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Best events in
Rochester

Shaped by a culture of hospitality, the events and things to do in Rochester, MN offer a welcoming mix of community festivals and lively downtown nightlife. The city's walkable downtown core makes it easy to move from a pre-show dinner to a concert at the Mayo Civic Center or a cocktail at Bitter & Pour. Beyond the weekly rhythm, major annual gatherings like Rochesterfest and the SocialICE festival highlight the city's strong community spirit.

Begin an evening on Historic Third Street with craft beer at The Tap House before heading to a live music event at a spot like Kathy's Pub.
See a theatrical production at the Rochester Civic Theatre or catch national and local comedians at Goonie's Comedy Club.
Find local goods and live music at the year-round Rochester Farmers Market or enjoy free outdoor concerts during the summer's Riverside Music Series.

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Annual Fundraiser to Benefit Legal Assistance of Olmsted County primary image

Annual Fundraiser to Benefit Legal Assistance of Olmsted County

Sat, Nov 7 • 5:30 PM

Rochester Golf & Country Club

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Rediscover the Marriott Ballroom & Culinary Showcase primary image

Rediscover the Marriott Ballroom & Culinary Showcase

Tue, Nov 10 • 11:00 AM

Rochester Marriott Mayo Clinic Area

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National Philanthropy Day 2026 primary image

National Philanthropy Day 2026

Tue, Nov 10 • 8:00 AM

1517 16th St SW

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2,ooo Units of Affordable Housing | Restoration Glen Ribbon Cutting primary image

2,ooo Units of Affordable Housing | Restoration Glen Ribbon Cutting

Thu, Nov 12 • 11:00 AM

1730 Restoration Rd SW

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Fall 2026 1/2 Day RHRA SHRM Conference primary image

Fall 2026 1/2 Day RHRA SHRM Conference

Tue, Nov 17 • 7:30 AM

Rochester Golf & Country Club

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2026 DMC Annual Meeting Luncheon primary image

2026 DMC Annual Meeting Luncheon

Fri, Nov 20 • 11:00 AM

Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area, 3rd Floor Ballroom

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Rochester Dance Company’s Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party (10 am) primary image

Rochester Dance Company’s Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party (10 am)

Sun, Nov 22 • 10:00 AM

Historic Chateau Theatre

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After the Diagnosis primary image

After the Diagnosis

Fri, Feb 5 • 11:30 AM + 1 more

3033 41st St NW

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Annual Fundraiser to Benefit Legal Assistance of Olmsted County primary image

Annual Fundraiser to Benefit Legal Assistance of Olmsted County

Sat, Nov 7 • 5:30 PM

Rochester Golf & Country Club

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Rediscover the Marriott Ballroom & Culinary Showcase primary image

Rediscover the Marriott Ballroom & Culinary Showcase

Tue, Nov 10 • 11:00 AM

Rochester Marriott Mayo Clinic Area

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National Philanthropy Day 2026 primary image

National Philanthropy Day 2026

Tue, Nov 10 • 8:00 AM

1517 16th St SW

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2,ooo Units of Affordable Housing | Restoration Glen Ribbon Cutting primary image

2,ooo Units of Affordable Housing | Restoration Glen Ribbon Cutting

Thu, Nov 12 • 11:00 AM

1730 Restoration Rd SW

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Fall 2026 1/2 Day RHRA SHRM Conference primary image

Fall 2026 1/2 Day RHRA SHRM Conference

Tue, Nov 17 • 7:30 AM

Rochester Golf & Country Club

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2026 DMC Annual Meeting Luncheon primary image

2026 DMC Annual Meeting Luncheon

Fri, Nov 20 • 11:00 AM

Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area, 3rd Floor Ballroom

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Rochester Dance Company’s Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party (10 am) primary image

Rochester Dance Company’s Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party (10 am)

Sun, Nov 22 • 10:00 AM

Historic Chateau Theatre

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After the Diagnosis primary image

After the Diagnosis

Fri, Feb 5 • 11:30 AM + 1 more

3033 41st St NW

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OUTSIDER ART: Drawing The Spirit World primary image

OUTSIDER ART: Drawing The Spirit World

Today • 6:30 PM GMT

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Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026 primary image

Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence primary image

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Managing Your Emotions - Prof Ethan Kross primary image

Managing Your Emotions - Prof Ethan Kross

Tue, Nov 10 • 7:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026 primary image

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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REVISED Cottage Food Safety Statewide Online Training primary image

REVISED Cottage Food Safety Statewide Online Training

Fri, Nov 13 • 9:00 AM MST

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The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets primary image

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream primary image

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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OUTSIDER ART: Drawing The Spirit World primary image

OUTSIDER ART: Drawing The Spirit World

Today • 6:30 PM GMT

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Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026 primary image

Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

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No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence primary image

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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Managing Your Emotions - Prof Ethan Kross primary image

Managing Your Emotions - Prof Ethan Kross

Tue, Nov 10 • 7:00 PM GMT

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Lean Global Connection 2026 primary image

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

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REVISED Cottage Food Safety Statewide Online Training primary image

REVISED Cottage Food Safety Statewide Online Training

Fri, Nov 13 • 9:00 AM MST

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The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets primary image

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 PM GMT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream primary image

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Business & Professional events

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Rochester Job Fair - Rochester Career Fair primary image

Rochester Job Fair - Rochester Career Fair

Fri, Nov 6 • 11:00 AM

Rochester

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Fall 2026 1/2 Day RHRA SHRM Conference primary image

Fall 2026 1/2 Day RHRA SHRM Conference

Tue, Nov 17 • 7:30 AM

Rochester Golf & Country Club

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R.A.V.E. (Recognizing Awarding Valuing Entrepreneurs) Event primary image

R.A.V.E. (Recognizing Awarding Valuing Entrepreneurs) Event

Wed, Nov 18 • 4:30 PM

Two Discovery Square

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2026 DMC Annual Meeting Luncheon primary image

2026 DMC Annual Meeting Luncheon

Fri, Nov 20 • 11:00 AM

Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area, 3rd Floor Ballroom

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Rochester Job Fair - Rochester Career Fair primary image

Rochester Job Fair - Rochester Career Fair

Fri, Nov 6 • 11:00 AM

Rochester

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Fall 2026 1/2 Day RHRA SHRM Conference primary image

Fall 2026 1/2 Day RHRA SHRM Conference

Tue, Nov 17 • 7:30 AM

Rochester Golf & Country Club

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R.A.V.E. (Recognizing Awarding Valuing Entrepreneurs) Event primary image

R.A.V.E. (Recognizing Awarding Valuing Entrepreneurs) Event

Wed, Nov 18 • 4:30 PM

Two Discovery Square

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2026 DMC Annual Meeting Luncheon primary image

2026 DMC Annual Meeting Luncheon

Fri, Nov 20 • 11:00 AM

Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area, 3rd Floor Ballroom

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Hobbies & Special Interest events

Spooky Season: Rochester Downtown Shadows Mystery primary image

Spooky Season: Rochester Downtown Shadows Mystery

Today • 10:00 AM + 7 more

1st Avenue Southwest

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Spruce Top Workshop primary image

Spruce Top Workshop

Sat, Nov 7 • 10:00 AM + 11 more

Sargent's on 2nd

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Puzzle Competition Teams primary image

Puzzle Competition Teams

Wed, Dec 2 • 6:00 PM

Brother's Bar & Grill

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Winter Porch Pot Class- LTS Brewing Co primary image

Winter Porch Pot Class- LTS Brewing Co

Thu, Dec 3 • 6:00 PM

LTS Brewing Company

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Spooky Season: Rochester Downtown Shadows Mystery primary image

Spooky Season: Rochester Downtown Shadows Mystery

Today • 10:00 AM + 7 more

1st Avenue Southwest

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Spruce Top Workshop primary image

Spruce Top Workshop

Sat, Nov 7 • 10:00 AM + 11 more

Sargent's on 2nd

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Puzzle Competition Teams primary image

Puzzle Competition Teams

Wed, Dec 2 • 6:00 PM

Brother's Bar & Grill

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Winter Porch Pot Class- LTS Brewing Co primary image

Winter Porch Pot Class- LTS Brewing Co

Thu, Dec 3 • 6:00 PM

LTS Brewing Company

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Frequently asked questions about Rochester

Where are the best spots for live music events in Rochester, MN?

Downtown offers several great venues for live music events. The Redwood Room provides an intimate setting, while North Star Bar features rock and punk bands. For a unique experience, Thesis Beer Project is a brewery known for hosting original music.

Where can I see a comedy show in Rochester?

Goonie's Comedy Club is the city's dedicated spot for stand-up. Located inside the Rochester Hotel & Suites, it hosts both touring professionals and features a local open mic night for aspiring comedians.

Are there free events and things to do in Rochester?

Yes, Rochester hosts several free community events. The Riverside Music Series offers free summer concerts in Mayo Park, and the North Star Bar regularly has live music with no cover charge.

What are some good date night ideas in Rochester?

A classic Rochester date night could start with craft cocktails. Consider the speakeasy atmosphere at Bitter & Pour, followed by an intimate live music performance at The Redwood Room for a memorable evening.

What kind of outdoor events happen in Rochester?

Rochester's event calendar includes major outdoor festivals. Thursdays Downtown is a weekly summer street fair with food and music, while SocialICE brings unique ice bars and sculptures to the downtown area each winter.

What family-friendly events are there in Rochester, MN?

The city offers large-scale annual events perfect for families. The Olmsted County Fair has carnival rides and exhibits, and Rochesterfest is a city-wide celebration with a parade, food, and entertainment for all ages.

What is the nightlife like in downtown Rochester?

Downtown Rochester's nightlife is concentrated and very walkable. People often move between spots like The Tap House for beers, Kathy's Pub for its rooftop patio, and venues hosting late-night music events.

How can I find art and theater events?

For professional theater, check the schedule at the Rochester Civic Theatre. For visual arts, the large Thursdays Downtown festival includes numerous art vendors, and public art can be found throughout the downtown area.