The first full weekend of the new year brings a mix of family-friendly activities, live music, art exhibitions, outdoor adventures, and performances across Monroe County and nearby Finger Lakes communities. Whether you’re easing into January or jumping right back into the calendar, there’s no shortage of ways to spend your weekend.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
A live theatrical production of the classic holiday story presented at OFC Creations Theatre Center.
Desire and Abundance: American Culture and the Still Life
An exhibition at the Memorial Art Gallery exploring American culture through still-life artwork.
American, born Hungary: Kertész, Capa, and the Hungarian American Photographic Legacy
A photography exhibition highlighting Hungarian-American artists at the George Eastman Museum.
Frontiers of Impressionism: Paintings from the Worcester Art Museum
An exhibition of Impressionist works on view at the Memorial Art Gallery.
Rachel Rose
A contemporary art exhibition on display at the Memorial Art Gallery.
William Gropper: Truth, Beauty, Justice, Humor
An exhibition featuring works by William Gropper at the Memorial Art Gallery.
Inspired by the Season
A seasonal art exhibition on view at International Art Acquisitions.
New Year, New Art!
A free Friday evening event at Studio 312 featuring new artwork and an open gallery atmosphere.
Live Jazz feat. Mel Henderson & Joe Chiappone
A free live jazz performance at Flight Wine Bar Downtown.
Jazz on Tap
A weekly jazz performance hosted at Vine & Tap wine bar.
Bootlegged Fridays
A recurring Friday night live entertainment event at The Union Tavern.
Steak Night at Brews & Brats at Arbor Hill
A recurring Friday dining event featuring steak specials with reservations required.
Culinary Class for Kids/Parents at Hyatt
A hands-on cooking class where parents and children prepare dishes together at the Hyatt Regency Rochester.
Puzzling Adventures Scavenger Hunt
A self-guided scavenger hunt available throughout downtown Rochester.
College Night at RocVentures
A discounted climbing night for college students at RocVentures Climbing Gym.
CRG Staff Guided Climbing!
Staff-led climbing sessions offered at Central Rock Gym Rochester.
Kids Ski Adventures
A short ski experience designed for children at Powder Mills Park.
Powder Package Sessions
Evening ski sessions available at Powder Mills Park.
Daily Tours – Susan B. Anthony Museum & House
Guided tours of the historic Susan B. Anthony Museum & House offered throughout the day.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
An evening stage performance at OFC Creations Theatre Center.
Desire and Abundance: American Culture and the Still Life
An ongoing Memorial Art Gallery exhibition exploring American still-life traditions.
American, born Hungary
A photography exhibition at the George Eastman Museum included with admission.
Frontiers of Impressionism
An Impressionist art exhibition on view at the Memorial Art Gallery.
Rachel Rose
A contemporary exhibition displayed at the Memorial Art Gallery.
William Gropper: Truth, Beauty, Justice, Humor
A Memorial Art Gallery exhibition featuring works by William Gropper.
Inspired by the Season
A seasonal exhibition at International Art Acquisitions.
Live Jazz feat. Julie Ketchum & Scott Bradley
A free live jazz performance at Flight Wine Bar Downtown.
Women’s Welding Workshop: Tree Sculpture
A hands-on workshop where participants create a welded metal tree sculpture.
Community Writing Group
A weekly writing group meeting hosted by Writers & Books.
RIT Men’s Hockey vs. Penn State
A collegiate hockey game held at the Gene Polisseni Center.
Puzzling Adventures Scavenger Hunt
A self-paced scavenger hunt available throughout the day.
CRG Staff Guided Climbing!
Staff-led climbing sessions at Central Rock Gym Rochester.
Intro to Climbing Class
A beginner-friendly climbing class at Central Rock Gym Rochester.
Staff Belay
Supervised belay sessions provided at Central Rock Gym Rochester.
Kids Ski Adventures
A children’s ski program held at Powder Mills Park.
Mountain Monsters Camp
A youth ski camp hosted by Swain Ski Resort.
Trailblazers Camp
A ski camp designed for young participants at Swain Ski Resort.
Daily Tours – Susan B. Anthony Museum & House
Guided tours of the historic home offered throughout the day.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
A weekend performance of the musical at OFC Creations Theatre Center.
Desire and Abundance: American Culture and the Still Life
A Memorial Art Gallery exhibition examining American culture through still-life art.
American, born Hungary
A photography exhibition on view at the George Eastman Museum.
Frontiers of Impressionism
An exhibition of Impressionist paintings at the Memorial Art Gallery.
Rachel Rose
A contemporary art exhibition at the Memorial Art Gallery.
William Gropper: Truth, Beauty, Justice, Humor
An art exhibition on view at the Memorial Art Gallery.
Inspired by the Season
A seasonal art exhibition at International Art Acquisitions.
Compline with Schola Cantorum & Candlelight Concerts
A weekly candlelight concert featuring sacred music.
Going for Baroque
A Sunday concert presented in conjunction with the Memorial Art Gallery.
Open Mic Nights!
A weekly open mic event at the Cottage Hotel of Mendon.
ARTISANworks Weekly Thrift Sale
A recurring Sunday thrift sale hosted at ARTISANworks.
Family Night at RocVentures
A weekly family-friendly climbing event at RocVentures Climbing Gym.
Puzzling Adventures Scavenger Hunt
A self-guided scavenger hunt available throughout downtown Rochester.
CRG Staff Guided Climbing!
Guided climbing sessions at Central Rock Gym Rochester.
Intro to Climbing Class
Beginner climbing instruction offered at Central Rock Gym Rochester.
Kids Ski Adventures
A children’s ski program at Powder Mills Park.
Kids Staff Belay
Supervised belay sessions for kids at RocVentures Climbing Gym.
Powder Package Sessions
Ski sessions offered at Powder Mills Park.
Daily Tours – Susan B. Anthony Museum & House
Guided historical tours available throughout the day.
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!
Weekends like this are a great reminder of why so many people love calling Monroe County home. From art galleries and live music to family-friendly activities and outdoor adventures, there’s always something happening just minutes from where we live.
If you’re thinking about making a move in 2026—or simply want to keep an eye on what’s happening in the local market—I’m always happy to help you explore your options, whether that means learning more about a neighborhood, tracking home values, or touring what’s currently available.
➡️ Curious which neighborhoods put you closest to events like these?
Let’s talk — because where you live should support the life you want to live.
