Best events in
Rochester

Events and things to do in Rochester, NY. The city's scene is deeply rooted in its neighborhoods, from the high-energy East End to the eclectic South Wedge. A strong festival culture and a constant stream of talent from the Eastman School of Music fuel a diverse calendar of performances and gatherings.

The walkable East End district offers a high concentration of music venues and nightlife, with spots like Anthology and Photo City Music Hall hosting shows.
For a more arts-focused outing, the Neighborhood of the Arts (NOTA) is home to galleries, studios, and the Memorial Art Gallery.
Community gatherings are central to Rochester life, with the Rochester Public Market hosting popular events like the monthly Food Truck Rodeos.

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After 8pm

Dancehall Queens ft. Tony Matterhorn

Sat, Oct 10 • 10:00 PM

1425 Mt Read Blvd

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CusCampbell LIVE at Nightcap Blues - 8:30PM SHOW ONLY -

Sat, Oct 10 • 8:00 PM

233 Mill St

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Halloween Silent Disco at Montage Music Hall (Rochester) - 10/16/26

Fri, Oct 16 • 8:00 PM

Montage Music Hall

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Grateful Shred

Fri, Oct 30 • 8:00 PM

Water Street Music Hall

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Dancehall Queens ft. Tony Matterhorn

Sat, Oct 10 • 10:00 PM

1425 Mt Read Blvd

Check ticket price on event

CusCampbell LIVE at Nightcap Blues - 8:30PM SHOW ONLY -

Sat, Oct 10 • 8:00 PM

233 Mill St

Check ticket price on event

Halloween Silent Disco at Montage Music Hall (Rochester) - 10/16/26

Fri, Oct 16 • 8:00 PM

Montage Music Hall

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Grateful Shred

Fri, Oct 30 • 8:00 PM

Water Street Music Hall

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Popular in Rochester

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Luminate Finals 2026

Wednesday • 12:00 PM

Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center

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Mi Vida Loca the Musical LIVE in Greece NY

Sat, Oct 3 • 6:00 PM + 1 more

1578 W Ridge Rd

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"DAM ITS 9AM" the morning party

Sat, Oct 3 • 9:00 AM

Studio Lounge

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Independent Beauty Show 2026

Mon, Oct 5 • 9:00 AM

ARTISANworks

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Ableton Educator's Day

Fri, Oct 9 • 10:30 AM

Eastman School of Music

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WTDD “WHO TEK DI DANCE”

Sat, Oct 17 • 10:00 AM

Blue Skye Events (Skye Lounge)

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Lords Of Acid - Rochester, NY

Sat, Oct 17 • 6:30 PM

Photo City Music Hall (Ages 16+)

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Twilight Embroidery Workshop

Sat, Oct 24 • 1:00 PM

Pourin Joy

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Luminate Finals 2026

Wednesday • 12:00 PM

Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center

Check ticket price on event

Mi Vida Loca the Musical LIVE in Greece NY

Sat, Oct 3 • 6:00 PM + 1 more

1578 W Ridge Rd

Check ticket price on event

"DAM ITS 9AM" the morning party

Sat, Oct 3 • 9:00 AM

Studio Lounge

Check ticket price on event

Independent Beauty Show 2026

Mon, Oct 5 • 9:00 AM

ARTISANworks

Check ticket price on event

Ableton Educator's Day

Fri, Oct 9 • 10:30 AM

Eastman School of Music

Check ticket price on event

WTDD “WHO TEK DI DANCE”

Sat, Oct 17 • 10:00 AM

Blue Skye Events (Skye Lounge)

Check ticket price on event

Lords Of Acid - Rochester, NY

Sat, Oct 17 • 6:30 PM

Photo City Music Hall (Ages 16+)

Check ticket price on event

Twilight Embroidery Workshop

Sat, Oct 24 • 1:00 PM

Pourin Joy

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Online Events

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Marketing Breakthrough: 40X Your Holistic Business [$297 Value]

Today • 10:00 AM PDT

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Online Group Reading - September 27

Today • 8:00 PM ADT

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Barnes & Noble and Waterstones Virtually Presents: Madeline Miller

Tuesday • 2:00 PM EDT

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Atelier en ligne Psycom : prise en main du Cosmos Mental®

Thursday • 9:00 AM GMT+2

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Black Girl Book Fair! Spooky Edition

Saturday • 12:00 AM CDT

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A Norman stitch-up? The story behind the Bayeux Tapestry

Wed, Oct 7 • 7:30 PM GMT+1

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Marketing Breakthrough: 40X Your Holistic Business [$297 Value]

Today • 10:00 AM PDT

Check ticket price on event

Online Group Reading - September 27

Today • 8:00 PM ADT

Check ticket price on event

Barnes & Noble and Waterstones Virtually Presents: Madeline Miller

Tuesday • 2:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Atelier en ligne Psycom : prise en main du Cosmos Mental®

Thursday • 9:00 AM GMT+2

Check ticket price on event

Black Girl Book Fair! Spooky Edition

Saturday • 12:00 AM CDT

Check ticket price on event

A Norman stitch-up? The story behind the Bayeux Tapestry

Wed, Oct 7 • 7:30 PM GMT+1

Check ticket price on event

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

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This Weekend

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HYBRID-STYLE @ Photo City Music Hall

Today • 7:45 PM

Photo City Music Hall

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NJIA

Today • 1:00 PM

392 Thurston Rd

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Family Adventure: Seneca Park Zoo Animal Quest

Today • 10:00 AM + 3 more

Seneca Park Zoo

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HYBRID-STYLE @ Photo City Music Hall

Today • 7:45 PM

Photo City Music Hall

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NJIA

Today • 1:00 PM

392 Thurston Rd

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Family Adventure: Seneca Park Zoo Animal Quest

Today • 10:00 AM + 3 more

Seneca Park Zoo

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Frequently asked questions about Rochester

Where is the best nightlife in Rochester?

The East End is Rochester's main nightlife hub, known for its density of bars and venues. This walkable downtown district makes it easy to move between cocktail lounges, music halls like Water Street Music Hall, and late-night food spots.

What's the comedy scene like in Rochester?

Rochester has a dedicated comedy scene for both national and local talent. Comedy @ The Carlson hosts well-known touring comedians, while The Focus Theater is the spot for locally-produced improv and stand-up shows.

Where can I find live music events?

Live music is everywhere, from large concert halls to intimate bars. Anthology books a wide range of national artists, while venues like Bug Jar are known for indie and local bands. Many music events feature talent from the Eastman School of Music.

Are there free events in Rochester, NY?

Rochester hosts many notable free events, especially its large annual festivals. The Rochester Lilac Festival is a major attraction, and the Bands on the Bricks concert series at the Public Market offers free music during the summer.

What kind of food and drink events happen in Rochester?

The city's food scene features recurring culinary events, often centered at the Public Market. The market hosts Food Truck Rodeos monthly from April through September, and Washington Square is home to the weekly Food Truck Fridays series.

How can I explore Rochester's art scene?

The Neighborhood of the Arts (NOTA) is the best place to start. This district is filled with galleries and studios, and it is also home to the Memorial Art Gallery, which hosts after-hours art events.

Can you suggest a good date night in Rochester?

A classic Rochester date night combines theater and film. Consider seeing a professional production at Geva Theatre Center or Blackfriars Theatre, or catch an independent film at The Little Theatre, which also features live music in its café.

What are some family-friendly things to do?

Highland Park is a great destination, especially during the annual Rochester Lilac Festival. For other family-friendly fun, the Rochester Public Market often has community events with food and music that are suitable for all ages.

After 8pm

Dancehall Queens ft. Tony Matterhorn

CusCampbell LIVE at Nightcap Blues - 8:30PM SHOW ONLY -

Halloween Silent Disco at Montage Music Hall (Rochester) - 10/16/26

Grateful Shred

Dancehall Queens ft. Tony Matterhorn

CusCampbell LIVE at Nightcap Blues - 8:30PM SHOW ONLY -

Halloween Silent Disco at Montage Music Hall (Rochester) - 10/16/26

Grateful Shred

Popular in Rochester

Luminate Finals 2026

Mi Vida Loca the Musical LIVE in Greece NY

"DAM ITS 9AM" the morning party

Independent Beauty Show 2026

Ableton Educator's Day

WTDD “WHO TEK DI DANCE”

Lords Of Acid - Rochester, NY

Twilight Embroidery Workshop

Luminate Finals 2026

Mi Vida Loca the Musical LIVE in Greece NY

"DAM ITS 9AM" the morning party

Independent Beauty Show 2026

Ableton Educator's Day

WTDD “WHO TEK DI DANCE”

Lords Of Acid - Rochester, NY

Twilight Embroidery Workshop

Online Events

Marketing Breakthrough: 40X Your Holistic Business [$297 Value]

Online Group Reading - September 27

Barnes & Noble and Waterstones Virtually Presents: Madeline Miller

Atelier en ligne Psycom : prise en main du Cosmos Mental®

Black Girl Book Fair! Spooky Edition

A Norman stitch-up? The story behind the Bayeux Tapestry

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Marketing Breakthrough: 40X Your Holistic Business [$297 Value]

Online Group Reading - September 27

Barnes & Noble and Waterstones Virtually Presents: Madeline Miller

Atelier en ligne Psycom : prise en main du Cosmos Mental®

Black Girl Book Fair! Spooky Edition

A Norman stitch-up? The story behind the Bayeux Tapestry

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

This Weekend

HYBRID-STYLE @ Photo City Music Hall

NJIA

Family Adventure: Seneca Park Zoo Animal Quest

HYBRID-STYLE @ Photo City Music Hall

NJIA

Family Adventure: Seneca Park Zoo Animal Quest

Points of Interest near Rochester

Where is the best nightlife in Rochester?

What's the comedy scene like in Rochester?

Where can I find live music events?

Are there free events in Rochester, NY?

What kind of food and drink events happen in Rochester?

How can I explore Rochester's art scene?

Can you suggest a good date night in Rochester?

What are some family-friendly things to do?