St. Joseph's Park
Now Open Weekdays!
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Home Games All Month Long
Innovative Field
The Red Wings heat up Innovative Field with 15 home games this May! With special promotions for each game, there's something for everyone. Don't miss Roc the Lilac Week May 13th - 17th, presented by Greater ROC. Celebrate all month with games, giveaways, and family fun.
Parking: Innovative Field Parking Info
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Presented by RochesterWorks
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Thursday, May 1st
2 PM - 4 PM
MCC Downtown Campus
The next Downtown Job Fair, presented by RochesterWorks in partnership with MCC and Monroe County, will offer job seekers the chance to explore career opportunities and connect with over 50 local businesses across a range of industries. Register Here!
Free Parking will be available.
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with the City of Rochester
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Saturday, May 3rd
8 AM - 12 PM
Innovative Field
Get ready to roll up your sleeves at Clean Sweep on Saturday, May 3rd! Meet at Innovative Field for breakfast, a free T-shirt, and a group send-off with Mayor Malik Evans before heading out to clean and beautify city neighborhoods. Volunteers will also enjoy a Red Wings game that afternoon as a thank-you for their hard work!
Register Here!
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Kurth Weill Foundation for Music
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Saturday, May 3rd
Kilbourn Hall
A singing competition unlike any other -- in which acting counts as much as vocal talent. The 2025 Lenya Competition Finals showcase eleven exceptional singing actors vying for a top prize of $25,000. This year’s finalists, representing seven countries on four continents, show they can “do it all” by presenting four contrasting theatrical songs and arias. See why Opera News says "no vocal contest better targets today's total-package talents!"
Parking: Eastman Theatre Parking Info
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Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
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Saturday, May 3rd - Sunday, May 4th
Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre
Gershwin’s jazzy musical postcard highlights this program of American masters. Bernstein’s Serenade for violin sings of love, with each of the five movements of his violin concerto based on soliloquies by Greek philosophers. Tessa Lark’s “sound is bright, with clarity of note. A wonderful warmth,” says Gramophone. This all-American program also features Copland’s tender Appalachian Spring, the wild acceleration of John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine, and to close, Gershwin’s esteemed An American in Paris.
Parking: Eastman Theatre Parking Info
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Every Sunday, Beginning May 4th
10 AM - 4 PM
Innovation Square
Roc Artists Open Market returns Sunday, May 4th! This weekly, open-air artisan market offers an eclectic mix of vendors, local music, performances, dance showcases, and so much more. Whether you're an art enthusiast or looking for a fun day out, there's something here for everyone to enjoy.
Parking: Midtown Garage, On-Street (Free Weekends)
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Tuesday, May 6th
7:30 PM
Temple Theater
Join Grammy winner Bruce Hornsby, known for hits like "The Way It Is" and collaborations with legends like the Grateful Dead and Bonnie Raitt, as he teams up with chamber ensemble yMusic for an unforgettable night of music. All ages are welcome, with doors opening at 6:30 PM and the show starting at 7:30 PM at The Temple Theater.
Parking: St. Joe's Garage
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Presented by the Central Library
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Wednesday, May 7th
6 PM - 7:30 PM
Meet at Central Library
Washington Square is one of the oldest neighborhoods on Rochester’s east side. The area serves as something of a microcosm of the city’s history. Here, one finds echoes of Rochester’s early years as a milling village, its Erie Canal boomtown days, and its rise as a site of technological innovation. Meet on the north side of the Rundel Memorial Building for this .83 mile tour. Register Here.
Parking: Court Street Garage
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at Washington Square Park
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Saturday, May 10th
10 AM
Washington Square Park
Spring has arrived, and with it comes the 23rd Annual Dachshund Parade at Washington Square Park on Saturday, May 10th! Beginning at 10 AM, visitors can enjoy lively oompah music, a dachshund fashion show, treats for dogs and people, and plenty of socializing for pups and their humans. The parade around the Square steps off around 11:30 AM, celebrating the spirit of spring in downtown Rochester.
Parking: Washington Square Garage
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Mother's Day Happenings
Sunday, May 11th
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Mother's Day Brunch
10 AM - 2 PM
Event 180 (Across from Tapas 177)
Treat your mom to a special Mother's Day brunch buffet! Brunch will take place at Event 180, Tapas 177's beautiful event space directly across the street from the restaurant. Reservation only, walk-ins not accepted. Valet and limited street parking will be available. Reservations: Click Here
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Brunch Boards and Bubbles
10 AM - 3 PM
UNWINE'D
Celebrate Mother's Day at Unwine’d with brunch boards, hand-picked wines from 40+ self-pour stations, and time to relax on the outdoor patio. Guests can also treat their moms to permanent jewelry by Ember and Co. or fine line tattoos by Kylee.Blade. Reservations: Click Here
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Presented by The Community Foundation
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Wednesday, May 14th
6 PM - 8:30 PM
Harro East Ballroom
Presented by The Community Foundation, this special evening event will celebrate Rochester’s vibrant arts community at the Harro East Ballroom. Guests will experience an inspiring lineup of local performers across music, dance, literature, and visual arts — featuring BIODANCE, Rochester City Ballet, Society for Chamber Music, Zahyia, and more.
Parking: Harro East Lot
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Thursday, May 15th
5:30 PM - 7 PM
The Spirit Room
Storied Saloons: Local History Happy Hours explores the history of some of Rochester and Monroe County’s most interesting and iconic bar-boasting buildings. If you enjoy learning and libations, pull up a stool and uncover the past of a different tavern during each session of this exciting off-site series. Located in the vicinity of the former Corinthian Hall and a onetime Fox Sisters home in what was once a red-light district, 139 State Street has housed a shoe company and a seedy hotel among several other business ventures in its lengthy history. Join Jacob Rakovan, NEA award-winning poet and proprietor of The Spirit Room, as he recounts this building's checkered past.
Parking: On-Street Metered (Free after 6 PM)
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Thursday, May 15th
5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
The Strong Museum
Join Thursday, May 15th, for the adults-only Happiest Hour! The night includes loads of fun activities, a cash bar, music by DJ Crewz, and access to the entire museum. Tickets sell fast, grab yours today!
Parking: Strong Museum Parking Info
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Bike to Work Day Pit-Stop
Friday, May 16th, 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Austin Steward Plaza
On Friday, May 16th, Reconnect Rochester will host its annual Bike to Work Day Pit-Stop at Austin Steward Plaza, beginning at 7:30 AM. Whether you bike regularly, are trying it out for the first time, or just want to join the fun, everyone is welcome to stop by — no bike required!
For those interested in biking in a group, Reconnect Rochester will also lead four morning rides, one from each quadrant of the City of Rochester, all ending at the pit-stop celebration downtown.
Join the community, get energized, and kick off your Friday with some fresh air and fun, plus, enjoy free coffee and breakfast for attendees!
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Thursday, May 15th - Friday, May 16th
The Temple Theater
Fashion Week of Rochester returns for two days of runway shows on Thursday and Friday, showcasing bold and colorful collections from local and regional designers. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Center for Youth and its programs supporting runaway and homeless youth.
Parking: St. Joe's Garage, On-Street
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May 20th, 27th, & 29th
The Little Theatre
Since 2009, The Reel Mind Film & Theatre Series has been bringing to Rochester NY films, performances and discussions that address the social stigma of mental illness and behavioral disorders while providing a message of hope that recovery is possible. Each screening is followed by a panel discussion with filmmakers, film subjects, individuals with lived experience, and mental health professionals—fostering open, honest conversations and community connection.
Parking: Little Theatre Parking Information
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2025 Economic Growth Series
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Tuesday, May 20th
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
The Penthouse at One East Ave
Downtown Rochester is full of exciting stories of growth and development that continue to redefine the center of our city. Join RDDC in-person to hear the visions of yet another group of extraordinary downtown changemakers and get a glimpse of these exciting new projects.
Parking: Midtown Garage
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Presented by the Central Library
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Wednesday, May 21st
6 PM - 7:30 PM
Meet at Central Library
This 1.1-mile walking tour focuses on the significant role that immigrants, migrants, and minority group members have played in the economic, social, and cultural development of Rochester. The tour begins at the former location of the largely immigrant-built Erie Canal, and ends at the Rundel Memorial Library, where locals and visitors alike can learn more about Rochester’s immigrant communities as well as their own ethnic and racial heritage using the resources available in the Local History & Genealogy Division. Register Here.
Parking: Court Street Garage
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Setting Sail This May!
Corn Hill Navigation
Visitors can traverse the scenic waterways of the Genesee River and Erie Canal aboard Riverie, creating unforgettable memories with family and friends. Tours depart from Corn Hill Landing and offer fantastic views of the downtown skyline. With themed cruises, including sip & and sails, live music, and educational outings, there's something for everyone! Find your sailing.
Parking: Corn Hill Landing Surface Parking
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Friday, May 23rd
7 PM
The Temple Theater
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Rochester. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Rings and Dragons at Temple Theater under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Parking: St. Joe's Garage, On-Street (Free after 6 PM)
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Saturday, May 24th
2 PM
MLK Jr. Park
Get ready for Live at the BBQ on Saturday, May 24, at MLK Jr. Memorial Park! Enjoy top DJs spinning R&B, soul, and hip-hop, plus great food, local vendors, and non-stop festival vibes — don’t miss it!
Parking: Washington Square Garage
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Monday, May 26th
10:30 AM
Steps off: East and Alex
Honor and remember those who served at the Memorial Day Parade in downtown Rochester on Monday, May 26. The parade steps off at 10:30 AM from East Avenue and Alexander Street, travels west along Main Street, and concludes at Main and Fitzhugh. Please note: the parade route will close to traffic at 10 AM and reopen around 1 PM, with staging street closures beginning at 8:30 AM. Join the community in celebrating the spirit of service, sacrifice, and remembrance.
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More Events This May
Around Downtown
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