Modesto CA region May festivals: food, music, family fun

May brings some of the biggest and most popular spring festivals and celebrations in the greater Modesto region.

The month’s promise of sunshine and warmer temperatures just brings out the best, it seems.

However, one of the Modesto region’s most popular — the Skies the Limit Ceres Hot Air Balloon Festival — is taking a break for 2026, according to a post on its Instagram page.

“Our team is taking 2026 as a planning and fundraising year so we can come back bigger, better, and more spectacular than ever for our community,” the post says. “This beloved event means so much to Ceres and the Central Valley, and we’re already hard at work preparing for an amazing comeback.”

The post promises a Skies the Limit return in 2027.

There remains a host of festivals and events planned for May celebrating cultures, food, music (including the big-draw Modesto Porchfest), recreation, beer, apricots and – yes – even frogs.

Here’s a look at just some of what’s set:

MODESTO RECFEST – May 2: An all-ages celebration of outdoor recreation includes activities such as a youth fishing clinic, paddling, bicycle rides, hiking, birdwatching, orienteering and disc golf. There will be equipment demonstrations, guided adventures and educational workshops. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Gateway Park, 100 10th St., Modesto. Free. 209-236-0330.

CINCO DE MAYO PARADE AND CELEBRATION – May 2: South Modesto Businesses United presents its annual parade on Crows Landing Road celebrating the “Day of the Battle of Puebla.” The parade is set to begin at 11 a.m. Free. For more information or to participate in the parade, call 209-566-2300.

MODESTO TACO FEST – May 2: Get your fill as more than 40 vendors take part in the festival. Also planned for the day-into-evening event in downtown are Chihuahua races, ballet folklorico, luchadors, drinks, live music and more. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. I Street between 11th and 12th streets and on 12th Street between J and I streets, Downtown Modesto. $20 advance. modestotacofest.com.

BITES & BEATS FESTIVAL – May 2: Hughson Arboretum & Gardens presents its fundraiser with food vendors, music and more. Big Earl and the Cryin’ Shame will perform from 4-6 p.m., Ritmo Mix from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Participants should take chairs and/or blankets. 2490 Euclid Ave, Hughson. $25 per carload presale, $30 per carload at the gate. hughsonarboretum.org.

CERES STREET FAIRE – May 2-3: This year’s fair includes food, entertainment, car shows and vendors. A classic car show will be held on Saturday, with a lowrider car show Sunday. Festival hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Downtown Ceres. Free. cereschamberofcommerce.org/events/ceres-street-faire-2.

CAFE SHALOM – May 3: A celebration of Jewish culture with food, music, a bake sale, gift shop and more. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Congregation Beth Shalom, 1705 Sherwood Ave., Modesto. $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $15 ages 4-10, free ages 3 and under. www.cbsmodesto.org.

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU – May 4: Modesto native George Lucas’ “Star Wars” film saga will be celebrated. Planned are a lightsaber battle at dusk, the Death Star piñata, live music by Horizon Point, movie characters, vendors and more. 5-9 p.m. Tenth Street Plaza, Modesto. Free.

CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION – May 5: The West Modesto Community Collaborative holds a Cinco de Mayo luncheon to honor the culture and contributions of farmworker and immigrant communities. Planned are music, tacos, aguas frescas and a student panel. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 529 California Ave, Modesto. $30. westmodestocollaborative.com.

CENTRAL VALLEY BREWFEST – May 9: More than 150 brews to sample, along with vendors and music. There will be a VIP wine sampling tent from noon-1 p.m. Must be 21 or older to attend the festival, which runs 1-5 p.m. Stanislaus County Fairground, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock. $45 in advance, $55 at the door, if still available; VIP tickets $65, advance only. Designated-driver tickets $30 in advance, $35 at the door. www.cvbrewfest.com.

MODESTO GARDEN CLUB PLANT SALE & CRAFT FAIR – May 9: The event will feature member-grown flowers, annuals, perennials, vegetables and succulents for sale, along with more than 20 booths of handcrafted gifts and food. Plant sale 10 a.m.-2 p.m., craft fair 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Modesto Covenant Church, 913 Floyd Ave., Modesto. Free. www.modestogardenclub.org.

MOTHER LODE ROUNDUP – May 9-10: Parade and rodeos sponsored by the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Posse. Parade Saturday at 10 a.m. along Washington Street in Sonora. Saturday and Sunday rodeos at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds, 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora. Rodeo tickets $28.49; $11.40 ages 4-12. www.motherloderoundup.com.

COLUMBIA DIGGINS 1852 – May 14-17: Columbia State Historic Park’s annual living-history event features more than 150 costumed volunteers. Visitors experience an 1852 mining camp re-created with period clothing and activities. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. $10, free for ages 17 and under. Diggins Tent Town (near the main parking lot). www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=24249.

CALAVERAS COUNTY FAIR AND JUMPING FROG JUBILEE – May 14-17: Frogs will hop again at this annual fest, which also offers a carnival, food, entertainment, rodeo, destruction derby, livestock, vendors and more. Festival hours 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday; 8 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday; 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday. Calaveras County Fairgrounds, 2465 Gun Club Road, Angels Camp. $13-$18. www.frogtown.org.

MODESTO PORCHFEST — May 17: Huge community concert with stages set up throughout the La Loma, College and downtown neighborhoods. Homeowners host local bands and artists on porches, patios and driveways. Noon-5 p.m. Free, with tip jars available to benefit the musicians. www.modestoporchfest.com.

CASTLE AIR MUSEUM SPRING OPEN COCKPIT DAY – May 23: The former Air Force base will provide an up-close look at old military aircraft, including a newly restored B-52 Stratofortress. The semiannual event also features food vendors, a beer garden, demonstrations by emergency agencies and more. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Castle Air Museum, 5050 Santa Fe Drive, Atwater. $25 general admission, $20 seniors, active or retired military, $15 ages 6-17, free ages 5 and under. www.castleairmuseum.org.

ARNOLD PEDDLERS FAIRE – May 23-24: The Mother Lode community fair returns with vendors, art, lawn games and more. The Ebbetts Pass Fire Department will sell locally brewed beer. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Bristol’s Café parking lot, 961 Highway 4, Arnold. gocalaveras.com/events/46th-annual-arnold-spring-peddlers-faire.

PATTERSON APRICOT FIESTA – May 29-31: The annual celebration includes entertainment, food and beer booths, a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, craft and commercial vendors, a kids area, an arm-wrestling tournament, a cornhole tournament, a car show and fireworks. Festival hours to be determined. Downtown Patterson. Free. apricotfiesta.com.

BIKE N’ TRIKE – May 30: The Modesto Children’s Museum will hold a community ride beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the venue and ending at Roosevelt Park. There will be a celebration at the park with food, music and activities. Registration is $16.90. modestochildrensmuseum.org/bikentrike.