While Rochester really comes alive in the summertime with beautiful weather and fun-filled festivals, it’s truly an amazing city for live music year round. Soak up jazz music at the annual Rochester International Jazz Festival or catch a touring act at Anthology or Water Street Music Hall. Enjoy outdoor music at a local festival or event, like Bands on the Bricks or Party in the Park, or a fantastic concert by the talented Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. There’s no shortage of opportunities to catch amazing live music in ROC!
Here is your complete guide to live music in Rochester so you can plan your next concertgoing experience.
Festivals, Events, & Outdoor Shows
The Rochester Lilac Festival | Highland Park
For more than 125 years, the Rochester Lilac Festival has been bringing incredible live music to Highland Park. With 10-days of live music along with hundreds of stunning flower blooms, delicious food and drinks, guided walking tours, and so much more, the Lilac Festival will give you your live music fix and then some!
Rochester International Jazz Festival | Downtown Rochester
Spanning a whopping nine days, the Jazz Festival is a fabulous opportunity to catch a huge variety of live music right in downtown Rochester. Typically you can catch famous headliners, rising stars, and everyone in between. Of the hundreds of shows that make up this festival, on average more than 100 of them are free! Soak in the lively atmosphere and music on a June night and you’ll feel like a true Rochesterian.
Rochester Fringe Festival | Downtown Rochester
While the Rochester Fringe Festival includes a plethora of other forms of entertainment, like comedy, dance, spoken word poetry, theatre, and more, there’s plenty of music, too! Every September in downtown Rochester, you can experience diverse musical acts from large ensembles and solo performers, to local talents and international artists. Many shows are free, so browse the guide or website and find a show that suits your tastes!
Finger Lakes Choral Festival | Asbury First United Methodist Church & Hochstein Performance Hall
Another summertime festival, this is a wonderful chance to see great choral music performed with an orchestra. Performers come from all over to sing choral-orchestral masterpieces together. It’s always a memorable experience for performers and audience members alike!
Concerts by the Shore | Ontario Beach Park
A summer tradition, sponsored annually by Wegmans, brings live music to the shores of Lake Ontario in Rochester's Ontario Beach Park. Enjoy free entertainment Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. beginning in June and running through August.
Garden Vibes Series | George Eastman Museum
Once a month during the summer season (June - August) the historic grounds and gardens of the George Eastman Museum are transformed into a concert venue. Bring your blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic or stop at Open Face eatery or one of the food trucks, and enjoy a night of fun on our east lawn.
CMAC Performing Arts Center | Canandaigua, NY
Catch national performing artists and touring acts at this amphitheatre in Canandaigua, NY.
Unique Venues
Record Archive | 33 ⅓ Rockingwood Street, Rochester, NY 14610
At Record Archive, you can have it all: endless vinyls to browse, vintage clothes, cool gifts and toys, craft wine and beer to drink, and fun happy hour concerts every Wednesday (and some Fridays) at 6pm! It’s a perfect spot to relax with a friend and have a great time in a relaxed environment.
The Little | 240 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604
While the Little is primarily known as a movie theatre that many Rochesterians hold dear, they’re also a great place to catch live music. In fact, they feature free concerts five nights a week! Enjoy a panini, nanaimo bar, or glass of wine in the cafe while taking in music by talented local performers.
Lovin’ Cup Bistro & Brews | 300 Park Point Drive, Suite 101, Rochester, NY 14623
An icon in the Rochester community, Lovin’ Cup is famous for its awesome live music, great beer selection, and tasty food. Check their events calendar for details on upcoming shows–some are free and others are ticketed.
Iron Smoke Distillery | 111 Parce Ave Suite 5B - Fairport, NY 14450
Looking to pair some killer cocktails with your live music? Iron Smoke Distillery is located in Fairport and has some of the best handcrafted straight bourbon whiskey around. From cover bands and acoustic sets, to rock bands and karaoke, Iron Smoke is a must visit venue for live music in Rochester.
Party in the Park | Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park
Kicking off for its 28th year in 2025, Party in the Park is a beloved downtown Rochester tradition. Held at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park every Thursday night in the summer, Party in the Park features great bands, delicious food trucks, and refreshing beverages. Find this summer’s schedule on the website and start planning your trip now!
Excellent Ensembles
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra | 225 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604
If you’re a fan of orchestral music–or looking to try something new!--don’t miss a performance by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra! They perform a wide variety of music, from Rachmaninov to Broadway hits. Their movie nights are always popular, where the orchestra plays along with the soundtrack to a movie playing on the screen behind them. They also have many kid-friendly shows, with themes like ‘Under the Sea’ and even a storytime in your pajamas!
Eastman School of Music | 26 Gibbs Street, Rochester, NY 14604
You may have heard of the Eastman School of Music and how talented the students are–but did you know they hold more than 800 concerts per year? Many of them are free! You can hear a wind ensemble, opera, jazz, chamber music, and so much more. Browse their events calendar and head on down to Gibbs Street!
The Hochstein School | 50 N. Plymouth Avenue, Rochester, NY 14614
Located in downtown Rochester on Plymouth Avenue, Hochstein has a variety of ensembles like the Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Junior Wind Symphony, the Hochstein Singers, and other small groups like rock bands, chamber ensembles, and more. If you’re visiting in the summertime, make sure to check out the Hochstein at High Falls concert series! It takes place at lunchtime at 4 Commercial Street, on the corner of Browns Race in High Falls, and features local musicians. Nothing beats free, outdoor music in the summer!
No matter your musical vibe, you're sure to find something to enjoy when you #visitRoc.
