2024 Recipients
Unity Yoga
Date: weekly dates January-June 2024
Location: Chateau Theatre and Peace Plaza
Description: Bringing weekly yoga classes to Downtown Rochester through 30 minute gentle/beginner classes at the Chateau Theatre and speciality yoga events.
Out Rochester and Burly Bluffs present: Divine Disco
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024
Location: Chateau Theatre
Description: This event will wrap up Rochester Pride with a cabaret-style performances at the Chateau Theatre that will include performers from across the country in dance, theater, burlesque, pole arts, and aerial arts.
Latino Fest
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Location: Chateau Theatre and Peace Plaza
Description: The Latino Fest organized by the Alliance of Chicanos, Hispanics, and Latin Americans (ACHLA) is a vibrant celebration aimed at fulfilling various objectives while bringing the community together.
Once: The Musical
Date: March 15, 16, 17 & March 22, 23, 2024
Location: The Castle
Description: A modern 8-Tony award winning musical based on the Oscar-winning movie- performed by a cast of twelve actor-musicians playing a variety of acoustic instruments. This is a notable first for Rochester, blending the live musician and live theatre communities.
Downtown Puzzle Contest
Date: Saturday, March 9, 2024
Location: Chateau Theatre
Description: The Downtown Puzzle Contest will feature two rounds of puzzling competition: Round 1: 500 Piece Puzzle - up to 4 people on a team, Round 2: Family with Child(ren) 400-piece puzzle - up to 4 people on a team. Participants do not need to be related; the only requirement is that at least one team member be under 18 years old. In each round, cash prizes will be awarded to the teams that finish in first, second, and third place. All teams get to keep their competition puzzle.
Website TBD
Family Fun Day
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024
Location: TBD
Description: The event will be a family friendly day of activities inclusive of those with sensory or other special needs.
2024 2.0 Recipients
This new program funds annual events that have been funded twice through the Start-Up Event grant, and Rochester Downtown Alliance wants to continue to support its growth.
Rochester Thaw
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024
Location: 6 Locations
Description: An annual winter music festival with stages in 6 locations in Downtown Rochester.
Med City Art Festival
Date: Friday, August, 16, 2024
Location: Peace Plaza
Description: The annual art event includes music, dance, performances, digital technology, art classes, art vendors, and ethnic and local food and drink.
Songwriters in the Round
Date: TBD
Location: Treedome
Description: This annual Nashville-style showcase features some of the best songwriters in the region sharing songs, inspirations, and stories in an intimate venue.
Website TBD
2023 Recipients
Rochester Thaw Music Festival
Date: Saturday, March 25, 2023
Location: Chateau Theatre, Café Steam, Bleu Duck Kitchen, Art Heads Emporium, Treedome, LC’s Venue
Description: The Rochester Thaw is a music festival occurring in downtown Rochester March 23rd, 2024
Art Battle Minnesota
Event cancelled
YMCA Sound Bowl Meditation
Date: Thursdays in 2023: April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 17, 24, 31; June 7, 14, 28
Location: Chateau Theatre
Description: The YMCA will lead 45min Singing Bowl Meditation sessions using quartz crystal bowls to guide the body into a deeper state of calm.
Facebook Events
Families in Motion
Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023
Location: Rochester Art Center
Description: Led by the Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater company, this workshop, is for adults to participate in with another person of any age and ability for a chance to enjoy moving together!
Facebook Event
Family Fun Day: Sensory Sensitive Saturday
Date: Saturday, May 20, 2023
Location: Mayo Park
Description: The Autism Resource Guide will provide a family friendly day of activities that are inclusive of those with sensory needs.
Facebook Page
Broadway Nurse: A Music Reading
Date: Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24, 2023
Location: Chateau Theatre
Description: A reading of the heartwarming new musical, written by Rocheaster native Sam Buchl, that follows a music-loving nurse who seizes the opportunity to chase her dreams on Broadway.
Event Information
Utsav Color Run and Food Mela
Date: Saturday, July 29, 2023
Location: Peace Plaza
Description: Utsav (festival), a celebration of colors featured Color Splash, 5K run, live music, and Rangoli and Bollywood movie, that reflect the richness and vibrancy of Indian culture.
Facebook Event
Rochester Battle of the Bands
Date: TBD
Location: Chateau Theatre
Description: Treedome presents a music showcase to downtown Rochester in a head-to-head battle between musical talent from across the region. This all-day music event celebrates and cultivates the growing music scene in Rochester in a well-known competitive format.
Facebook Page
Celebrating East African Culture
Date: Saturday, August 26, 2023
Location: Peace Plaza
Description: This event is a celebration of East African cultures including Rochester's Somali, Ethiopian and Sudanese communities including music, dance and a fashion show. Additionally, booths will be set up along Peace Plaza featuring East African food, artists and community resources.
Facebook Page
Songwriters in the Round at Treedome
Date: February 26, March 19, April 16, September 17, October 15, November 19, 2023
Location: Treedome
Description: Three artists share original songs and tell the stories behind them on each event date at Treedome.
Facebook Event