As fall settles in, Monroe County fills with energy — art openings, live performances, and cozy community events that make Upstate life so special. Whether you’re exploring downtown Rochester or wandering a holiday market in Mumford, there’s plenty to see, taste, and experience this weekend.
Below you’ll find top picks plus a full schedule for Friday through Sunday, grouped by category so you can plan your perfect weekend.
Geva Theatre – Sancocho | 7 PM | From $33 – $116 | A heartfelt story of family and food. (Also showing Sat–Sun)
Blackfriars Theatre – In the Next Room | 7 PM | $20–$39.50 | Critically acclaimed drama. (Also Sat–Sun)
NTID Performing Arts – The 39 Steps | 7:30 PM | $5–$12 | Fast-paced comedy at RIT. (Also Sat–Sun)
An Aerial Picture Show: Rocky Horror | 9 PM | $18 | Aerial Arts of Rochester blends circus and cult classic. (Also Sat)
Jeanpierre Vèliz Opening Art Show – Serendipity Labs | 5:30–7 PM | Free | Downtown gallery reception with city views.
Collection in Context: Bethany Collins – MAG | 11 AM | Museum admission | Ongoing through Nov 30.
Frontiers of Impressionism | 11 AM | Admission | Masterworks from Worcester Art Museum. (Runs Fri–Sun)
Rachel Rose Exhibition | 11 AM | Admission | New multimedia installation at MAG. (Runs Fri–Sun)
William Gropper: Truth, Beauty, Justice, Humor | 11 AM | Admission | Socially conscious art retrospective. (Runs Fri–Sun)
Live Jazz – Flight Wine Bar Downtown | 6:30–8:30 PM | Free | Mel Henderson & Marvin Dolly perform.
Jaws in Concert – RPO | 7–9:30 PM | $33–$116 | Iconic film with live orchestra.
Bootlegged Fridays – Union Tavern, Rochester | 7–9 PM | Weekly live music series. (Recurring Fridays)
Murder Mystery Dinner – Long Acre Farms, Macedon | 6–9 PM | $75 pp | Dinner with a twist of suspense.
Steak Night – Brews & Brats at Arbor Hill, Naples | Evening | Reservation required | Weekly Friday special.
UYMA 2025 Youth Showcase – RMSC | 5–8 PM | $45 adults / $5 children | Youth music and arts event.
Eat or Be Eaten Escape Room – Mythical Escapes, Pittsford | 12–10 PM | $39 | Final day of Halloween-themed adventure.
Puzzling Adventures Scavenger Hunt | 10 AM–8 PM | $39.95 team | Citywide puzzle tour (runs daily).
Legacy Writing – A Letter They’ll Remember – Writers & Books, Greece | 10 AM–12 PM | Free | Creative session for ages 55+.
Let’s Talk Art: A Bountiful Harvest Tour – MAG | Included with admission | Seasonal gallery tour (also Sun).
RIT Men’s Hockey vs Mercyhurst | 7:05 PM | Ticket varies | College hockey at Gene Polisseni Center.
Rochester Americans vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | 7:05 PM | $19–$55 | AHL action at Blue Cross Arena.
Geva Theatre’s Sancocho, Blackfriars’ In the Next Room, and NTID’s The 39 Steps continue. Additions today include:
A Soul Symphony: Where Gospel Meets Orchestra – Eastman School of Music | 7:30–9:30 PM | $5 | Gospel meets orchestra in Downtown Rochester.
Center Stage Pops: The Music of John Williams | 7–8:15 PM | Free | Beloved film scores performed live.
Memorial Art Gallery’s Bethany Collins, Frontiers of Impressionism, Rachel Rose, and William Gropper exhibits continue. Also open:
Camera Rochester’s Excellence 2025 – Image City Photography Gallery | 12–6 PM | Free | Local photography showcase (runs Fri–Sun).
Live Jazz – Flight Wine Bar Downtown | 6:30–8:30 PM | Free | Ryan Johnson & Glen Cummings perform.
Mark Normand Comedy Show – Kodak Center | 7 PM | Ticketmaster pricing | National comedian live in Rochester.
Horizons Live Music Weekends – Woodcliff Hotel & Spa, Fairport | 6:30–10 PM | Dinner reservations recommended | Nightly music (also Fri).
Holiday Arts & Craft Show – Village at Unity, Rochester | 11 AM–3 PM | Free | Local crafts and gifts.
Holiday Market & Preparing for Winter – Genesee Country Village & Museum | 10 AM–3 PM | Included with admission | Historic market (also Sun).
Moonlight Market – The Grove at Midtown, Rochester | 4–7 PM | Free | Downtown artisan vendors and live music.
Fairport Farmers Market | 7 AM–12 PM | Free | Weekly Saturday market through Nov 22.
Rochester Children & Teens Book Festival – MCC | 10 AM–4 PM | Free | Authors, illustrators, and read-alongs.
Step It Up! Cure Pancreatic Cancer Walk & Family Fun Day | 12–4 PM | $25 adults / $15 youth | Charity walk at Gates Chili HS.
Deaf Culture Day – RMSC | 11 AM–3 PM | Included with admission | Hands-on science and accessibility activities.
Mimi Kennedy Author Talk & Book Signing – Writers & Books | 3:30–5 PM | $15 | Conversation with the actress and author.
Women’s Mini Welding Workshop – Ironwood Studios, Springwater | 10 AM–1 PM | $135 | Create a holiday candle holder.
RIT Men’s Hockey vs Mercyhurst | 5:05–7:35 PM | Ticket varies | Home game at Gene Polisseni Center.
Ongoing shows at Geva, Blackfriars, and RIT continue.
RTOS November Theatre Organ Concert – Rochester Theatre Organ Society | 2–4 PM | $15 | Classic organ music at Auditorium Theatre.
Still – CenterStage at the JCC, Rochester | Evening | Ticketed | Contemporary drama.
All MAG exhibitions continue plus:
ARTISANworks Weekly Thrift Sale | 12–4 PM | Free | Explore art and unique finds.
Camera Rochester’s Excellence 2025 – Image City Gallery | 12–6 PM | Free | Photography continues through Nov 23.
Going for Baroque – Memorial Art Gallery | 1:30 PM | Free with admission | Eastman students perform in the gallery.
Open Mic Night – Cottage Hotel of Mendon | 7–9 PM | Free | Local music in a classic pub.
Family Night – RocVentures Climbing Gym | 4–7 PM | $15+ | Climb together with staff support.
Weavers’ Guild of Rochester Holiday Sale | Free | Second day of handmade shopping.
Zona Holiday Craft Festival – Batavia | 10 AM–4 PM | Free | Regional craft vendors.
Holiday Market & Preparing for Winter – Genesee Country Village & Museum | 10 AM–3 PM | Admission | Second day of the festive market.
If you have an event you’d like to add or a business you’d like to feature, email me at hello@lallafitzpatrick.com to let me know all about it!
Monroe County weekends offer a blend of art, community, and small-town warmth that few places can match. Whether you spent the weekend exploring galleries, cheering on the Amerks, or sipping wine to live jazz, these experiences reflect what makes our region feel like home.
If you’ve been thinking about making Monroe County part of your story, now’s the perfect time to explore local listings.
Monroe County Open Houses and see what’s waiting for you in this vibrant, welcoming community.
