Since its inaugural year in 2012, the KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival has become one of the fastest-growing and most-attended fringe festivals in the U.S. and the largest multi-arts festival in New York State. The Rochester Fringe Festival is a 12-day, all-out, no-holds-barred, multi-disciplinary visual and performing arts festival, featuring more than 575 shows 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 KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival this September 10-21, 2019.
Headliners & Major Shows
The Spiegeltent
Originally created as traveling dance halls in the early 1900’s, only a handful of these magical “Mirror Tents” exist in the world today. This beloved piece of history boasts stained glass windows, magical faceted mirrors, a velvet-draped ceiling, VIP booths fit for royalty, and a truly spectacular vintage bar.
Cirque du Fringe: D'illusion - Performances every night!
Silent Disco - September 13-14 & September 20-21
Disco Kids - September 14 & September 21
Drag Brunch - September 15
Shotspeare - September 17-21
The Spiegelgarden
Adjacent to the Spiegeltent, the Spiegelgarden is the #1 place to find rest, relaxation, food/drinks, and friends during the Fringe. A gorgeous, green haven in the middle of downtown Rochester, this pop-up garden features urban landscaping, eclectic lounge furniture, giant games, outdoor art, and supreme comfort.
It is the location of the Theatre Bar and site-specific shows and events, a trivia challenge, outdoor movies under the stars, and more.
Plasticiens Volants--September 13 & September 14
Captivating the world on a grand scale for 40 years with its jaw-dropping form of spectacular street theatrem world-renowned French company Plasticiens Volants returns to Rochester, NY this year in Pearl: Secrets of the Sea. Featuring giant inflatables, the extraordinary show combines huge floating, underwater creatures with dramatic lighting and music to tell an unforgettable story.
Massaoke--September 20 & September 21
Mixtape & Night at the Musicals
Direct from London, Massaoke is the live band, singalong, clubbing sensation that’s sweeping the globe. Get ready to belt out hit after the hit of the greatest pop, indie, and rock anthems of all time with a live band on stage and multiple giant screens with lyrics--right on the new Chestnut Street Stage on September 20 and September 21.
Kids Day--September 21
An entire day of family-friendly events, shows and activities that the entire family can enjoy including Disco Kids, Kids Chalk Art, Pumpkin Painting, and Fringe Street Beat.
Pedestrian Drive-In
Enjoy movies outdoors in the Spiegelgarden! Grab a drink, a snack from a food truck, and experience a one-of-a-kind movie event: classic cult movies on the big screen with personalized audio via our Silent Disco headphones. Seating is first-come, first-served.
RBG - September 10
Won't You Be My Neighbor? - September 11
Grease - September 12
BlacKkKlansman - September 13
Bridesmaids - September 14
Resisdente - September 15
My Big Gay Italian Wedding - September 16
See What I'm Saying: The Deaf Entertainers Documentary - September 17
The Big Sick - September 19
The Favourite - September 20
Avengers: Endgame - September 21
Tickets & Box Office
You can purchase tickets online, by phone, or in person at Fringe venues or the Fringe Box Office.
Visitor Information
Accessibility
The Fringe has partnered with the Mary Cariola Center to provide current accessibility assessments for all venues. Details, including ASL interpreted shows and progress updates, are available here.
Accommodations
Stay at the center of Fringe at the Hyatt Regency Rochester. View exclusive Fringe hotel partners here.
Box Office & Info Booth
The Fringe Box Office & Info Booth is located at One Fringe Place (across from Eastman Theatre, corner of Main Street and Gibbs Street). It will be open daily starting September 9.
Cash or Credit?
All Fringe venues, bars, and food trucks, as well as 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.
Mobile App
Search: "Rochester Fringe" or "RocFringe" to download the free Fringe app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Parking
Rochester Fringe takes place within the heart of downtown Rochester's art and culture district--the East End. Most venues are withing walking distance of one another, which allows for one-time parking in one of the many parking lots and garages within the area.
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 by the hear of the festival.
Venues
Click here to view a full list of event venues.
Food & Drinks
The Fringe Fest will have a rotating lineup of local food trucks and bars will be located at Parcel 5, Gibbs Street, Spiegelgarden, and Spiegeltent. A full list of neighborhood venues that will be offering food and drink, as well as top local restaurants opening during Fringe can be found here.
For more information on the KeyBank Rochester Fringe Festival, visit www.RochesterFringe.com. And, don't forget to share your photos on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #VisitROC and #rocfringe19.
