Things To Do in Rochester MN in September 2026
Crisp air, turning leaves, and a calendar packed with live music, theater, festivals, and community. Early fall in the Med City is worth showing up for.
September 2026 Events
A 100th-anniversary celebration built for a barn — featuring a concert by Nicholas David alongside a wine tasting. History Center events carry a distinct Rochester character, and this one sounds like a genuine milestone night worth catching in person.
The kickoff event for Recovery Month 2026 — a free, welcoming gathering with a free lunch and Flapdoodles ice cream. A low-key way to show up for the Rochester recovery community. Open to everyone.
A nostalgia-packed touring concert bringing the chart-topping artists of the 1960s and 70s to the Mayo Civic Center stage. If classic AM radio is your world, this lineup was assembled specifically for you — and the Civic Center is one of the better rooms in the region to hear it in.
A casual, free night of book trivia and BINGO with blind-date book prizes up for grabs. Grab a pint, show up with your best obscure literary knowledge, and see what happens. Free entry, open to all.
A creative paint night supporting the Channel One Food Bank through the Empty Bowls fundraiser. You paint a bowl, the money goes to hunger relief in our community. Meaningful, hands-on, and genuinely worth a Tuesday night.
A live stand-up comedy night showcasing a fresh regional lineup in one of Rochester’s best food and bar spaces. The Workshop is a legitimately great venue for this kind of event — expect solid sets and a lively room.
MPR’s The Current brings their popular Happy Hours session to Rochester, hosted by Zach McCormick with live guest Blessing Jolie. Public, free, and the kind of intimate live music moment that doesn’t land in Rochester nearly enough. Don’t sleep on this one.
One of Rochester’s most dependable fall traditions. A full day of crafts, candle rolling, carnival games, and indoor and outdoor nature activities for the whole family. The leaves will be starting to turn and Quarry Hill will be exactly what you want it to be.
The concept is simple: local performers are deliberately cast in roles they have absolutely no business playing. The result is consistently one of the most entertaining and chaotic nights Rochester’s theater scene produces all year. The Rep does this well.
Opening night of the hit contemporary stage musical based on the iconic film, brought to life by the Rochester Civic Theatre. On Wednesdays we wear pink. Catch it from the very first performance on September 18th.
