec. 6. 10 a.m. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto. Film $6, donuts $1. thestate.org.

Monster Movie Matinee – Sept. 13: This series runs April through September, with the final showing this year featuring “The Blob.” The 1958 Steve McQueen sci-fi classic follows a pair of teenagers trying to protect their hometown from an alien that engulfs all it touches. 1 p.m. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto. $10. thestate.org.

Phantasm In The Footlights – Oct. 30-31: MAGICBOX players present a Vaudeville-style variety show for Halloween featuring B-movie monsters to entertain families. See vampires, Frankenstein’s monster and his crew, mummies, witches, singing skeletons and more. 7:30 p.m. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto $30 adults, $16 children. thestate.org.

Did we miss something? Email scene@modbee.com and we’ll add your event or activity to this list on modbee.com.