The City Comes Out to Play: DoMo First Fridays Returns for a Ninth Season

Taking place Friday April 4th located across two blocks on 10th and J Streets in Downtown Modesto, CA from 5-9pm.

The sun sets differently downtown on First Fridays. The air is different, softer, sweeter. It carries the scent of grilled street food, fresh flowers, and possibility. The sun hangs a little longer over downtown Modesto, as if it’s trying to stay just a bit past closing time. And when the music starts, you’ll know: the city is ready to dance again. 

This Friday marks the return of DoMo First Fridays, and with it, the rhythms, flavors, and faces that remind us how good it feels to gather. We're kicking off our ninth season, and if you’ve never been, here’s the secret: it’s less of an event, more of a feeling. 

What to Expect  

The April 4th market welcomes new energy while keeping close to what makes First Fridays special: culture, connection, and creativity. 

The Highlights 

At 10th Street Plaza, you’ll find Drum Love, inviting everyone to join in the rhythm. Not just a performance, a pulse, a communal heartbeat. Around the corner, the Beyer High School Robotics Team is demonstrating student-built machines that are as clever as they are cool, showing off innovation that’s happening right here in our schools. 

And then, there’s the Willow Flower Truck, a mobile bouquet of color parked in front of Greens on Tenth, where you can pick up something fragrant, beautiful, and entirely local. Need a little boost? The Caffeinated Cow is making their First Friday debut, serving handcrafted coffees and syrups with small-town charm and downtown flair. 

And yes, the giant street games are back. Because some things just never stop being fun. 

The Soundtrack of the Streets 

If you’re anywhere near Rancho Fresco, the music will find you. DJ Mendy is back, spinning salsa and soul, and the street becomes a dance floor. Meanwhile, Casa Maestros transforms into a pop-up roller zone with Modesto Skates gliding by as DJ Crushcon lays down the soundtrack. Think disco wheels, big smiles, and that feeling you haven’t had since the last time you let go of everything and just played. 

Good Vibes, Great Merch 

Our community of makers, vendors, and small businesses are the heartbeat of First Fridays.  Want to shop for handmade? You’ll find everything from art prints to vintage finds, slow fashion to small-batch skincare. And thanks to new vendor pricing and free registration for downtown storefronts, this season’s vendor lineup is more accessible and eclectic than ever. 18Seventy Brewing is serving up local pours and micheladas to toast the night. 

It’s Not Just a Market 

It’s a love letter to our city. To the people who make things with their hands. To the ones who roll up before sunset and stay long after, packing tables and folding tents and waving goodbye to neighbors-turned-friends. It’s a little chaotic, a little nostalgic, and somehow always exactly what you needed. 

So this Friday, whether you’re swinging by for a flower bouquet, a Modesto-made cold brew, or just to dance in the street for a minute, know this: you’re invited. Bring your people. Or come solo and find your people here. Either way, First Fridays are back, and the city’s waiting. 

Follow @DoMoFirstFridays on Instagram for updates, vendor spotlights, and more.   

First Friday market dates for this year are: 

April 4, May 2, June 6, August 1, September 5, October 3 

Always located in downtown Modesto, on 10th and J streets.