Thursdays Downtown
When: Every Thursday from July 8, 2021 through September 9, 2021 (dates subject to change based on COVID-19)
Time: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: 1st Avenue Southwest and Northwest, 3rd Street Southwest, and Peace Plaza (click here for a map)
A weekly summer staple of downtown Rochester, Thursdays Downtown combines arts, music, food and a vendor market into one free community-uniting, block-party-style event! Every week running July 8 through September 9, enjoy life, feel a sense of place, and interact with others at the Thursdays Downtown. Your taste buds will be satisfied with enticing foods and musical styles, too. Click here for an interactive Thursdays Downtown vendor map.
COVID-19 precautions (update as of August 25, 2021):
- All attending and participating in Thursdays Downtown are strongly recommended to wear masks or face covering, particularly when physical distancing cannot be observed.
- Vendors will sanitize between customers as best as possible.
- All attendees are encouraged to respect physical distancing in so far as is possible.
- Especially vulnerable people, including unvaccinated and immunocompromised, are asked to consider not attending Thursdays Downtown or attend between 2 and 4 p.m. when crowds are reduced, and physical distancing is easier to observe.
2021 Entertainment Lineup
JULY 8
1st Ave Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Raven's Fire
- 5 p.m.: Jeremiah Nelson Band
- 7 p.m.: Jerrod Niemann
Peace Plaza Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Robert Coates
- 5 p.m.: Miloe
- 7 p.m.: Rhino
JULY 15
1st Ave Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Sothea Lam
- 5 p.m.: The D'Sievers
- 7 p.m.: Funktion Junction
Peace Plaza Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Scott Jasmin
- 5 p.m.: Amanda Grace Band
- 7 p.m.: Jaggedease
JULY 22
1st Ave Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Pure Rock Studios
- 5 p.m.: Clay Fulton and the Lost 40
- 7 p.m.: The Big Wu
Peace Plaza Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: True North
- 5 p.m.: Root River Jam
- 7 p.m.: Retro Soul and the Westside Horns
JULY 29
1st Ave Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: The Sixes
- 5 p.m.: Annie Mack
- 7 p.m.: Aretha Tribute
Peace Plaza Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Tim Dallman
- 5 p.m.: Lehto & Wright
- 7 p.m.: Steve Schmidt Trio
AUGUST 5
1st Ave Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Amanda Grace
- 5 p.m.: Fernando Ufret
- 7 p.m.: Soul Train
Peace Plaza Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Luke Hendrickson
- 5 p.m.: Uptown Jazz
- 7 p.m.: Mariachi Estrella MN
AUGUST 12
1st Ave Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Chris Lawrence
- 5 p.m.: Beatles Tribute
- 7 p.m.: The White Keys
Peace Plaza Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Bob Schlief
- 5 p.m.: Cole Allen Band
- 7 p.m.: Up South Country
AUGUST 19
1st Ave Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Mackenzie Moore
- 5 p.m.: My Grandma's Cardigan
- 7 p.m.: County Line Drive
Peace Plaza Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Jeff Wachowiak
- 5 p.m.: Reverend Raven
- 7 p.m.: Sweet Siren
AUGUST 26
Canceled because of the threat of severe weather with potential lightning and strong winds.
SEPTEMBER 2
1st Ave Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Jason McKenzie
- 5 p.m.: Jenn Bostic
- 7 p.m.: Junk FM
Peace Plaza Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Hayley Anne
- 5 p.m.: CBB Jazz Trio
- 7 p.m.: Luke Hendrickson Band
SEPTEMBER 9
1st Ave Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: James Gray
- 5 p.m.: Push N Turn
- 7 p.m.: Pop Rocks
Peace Plaza Stage
- 11:30 a.m.: Logan Johnson
- 5 p.m.: Lost Faculties
- 7 p.m.: Reunion Band
Stage Partners
Media Partners
Event Partners
Get involved in Thursdays Downtown as a partner or sponsor.
2021 Vendor Application
*Applications are now closed as of May 28, 2021.
Visit our Vendor Resources page for more information. For questions about the Thursdays Downtown application, email thursdaysdowntown@downtownrochestermn.com.