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 715 shows across over 45 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 15-26, 2026.
Headliners & Major Shows
Pete Davidson | Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre
Pete Davidson is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor, and he's making his Fringe debut on September 25. He has released multiple comedy specials, including Turbo Fonzarelli (2023) and Pete Davidson: Alive From New York (2020), both on Netflix, following his Comedy Central debut in 2016. He was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and included in Time’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in 2022.
Cirque du Fringe: Anchors Away | The Spiegeltent
Taking place September 15-20 and 22-26, this all-new show is the Spiegeltent’s hottest ticket! Featuring miraculous acrobatic feats, mesmerizing aerialists, and…murder? Help a couple of international cruise guests find out if it was the Russian Siren? The seemingly innocent jump-roper? Fabio and Ashley, the adorable aerial duo? Or possibly Lou from Henrietta?! Join us nightly inside the Spiegeltent to find out who the culprit may be!
Marcel Lucont's Whine List | The Spiegeltent
This can't-miss show is taking over the Spiegeltent from September 18-20. This acclaimed interactive show, centers around a unique Whine List from the audience's past woes and misdemeanors. A kind of group therapy experience, but one where everybody will probably leave more depressed. As seen on BBC1's "The John Bishop Show," Comedy Central's "Live at The Comedy Store," and Sky Atlantic's "Set List."
Just to be Close to You | The Garden Studio
Taking place September 15-20 and 22-26, this show comes direct from Edinburgh Fringe! Carl Poteraychke is a dreamy lounge singer ready to serenade, seduce, and show you what it means to love—just for an hour. Equal parts absurdist comedy and heartfelt longing, Cam Poter’s ten-time award-winning contemporary clown show uses character comedy and audience interaction to turn one man, one song, and an increasingly desperate need for connection into something hilariously surreal.
Tea Party at the End of the World | The Garden Studio
From September 17-21 and 24-26, you can be a guest of this intimate tea party. You will be presented with exquisite tea and parlor games, and when the end comes, no need to panic, you won’t be alone. Probably. Inspired by the creator’s time in the Arctic Circle, the ritual comfort of loose-leaf tea, and the unfathomable cost that being alive in a beautiful and disappearing world exacts on our ability to connect and find purpose, TEA PARTY AT THE END OF THE WORLD is a small-audience, multi-sensory experience inviting participants to remain playful in dire circumstances as the key not only to surviving but thriving.
Shotspeare Presents Othello | The Spiegeltent
Head down to The Spiegeltent from September 22-26 for a Fringe favorite! Shotspeare puts the “Lit” in Literature! Five sword wielding actors, one lucky audience member, a ton of booze, the Wheel of Soliloquy, and Shakespear's Othello – all in 90 minutes. Equal parts bacchanal and classical theater, Shotspeare’s adaptation of Shotspeare takes the world's most beloved playwright, soaks him in beer, and flips him on his head. You may know the Bard, but you’ve never experienced him like THIS, Rochester!
Kids Day | Various Venues (Free!)
On Saturday, September 26, kids are taking over for an entire day devoted to the youngest fringers in downtown Rochester. With Disco Kids, Pumpkin Painting, Chalk Art, 9th Avenue Street Circus, Fringe Street beat, and so much more, this is a can't miss for kids.
Pedestrian Drive-In | One Fringe Place (Free!)
Enjoy movies outdoors every night of Fringe at 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. All films are captioned.
Fringe Street Beat | Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park at Manhattan Square (Free!)
The excitement, the energy, the adrenaline-pumping action that is Fringe Street Beat returns to downtown Rochester for the final night of Fringe 2026. 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. Teams bring the moves, the DJ ha-MEEN brings the beats.
Circus in the City | Parcel 5 (Free!)
Get ready as Circus in the City transforms downtown Rochester into a spectacular celebration of contemporary circus, featuring acclaimed companies from across North America and beyond. Experience the internationally celebrated FLIP Fabrique from Québec, aerial innovators Aloft, the fearless artistry of Circus EVO, the whimsical world of Big Teeth Collective, 3AM Circus, and more as they take over the Parcel 5 and Gibbs Street with breathtaking aerial performances, acrobatics, dance, pop-up surprises, and unforgettable moments around every corner.
Tickets & Box Office
Tickets to Rochester Fringe shows are available for purchase in the Fringe app which you can find in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, in person at the Justin L. Vigdor Fringe Box Office, and online at rochesterfringe.com.
You can find the box office at the corner of Main and Gibbs Street across from Eastman Theatre. The box office will be open several days prior to the festival, and will continue to sell tickets until the last day. Full operating hours can be found here. Tickets can also be purchased directly at venues one hour before shows as long as the show is not sold out.
You can also call 585-957-9837 to purchase tickets over the phone.
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 15-26 – Theatre Bar & food trucks
Parcel 5 (next to One East Ave): open during events on September 18 and 19 – food trucks & drinks
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park: open during events on September 26 – food trucks
The Spiegeltent (One Fringe Place across from Eastman Theatre): the crown jewel of Fringe; open September 15-26 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.
Learn more here.
FAQs
Is the Rochester Fringe Festival accessible?
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.
Is Fringe cash only?
All Fringe venues, bars, food trucks, and the Fringe Box Office and Fringe Store accept cash, credit, and debit cards.
Where should I park?
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.
Does Rochester Fringe offer merch?
Limited edition merchandise and collectibles are available at the Fringe Store.
Is there 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.
What venues does the Rochester Fringe Festival take place at?
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 #ROCFringe26.
