As a multiracial family, it’s important to us that our children spend time with people who come from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. I want my kids to be able to see themselves (and us) in a global context. Fortunately, that’s an easy goal to accomplish in Rochester. Our city and the surrounding areas offer so many cultural events for everyone to experience. We are fortunate to be living in a city so rich in cultural diversity. Even more importantly, we are lucky to live in a community where people are eager to share their different cultures with our society at large.
The summer is an excellent time to explore our city’s heterogeneity. The simplest place to start is a cultural festival. There are few things Rochesterians love more than hosting and attending festivals. And with so many to choose from, we have good reason! After a long dreary winter, the summer brings much-needed sunshine and warmth. It’s the perfect time to get outside; maybe under a tent, trying a new food, listening to a new type of music, while watching a new kind of dancing by people in a new kind of clothing. It’s a relaxed and accessible way to introduce a new culture to your family.
Summer Cultural Events In Rochester
Black Culture Festival
July 27 - July 2812:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Parcel 5, 285 East Main Street, Rochester. The Black Culture Festival is presents and acknowledges the wide-ranging beauty and accomplishments of black individuals in
Find out more »Ganondagan’s Annual Indigenous Music & Arts Festival
July 27 - July 28Victor, NY 14564 + Google Map
Ganondagan’s annual Indigenous Music & Arts festival showcases Haudenosaunee and Indigenous cultures through dance, music, storytelling, traditional craft demonstrations, an Indigenous Arts Market, children’s activities, Indigenous food, and more. This
Find out more »Puerto Rican Festival
August 1 - August 3Rochester, NY 14604 + Google Map
Rochester Puerto Rican Festival is at Parcel 5 on Main Street in Downtown Rochester. As the longest-standing ethnic festival in Monroe County, this will be three exhilarating days featuring live
Find out more »FGAS German Fest
August 9 - August 10Rochester, NY + Google Map
75 South Union Street, Spencerport Friday, August 9th, 5:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday, August 10th, 2:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. Admission: $6 12 and under FREE with paid adult
Find out more »Rochester Ukrainian Festival
August 15 - August 18St. Josaphat 940 Ridge Road East Rochester, NY 14621 Thursday, 6:00 p.m. until 10:45 p.m. Friday, 6:00 p.m. until 11:45 p.m. Saturday, 1:00 p.m. until 11:45 p.m. Sunday, 1:00 p.m.
Find out more »Pan Afrikan Festival
August 24 @ 11:00 am - 8:00 pmRochester, NY + Google Map
Our Pan Afrikan Festival (formerly Afrikan American Festival) is one of the major events that is held annually here in Rochester, NY. The purpose is to celebrate the heritage and
Find out more »Sharing in Different Cultures
These new experiences you are sharing with your children may be new for you as the parent, as well. Some of you may be wondering, “Is it okay for us to celebrate a holiday or culture that does not belong to us? What about cultural appropriation?” Rest assured, if there is an open and public celebration then you are invited to participate.
My only word of caution would be to check who is hosting the event. Is it just some gimmicky theme night at a restaurant? Skip it. Is it an event hosted by a reputable cultural organization and sponsored by businesses who are not making a profit from their connection to the event? It’s likely legitimate so go and have a great time! When we learn about other cultures, we broaden our perspective of the world and our place in it. We encourage our children to broaden their own thinking and we can initiate conversations about respect and equity.
*Pro tip: Colleges often have different ethnic and religious Student Associations which coordinate public events for their holidays. Rochester is flush with colleges so that could be an easy place to start.
