Skip to Main Content
90 Seconds with a Virtual Thursdays Downtown Partner: ABC 6 News

In this 90 Seconds with a Virtual Thursdays Downtown Partner featuring ABC 6 News, Ross Becker shares what dream Virtual Thursdays Downtown performer he’d book, and Laura Lee settles the debate between arts and food!

Read More
90 Seconds with a Virtual Thursdays Downtown Partner: Townsquare Media

Who would James Rabe and Jessica Williams of the Y105 FM Early Morning Show book for their dream Virtual Thursdays Downtown performance? Find out in this 90 Seconds with a Virtual Thursdays Downtown Partner featuring Townsquare Media in Rochester, Minnesota!

Read More
Help us improve Virtual Thursdays Downtown 2020

Virtual Thursdays Downtown is a new endeavor in 2020, and we want to know what you think! Please fill out this short survey to let us know what you like about the event and what could improve your virtual experience.

Read More
Virtual Thursdays Downtown Online Entertainment Line-up

If you happen to be in the right place at the right time in downtown Rochester, enjoy a pop-up performance from the weekly Virtual Thursdays Downtown entertainment. Find the performance schedule and viewing links here.

Read More
A Year of Events in Downtown Rochester

With the start of a new year comes new dates for some of downtown Rochester’s most popular events. Mark your calendar for these Rochester Downtown Alliance-hosted events.

Read More
Last Call for Thursdays Downtown 2019

Times flies when you’re having fun at Thursdays Downtown! While it's a bummer there’s just one left, take advantage of what’s left of summer! If only for five minutes to up to five hours, here’s why you should come downtown for the last Thursday Downtown!

Read More
Thursdays Downtown Makes a Move in 2020

With Peace Plaza under construction in 2020, where Thursdays Downtown will be next year is becoming clearer.

Read More
A Brief History of Thursdays Downtown

Since July 2004, Thursdays Downtown (or a similar-named version of the event) has been a part of the downtown Rochester community. Now in its 15th season, the event has grown into a large music and arts festival that draws 20,000+ people every Thursday! Here’s a look at how the event started and the ways in which it’s grown over the years.

Read More
A Runner-Up on The Voice Is Coming to Thursdays Downtown!

He was a runner-up on the Emmy Award-winning TV series The Voice and he's coming to Thursdays Downtown August 29 in downtown Rochester!

Read More
Life as an Intern by Maxwell Haydon

Downtown Rochester is so welcoming to all because of the sense of community and collaboration that goes into making downtown businesses thrive, and I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to work with this community firsthand. Find out why I've enjoyed my Rochester Downtown Alliance internship!

Read More
Shining a Light on People's Food Co-op, a 2019 Thursdays Downtown Partner

Thursdays Downtown is a successful community event, in part, because of its community-driven partnerships. The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) values People's Food Co-op and its support of Thursdays Downtown. In turn, we want to shine the spotlight on them! Let's learn a little more about the organization from Ann Mull, marketing director with People's Food Co-op!

Read More
Shining a Light on Gwaltney Group, a 2019 Thursdays Downtown Partner

The Gwaltney Group is just one of many community-minded partners that makes Thursdays Downtown successful! The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) is appreciative of its partnership and wants to shine the spotlight on them! Let's learn a little more about the organization from Brian Ness, the Gwaltney Group's marketing coordinator!

Read More
Behind the Booth: Vendors' Favorite Thursdays Downtown Moments

One of my favorite parts about my job is being out on Thursdays Downtown every week. Thursdays bring a new excitement and energy to the week. Every week, I get the chance to talk to our vendors and attendees amid a busy day onsite to get to know them. After seeing these vendors week after week, I get to hear their personal and event stories, memories, and experiences, and to get a sense of tight-knit community. Some vendors have been at this event for years and love to share their stories about what they have encountered. I decided to talk to a few of our vendors so their stories could be shared with the rest of our community.

Read More
Shining a Light on WSU-R, a 2019 Thursdays Downtown Partner

Winona State University Rochester is just one of many community-minded partners that makes Thursdays Downtown successful! The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) is appreciative of its partnership and wants to shine the spotlight on them! Let's learn a little more about the organization from Kristi Ziegler, Community Services Coordinator.

Read More
Shining a Light on the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, a 2019 Thursdays Downtown Partner

Without support from community-minded partners like the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, Thursdays Downtown would not be as successful as it is! The Rochester Downtown Alliance is appreciative of its partnership and wants to shine the spotlight on them! 

Read More
Shining a Light on iHeart Media, a 2019 Thursdays Downtown Partner

iHeart Media is just one of many community-minded partners that makes Thursdays Downtown successful! The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) is appreciative of its partnership and wants to shine the spotlight on them! Let's learn a little more about the organization from Alicia Goodson, one of iHeart Media's account executives!

Read More
3 Food-Allergy-Friendly Eats at Thursdays Downtown

Living with a food allergy or a dietary restriction doesn't mean depriving yourself of mouthwatering fare. Whether you have a sensitivity to gluten or dairy or you are a vegetarian, delicious options complementary to your dietary needs can be found at Thursdays Downtown!

Read More
Shining a Light on Northwest Dental Group, a 2019 Thursdays Downtown Partner

Northwest Dental Group is proud to be one of the Thursdays Downtown First Avenue Stage Band Partners in 2019! The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) is appreciative of its partnerships and wants to shine the spotlight on them! Let's learn a little more about the organization from Missy Weingarten, Northwest Dental Group's marketing coordinator!

Read More
Looking for Under 500 Calorie Foods at Thursdays Downtown?

Health-conscious Thursdays Downtown attendees, rejoice! It may be a struggle to find wholesome yet satisfying foods at a fair or festival. But this Thursdays Downtown cuisine offers delectable selections at 500 calories or less!

Read More
Sidewalk Sale Seals the Deals in Downtown Rochester

Money money money money, money! That's what you'll save when you shop the downtown Rochester Sidewalk Sale July 15-21! Check out the hot deals from this year's participating downtown Rochester businesses, and find some of the following retailers onsite at Thursdays Downtown July 18, too!

Read More
9 Things to Do Other Than Thursdays Downtown for July 4th

With Thursdays Downtown on a one-week break in celebration of the Fourth of July, holiday plans may have you wondering what to do with a free Thursday. No need to worry: We have you covered with this list of nine other fun things to do in downtown Rochester!

Read More
Shining a Light on Townsquare Media, a 2019 Thursdays Downtown Partner

Without support from community-minded partners like the Townsquare Media, Thursdays Downtown would not be as successful as it is! The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) is appreciative of its partnership and wants to shine the spotlight on them! Let's learn a little more about the organization from Troy Dunken, Townsquare Media's assistant operations manager and one of KROC's on-air morning personality!

Read More
Thursdays Downtown Artisan Vendors

"Something for everyone" is not a cliché when it comes to the Thursdays Downtown vendors! With more than 450 different vendors throughout the 12 market dates, you'll be hard pressed to find a booth that won't catch your eye! To help you narrow down your search, below is a digestible list divided into categories! Happy browsing!

Read More
New Food & Drinks at 2019 Thursdays Downtown

What's on the menu? Along with your favorites, partake in some fresh culinary creations at Thursdays Downtown. So go on: be adventurous and try something new! Here are the most recent eat-and-drink additions to Thursdays Downtown this year!

Read More
Shining a Light on the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program, a 2019 Thursdays Downtown Partner

The Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program is just one of many community-minded partners that makes Thursdays Downtown successful! The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) is appreciative of its partnership and wants to shine the spotlight on them! Let's learn a little more about the organization from Katy Maeder, Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Program's marketing and recruitment coordinator!

Read More
Life as an Intern by Teagan Holmes

Fresh out of high school, I didn't want to spend my summer after senior year working just any part-time job or laying on the couch watching TV all day. I decided to see what options there were for some summer experiences, and here's why I chose the Rochester Downtown Alliance internship!

Read More
Shining a Light on Kraus-Anderson, a 2019 Thursdays Downtown Partner

Kraus-Anderson Construction Company is just one of many community-minded partners that makes Thursdays Downtown successful! The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) is appreciative of its partnership and wants to shine the spotlight on them!

Read More
Shining a Light on Bremer Bank, a 2019 Thursdays Downtown Partner

To make Thursdays Downtown a successful community event, the Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) is appreciative of its partnerships like the one with Bremer Bank and wants to shine the spotlight on them! Let's learn a little more about the organization from Jody Chambers, Bremer Bank's SVP, private banking team lead!

Read More
Shining a Light on ABC 6 News, a 2019 Thursdays Downtown Partner

Thursdays Downtown is a successful community event, in part, because of its community-driven partnerships. The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) values ABC 6 News and its support of Thursdays Downtown. In turn, we want to shine the spotlight on them! Let's learn a little more about the organization from Carissa Drake, ABC 6 News' marketing outreach specialist!

Read More
Your Insider's Guide to 2019 Thursdays Downtown

After the winter we’ve endured, Thursdays Downtown provides the fun in the sun we’ve all earned! It’s time to head to downtown Rochester for arts, crafts, music, and food! Everyone at the Rochester Downtown Alliance, our partners, and vendors are gearing up for the first Thursdays Downtown! Here’s a look at everything you need to know to get your Thursdays Downtown attendance-planning into gear, too!

Read More
Shining a Light on Altra Federal Credit Union, a 2019 Thursdays Downtown Partner

Thursdays Downtown is a successful community event, in part, because of its community-driven partnerships. The Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) values Altra Federal Credit Union and its support of Thursdays Downtown. In turn, we want to shine the spotlight on them! Let's learn a little more about the organization from Shawn Hauser, Altra Federal Credit Union's community relations manager!

Read More
Thursdays Downtown 2019 Lunchtime Entertainment

There’s no better lunch hour than grabbing a delicious bite, finding a comfy spot outdoors and listening to a variety of music all summer-long at Thursdays Downtown!

Read More
Shining a Light on RST, a 2019 Thursdays Downtown Partner

To make Thursdays Downtown a successful community event, the Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) is appreciative of its partnerships like the one with Rochester International Airport (RST) and wants to shine the spotlight on them!

Read More
A Whole New Look for Thursdays Downtown

By now, you may have seen or heard Thursdays on First is no more. Fear not, though: the event simply went through a refresh in branding!

Read More
Thursdays Downtown 2019 Evening Entertainment

The countdown to the long-awaited Thursdays Downtown is on, with less than a month to go! Presented in partnership with Bremer Bank and Rochester International Airport, the Rochester Downtown Alliance is excited to present this year’s Thursdays Downtown evening entertainment lineup!

Read More