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Merced’s Favorite Newsletter

Merced news, events, and recommendations delivered free every morning.

Merced, CA
16Events this week
1Free things to do
93New spots
96New stories

● Checked this morning, before the 6 AM send.

This week in Merced

Five picks from this week's calendar. See all 16 events, day by day →

LGBTQ+ Youth Support Group

Friday 5pm · CalPride Valle Central

Unforgetable II: A Concert for Alzheimer & Dementia Support

Friday 7pm · The State Theatre

Music in the Plaza

Friday 7pm · Modesto

Parent's Night Out: Kid's Party

Saturday 4pm · Let Them Be Little: Faithful PLAYcare

3rd Annual Turlock Melon Carnival

Saturday 5pm · Turlock Historical Society Museum · Free

New in Merced

Places that opened, reopened, or earned a mention this month — the ones we'd go back to.

Oh Wow Nickel Arcade

Entertainment

Level up your week: Oh Wow Nickel Arcade packs Merced with retro legends like Donkey Kong, Pac-Man and Galaga, plus pinball, air hockey, skee ball and a ton of modern ticket games.

ohwownickelarcade.com ↗

Smash Girls Burgers

Restaurants

Crispy-edge burger fix: Smash Girls Burgers nails the classic smash with Grade A beef, perfectly crispy edges, a juicy center, melty cheese, and a soft toasted bun that actually holds up.

smashgirlsburgers.com ↗

The Movement Lab Dance Studio - Merced

Arts & Culture

Find your groove: The Movement Lab Dance Studio - Merced is opening up Fall 2026 weekly classes, with everything from ballet and jazz to hip-hop and tap, taught by a passionate crew that builds real technique and confidence.

themovementlabdance.org ↗

Merced’s best businesses

Every spot worth knowing, in one place.

The restaurants, shops, and services the newsletter recommends, all in one place — every listing checked, and paid pins marked every time.

Browse Merced’s best →

Most read in Merced

The five stories Merced readers clicked most this month, from the daily editions.

  1. Merced County residents can expect aerial spraying for mosquitoes Thursday

    The Merced County Mosquito Abatement District will conduct aerial mosquito spraying due to an increase in West Nile virus activity.

    Full story at mercedsunstar.com ↗

  2. Merced horse ranch seeks help after thieves strike three times in three days

    A horse ranch in Merced, California, has been targeted by thieves three times within three days, three times.

    Full story at kmph.com ↗

  3. California: Chukchansi’s ‘last-ditch’ lawsuit aims to stop Highway 99 mega-casino – CDC Gaming

    The Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians is launching a federal lawsuit against the North Fork Mono Casino & Resort, aimed at stopping the planned 264,000-square-foot operation off Highway 99 north of Madera.

    Full story at cdcgaming.com ↗

  4. Central Valley cities are complaining about High-Speed Rail in 2026. See the latest

    Central Valley cities are complaining about the California High-Speed Rail (High-Speed Railway) in 2026.

    Full story at fresnobee.com ↗

  5. Your photos

    Reader Daniel Ingram received these photos from his son-in-law, who found them at a swap meet in Merced County, California.

    Full story at mariposagazette.com ↗

Explore Merced

The rest of what BaseLocal keeps current for the city.

Merced eventsAll 16 events this week, day by dayThis weekend in MercedThe 7 things worth your weekendRead the latest editionSee exactly what lands in your inboxTurlock24 miles away — nearby on BaseLocalCeres33 miles away — nearby on BaseLocalMadera33 miles away — nearby on BaseLocalModesto37 miles away — nearby on BaseLocal