Annual Events In Rochester

There are amazing events that happen each year in Rochester. Here are some of the highlights. For more ideas, check out our Ultimate Guides for more seasonal fun.

January

February

Ganondagan Native American Winter Games

Celebrate and discover the Seneca ways of winter through traditional Native American activities. Visit the Seneca Art & Culture Center at Ganondagan.

March

Sugar Maple Weekends

Every March, for two weekends, farms and local vendors celebrate the season of procuring pure maple sugar syrup with local events around Rochester.

REXPO

The Breeders Symposium by REXPO hosts the Northeast’s Largest Captive Bred Reptile and Amphibian Convention. Fully dedicated to captive bred propagation for the pet industry combined with the latest husbandry products for your beloved reptile, amphibian, invertebrate, and rare mammals.  

April

Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival

Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival is a signature event that showcases the imaginative and inventive spirit of RIT students.

Food Truck Rodeos at Rochester Public Market

From April to September, the Rochester Public Market hosts a monthly Food Truck Rodeo on the last Wednesday of the month. In addition to Rochester’s best food trucks at Rodeos, you’ll also enjoy local music, dancing and entertainment. 

May

The Rochester Lilac Festival

The Rochester Lilac Festival takes place each year in Highland Park among the 700+ varieties of lilacs that will be in bloom.

Flower City Days at Rochester Public Market

Flower City Days showcases a great variety of plants and flowers. Dozens of local nurseries and growers put their best stock up for sale at these events.

June

Rochester International Jazz Festival

The Rochester International Jazz Festival is one of the world’s largest and leading jazz festivals. Each year, there are hundreds of performances held at indoor and outdoor venues across Rochester during the festival.

July

Corn Hill Arts Festival

The Festival, which takes place over nine streets, will showcase hundreds of artists from across the country, as well as talented musicians from near and far.

August

New York State Fair

The Great New York State Fair takes place at the fairgrounds in Syracuse. The fair started in 1841, making it one of the oldest fairs in the country.

September

Clothesline Art Festival

The Clothesline Art Festival has been MAG’s (Memorial Art Gallery) largest annual fundraiser and biggest celebration of the arts for more than 60 years. Over 300 artists from across the country offer their work for purchase at this juried, two-day festival that takes place on the beautiful grounds of the Memorial Art Gallery. Clothesline is also the place to experience all-day live entertainment, sample food from some of Rochester’s favorite food trucks and vendors, enjoy free family art activities, and visit the museum.

Rochester Fringe Festival

The Rochester Fringe Festival is the largest multidisciplinary performing arts festival in New York State. During the festival, different venues host performances across Rochester.

October

November

Rochester Maker Faire

Featuring both established and emerging local “makers,” Maker Faire Rochester is a family-friendly celebration featuring rockets and robots, digital fabrication, DIY science and technology, urban farming and sustainability, alternative energy, bicycles, unique hand-made crafts, music and local food, and educational workshops and installations.

December

Roc Holiday Village

The downtown Rochester festival features free ice skating and skate rentals, a unique Shopping Village, free visits with Santa, fire pits with outdoor seating, indoor and outdoor bars with tasty food and drinks, hand-crafted goods, Cozy Winter Igloos, free crafts for kids, holiday celebrations, live music, private events, nightlife and more.