What are my food options at Picnic at the Pops?

You are welcome to pack a picnic and eat on the premises – please remember: no outside alcohol, grills and other cooking devices, or anything with an open flame.

Don’t feel like packing a picnic?

Pre-order meals from Greens on Tenth!

We have an authorized caterer to pre-order meals for the evening. Pre-ordered meals will be available for easy pick-up after the grounds open at 5:00pm. Details on when food orders can be placed and the full menu will be announce soon!

Food Trucks & Vendors

We will also have the following food trucks and vendors on-site during the concert.

What is parking like at Picnic at the Pops?

Patron parking is available on the grounds starting at 4:30pm. Please have your event ticket ready to present to parking security upon arrival to enter the parking lots. If you purchased a Premiere Parking Pass, please follow the directions on the back of the parking pass or call 209.523.4156 for more information.

There are three General parking entrances:

  • Yosemite Blvd. & Santa Rosa Ave.

  • Yosemite Blvd. & Santa Rita Ave.

Accessible Parking (with a state issued placard/plate) is located at Yosemite Blvd. & Morton Drive - then turn left onto Grand Street and follow the signs.

Parking attendants will direct you to the closest parking lot.

Can I take an Uber or Lyft to the concert?

Yes! We encourage you to use a RideApp service (like Uber or Lyft), especially if you plan to enjoy our wine offerings at Picnic. We have a designated drop-off and pick-up space for RideApp services only, located in the roundabout in front of the Dry Creek Building.

Use address 154 S Santa Rosa Ave., take Entry 1, and follow the signs to the right for RideApps drop-off and pick-up. From there you will walk approximately 1/4 mile to the event entrance.

How do I redeem my promo code?

You can redeem your promo code on the Gallo Center for the Arts website on any event page.

The promo code box is located under the banner image, on the right-hand side of the screen next to the View Cart button.

The promo code box is located under the banner image, on the right-hand side of the screen next to the View Cart button.

After entering the code and it’s accepted—the page will automatically refresh with the code being applied.

When you select your seat, you should see the discounted price applied.

When you select your seat, you should see the discounted price applied.

Please Note:

  • Promo Codes have specific limitations and may not apply to all ticket prices available.

  • Do not enter the Promo Code on the Checkout page’s Gift Certificate box, as it will not work there.

What is the Picnic at the Pops?

Picnic at the Pops! presented by the Modesto Symphony Orchestra is an annual event that is held on the grounds of GALLO and has been a community favorite since it began in 1995. This family-friendly picnic concert attracts thousands of music-lovers from Modesto and the neighboring communities for an evening of orchestral pops music, dancing, and fun beneath the stars.

Concert attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and enjoy all that the outdoor space has to offer. Outside alcohol is prohibited; wine and an assortment of beverages are available for purchase, with all proceeds benefitting the MSO. For those not looking to pack their own picnic, patrons may pre-order meals or purchase food on-site from local food trucks and vendors.

What is the difference in seating between Reserved and General?

The Reserved Section is unassigned seating in a roped-off area directly in front of the stage that provides a bit more room to spread out (due to the fixed number of tickets sold) as well as a more direct view of the orchestra and performers. The General Section is also unassigned seating on the lawn outside the roped-off area. Click here to view grounds map.

What should I bring to the Picnic at the Pops! concert?

  • Blankets

  • Low-sand chairs (seats lower than 9”, and backs must be lower than 32” from the ground)

    • If you require a taller lawn chair, please find a seating area that won’t obstruct the view of others behind you. Please see an usher if you have any questions while setting up.

  • Cooler (for food and non-alcoholic drinks)

  • Bring a picnic dinner—as simple or elaborate as you’d like!

  • Sunscreen & Sun-protection

Golden rule: be considerate of others. We want everyone to enjoy the concert and experience.

For more information about our bag check policy, click here.

What should I leave at home?

These items are prohibited:

  • No outside alcohol. Your bags and personal items will be subject to inspection for alcohol before entering the grounds. Wine generously donated by GALLO and an assortment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase once inside the venue, with all sales benefiting Modesto Symphony Orchestra.

  • No video and audio recording equipment. Unauthorized recordings of the artists and performance are prohibited.

  • No professional camera equipment with a detachable lens longer than two inches, tripods, or big zooms.

  • No drones.

  • No grills, other cooking devices, or anything with an open flame.

  • No pets, service animals are allowed.

  • No fireworks.

  • No firearms or weapons of any kind.

  • No sharp knives with a blade longer than four inches.

  • No large or tall tables.

  • No umbrellas or shade structures.

  • No amplified sound, bullhorns, or speakers.

  • There is no smoking inside the concert area. A smoking area is designated in the parking lot.

  • No laser pointers.

  • No items can be used to disturb the peace, endanger other patrons, and/or cause damage to people or property.

Is there a bag policy for Picnic at the Pops?

All bags entering the event area are subject to inspection. Prohibited items will not be allowed onto the GALLO grounds. To learn more about what items are prohibited, click here.

Clear bags are recommended to limit contact points and minimize lines at the gate. There is no size limit for clear bags, we ask only no hardware, branding, or décor is allowed to conceal the bag. There will be an Express Bag Check line for those with clear bags or no bags.

There is no on-site storage available.

What else do I need to know?

  • Smoking is prohibited on the lawn area. Please see the info table at the event for the designated smoking area on the grounds.

  • When traveling between the general parking lot and the lawn area please remain on the walking path at all times. The adjacent cart path must remain clear at all times for event security and staff.

  • For food & wine on-site, cash and card payments are accepted. Cash is preferred. There are no ATMs on the grounds.

How can I be involved with Picnic at the Pops!

Picnic at the Pops is a true community event, put on for the community with help from our community! If you’re interested in learning more about how to volunteer at Picnic at the Pops! and support the MSO, please visit our Volunteer page!

If you're a local business looking to support Picnic at the Pops, visit our Season Partner page to see which like-minded businesses support the MSO or email Caroline Nickel at cnickel@modestosymphony.org to learn more. 

Is Picnic at the Pops! a family-friendly concert?

Yes! Picnic at the Pops! is fun for all ages. We offer youth and group pricing discounts.

Youth Pricing (For ages 4-17, kids 3 and under enter free):
General Lawn: $12
Reserved Lawn: $20

Groups of 10 or more save 20% off General Lawn Seating tickets. Please call the Gallo Center for the Arts Ticket Office to purchase your group tickets at 209.338.2100.

Stop by our Light Up the Night MSO Tent to purchase fun glow products benefiting the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra!

How To Order Tickets

You can purchase tickets to any of our concerts through the following methods:

By Phone

Gallo Center for the Arts Box Office
(209) 338-2100 or toll free at (877) 488-3380
Monday through Friday 10am - 6pm // Saturday Noon - 6pm
 

In Person

Gallo Center for the Arts Box Office 
10th and I Street, Modesto
Monday through Friday 10am - 6pm // Saturday Noon - 6pm
 

Online

Tickets may be purchased at the Gallo Center for the Arts web site or by browsing our Concerts & Events page and clicking on the 'Select your Seats' link for the desired concert.

  • If orders are received less than one week prior to a concert, tickets will be held at Will Call.

  • Orders are filled on a date received basis.

  • Please allow two weeks for delivery of tickets.

  • Refunds may not be made after seats have been purchased.

  • Dates, programs and artists subject to change.

It's my first time attending a concert at the Gallo Center...

We are so excited you’ve chosen to spend your time with us!

We welcome all to arrive early and enjoy a refreshment. The hall will open 30 minutes before curtain. The concert halls and lobbies are shared by all audience members. Please be mindful and courteous to others. To ensure the best experience for all patrons, please note that anyone creating a disturbance may be asked to leave the performance.

Restrooms are located by the elevators on all three floors.

Beverages are available for purchase on all three floors. Each floor also has free to use water dispensers by each restroom. Food and beverages are not permitted in the theaters, with the exception of bottled water and beverages served in the Gallo Center’s ‘Whirley’ cups.

Late Seating: Latecomers and patrons who leave the hall are asked to wait quietly until the first break in the program when an usher will assist them to their seats. Seating times are at the discretion of the Gallo Center for the Arts.

Phones and Watches: As a courtesy to others, please turn off or silence any phone or other electronic devices. Doctors expecting calls during performances should leave their names and seat locations with the Ticket Office. Patrons may view digital program books during breaks in the concert, but please be mindful of your screen brightness for those seated nearby.

Photography, Video, and Audio Recording: Photographs of the hall, including pictures for social media, can be taken when the performance is not in progress. However, audio recording, videography, and photography are prohibited during the performances.

Families and Younger Children: The Modesto Symphony encourages families to attend together and offer students tickets to help with cost. Please read below for student ticket information. Regardless of age, each person must have a ticket and be able sit in their own seat. Modesto Symphony Classics concerts are not recommended for children under the age of 8. We understand that young children may need to get up and move or talk during a concert. For those around you, we ask that you and your child step into the lobby to stretch your legs and view the concert from the televisions. An usher will help you return to your seat at an appropriate break in the music.

Patron Accessibility: The Gallo Center for the Arts is a disabled accessible performance venue. Wheel chair seating is available in both theaters. Portable wireless listening devices are available at no charge. Please inform the Ticket Office of any special needs when ordering tickets.

Coat Check is located on the first floor near the concessions.

Lost and Found can be reached through the Ticket Office at 209-338-2100.

Smoking is prohibited inside the building.