Since its inaugural year in 2012, the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival has become one of the fastest-growing and most-attended fringe festivals in the U.S. and the largest multidisciplinary arts festival in New York State. The ESL Rochester Fringe Festival is a 12-day, all-out, no-holds-barred, visual and performing arts festival, featuring more than 600 shows across 39 venues in downtown Rochester. It showcases a vast variety of theater, comedy, visual arts, family entertainment, music, dance, opera, spoken word, film, and everything in between!
With 12 days filled with a range of events, we've pulled together a guide with what you need to know about the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival this September 9-20, 2025.
Headliners & Major Shows
Chelsea Handler | September 13 | Kodak Hall
Join comedian, TV host, and seven-time New York Times best-selling author Chelsea Handler as she headlines the Fringe for one night only! This show is for those 16 and older.
Cirque du Fringe: Claws Out | September 9-20 | Spiegeltent
Beloved socialite and renowned opera singer, Kitty Ross, cordially invites you to be her guests of honor for this unforgettable evening of breathtaking talent and outlandish comedy. Featuring glamorous aerialists, mind-blowing acrobats, a swashbuckling swordsman, and Las Vegas legends and festival favorites, Matt and Heidi Morgan. You must be 13 years or older to attend evening shows. Matinee performances are open to those 5 and older.
SPHERE by eVenti Verticali | September 19 & 20 | Parcel 5
Don't miss this FREE ESL Rochester Fringe Festival event! Direct from Italy, the SPHERE will mesmerize downtown Rochester with mind-bending acrobatics around a massive, luminous orb. This event is free and open to all ages.
The Returns Department | September 13 & 14 | Spiegeltent
This show is sure to be fun for the whole family! The Kif-Kif Sisters welcome you to The Returns Department—a hilarious combination of physical theatre, circus, and clowning. Inspecting returned merchandise passing on a conveyor belt, the renowned clowning duo gives in to the temptation to play with the faulty items, but the objects themselves play some tricks of their own! An uproarious adventure unfolds in the Spiegeltent.
Traces | September 13 | Dawn's Spiegelgarden
The internationally acclaimed Théâtre de L’Entrouvert will take Fringe spectators and a diverse cross section of the Rochester community on an unforgettable journey in TRACES. Ice puppeteer Elise Vigneron leads this spellbinding public conversation of sculpture, sound, and movement to tell a unique story of humanity in each location the team visits.
Silent Disco | September 12, 13, 19, & 20 | Spiegeltent
The glamorous Spiegeltent will be filled once again with a giant dance party. But with a twist: you don’t hear a sound until you slip on a set of headphones. Wait! Is that YMCA on one channel, Calvin Harris on the second, and David Guetta on the third? A three-channel system and live DJs let you switch up your music (and mood) at the touch of a button.
Pedestrian Drive-In | September 9-20 | One Fringe Place
Grab a drink, a snack from a food truck, and experience a one-of-a-kind film event: outdoor movies on the big screen with personalized audio via our Silent Disco headphones. Seating is first-come, first-served for this free event!
Kids Day | September 20 | Various Venues
This free event is all about the youngest fringers in downtown Rochester. Ready for a full day of kid-friendly events, shows, and activities the whole family can enjoy?
Fringe Street Beat | September 20 | Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park at Manhattan Square
Fresh talents from Rochester and beyond participate in 3-on-3 team battles, facing off for a chance at winning the title of Fringe Street Beat Champions and a cash prize of $1,200. From breaking to popping and locking, teams bring their all-styles A-game to the floor for the preliminary trials leading to the final dance battle.
Shotspeare | September 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, & 20 | Spiegeltent
With rave reviews from New York, Las Vegas, Adelaide Fringe, and previous Rochester Fringe engagements, Shotspeare puts the “Lit” in Literature! Five sword wielding actors, one lucky audience member, a ton of booze, the Wheel of Soliloquy, and an entire work of Shakespeare – all in 90 minutes. Must be 21+ to attend!
The Event | September 13 | Spiegeltent
Get ready for an unforgettable afternoon at the theatre with The Event, a one-man tour de force starring David Calvitto that collected a Fringe First Award at Edinburgh and Best Actor award at Adelaide! With wit and insight, this play breaks down the art of performance while exploring the absurdities of life itself. Must be 13+ to attend.
Drag Me Home | September 15 | Spiegeltent
Fabulous hometown stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race compete to be named THE Rochester Drag Queen. Mrs. Kasha Davis, Darienne Lake, and Pandora Boxx pull out all the stops for a three-judge panel in a revved-up rivalry of glam and hilarity.
Gospel Sunday | September 14 | Spiegeltent
The most soulful, spiritual, uplifting experience at Fringe returns! This free event features Reverend Rickey Harvey of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church leading an afternoon of sacred song by some of Rochester's best gospel artists.
Dram-o-cracy | September 19 | Spiegeltent
Sample four premium, unreleased single malts from the award-winning Finger Lakes Distilling in this exclusive, insider, tasting experience led by president Brian McKenzie. Set in the Spiegeltent at happy hour, guests will sip, savor, and learn about the whiskey-making process—then cast their vote. This event is for those 21 and over!
Jam Side Up! | September 18, 19, & 20 | Dawn's Spiegelgarden & Parcel 5
This free and family-friendly event is taking place at two different venues. Find the Kif-Kif Sisters at Dawn's Spiegelgarden on September 18 & 20 and at Parcel 5 on Septemeber 19 & 20!
This show offers families a charming cocktail of funny theater, circus, magic, puppetry and typically French craziness. With their freakish acrobatics, the twins twist and intermingle themselves until the audience is completely confused.
Tickets & Box Office
Download the free ESL Rochester Fringe Festival App from your App Store to easily purchase tickets!
You can purchase tickets for all ESL Rochester Fringe Festival performances online here, or in person (no matter the venue) at the physical box office location, at the corner of Main and Gibbs Streets, across from the Eastman Theatre. The box office is open several days prior to the festival, and continues to sell tickets until the last day.
For Chelsea Handler tickets only, please purchase at the Eastman Theatre Box Office. That box office is open 9:30am-2:30pm Monday through Friday and is located at 433 E. Main Street, Rochester, NY 14604. Details here.
Food & Drinks
Fringe Bars & Eats
Grab a bite from our rotating line of outstanding food trucks. Chase it down with a drink at the many bars on site to take care of that big thirst.
Dawn's Spiegelarden (One Fringe Place across from Eastman Theatre): urban lounge open for the entire festival September 9-20 – Theatre Bar & food trucks
Parcel 5 (next to One East Ave): open during events on September 19 and 20 – food trucks & drinks
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park: open during events on September 20 – food trucks
The Spiegeltent (One Fringe Place across from Eastman Theatre): the crown jewel of Fringe; open September 9-20 during ticketed shows only
More info can be found here.
Where to Stay
Hyatt Regency Rochester
Fresh off a spectacular remodel, the newly transformed Hyatt is centrally positioned to be your Fringe hub during the festival. It’s not just a Hyatt. It’s Hyatt Rochester. And they are proudly the lead hotel partner at Fringe.
Inn on Broadway
Nestled in the heart of Rochester, New York, the Inn on Broadway is a boutique hotel offering an intimate and elegant retreat. With just 25 thoughtfully designed rooms, we provide a personalized experience that blends historic charm with modern comfort.
Visitor Information
ACCESSIBILITY
The ESL Rochester Fringe Festival and its partnering venues strive to make shows and events as accessible as possible. Details, including ASL-interpreted shows and progress updates, are available here.
CASH OR CREDIT?
All Fringe venues, bars, food trucks, and the Fringe Box Office and Fringe Store accept cash, credit, and debit cards.
FRINGE STORE
Limited edition merchandise and collectibles are available at the Fringe Store.
LOST & FOUND
Anything turned into the Fringe will be held at the Fringe office until the end of the festival. Contact the Fringe team at info@rochesterfringe.com or stop by the Box Office & Info Booth.
PARKING
The ESL Rochester Fringe Festival takes place within the heart of downtown Rochester's art and culture district—the East End. Most venues are within walking distance of one another, which allows for one-time parking in one of the many parking lots and garages within the area. Find more information here.
BIKE PARKING
The Fringe Festival is an ideal venue for those traveling by bike. Rochester's East Avenue is filled with bike racks and loops near the heart of the festival.
VENUES
Click here to view a full list of event venues.
For more information on the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival, visit RochesterFringe.com. Don't forget to share your photos with us on social media using #VisitROC and #ROCFringe25.
