FEATURED EVENTS

Purple Foot Festival 2026 at Casa Larga Vineyards

Sunday, September 13, Casa Larga Vineyards celebrates 30 years of its beloved Purple Foot Festival with a full day of grape-stomping, music, food, wine, and family fun. Visitors can roll up their pants and stomp grapes the old-fashioned way, cheer on the grape pie eating contest, take vineyard wagon rides, enjoy winery tours and tastings, and browse artisan vendors. Live Rochester-area music, food trucks, craft breweries, and a Kid Zone with games and crafts round out the day. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door; guests under 21 are free with a paid adult.

Dates:

09/13/2026

11:00am - 5:00pm

Location:

Casa Larga Vineyards, 2287 Turk Hill Road, Fairport, NY 14450, United States

See map: Google Maps

Gabby’s Dollhouse MEOWseum Discovery Days at The Strong

September 4-6: Meet Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse*—the popular preschool-aged show—and enjoy themed activities each day that speak to the power of play and imagination: stories about Gabby and her kitty friends, a scavenger hunt, and crafts, including a kitty card, egg carton garden, kitty ears, and more. Complete a fun activity book filled with games, recipes, and activities and get grooving at cat-tastic dance parties! Gabby meet-and-greets are no additional charge, but require timed tickets for all guests, including those under 2.

Dates:

09/04/2026

09/05/2026

09/06/2026

9:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m.

Location:

The Strong National Museum of Play, Manhattan Square Drive, Rochester, NY 14607, United States

See map: Google Maps

Leaf Peeping Cruise (During Fairport Oktoberfest & Fairport Scarecrow Fest) on the Colonial Belle

Saturday, September 26th at 11:15AM. 45 minutes Join us for a short cruise during the Fairport Scarecrow Festival & Fairport Oktoberfest for your chance to see "Peeps" of the fall foliage on the Erie Canal from the water! Book EARLY! This cruise typically sells out well in advance!

Dates:

09/26/2026

11:15 am - 12:00 pm

Location:

Colonial Belle, Packetts Landing, Fairport, NY 14450, United States

See map: Google Maps

Cold Asia Awareness Day at Seneca Park Zoo

September 19th. Get ready for Animal experiences, Naturalist talks, keeper chats, and more! Spend the day exploring the Zoo, watching the animals in our care enjoy enrichment, and reconnecting with nature. It’s also ZooParent Day.

Dates:

09/19/2026

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location:

Seneca Park Zoo, Saint Paul Street, Rochester, NY, USA

See map: Google Maps

ESL Rochester Fringe Festival: Sleepytime Concert - The Hochstein School

Shh! Step out of the noise and daily busyness. Come to an oasis, where classical music will be performed on the quiet, gentle toy piano. Delight in hearing music of great composers on this tiny, magical instrument. Sit, lie down, dance! Perfect for the young, young-at-heart, and those who like quirky! Pianist Paula Rodney Bobb has performed on toy piano in concert with dancers and a Mozart concerto with the RPO.

Dates:

09/19/2026

11:30 am

Location:

50 N Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY

See map: Google Maps

The Great New York State Fair 2026

Join us at the 2026 Great New York State Fair! In the heart of New York, the 13-day Great New York State Fair is a celebration of delicious food, captivating exhibits, exciting entertainment, and unforgettable fun. As the oldest and most affordable state fair in the United States, it features a diverse array of animals, hundreds of attractions, thrilling midway rides, and performances by top entertainers. Whether you're a local, a visitor from across the country, or traveling from around the world, this iconic event offers something for everyone to enjoy.

Dates:

09/04/2026

09/05/2026

09/06/2026

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See website for details

Location:

New York State Fairgrounds, State Fair Boulevard, Syracuse, NY, USA

See map: Google Maps

Blackfriars Theatre presents EUREKA DAY

A raucous comedic rollercoaster in which social lines are drawn ... and then crossed with incendiary abandon. Eureka Day uses humanity and skewering rhetoric to ask the question of the century: How can we agree on a solution when we can't even agree on a reality?

Dates:

09/10/2026

09/11/2026

09/12/2026

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7:30pm, 2:00pm

Location:

Blackfriars Theatre, East Main Street, Rochester, NY, USA

See map: Google Maps

Auditions for Come from Away at Stages

Auditions for Stages’ production of Come From Away will be held Thursday, September 10, from 6–8 pm and Saturday, September 12, from 5–7 pm at the West Herr Performing Arts Center, 875 E. Main Street in Rochester; video auditions are due September 10 at 5 pm. Open to students in grades 6–12, this powerful musical tells the true story of the Newfoundland community that welcomed thousands of stranded airline passengers after September 11, 2001. Performers will receive musical theatre training in singing, movement, and character development, culminating in performances December 11–13. Auditions are by appointment only.

Dates:

09/10/2026

09/12/2026

Thursday 6pm-8pm, Saturday 5pm-7pm

Location:

A Magical Journey Thru Stages, East Main Street, Rochester, NY, USA

See map: Google Maps

Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise aboard the Colonial Belle (ages 13+)

Tuesday, September 8th, 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm. Who-Done-It? Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise An interactive murder mystery where you, the audience member, becomes part of solution. You will be part of the action as we figure out who did what as we cruise down the Erie Canal aboard Colonial Belle.

Dates:

09/08/2026

6:30-9 pm; board at 6:15 pm

Location:

Colonial Belle, Packetts Landing, Fairport, NY 14450, United States

See map: Google Maps

Fall Pumpkin Fun at Kelkenberg Farm

Princess PLUS superhero meet-and-greets are from 11am-1pm, courtesy of Emmalee’s Memories of Buffalo! The day will start with a story time at 10:30, then time to enjoy the farm in royal company! There’s no other time on the farm when we have more going on! Come get in on all of the fall fun, with pumpkin picking from our HUGE patch, hayrides, pony rides for children, corn pit, mountain slides, visiting with ALL of the farm animals, and many many more activities included with admission!

Dates:

09/12/2026

09/13/2026

09/14/2026

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Wed-Thurs 10-2, Fri, Sat, Sun & Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day 10-5

Location:

Kelkenberg Farm, Wolcott Road, Clarence Center, NY, USA

See map: Google Maps

Great Lakes Keychain Creature Craft

Drop-in Saturday, September 5th from 10-2pm at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center to make a Great Lakes Keychain Creature with Ranger Grace! Choose from a variety of Great Lakes species to make featuring a great egret, river otter, lake sturgeon, or brook trout! All instructions and materials will be provided. Date and Time: September 5th, drop in 10am-2pm Location: Iroquois NWR Visitor Center, 1101 Casey Rd. Basom NY 14013 No RSVP required.

Dates:

09/05/2026

10am-2pm

Location:

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Casey Rd, Alabama, NY, USA

See map: Google Maps

Fall Book Sale in the Barn & Open House at Hull Family Homestead

Come browse hundreds of gently used books at the threshing barn — and take a tour of the historic Hull House while you’re here! Bring a reusable bag and fill it with great reads. Most books are just $1–2!

Dates:

09/05/2026

09/06/2026

11 am - 3 pm

Location:

Hull Family Home & Farmstead, 5976 Genesee St, Lancaster, NY 14086, USA

See map: Google Maps

Enchanted Pumpkin Trail at the Buffalo Zoo!

Enter a magical world of larger-than-life jack-o’-lanterns at the Buffalo Zoo’s Enchanted Pumpkin Trail! Explore the Zoo in a whole new way this fall, featuring dozens of glowing pumpkin displays , access to Destination Dinosaur after dark hours, and more! Whether you are strolling through a magical fairy garden, exploring the jack-o’-lantern safari, or dancing among our skeleton mariachi band for Day of the Dead, there is something for everyone on our Enchanted Pumpkin Trail!

Dates:

09/10/2026

09/11/2026

09/13/2026

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6:30 - 10:30 pm

Location:

The Buffalo Zoo, 300 Parkside Ave, Buffalo, NY 14214, United States

See map: Google Maps

Rochester Red Wings vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Sept 7 & 9-13, 2026

The Rochester Red Wings are family-friendly baseball at its finest! Join us for this FINAL SEASON homestand as your Red Wings take on the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at ESL Ballpark! Game details for dates, times, and promotions are in the description.

Dates:

09/07/2026

09/09/2026

09/10/2026

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Varies by day, see list

Location:

Innovative Field, Morrie Silver Way, Rochester, NY, USA

See map: Google Maps

Kidz City’s 2026 Fall/Winter Sale

Kidz City’s Fall/Winter Sale is headed to Minnett Hall at the Dome Arena in Henrietta Sept 4–6. Shop Rochester’s largest kids/teens consignment sale and gear up for back‑to‑school + the cold months ahead.

Dates:

09/04/2026

09/05/2026

09/06/2026

Friday, September 4 10a-8p Saturday, September 5 10a-6p Sunday, September 6 10a-2p

Location:

The Dome Arena, East Henrietta Road, Henrietta, NY, USA

See map: Google Maps

Animal Tales Storytime with Joy the Goat! (Ages 3-5) - Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester

Grab your favorite picnic blanket and join us for a delightful morning of books, bleats, and farm-style fun! Animal Tales Storytime is heading outdoors for a special session with Lollypop Farm’s very own animal ambassador, Joy the Goat. This interactive program is a wonderful way for young children to connect with nature, enjoy a great story, and make a new farm friend.

Dates:

09/10/2026

10:00 am - 11:00 am

Location:

Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY 14450, United States

See map: Google Maps

ESL Rochester Fringe Festival: Miles Davis Animated - The Hochstein School

Miles Davis Animated brings the music of Miles Davis’ groundbreaking 1950s–60s era to life with a creative twist: animated visuals, expressive tap dance, and a powerhouse ensemble of performers. Audiences will be visually transported by larger-than-life cartoon illustrations from Dave Chisholm’s acclaimed graphic novel Miles Davis and the Search for the Sound. These evocative visuals, paired with bold musical improvisation and kinetic tap rhythms, create a multi-sensory experience that honors Miles’ artistry while reinventing it for new generations. Classic works from Miles Davis’ legendary catalog are interpreted by a stellar ensemble including trumpeter and cartoonist Dave Chisholm, pianist Greg Woodsbie, saxophonist Colin Gordon, bassist David Arenius, and drummer Aaron Staebell. Tap dancers Cheryl Johnson and Laurie Coles will animate the music with percussive rhythm and emotional nuance, transforming the stage into a living, breathing soundscape.

Dates:

09/19/2026

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm on September 19th & 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm on September 20th

Location:

50 N Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY

See map: Google Maps