Celebrate the spring season with festivals and events that take advantage of all the beauty, culture, and fun that Rochester and the Finger Lakes regions have to offer. We've pulled together the following list of top events and activities you don't want to miss when you #VisitROC this May.
Arts & Culture
Back to Top of ListWomen’s Perspectives 2024
Through May 12 | Image City Photography Gallery
May 1-5 | Long Acre Farms
May 4 | Figgy Studio and Shop
Opening Day of the 2024 High Season
May 8 | Genesee Country Village & Museum
Sager-Stoneyard Murder Mystery Night
May 9 | Sager-Stoneyard Pub
May 11 | Genesee Country Village & Museum
Cumming Nature Center: Yoga In The Pines
May 11 & 19 | RMSC Cumming Nature Center
Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration Day
May 19 | Memorial Art Gallery
Festive Fun + Outdoor Markets
Back to Top of ListMay 4, 25 | Culver Road Armory
Flower City Days at The Market
May 5, 12, 19, 24, 26, 27 | Rochester Public Market
May 10-19 l Highland Park
May 19 | The Lake House on Canandaigua
May 29 | Rochester Public Market
Taking The Stage (And Screen)
Back to Top of ListThrough May 12 | Geva Theatre
May 9-26 | OFC Creations
May 10-26 | Blackfriars Theatre
May 11-12 | Rochester Broadway Theatre League
May 12 | OFC’s Old Farm Cafe
May 17 | Rochester Broadway Theatre League
May 31 | KODAK Center
Hitting The Field & Course
Back to Top of ListHome Games: May 1-5, 14-19, 28-31 | Innovative Field
Home Games: May 11, 25 | Rochester Community Sports Complex
For for the Whole Family
Back to Top of ListGenesee Country Village & Museum Opening Weekend
May 6-7 l Genesee Country Village & Museum
Eat & Drink
Back to Top of ListMay 3 | ARTISANworks
May 5 | Salena's Mexican Restaurant
May 5 | ARTISANworks
May 10 l Seneca Park Zoo
May 10 l Black Button Distilling
May 10-11 | Red White & Brew
An Artists’ Affair: Art After Dark
May 11 | Memorial Art Gallery
May 11 | Deer Run Winery
May 17 | Black Button Distilling
May 18 l Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
May 29 l Figgy Studio and Shop
May 29 l Rochester Public Market
Mom's Special Day
Back to Top of ListReview our Mother’s Day Guide here for inspiration on how to celebrate the special day.
Rochester Lilac Festival
Spend Mother's Day weekend at the Rochester Lilac Festival – a beloved mother’s day tradition for locals and visitors alike. Take a stroll through the gardens and enjoy the beauty of Highland Park. On Mother's Day, Art in the Park will be in full swing, one of the many FREE events at the festival!
Mother’s Day Cheese and Chocolate Pairing
Join Laughing Gull Chocolates and The Brainery for a Mother's Day Cheese and Chocolate Pairing on May 11. Register for the chocolate tasting here.
Celebrate a scent-sational Mother's Day Weekend at Scents by Design, a pour-your-own candle studio in Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts. You are able to make reservations for Saturday, May 11 and Sunday, May 12. Learn more and book your reservation here.
Celebrate and honor the Mothers in your life with a fun and delicious wine and cheesecake pairing at Casa Larga Vineyards on May 11 and 12! Learn more here.
Mother’s Day Calligraphy for Beginners
Treat any of the moms or mother figures in your life to a fun afternoon of calligraphy and wine at Flight Wine Bar. Class includes 1.5 hours of instruction and demonstration, a beginner’s calligraphy kit, and all materials to write on. Learn more here.
Give your mom an experience she’ll never forget on May 12 featuring fortune forecasts, amazing local artisans, a special MOMosa menu, and lucky stars all day at Iron Smoke Distillery. Learn more here.
The Spa at the Del Monte
Celebrate mom with the gift of self-care by surprising your loved ones with a gift card from the Spa at the Del Monte. Purchase a gift card here or book an appointment here.
Woodcliff Hotel & Spa
Give mom the gift of relaxation and the Woodcliff Hotel & Spa will take it from there. Whether it's a day at the spa or a weekend getaway, Woodcliff Hotel & Spa is the perfect place to say "thank you."
Provide mom with a well-deserved pampering day by giving her a gift card to Ape + Canary; an urban salon providing upscale hair, nail and spa services. Purchase a gift card here.
Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
Enjoy a mile-and-a-half round trip train ride through the bucolic museum grounds at the museum, located just 20 minutes from downtown Rochester. Tour exhibits of historic trains and take a peek behind the scenes in the Restoration Shop. Refreshments available for purchase. All aboard!
Genesee Country Village & Museum
Enjoy the opening weekend of the largest living history museum in New York State, including free admission for moms on Mother’s Day (May 12).
Treat your mom to a special day surrounded by beautiful art at ARTISANworks with Madeline’s Catering providing a mouth-watering menu featuring both sweet and savory options. Enjoy your meal while taking in the stunning art and exhibits - the perfect backdrop for a memorable Mother’s Day celebration.
Head to Brown Hound Downtown for a special Mother’s Day Brunch from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. featuring a special buffet. Call (585) 506-9725 for reservations.
Black Button Distilling Mother’s Day Cocktail Class and Brunch Buffet
Experience an enchanting Mother’s Day cocktail class and brunch buffet celebrating the vibrant flavors of spring, where you’ll craft two exquisite cocktails highlighting the delicate essence of lilac-infused gin. Find event details here.
Farmer's Creekside Inn & Tavern
Make your reservation for a Mother's Day Brunch at Farmer's Creekside Inn & Tavern. View event details and the a la carte menu here.
Genesee Country Village & Museum
Our Mother’s Day Brunch is a wonderful way to celebrate Mom’s special day! With delectable brunch favorites, vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free options, a cash bar, and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Savor a delicious chef-inspired meal made in-house in the Museum’s Meeting Center dining room, then head out into the Historic Village to explore all of the daily happenings! Seatings for Mother’s Day Brunch will be every half hour from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Get your brunch tickets here.
Mendon 64
Enjoy a special late lunch/dinner on Sunday, May 12 from 2-7 p.m. They will be offering part of their main menu and plenty of special dishes.
Monroe's
Head to Monroe’s on May 12 for a Mother’s Day brunch buffet. Call (585) 348-9103 for reservations and view the brunch menu here.
New York Kitchen - Mother’s Day Brunch for a Queen
Join New York Kitchen for a great family dinner for Mother's Day. Create a perfect Sunday dining experience under the professional guidance of the Chef Instructor. Bring the kids and leave the cleanup to the team! In this special class a complimentary mimosa will be given to all mothers at the end of class. Spots are limited. Learn more and sign up here.
RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium: Mother’s Day Brunch
Begin the morning dining in the Star Theater with a catered, buffet-style brunch with foods ranging from hot quiche to a yogurt bar. Don’t forget to make your way over to the mimosa and bloody Mary stations to make your brunch experience complete! After brunch in the Planetarium Star Theater, you’ll enjoy a unique showing of our classic Star Show, The Sky Tonight, featuring information on lunar eclipses. Seating is limited, reserve your table here.
Enjoy a fun and tasty Mother’s Day Brunch at the Strathallan with your family without the stress of preparing and cleaning up at home. Enjoy live music by a jazz trio from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Head to 20 Deep Winery for a Mother's Day Brunch on May 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. View the menu and purchase your tickets here.
There are so many things to see, do and experience when you visit Rochester this May! Looking for even more inspiration? Discover things to do this spring in Rochester here. Whatever you choose to do, share your adventures in Rochester with us using #VisitROC!
