The Lilac Festival in May kicks off the summer season with a nine-day music festival. In June, Rochester and surrounding towns host inexpensive and free outdoor concerts as part of their summer music series and festivals.
Visit each website to find this year’s dates, times, and locations to start marking your calendar. While some events are free, others may have a minimal entrance fee. Grab your beach chair, pack a picnic dinner, and savor a warm summer evening with your neighbors while enjoying the amazing talent Rochester has to offer.
Summer Concert Series
Tuesdays
Bands at Buckland Summer Concert Series
Brighton
Good Vibes Concerts
Honeoye Falls
Penfield Amphitheater and Kiwanis Stage
Penfield
RPO Around the Town Concerts
Rochester, July only
Wednesdays
Batavia Concert Band in Centennial Park
Batavia
Concerts by the Shore
Rochester
Concerts in the Park
Bloomfield
Food Truck Rodeos
Rochester, once a month
Music at Webster Arboretum
Webster
Webster UCC Caring Community Concerts
Webster
Thursdays
Blue Barn Cidery Summer Concert Series
Hilton
Gazebo Concert Series
Fairport
Hochstein at High Falls
Rochester, August only
Music at the Market
Irondequoit
Party in the Park
Rochester
Sid Partington Memorial Summer Concert Series
Victor
Webster Village Band Summer Concert Series
Webster
Fridays
Bands on the Bricks
Rochester
Henrietta Summer Concert Series
Henrietta
Pittsford Friday Nights Along the Canal
Pittsford
Sonnenberg Moonlight Stroll
Canandaigua, August only
Webster Friday Night Gazebo Concert
Webster
Zoo Brew
Rochester, once a month
Saturdays
none
Sundays
Perinton’s Center Stage
Fairport
Summer Concert Series at the Lighthouse
Sodus Point
Mondays
none
One-time Events
May
Rochester Lilac Festival
Rochester
June
Fairport Canal Days
Fairport
Harborfest
Rochester
Rochester International Jazz Festival
Rochester
July
Black Culture Festival
Rochester
Brantling Bluegrass Festival
Sodus
Canandaigua Art & Music Festival
Canandaigua
Corn Hill Fest
Rochester
East Rochester Firemen’s Carnival
East Rochester
Fairport Steel Rail Revival
Fairport
Genesee County Fair
Batavia
Hemlock “Little World’s” Fair
Hemlock
Hilton Fire Department Carnival
Hilton
Indigenous Music & Arts Festival at Ganondagan
Victor
Ontario County Fair
Canandaigua
Orleans County Fair
Albion
Rochester Pride Festival
Rochester
Seneca County Fair
Waterloo
Spencerport Canal Days
Spencerport
Waterfront Art Festival
Webster
Webster Firemen’s Carnival
Webster
Yates County Fair
Penn Yan
August
Brockport Arts Festival
Brockport
Erie County Fair
Hamburg
FGAS German Fest
Spencerport
Fairport Music & Food Festival
Fairport
Lima Crossroads Blues Festival
Lima
Niagara County Fair
Lockport
New York State Fair
Syracuse
Pageant of Steam
Canandaigua
Pan Afrikan Festival
Rochester
Puerto Rican Festival
Rochester
Rochester Summer Soul Music Festival
Rochester
Rush Fire Department Carnival
Rush
St. Josaphat’s Ukrainian Festival
Irondequoit
Water Lantern Festival
Webster
Wayne County Fair
Palmyra
Webster Jazz Festival
Webster
September
Rochester Fringe Festival
Rochester
Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything else can have in common.
Sarah Dessen
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Where are your favorite free concerts around Rochester?
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy. I would appreciate your support—a cup of coffee or two to help fuel future field trips—if you have found valuable information here that has helped you explore the Rochester area.
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