American Graffiti Festival

June 7-8, 2025

Car Parade - Cruise Downtown and McHenry Avenue

Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

American Graffiti Car Show and Festival
Modesto Junior College West Campus
2201 Blue Gum Ave.
Modesto, CA 95351
$10, age 12 and under are free, americangraffitifestival.com

North Modesto Kiwanis produces this annual event featuring the classic car parade downtown. The car show and festival is Saturday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. & Sunday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. over at Modesto Jr. College W. Campus. Check out the classic cars, stroll through hundreds food craft and specialty booths. Live music throughout the festival each day

American Graffiti Car Parade 6:30 p.m.
10th Street Plaza
Modesto, CA
Free to see cruise parade is limited to 1,000 classic vehicles pre-1980. After the cruise parade it's a party atmosphere. Register to be in the parade for $65 pre, $85 day of if space permits.

Sing-a-Long Grease June 10, 2023
Dress up as your favorite character from the film, compete for prizes, & dance in the aisles with Rydell Highs most famous graduating class. There will be fun giveaways, drink specials, contests and prizes. Showtime 4:00pm. Tickets $. State Theatre, 1307 J Street. 209-527-4697.

Annual Rod & Custom Car Show June 26, 2023, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Classic cars & custom hot rods! Music, food & beverages available for purchase. Breakfast 7:00am-10:00am. Proceeds to benefit Modesto Elks. Free admission. Car show starts at 9 a.m. Car participants parking is 7:00-8:30am. Car registration $30 in advance & $35 day of the show, includes lunch for two. Awards presented at 3:00pm. Elks Lodge 645 Charity Way. 209-529-0366.

American Graffiti Film @ State Theatre June 3, 2023
Join in the annual screening of American Graffiti, a crowd-pleaser starring Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark and many more. The State owns a 35mm archival print, stored and maintained year-round in the UCLA film vault, and it's that pristine print that you'll see. Every year they also roll back admission so, bring 10 of your closest personal friends and have a blast! The State's frothy and now-famous root beer floats will also be available so get here early, while there's plenty of A&W root beer and French vanilla ice cream left. Don your best duds from the late '50s and early '60s,or dress as your favorite character from American Graffiti, George Lucas' consummate coming-of-age film, and join in the fun. Watch the gang from Mel's Drive-in as they spend the last summer night of 1962 together before heading to college. Nominated in 1974 for five Oscars, American Graffiti is one film that never fails to leave viewers feeling good. Rediscover drag racing, Inspiration Point and drive-ins all over again in this nostalgic look at the '60s. The incredible soundtrack brings you the most memorable rock 'n' roll hits of the era. Join us for feel-good glimpse of the good old days when American Graffiti makes its annual one-day run at The State.
Doors at 5:30; film at 6:30 p.m.
State Theatre Box Office (209) 527-4697
thestate.org

Romance, Racing and Rock n Roll. Where were you in '62? Grab your candied colored custom or your screaming machine and come to Modesto, CA for Graffiti Summer Graffiti Modesto
Our hometown hero George Lucas was born and raised in the City of Modesto, graduating from Thomas Downey High School in 1962. Only a little more than a decade later, he co-wrote and directed one of the top-100 movies of all time. Graffiti in Modesto American Graffiti was released in 1973 with a great nostalgic look back at cars, music and teenage years, portraying an age of innocence in 1962. All the scenes in his great movie either happened here in Modesto or were inspired by events in our city. Mel's Drive-In (in San Francisco) was just a stand-in for the real deals in Modesto, Burge's on 9th Street and Al's Drive-In on McHenry Avenue.
Both are gone now, but the memories live on, and Modesto continues to recreate its past glory as the classic car and cruisin' center of the California Central Valley!

For years, Modesto has recognized and celebrated the era that George Lucas immortalized. For most of a decade, the celebration was limited to one or two major events: Back to Graffiti began as a two-day car show and entertainment venue at the Fruit Yard, a great restaurant and produce market just outside Modesto! The Kiwanis American Graffiti Classic Car Show, which since 1999 has included a huge static car show, and since 2002, a downtown parade of at least 500 classic cars!

These are just some of renowned Rock'n'Roll Artists who have appeared at Graffiti Summer:
The Beach Boys
Little Richard
Frankie Avalon
Hank Ballard and the Midnighters
The Isley Brothers
Bobby Vee
The Diamonds
Frankie and The Fable Tones (including Frank from Vito and the Salutations)
Buddy Holly Winter Dance Party

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.