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.

autocomplete

After 8pm

Explore more events

Y2K NIGHT

Fri, Nov 13 • 9:00 PM

The Club at Water Street

Check ticket price on event

Pretty Girls Love Trap Music (T Gday Party)

Sat, Nov 14 • 10:00 PM

JoLi Bistro & Bar

Check ticket price on event

R&B vs REGGAE “THE RETURN”

Sat, Nov 28 • 10:00 PM

JoLi Bistro & Bar

Check ticket price on event

Darude - Rochester, NY

Fri, Dec 11 • 8:00 PM

Photo City Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Y2K NIGHT

Fri, Nov 13 • 9:00 PM

The Club at Water Street

Check ticket price on event

Pretty Girls Love Trap Music (T Gday Party)

Sat, Nov 14 • 10:00 PM

JoLi Bistro & Bar

Check ticket price on event

R&B vs REGGAE “THE RETURN”

Sat, Nov 28 • 10:00 PM

JoLi Bistro & Bar

Check ticket price on event

Darude - Rochester, NY

Fri, Dec 11 • 8:00 PM

Photo City Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Explore more events

Popular in Rochester

Explore more events

BUMP: Dom Dolla x John Summit Party

Tomorrow • 8:30 PM

Water Street Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Five Ways to Raise Capital for Your Startup

Tomorrow • 3:30 PM

NextCorps

Check ticket price on event

54th Annual Miss Gay Rochester Pageant

Sunday • 7:00 PM

Harro East Ballroom

Check ticket price on event

Ryan Jesse - Rochester, NY

Tuesday • 6:00 PM

Photo City Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Rave for a Cause 12: Adam's Family Affair

Wed, Nov 25 • 8:00 PM

Water Street Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

HIGH HEELS & HIGH MAINTENANCE

Fri, Nov 27 • 7:00 PM

The Theater At Innovation Square

Check ticket price on event

Speak Easy Society: December Edition

Tue, Dec 1 • 6:30 PM

The Local Sound Collaborative

Check ticket price on event

Training Grant (100 College Ave)

Wed, Dec 2 • 10:00 AM + 2 more

RochesterWorks!

Check ticket price on event

BUMP: Dom Dolla x John Summit Party

Tomorrow • 8:30 PM

Water Street Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Five Ways to Raise Capital for Your Startup

Tomorrow • 3:30 PM

NextCorps

Check ticket price on event

54th Annual Miss Gay Rochester Pageant

Sunday • 7:00 PM

Harro East Ballroom

Check ticket price on event

Ryan Jesse - Rochester, NY

Tuesday • 6:00 PM

Photo City Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Rave for a Cause 12: Adam's Family Affair

Wed, Nov 25 • 8:00 PM

Water Street Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

HIGH HEELS & HIGH MAINTENANCE

Fri, Nov 27 • 7:00 PM

The Theater At Innovation Square

Check ticket price on event

Speak Easy Society: December Edition

Tue, Dec 1 • 6:30 PM

The Local Sound Collaborative

Check ticket price on event

Training Grant (100 College Ave)

Wed, Dec 2 • 10:00 AM + 2 more

RochesterWorks!

Check ticket price on event

Explore more events

Online Events

Explore more events

Can You Read Cursive? Transcribing Chattel Enslavement Archives

Today • 6:30 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

The World of Bunny vs Monkey Workshop with Jamie Smart

Saturday • 10:00 AM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Managing Your Emotions - Prof Ethan Kross

Tuesday • 7:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

This Little World: a New History of Tudor and Stuart England

Wednesday • 7:30 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

Check ticket price on event

Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026

Sat, Nov 14 • 1:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

How to Choose a (New) Career Fast

Thu, Dec 3 • 1:00 PM GMT

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

Can You Read Cursive? Transcribing Chattel Enslavement Archives

Today • 6:30 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

The World of Bunny vs Monkey Workshop with Jamie Smart

Saturday • 10:00 AM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Managing Your Emotions - Prof Ethan Kross

Tuesday • 7:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

This Little World: a New History of Tudor and Stuart England

Wednesday • 7:30 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

Check ticket price on event

Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026

Sat, Nov 14 • 1:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

How to Choose a (New) Career Fast

Thu, Dec 3 • 1:00 PM GMT

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

Explore more events

This Weekend

Explore more events

Product Runway Recap Event

Tomorrow • 5:00 PM

Mercantile on Main

Check ticket price on event

BUMP: Dom Dolla x John Summit Party

Tomorrow • 8:30 PM

Water Street Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Twilight Immortal Dance Party

Tomorrow • 8:00 PM

Photo City Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Healthy Baby Network 30th Anniversary Gala

Tomorrow • 5:30 PM

Hyatt Regency Rochester

Check ticket price on event

Smiles and Songs Series

Saturday • 8:00 PM

233 Mill St

Check ticket price on event

Upstate Uproar Gaming Festival 2026

Saturday • 10:00 AM

Vertus Building

Check ticket price on event

54th Annual Miss Gay Rochester Pageant

Sunday • 7:00 PM

Harro East Ballroom

Check ticket price on event

Upstate

Sunday • 7:00 PM

Three Heads Brewing

Check ticket price on event

Product Runway Recap Event

Tomorrow • 5:00 PM

Mercantile on Main

Check ticket price on event

BUMP: Dom Dolla x John Summit Party

Tomorrow • 8:30 PM

Water Street Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Twilight Immortal Dance Party

Tomorrow • 8:00 PM

Photo City Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Healthy Baby Network 30th Anniversary Gala

Tomorrow • 5:30 PM

Hyatt Regency Rochester

Check ticket price on event

Smiles and Songs Series

Saturday • 8:00 PM

233 Mill St

Check ticket price on event

Upstate Uproar Gaming Festival 2026

Saturday • 10:00 AM

Vertus Building

Check ticket price on event

54th Annual Miss Gay Rochester Pageant

Sunday • 7:00 PM

Harro East Ballroom

Check ticket price on event

Upstate

Sunday • 7:00 PM

Three Heads Brewing

Check ticket price on event

Explore more events

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

Y2K NIGHT

Pretty Girls Love Trap Music (T Gday Party)

R&B vs REGGAE “THE RETURN”

Darude - Rochester, NY

Y2K NIGHT

Pretty Girls Love Trap Music (T Gday Party)

R&B vs REGGAE “THE RETURN”

Darude - Rochester, NY

Popular in Rochester

BUMP: Dom Dolla x John Summit Party

Five Ways to Raise Capital for Your Startup

54th Annual Miss Gay Rochester Pageant

Ryan Jesse - Rochester, NY

Rave for a Cause 12: Adam's Family Affair

HIGH HEELS & HIGH MAINTENANCE

Speak Easy Society: December Edition

Training Grant (100 College Ave)

BUMP: Dom Dolla x John Summit Party

Five Ways to Raise Capital for Your Startup

54th Annual Miss Gay Rochester Pageant

Ryan Jesse - Rochester, NY

Rave for a Cause 12: Adam's Family Affair

HIGH HEELS & HIGH MAINTENANCE

Speak Easy Society: December Edition

Training Grant (100 College Ave)

Online Events

Can You Read Cursive? Transcribing Chattel Enslavement Archives

The World of Bunny vs Monkey Workshop with Jamie Smart

Managing Your Emotions - Prof Ethan Kross

This Little World: a New History of Tudor and Stuart England

Lean Global Connection 2026

Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026

How to Choose a (New) Career Fast

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Can You Read Cursive? Transcribing Chattel Enslavement Archives

The World of Bunny vs Monkey Workshop with Jamie Smart

Managing Your Emotions - Prof Ethan Kross

This Little World: a New History of Tudor and Stuart England

Lean Global Connection 2026

Physicians Financial Wellness Conference 2026

How to Choose a (New) Career Fast

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

This Weekend

Product Runway Recap Event

BUMP: Dom Dolla x John Summit Party

Twilight Immortal Dance Party

Healthy Baby Network 30th Anniversary Gala

Smiles and Songs Series

Upstate Uproar Gaming Festival 2026

54th Annual Miss Gay Rochester Pageant

Upstate

Product Runway Recap Event

BUMP: Dom Dolla x John Summit Party

Twilight Immortal Dance Party

Healthy Baby Network 30th Anniversary Gala

Smiles and Songs Series

Upstate Uproar Gaming Festival 2026

54th Annual Miss Gay Rochester Pageant

Upstate

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?