About Public Market special events
Every year, the City of Rochester Public Market hosts 40 days of free-admission special events, in addition to the regular year-round shopping days!
These special events range from series to single events; some events have been going on for decades, and we're often adding new ones.
Upcoming Events
Market Days at International Plaza
At 828 North Clinton Avenue, the International Plaza is an exciting, Latin-themed event space and marketplace. It features a variety of vendors and vending options, ranging from pop-up tents and carts to more permanent locations housed in creatively converted, re-purposed shipping-containers, a performance pavilion, dedicated restrooms, and a service/storage building.
The International Plaza provides a community gathering space to celebrate and build on the tremendous arts and cultural assets of the surrounding neighborhood.
More Public Market events
Scroll on to learn about Public Market special events for 2025!
Note: each special event that offers opportunities for vendors will have links to vendor information and application packets on the event's dedicated web page.
Gospel Jubilee
Last Sunday in July (4:30-7:00 p.m.)
2025 Date: Sunday, July 27
Organized for over a decade for the last Sunday in July by Rochester's Elim Sanctuary Choir, this annual event features inspirational music groups from around the region and nation.
Food trucks and stands, activities for kids add to the feast for this Sunday feast for the senses and make Gospel Jubilee an awesome annual Sunday tradition at the Market!
Veterans Outreach Center Stand Down Event
A Friday in September (11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.)
2025 Date: Friday, September 12
This new annual Market event, organized by the Veterans Outreach Center, gives veterans the opportunity to connect with employers and service providers for anything they might need — all in one place.
Artist Row
A Sunday in September (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
2025 Date: Sunday, September 21
Produced annually by the Friends of the Rochester Public Market, Artist Row truly showcases the creativity of our community, with over 200 (!) local artists showing and selling just about every possible art medium!
This annual September event also features food trucks, food stands, and local live music, interactive arts and crafts activities for children and families, and more!
For more information, visit www.artistrowrochester.com or call 585-428-7292, email Marketfriends@marketfriends.org.
Oktoberfest
A Friday in September (5:00-10:00 p.m.)
2025 Date: Friday, September 19
A newer annual event in the Market's special event lineup, Oktoberfest celebrates the advent of autumn with German food, beer, live music, cultural performances, games, and more for the whole family!
Offered in collaboration with Rohrbach's Brewing Company, a prominent presence in the Market Business District.
Learn More: Oktoberfest at the Market
Italian American Heritage Day
A Sunday in October (11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.)
2025 Date: Sunday, October 5
In Rochester, the first Sunday of October is Italian Heritage Day-- and features a big bash at the Market! With food, live music, and interactive cultural activities for the whole family, this event offers a cornucopia of authentic Italian and Italian-American experiences!
Halloween at the Market
Sunday before Halloween
(4:30-7:00 p.m.)
2025 Date: October 26
Held the Sunday before Halloween each year, free-admission Halloween at the Market provides an extra, bonus dress-up and trick-or-treat opportunity for families.
Vendor sheds at the Market are filled with dozens of community organizations that provide valuable information about their programs and services to families, along with the sweets!
The trick-or-treating is supplemented by food stands, interactive and participatory performances, hayrides, and more!
Learn more: Halloween at the Market
Holidays at the Market
Three Sundays (8 a.m. - 2 p.m.) and one Thursday eve (6 - 9 p.m.)
2025 Dates:
- Sundays
- November 30
- December 7
- December 14
- Thursday
- December 18
A Rochester holiday tradition for over 25 years, Holidays at the Market features dozens of vendors purveying holiday essentials such as trees, wreaths and decorations; shoppers will also find a huge volume and variety of holiday foods, crafts, gift items, and more.
Visits with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides around the Market and Market District, cookie decorating, a hotly contested Holiday Cookie Baking Contest, and even more offerings all combine to create a wonderful holiday tradition for Rochesterians and their families!
Community Garage Sales
12 Sundays from April through October (7:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.).
2025 Dates: April 13, April 27, June 8, June 22, July 6, July 20, August 3, August 17, August 31, September 14, September 28, October 12
From spring through fall each year, the City of Rochester Public Market hosts a bunch of Sunday community garage sales (or "flea markets") that offer buckets of bargains on everything from furniture to clothing; collectibles to jewelry; artwork to trinkets... all in one location! During Community Garage Sale seasons, stop by the Market every other Sunday for deals upon deals on just about every imaginable item!
Learn more: Community Garage Sales & Superfleas
Flower City Days
Six days in late May; four Sundays and Friday & Monday of Memorial Day weekend (8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.)
2025 Dates: Sundays - May 11, May 18, May 25, and June 1; Friday, May 23;
Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day)
The Public Market comes alive in May and June with its legendary horticultural sales--row upon row of annuals, perennials, shrubs and garden ornamentation sold by dozens upon dozens of established horticultural producers. This immense offering of garden goodies is hugely popular after a long Rochester winter! Come with your garden questions and get answers from Cornell Cooperative Extension's Master Gardeners. Bring plant containers, and take some home, through our give-take plant container exchange program! Cafes and coffee shops are also open on the Market and in the surrounding Market District during Flower City Days events. Free admission.
Learn more: Flower City Days
Food Truck Rodeos
Last Wednesday of every month, April through September (5:00-9:00 p.m.)
2025 Dates: April 30, May 28, June 25, July 30, August 27 and September 24
Food Truck Rodeos at the Market are a huge Rochester tradition.
These massive mobile mangia fests often bring over 30 of our community's creative mobile cuisine establishments to the Market on the last Wednesday night of the month, April through September. Local brews and bands add to the flavor and fun. Free admission--bring your own folding chairs and tables!
Learn more: Food Truck Rodeos
Bands on the Bricks
Fridays in July and August (6:00-10:00 p.m.)
2025 Dates: July 11, July 18, July 25, August 1, August 8, and August 15
One of Rochester's most popular free concert series, Bands on the Bricks proves that the Rochester Public Market isn't just for morning people! Local and national acts make the Market party central on several Friday nights each summer. Food trucks, food stands, and sometimes arts and crafts vendors make for a great night out at the Market!
Learn more: Bands on the Bricks
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