Rochester, NY is known for its active festival scene, all year round. Here, there's something for everyone: food trucks, local art, live music, and more. Jump start your first visit to a Rochester festival by assessing these options below:
Rochester Lilac Festival | May 12-21, 2023
The largest free festival of its kind in North America, spring in Upstate NY is welcomed with two incredible weekends celebrating the 125th edition of the Rochester Lilac Festival. Peek around every corner and you’ll discover magnificent gardens and exhilarating special events.
Whether you’re a regular visitor or first-time Festival-goer, you’ll quickly discover that every day brings something new to experience at the world-famous Rochester Lilac Festival.
Rochester Greek Festival | June 1-4, 2023
Join us June 1st through June 4th from 11am - 11pm as we continue our tradition of bringing the aromas, tastes, sounds, and traditions of Greece to Rochester on the grounds of the Greek Orthodox Church. Taste the Greek treats, visit the Taverna, experience shopping in a Greek marketplace, enjoy music, dancing and more.
Fairport Canal Days | June 2-4, 2023
Fairport Canal Days is celebrating its 46th year as one of the premier juried art festivals in the Northeast alongside the scenic village on the historic Eric Canal. This event is located in Fairport, NY: a "front-porch" friendly village, with a busy three days of food, music, arts and crafts vendors, and more.
Harbor Fest at Ontario Beach Park | June 23-25, 2023
The Rochester Harborfest is returning to Ontario Beach Park and the Port area. This year’s event will mark the opening of the summer season at the beach as well as celebrate and commemorate the 200th anniversary of Monroe County and the Charlotte/Genesee Lighthouse.
Activities include a beach volleyball tournament, a professional sand sculpting demonstration, a car show, a boat parade of lights, food and merchandise vendors, tours of the historic lighthouse, and a children’s area including free rides on the 117 year old Denzel Carousel.
Rochester Cocktail Revival | June 5-11, 2023
Rochester Cocktail Revival is New York State's only weeklong festival celebrating craft cocktail culture. As the largest city in the Finger Lakes region, Rochester boasts a booming scene of cocktail bars and top-tier mixology talent. Each year, 20+ cocktail bars in the downtown area take part in RCR, showcasing the spirit brands that make the exciting local craft culture possible. RCR exists to highlight this culture through education and celebration, significant contributions to the Rochester economy, and displays of camaraderie between its bars to both the trade and consumers.
CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival | June 23- July 1, 2023
The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival is one of the world’s leading jazz festivals presenting legendary performers, familiar favorites, rising stars, and new discoveries from around the world.
The multi-dimensional nine-day festival is held annually in Rochester, NY, and presents more than 1,750 artists from around the world in 320+ shows at 21 venues. Founded in 2002, attendance has grown from 15,000 in 2002 to 208,000 in 2019. The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival is excited to return to the city's East End once again this year, with free and ticketed shows.
Corn Hill Arts Festival | July 8-9, 2023
This two-day Festival has become a fabric of the Rochester community over the years and is excited to be back. The festival, which takes place over nine streets, will showcase hundreds of artists from across the country, as well as talented musicians from near and far. Mark your calendars and invite your family and friends because you won’t want to miss the return of this beloved festival!
Rochester Pride Parade and Festival | July 15, 2023
The ROC Pride Collective is thrilled to be bringing Pride back to Rochester! From the Parade, to the Picnic, to the Festival, to Community Events and more, there are events for all ages. Join in and show your Pride!
Puerto Rican Festival of Rochester | August 3-5, 2023
The Puerto Rican Festival was formulated in 1969 for the express purpose of celebrating and recognizing the culture of Puerto Ricans. Puerto Ricans continue to be one of the largest growing Hispanic populations in New York State. This growth now makes Monroe County and the City of Rochester home to the second largest population of Hispanics in New York State.
The Puerto Rican Festival Incorporated sponsors a variety of events, which serve to share and celebrate Puerto Rican culture. The largest event is the Puerto Rican Festival, the longest running cultural festival in the County of Monroe. The festival is an annual three-day event, which averages a daily attendance of 7,000 people of all cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
Rochester Summer Soul Music Festival | August 18-19, 2023
Since 1995, the City of Rochester has produced its legendary “Rochester Music Festival” as a family-friendly experience designed to offer authentic, grassroots community engagement. Building on that legacy, 2023 will be even more momentous. With a focus on community and creating a huge boost for local businesses, this year’s festivities will celebrate 27 historic years.
Rochester Fringe Festival | September 12-23, 2023
Since debuting in 2012, the Fringe has drawn more than a half-million visitors from all over the world to nearly 4,500 diverse performances and events. In fact, Rochester’s not-for-profit Fringe has become one of the largest and most successful fringe festivals in the nation, the largest multidisciplinary performing arts festival in New York State, and one of the region’s most anticipated festivals each year.
Roc Holiday Village | December 2023
Roc Holiday Village is Rochester, New York’s magical winter festival! The festival features outdoor seating and fire pits, free ice skating and skate rentals, a unique shopping village, and indoor bar with tasty food and drinks, free visits with Santa, tree lighting, hand-crafted goods, cozy winter igloos, free crafts for kids, holiday celebrations, live music, private events, nightlife and more.
