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

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Dancehall Queens ft. Tony Matterhorn

Saturday • 10:00 PM

1425 Mt Read Blvd

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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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Nightmare on East & Alexander Halloween Party Pt.2

Fri, Oct 30 • 10:00 PM

JoLi Bistro & Bar

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Haunted Hotel - A Strathallan Halloween Party

Sat, Oct 31 • 8:00 PM

The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa, Tapestry by Hilton

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Dancehall Queens ft. Tony Matterhorn

Saturday • 10:00 PM

1425 Mt Read Blvd

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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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Nightmare on East & Alexander Halloween Party Pt.2

Fri, Oct 30 • 10:00 PM

JoLi Bistro & Bar

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Haunted Hotel - A Strathallan Halloween Party

Sat, Oct 31 • 8:00 PM

The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa, Tapestry by Hilton

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Popular in Rochester

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Ableton Educator's Day

Tomorrow • 10:30 AM

Eastman School of Music

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Plated, Sculptra, & Sciton Laser: A TTC Event

Thu, Oct 15 • 4:00 PM

Tinytox Collab

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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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Neko Case - Neon Grey Midnight Green Tour with Destroyer (Solo)

Sat, Oct 24 • 7:00 PM

Water Street Music Hall

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Twilight Embroidery Workshop

Sat, Oct 24 • 1:00 PM

Pourin Joy

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GRE Growth Update - Local Companies, Local Owners, Lasting Impact

Thu, Oct 29 • 5:00 PM

Oak Hill Country Club

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Rochester Halloween Bar Crawl 2026

Sat, Oct 31 • 4:00 PM

3 Daughters Tap and Tavern

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Tour of Homes 2026

Sat, Dec 5 • 9:30 AM

Immaculate Conception / St. Bridget's Church

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Ableton Educator's Day

Tomorrow • 10:30 AM

Eastman School of Music

Check ticket price on event

Plated, Sculptra, & Sciton Laser: A TTC Event

Thu, Oct 15 • 4:00 PM

Tinytox Collab

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

Neko Case - Neon Grey Midnight Green Tour with Destroyer (Solo)

Sat, Oct 24 • 7:00 PM

Water Street Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Twilight Embroidery Workshop

Sat, Oct 24 • 1:00 PM

Pourin Joy

Check ticket price on event

GRE Growth Update - Local Companies, Local Owners, Lasting Impact

Thu, Oct 29 • 5:00 PM

Oak Hill Country Club

Check ticket price on event

Rochester Halloween Bar Crawl 2026

Sat, Oct 31 • 4:00 PM

3 Daughters Tap and Tavern

Check ticket price on event

Tour of Homes 2026

Sat, Dec 5 • 9:30 AM

Immaculate Conception / St. Bridget's Church

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Online Events

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AI Animation Studio: Create Kids' Cartoons

Today • 6:00 PM EDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

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

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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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

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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AI Animation Studio: Create Kids' Cartoons

Today • 6:00 PM EDT

Check ticket price on event

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

Check ticket price on event

Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

Check ticket price on event

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

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

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

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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

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

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Music events

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Dancehall Queens ft. Tony Matterhorn

Saturday • 10:00 PM

1425 Mt Read Blvd

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

Karaoke Versus Battle

Sat, Oct 17 • 8:00 PM

233 Mill St

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Neko Case - Neon Grey Midnight Green Tour with Destroyer (Solo)

Sat, Oct 24 • 7:00 PM

Water Street Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Dancehall Queens ft. Tony Matterhorn

Saturday • 10:00 PM

1425 Mt Read Blvd

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

Karaoke Versus Battle

Sat, Oct 17 • 8:00 PM

233 Mill St

Check ticket price on event

Neko Case - Neon Grey Midnight Green Tour with Destroyer (Solo)

Sat, Oct 24 • 7:00 PM

Water Street Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

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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

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

Nightmare on East & Alexander Halloween Party Pt.2

Haunted Hotel - A Strathallan Halloween Party

Dancehall Queens ft. Tony Matterhorn

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

Nightmare on East & Alexander Halloween Party Pt.2

Haunted Hotel - A Strathallan Halloween Party

Popular in Rochester

Ableton Educator's Day

Plated, Sculptra, & Sciton Laser: A TTC Event

Lords Of Acid - Rochester, NY

Neko Case - Neon Grey Midnight Green Tour with Destroyer (Solo)

Twilight Embroidery Workshop

GRE Growth Update - Local Companies, Local Owners, Lasting Impact

Rochester Halloween Bar Crawl 2026

Tour of Homes 2026

Ableton Educator's Day

Plated, Sculptra, & Sciton Laser: A TTC Event

Lords Of Acid - Rochester, NY

Neko Case - Neon Grey Midnight Green Tour with Destroyer (Solo)

Twilight Embroidery Workshop

GRE Growth Update - Local Companies, Local Owners, Lasting Impact

Rochester Halloween Bar Crawl 2026

Tour of Homes 2026

Online Events

AI Animation Studio: Create Kids' Cartoons

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

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

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

AI Animation Studio: Create Kids' Cartoons

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Humanitarian Water Engineering Fall 2026

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

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Music events

Dancehall Queens ft. Tony Matterhorn

Lords Of Acid - Rochester, NY

Karaoke Versus Battle

Neko Case - Neon Grey Midnight Green Tour with Destroyer (Solo)

Dancehall Queens ft. Tony Matterhorn

Lords Of Acid - Rochester, NY

Karaoke Versus Battle

Neko Case - Neon Grey Midnight Green Tour with Destroyer (Solo)

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?