The 2025 ESL Rochester Fringe Festival goes from Tuesday, Sept. 9, through Saturday, Sept. 20. Festival goers will have over 250 shows and 650 performances to choose from this year, along with a variety of food trucks and activities for people of all ages and abilities. The shows feature comedy, music, dance, children’s entertainment, magic, and more – offering something for all ages and abilities.
Many Rochester Fringe Festival shows are free. Here is a listing of some:
Wednesday, Sept. 10 free Fringe Festival shows:
Cobbs Hill Consort
An acoustic ensemble featuring Native American flute, 5:30 p.m. The Spirit Room, 139 State St.
DIY Oracle Card
Design Your Future, 7 p.m. The Spirit Room, 139 State St.*
Sinatra—All the Way
7 p.m., Java’s Cafe, 16 Gibbs St.*
Thursday, Sept. 11 free shows
9/11 Memorial Concert
Eastman Horn Choir, 11 a.m., Eastman School of Music, Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs St.
Contra Dancing
7 p.m., The Rose Room, 295 Gregory St.*
Friday, Sept. 12 free shows
Bushwhacked: Hot and Sweaty
Comedy show, 9 p.m., Spiegelgarden, 77 Gibbs St.*
Eastman Percussion Ensemble
6:30 p.m., Eastman School of Music, Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs St.
ROCitecture
Theatrical experience with engaging storytelling and interactive elements, 6 p.m., Rochester Contemporary Arts Center, side lawn, 137 East Ave.*
Saturday, Sept. 13 free shows
Brick City Boppers Showcase
5 p.m., The Rose Room 295 Gregory St.
A Cappella Time
Brick City Singers, Grace Note & Proof of Purchase, 2:35 p.m., The Little Theater, 240 East Ave.
Cirque 101 Workshop
1 p.m., Joseph Avenue Arts and Culture Alliance at Lincoln Library: Community Room, 851 Joseph Ave.*
Sunday, Sept. 14 free shows
Faculty Artist Series
Justin Benavidez – Tuba, 6:30 p.m., Eastman School of Music, Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs St.
Port-a-Globe Punch and Judy
Kid-friendly puppet show, 1 p.m., School of the Arts: Commons, 45 Prince St.*
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Film, 7:45 p.m., Spiegelgarden, 77 Gibbs St.
Wander & Wonder V
Dance and music, 4 p.m., Rochester Museum and Science Center, 657 East Ave.
Monday, Sept. 15 free shows
Art of the Book & Paper Exhibit
9 a.m. Central Library, 115 South Ave.*
GBF (Gay Best Friend)
Film, 7:45 p.m., Spiegelgarden, 77 Gibbs St.
Eastman Wind Ensemble
7:30 p.m., Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 26 Gibbs St.
Jackboxing
Comedy, 9 p.m., Focus Theater, 260 East Main St.*
Tuesday, Sept. 16, free shows
Art of the Book & Paper Exhibit
9 a.m., Central Library, 115 South Ave.*
Lion
Film, 7:45 p.m., Spiegelgarden, 77 Gibbs St.
Wednesday, Sept. 17 free shows
Bushwhacked: Hot and Sweaty
8:30 p.m., comedy show, Spiegelgarden, 77 Gibbs St.*
Eastman Wind Orchestra
7:30 p.m., Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 26 Gibbs St.
Spicy Tarot
Readings, 7 p.m., Salena’s, 302 North Goodman St.*
Trivia CITY
An Arts & Culture Quiz, 7:30 p.m., Spiegelgarden, 77 Gibbs St.
Thursday, Sept. 18 free shows
Contra Dancing
7 p.m., The Rose Room, 295 Gregory St.*
Jam Side Up!
Comedy, puppetry, magic, 5:45 p.m., Spiegelgarden, 77 Gibbs St.
RENT
Rock musical film, 7:30 p.m., Spiegelgarden, 77 Gibbs St.
Spooky Stories in the Stacks
7:30 p.m., Central Library, 115 South Ave.
Friday, Sept. 19 free shows
Banjos & Juggling
A World Vaudeville Adventure, 6:50 p.m., The Little Theater, 240 East Ave.
Red Apple Peeling
Pop-up performance, 6 p.m., Parcel 5 park, East Main Street at Cortland Street
Musical Mysteries
5 p.m., The Little Theater, 240 East Ave.
RIT Photojournalism
Documentary short film, 9 p.m., The Little Theater, 240 East Ave.
Freeze Frame
A Juggling Experience, 6 p.m., Parcel 5 park, East Main Street at Cortland Street
Saturday, Sept. 20 free shows
Black Deaf Male: Who Am I?
Performed in sign language with voice interpreter, 11:45 a.m., The Little Theater, 240 East Ave.
Aquí Estamos
Stories of Presence and Power, theater, music, spoken word and storytelling performances, 1 p.m., The International Plaza, 828 North Clinton Ave.
Appropriate Audience Behavior
Comedy, 4:15 p.m., The Little Theater, 240 East Ave.
Cirque 101 Workshop
Kid-friendly, 1 p.m., Joseph Avenue Arts and Culture Alliance at Lincoln Library: Community Room, 851 Joseph Ave.*
RITPO
Chamber Music Showcase, 5:30 p.m., The Little Theater, 240 East Ave.
* denotes shows and events that occur on multiple days, not all of those dates listed in this sampling.
More highlights from 2025 ESL Rochester Fringe Festival
Focus on accessibility:
This year, Rochester Fringe is partnering with the Mary Cariola Center and the Center for Disability Rights to ensure all venues are assessed for accessibility and inclusion.
Fan favorites:
Fringe-goers can look forward to returning crowd favorites and many new elements, including:
“To have Chelsea Handler as our comedy headliner is beyond epic,” founding festival producer and CEO Erica Fee said. “What Chelsea has accomplished in the world of comedy across all mediums is iconic. She is unabashedly herself and an amazing live performer.”
Family-Friendly Day at Fringe Festival Sept. 20:
Saturday, Sept. 20:
Also that day, from 12:30 to 5 p.m., Street Beat – the regional hip-hop dance competition – will take place at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park along Chestnut Street.
Fringe Festival location and tickets
The 2025 ESL Rochester Fringe Festival will be centered at One Fringe Place, at the corner of Main Street and Gibbs Street, near the Eastman Theatre.
Tickets are available:
Compiled by Genae Shields
Learn more at www.rochesterfringe.com
For further details on these and all events, visit the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival website at www.rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/om
— Genae Shields is the business and development impact reporter working on mobility stories that dive into how people get around Rochester and its surrounding areas. As a member of the local community, Genae enjoys learning about newly emerging businesses and changes that impact Rochester’s BIPOC and LGBTQ neighborhoods. She also enjoys supporting local artists and nonprofit organizations. Contact Genae at gshields@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Rochester Fringe Festival 2025: Here’s a lineup of free events you can attend
Reporting by Genae Shields, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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