Discover Downtown Rochester

Summer is on its way; hip-hip-hooray! With the warmer weather season comes the start of Thursdays Downtown, the staple music, arts, and food festival in downtown Rochester. And there are so many bands—48 to be exact—that you can experience. See which ones are performing throughout the Thursdays Downtown season here.

Beautiful days in downtown Rochester are ahead! Take advantage by grabbing lunch from a neighboring restaurant, finding a seat, and enjoying the live music provided by local musicians performing either in Peace Plaza or at The Deck on 4th and Zumbro. Here is who you can see throughout the Sidewalk Sessions 2023 season!

There is always more to explore in downtown Rochester! It’s true. No matter your age or interests, we compiled a variety of ways to have fun and spend time downtown. Want to know the best part? Free parking exists if you enter and exit a City-owned ramp within an hour and after 5 p.m. weekdays and on weekends. How will you spend your time in downtown? Here are the fun ways we found!

Blarney: We are into March already! That means everyone can be Irish for a day with St. Patrick's Day March 17. To help you celebrate, here are the St. Patrick's Day festivities in downtown Rochester!

Coming into focus is Social-ICE February 24-25 (which is now less than two weeks away)! If we're being candid, we're excited for the return of ice sculptures and popular wintertime activities and hope you are, too. Your exposure—or attendance—at Social-ICE and participation in the official photo contest could win you quality prizes. Find out more details about the #SocialICE photo contest here.

Let's be honest: the vibes coming from the DJs' turntables are what make up the energy of Social-ICE! While the tunes are definitely familiar, let's get acquainted with the Social-ICE DJs who may be new faces (and ones we hope you will want to see again) after Social-ICE February 24-25.

"All you need is love." Let's amend that to all you need is love and Valentine's Day plans from downtown Rochester businesses! Whether you have a significant other or are single, celebrate the international day of love with these special events, promotions, or meals in downtown Rochester.

It's that time of year again: when the streets are all aglow and there are holiday happenings around every corner. Here is a round-up of all the holiday feasts and festivities happening in downtown Rochester from December 1 to January 1!

$3,000 is a good amount of money to turn an idea into reality. Those funds could be yours when you submit your event, activity, or program dream to our Start-Up Event Grant! Here are all the grant guidelines and how to apply details you need to know.

Typically, he only comes once a year, but Rochester is a place Santa Claus holds dear. Here Comes Santa Claus November 26 presented by the Rochester Downtown Alliance and Altra Federal Credit Union is a multi-generational holiday tradition in Rochester. Here is all the festive fun to expect from this event.

No tricks with the Halloween happenings in downtown Rochester. Go trick or treating for these special events from your neighbors (i.e. downtown businesses).

We're talking square biz to you. (Note: not to be read as a square business.) We think all the businesses in downtown are cool for embracing the good vibes of Roller Disco and offering the following events, specials, and experiences during the event October 7-8!

What does "ARPA" stand for? We'll tell you: in downtown Rochester, it means "A Resplendent Programming of Art"! With American Rescue Plan Act funds thanks to the City of Rochester, you can experience art in a variety of ways throughout downtown Rochester. Join an artist-led tour or take a self-guided tour to view downtown’s new murals and artwork on businesses’ exterior doors. The possibilities are endless when you seek out the beauty of this art in downtown.

Looking for a unique gift? Look no further than the Thursdays Downtown artisan market. While you can buy pre-made items, here are the vendors at the event who provide experiences of making something to take with you after attending Thursdays Downtown.

While you may come for the live weekly entertainment and food, the Thursdays Downtown vendor market is all about art, jewelry, bakery and farmers market items, and so much more. Nearly 100 total vendors are onsite for you to stroll through, admire the works, and take home a unique find. Here are all the categories of vendors onsite at Thursdays Downtown this season.

A byproduct of the pandemic, Sidewalk Sessions showcases local and regional musicians throughout downtown's public spaces. This year, find them performing every Monday and Friday from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. in Peace Plaza. Here's a look at who is up next for this free outdoor music series!

As a nurse, you care for our community in times of need. Now let this community give back to you during National Nurses Week May 6 through 12, 2022! Downtown businesses are showing its appreciation for nurses with these kind offers.

Get your daily dose of delight with Summer in the City presented by the Rochester Downtown Alliance. Every day of the week this summer will have something happening within the 44 blocks of downtown. Let’s preview the fun to be had!

In August 2021, John McGivern and his film crew visited Rochester to record stories of what makes Rochester special. We spy many faces and places from downtown Rochester in this featured episode of John McGivern's Main Streets! Can you spot them all?

Seeking fresh, creative perspectives on events, activities, and programs within downtown Rochester. No, it's not a help-wanted ad. Rather, it's a call for our Start-Up Event Grant! Learn more about this year's guidelines and application process here.

We provide the inspiration, you capture the magic! Social Lights March 3-5 will have plenty of opportunities to break out your cameras and if you follow these steps, you could be a winner in our Social Lights photo contest!

While we're turning up the light, DJs will be pumping up the music at Social Lights. And not just one music aficionado per night: 2022 will feature five throughout the event March 3-5! Move to the groove of these Social Lights DJs.

It's the hap, happiest season of all! From the glowing light displays to the decadent fragrances to the jolly experiences, here are a few ways to celebrate the holidays in downtown Rochester!

It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays, with ribbons and bows, tinsel and lights everywhere. Downtown Rochester will be no exception with Hiawatha Homes’ Festival of Trees: A Celebration of Giving coming up November 22-28. Here is a sneak preview of the annual holiday-themed event!

Don't be scared there's nothing to do in downtown Rochester: plenty of spooky fun is being planned for Halloween 2021!

"Shrek" August 28 is the final film of the 2021 Movies in the Park season presented by the Rochester Downtown Alliance and Altra Federal Credit Union. Not only is it the Kids' Choice film, it's also the 20th anniversary of the movie! What better way to wrap up the summer than with an outdoor movie, themed activities, and movie-inspired beverages and snacks. Check out what's being planned for Movies in the Park: "Shrek" August 28!

Whether you're looking for handmade works of art, a unique gift for your child or pet, or simply something for you, you'll more than likely find it within Thursdays Downtown's artisan market. Check out the general categories and which vendors you can find onsite here.

Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore. Nope, because with Movies in the Park presented by Altra Federal Credit Union, you will be swept away for a showing of "The Wizard of Oz" August 14! Just like the Emerald City, the enchanting Central Park will be gleaming with the following themed activities and food to enjoy. So, to the Emerald City (aka downtown Rochester), as fast as lightning!

Try everything an outdoor movie experience has to offer at Movies in the Park presented by the Rochester Downtown Alliance and Altra Federal Credit Union! Here's a sneak preview of the film "Zootopia" and its themed food, beverages, and other fun July 24 at Central Park.

The next movie to hit the big screen in Central Park July 10—"Dirty Dancing"—was voted on by you, the people, as the fan favorite film of the season! Check out this movie preview blog to find out all the activities, food, beverages, and other fun to make it the time of your life at Movies in the Park presented by the Rochester Downtown Alliance and Altra Federal Credit Union!

Only one answer can take care of all our questions: Movies in the Park presented by the Rochester Downtown Alliance and Altra Federal Credit Union! Join us June 26 when we present "Casablanca" at Central Park in downtown Rochester. Here's lookin' at you, kid, to attend after learning what fun is in store in this movie preview guide.

Marvel at the blockbuster that kicks off Movies in the Park presented by the Rochester Downtown Alliance and Altra Federal Credit Union! "Black Panther" June 12 will immerse us into the superhero experience at Central Park in downtown Rochester. We're bringing you into the hidden world of Movies in the Park and giving you a sneak preview of "Black Panther!"

Whether she's your birth mother, stepmom, grandma, or other mother figure, show her how much you love her this Mother's Day. Here are the specials, gift ideas, and Mother's Day meals from downtown Rochester businesses.

If you've had an event, activity, or passive program idea lingering in your brain and just needed funds to get it off the ground, today is your lucky day! Learn how you can get up to $3,000 for your idea.

Get those cameras charged and attend Improv-ICE February 6-14 for a chance to win in the following photo contest!

Tiffany Alexandria (Improv-ICE community sculpture designer): Ever since I moved here, all I wanted for SocialICE is a big ice city that I can explore. So why not an iced Rochester? Bringing all the iconic Rochester landmarks to the center of downtown just seems SO COOL, so here are the inspirations of what I think of when I think of Rochester.

"Ice is back with our brand new invention": Improv-ICE, an adaptation of SocialICE in 2021! We asked for community-designed ice sculptures and you responded! Now it's time to vote for your favorite of these Improv-ICE ice sculpture designs!

Walking in a winter wonderland is how you'll feel on a tour of Hiawatha Homes Festival of Trees in downtown Rochester. Within this 44-block district, find these beautifully decorated trees and brightly lit storefronts that will be a beautiful sight and provide a happy night with the fam.

If you're in need of a little holiday cheer, check out these holiday spirit-lifting happenings in downtown Rochester. Then, perhaps the holidays will mean a little bit more for you in 2020.

250+ businesses. 44 blocks. Three hours of free ramp parking. Endless combinations of fun!

When you shop, dine, or support a service business, the free parking program allows you to explore downtown Rochester for three hours with free ramp parking through October 31. With so much that can be experienced, here is a quick guide to three-hour downtown Rochester itineraries for your enjoyment!

Need to get your little ones out of the house? The Bookworm Walk, a 10-minute mapped route features pages of a children’s book set into flower planters. The route starts outside the Rochester Public Library, curves along the Riverfront, and ends at the Riverfront Waterfall. Make it a downtown adventure by starting at the library, walking the Bookworm route, and ending with a treat from the Chocolate Twist!

When you look at the outside of our building, the first thing you notice are the beautiful painted windows. We had originally thought of showcasing our events, programs, and general marketing, however we wanted to make sure it was something the public could enjoy. What better way than to activate the space by working with local artists to create vibrancy and a piece of art for all to enjoy. Our first installation is Olourcay Ibevay and was created by Jennalee Whiting and below is her story.