The Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s
Picnic at the Pops!
Picnic at the Pops! 2026
Country Hits: Songs from Nashville
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Grounds open: 5:00 pm
Concert starts: 7:30 pm
Ryan Murray, conductor
Rick Brantley, guest artist
Sarah Darling, guest artist
📍 GALLO Grounds: 600 Yosemite Blvd, Modesto
⏲: ~105 minutes
About this performance
Join the Modesto Symphony for a concert under the stars as they perform your favorite country hits at Picnic at the Pops! This exciting concert features the classic country songs you know and love from legendary stars Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash to the biggest stars of today like Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, The Chicks, and Kacey Musgraves.
MSO Subscribers Save Early!
Existing MSO Subscribers can add-on this concert with their Subscriber Discount if renewed for the 2026/27 Season before June 1, 2026!
Reserved Lawn Seating
Adults: $75 / Youth: $20
Tickets starting at*
General Lawn Seating
Adults: $45 / Youth: $12
Groups of 10+ save 20%!
Youth prices are for ages 4 to 17; youth under the age of 3 are free.
*For more information about our ticket prices, please visit our Ticketing Information Page.
Picnic at the Pops! is more than a concert, it’s a full night out!
Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s Picnic at the Pops! isn’t just about the music—it’s about making memories. Whether you’re spreading out a picnic with family, catching up with friends, or dancing to the music of Queen under the stars, there’s something for everyone.
Know Before You Go…
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For this concert, you will need to bring printed tickets for admission and to enter the ground’s parking lots.
We highly encourage you to pick up your printed tickets from the Gallo Center Ticket Office prior to the concert. Ticket Office hours are Monday to Friday, from 10 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 12 Noon to 6 PM.
On the day of the concert, your tickets will be available at Gallo Center’s Will Call until 2:30 pm. Any printed tickets left over will be available at will call on the concert grounds starting at 5 pm.
If you order before August 1st, your tickets will be mailed to you.
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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 and support the MSO, please visit our Volunteer page!
Plan your Picnic-perfect evening!
Pack your picnic baskets, lay out your blankets, and soak in the enchanting ambiance of the beautiful GALLO grounds. Whether you’re a seasoned Picnic veteran or you’re going to be enjoying Picnic for the first time, scroll on to learn more about what to pack, where to park, and more!
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Tickets are available online and at the Gallo Center Box Office. We will also sell Picnic tickets at ticket outlets about one month before the concert so you can pick them up when you’re out. Details on ticket outlets will be announced soon!
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Yes!
General Lawn Seating: $12 (ages 4-17; under 3 is free)
Reserved Lawn Seating: $20 (ages 4-17; under 3 is free)
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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.
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Parking is available starting at 4:30pm, for more information about where to park, click here.
Grounds open at 5:00pm for patrons to setup their picnic areas. The setup time will be strictly enforced.
The concert begins at 7:30pm and runs for approximately 2 hours with a 20-minute intermission.
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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.
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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.
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This event’s wine was generously donated by GALLO and all proceeds from drink sales benefit the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. Wine brands will be announced closer to the event date.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Our Picnic at the Pops Vendors
Don’t feel like packing a picnic?
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 5:00 pm. Food orders can be placed beginning Monday, August 7, 2023 through Tuesday, September 5, 2023. Visit ModestoSymphony.org/picnicmenu for the full menu and link to the order form.
Picnic Map & Parking Information
This year we will have a limited amount of parking available for our concert attendees. We highly encourage carpooling or taking a rideshare service of your choice to the concert.
Please plan on walking up to 3/4 mile from the parking lot to the concert site.
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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.
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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.
Parking attendants will be available to assist you as you enter and exit the grounds.
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There are two 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. This parking lot may be delayed exiting for pedestrian safety.
Parking attendants will direct you to the closest parking lot.
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Premiere Parking is not available at this time
A Concert for the Community by the Community
Light Up the Night with the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra
Support the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra by purchasing glow products and help illuminate the night—one glowing tribute at a time. All MSYO glow sales are cash only.
Play with Modesto Children’s Museum!
We’ll also have the Modesto Children’s Museum before the concert with activities for kids and kids at heart!
Help Make Picnic Happen!
Picnic at the Pops isn’t just a concert for the community, it’s a success because of our community! If you’re looking for a way to join in on the Picnic action, sign up to volunteer.
A Generous Pour
Wine generously donated by GALLO and an assortment of non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. All sales benefit the MSO.
What is 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 the E. & J. Gallo Winery and has been a community favorite since it began in 1995. This family-friendly picnic concert attracts thousands of guests 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 benefiting 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.
Your Picnic Fun is Brought to You by
Presenting Sponsors
Headline Sponsor
Concert Sponsor
In-Kind Partners
CD & Power
Safe-T-Lite
Pepsi Co.
United Rentals

