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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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

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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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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Mi Vida Loca the Musical LIVE in Rochester

Tomorrow • 7:00 PM

1075 Clover St

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"DAM ITS 9AM" the morning party

Saturday • 9:00 AM

Studio Lounge

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Joy Little and Yolanda Smilez LIVE at Nightcap Blues

Saturday • 8:00 PM

233 Mill St

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Independent Beauty Show 2026

Monday • 9:00 AM

ARTISANworks

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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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COMPA Symposium: Evaluating effects of new regulations and policy shifts

Tue, Oct 27 • 8:00 AM

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

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Mi Vida Loca the Musical LIVE in Rochester

Tomorrow • 7:00 PM

1075 Clover St

Check ticket price on event

"DAM ITS 9AM" the morning party

Saturday • 9:00 AM

Studio Lounge

Check ticket price on event

Joy Little and Yolanda Smilez LIVE at Nightcap Blues

Saturday • 8:00 PM

233 Mill St

Check ticket price on event

Independent Beauty Show 2026

Monday • 9:00 AM

ARTISANworks

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

COMPA Symposium: Evaluating effects of new regulations and policy shifts

Tue, Oct 27 • 8:00 AM

University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Check ticket price on event

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Online Events

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Black Girl Book Fair! Spooky Edition

Tomorrow • 12:00 AM CDT

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Ethically Shady: Navigating the Gray Areas of Interpreting

Saturday • 10:00 AM PDT

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HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

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Perfectionnement en programmation Python [en ligne, PYT102]

Thu, Oct 15 • 9:00 AM EDT

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HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

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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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Black Girl Book Fair! Spooky Edition

Tomorrow • 12:00 AM CDT

Check ticket price on event

Ethically Shady: Navigating the Gray Areas of Interpreting

Saturday • 10:00 AM PDT

Check ticket price on event

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 1:00 PM GMT+1

Check ticket price on event

Perfectionnement en programmation Python [en ligne, PYT102]

Thu, Oct 15 • 9:00 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thu, Oct 15 • 8:00 AM EDT

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

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Fri, Nov 27 • 2:00 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

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This Weekend

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"DAM ITS 9AM" the morning party

Saturday • 9:00 AM

Studio Lounge

Check ticket price on event

Joy Little and Yolanda Smilez LIVE at Nightcap Blues

Saturday • 8:00 PM

233 Mill St

Check ticket price on event

Bashment Party Film Premiere

Saturday • 6:00 PM

ROC Cinema

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Vino Noir Wine & Food Tasting 2026

Saturday • 5:00 PM

50 Liberty Pole Way

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HBCU Football Classic Official After-Party

Saturday • 8:00 PM

Water Street Music Hall

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Black Out Rave - Rochester, NY

Saturday • 10:00 PM

Photo City Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Stories Out of the Projects

Saturday • 7:00 PM

Stardust Ballroom

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Making Things Queer

Sunday • 2:00 PM

AltBar

Check ticket price on event

"DAM ITS 9AM" the morning party

Saturday • 9:00 AM

Studio Lounge

Check ticket price on event

Joy Little and Yolanda Smilez LIVE at Nightcap Blues

Saturday • 8:00 PM

233 Mill St

Check ticket price on event

Bashment Party Film Premiere

Saturday • 6:00 PM

ROC Cinema

Check ticket price on event

Vino Noir Wine & Food Tasting 2026

Saturday • 5:00 PM

50 Liberty Pole Way

Check ticket price on event

HBCU Football Classic Official After-Party

Saturday • 8:00 PM

Water Street Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Black Out Rave - Rochester, NY

Saturday • 10:00 PM

Photo City Music Hall

Check ticket price on event

Stories Out of the Projects

Saturday • 7:00 PM

Stardust Ballroom

Check ticket price on event

Making Things Queer

Sunday • 2:00 PM

AltBar

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

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

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

Haunted Hotel - A Strathallan Halloween Party

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

Haunted Hotel - A Strathallan Halloween Party

Popular in Rochester

Mi Vida Loca the Musical LIVE in Rochester

"DAM ITS 9AM" the morning party

Joy Little and Yolanda Smilez LIVE at Nightcap Blues

Independent Beauty Show 2026

Lords Of Acid - Rochester, NY

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

Twilight Embroidery Workshop

COMPA Symposium: Evaluating effects of new regulations and policy shifts

Mi Vida Loca the Musical LIVE in Rochester

"DAM ITS 9AM" the morning party

Joy Little and Yolanda Smilez LIVE at Nightcap Blues

Independent Beauty Show 2026

Lords Of Acid - Rochester, NY

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

Twilight Embroidery Workshop

COMPA Symposium: Evaluating effects of new regulations and policy shifts

Online Events

Black Girl Book Fair! Spooky Edition

Ethically Shady: Navigating the Gray Areas of Interpreting

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Perfectionnement en programmation Python [en ligne, PYT102]

HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Black Girl Book Fair! Spooky Edition

Ethically Shady: Navigating the Gray Areas of Interpreting

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Perfectionnement en programmation Python [en ligne, PYT102]

HBR Press Webinar: Resilient Optimism

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

The MI5 Archive: Official Secrets

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

This Weekend

"DAM ITS 9AM" the morning party

Joy Little and Yolanda Smilez LIVE at Nightcap Blues

Bashment Party Film Premiere

Vino Noir Wine & Food Tasting 2026

HBCU Football Classic Official After-Party

Black Out Rave - Rochester, NY

Stories Out of the Projects

Making Things Queer

"DAM ITS 9AM" the morning party

Joy Little and Yolanda Smilez LIVE at Nightcap Blues

Bashment Party Film Premiere

Vino Noir Wine & Food Tasting 2026

HBCU Football Classic Official After-Party

Black Out Rave - Rochester, NY

Stories Out of the Projects

Making Things Queer

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?