π Events & Things To Do in Rochester, MN
March 2026 Guide β The Med City Comes Alive This Spring
March is a great month to get out and explore Rochester, Minnesota. From a massive multi-venue music festival to home shows, local food tradeshows, fiber arts exhibitions, and outdoor nature programs β there’s something for everyone in the Med City. Below is your complete guide to verified events happening in Rochester, MN in March 2026, listed in chronological order.
ποΈ March 2026 Events β Chronological
π³ First Saturday Nature Program β Quarry Hill Nature Center
Quarry Hill Nature Center hosts a free monthly nature program on the first Saturday of each month. These relaxed, drop-in programs are a great opportunity to connect with southeast Minnesota’s natural world alongside knowledgeable naturalist staff. All programming is free and open to ages 15 and up.
π Location: Quarry Hill Nature Center, 701 Silver Creek Road NE, Rochester, MN 55906
π Phone: (507) 328-3950
π° Cost: Free
Visit Quarry Hill Website* Schedules may vary. Please verify directly with Quarry Hill Nature Center before attending.
π¨ Celebrations in Fiber β Rochester Art Center
The Zumbro River Fiber Arts Guild presents Celebrations in Fiber, an immersive exhibition inviting visitors to discover the artistry behind fibers that shape our world. Featuring colorful, hands-on displays including a beloved giant waterfall installation, this show is popular with families and art lovers of all ages. The Rochester Art Center is located in the heart of downtown Rochester.
π Location: Rochester Art Center, 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904
π Phone: (507) 722-2552
β° Hours: Check website for current gallery hours
View Exhibition Detailsπ Rochester Home & Lifestyles Show
Rochester’s premier home improvement show returns for 2026! Browse hundreds of exhibitors covering remodeling, landscaping, interior design, home dΓ©cor, outdoor living, and more. Whether you’re planning a renovation or just looking for inspiration, this is the place to connect with local contractors and home service professionals.
π Location: Graham Arena Complex, Rochester, MN
π Hours: Friday, March 13: 2 PM β 7 PM | Saturday, March 14: 10 AM β 6 PM | Sunday, March 15: 10 AM β 3 PM
π Contact: Rochestermnshows@gmail.com | (507) 387-7469
π° Cost: Check website for admission details
Visit Show Websiteπ₯ FEAST! Local Foods Tradeshow β Mayo Civic Center
The FEAST! Local Foods Tradeshow is an industry-focused event bringing together regional food businesses, entrepreneurs, technical assistance providers, and wholesale buyers. Regional food producers apply to attend and use this event to connect with fellow food entrepreneurs and buyers in the southeast Minnesota market. It’s a showcase of the vibrant local food economy in the Rochester region.
π Location: Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN
βΉοΈ Note: This is an industry-focused tradeshow event. Check the FEAST! website for attendance eligibility and details.
Visit FEAST! Websiteπ΅ Rochester Thaw Music Festival β Year 5!
Rochester’s wildly popular one-day winter music festival is back for its fifth year! The Thaw takes over downtown Rochester with 30 live performances spread across 7 stages at multiple venues throughout the city. The 2026 lineup features Them Coulee Boys, Nur-D, Jillian Rae, Dakotah Faye, Sleeping Jesus, and many more. All ages are welcome at this action-packed community celebration of live music.
π Location: Multiple venues throughout Downtown Rochester, MN (including Historic Chateau Theatre and others)
π Time: 3:00 PM β 11:00 PM
ποΈ Tickets: Available online β tiered pricing structure (check website for current pricing)
π¨βπ©βπ§ Ages: All Ages
Get Tickets Chateau Theatre Infoβ³ Rochester Golf Expo β Tim Hortons Iceplex
Get ready for golf season at Rochester’s annual Golf Expo! Browse interactive booths from golf retailers, course operators, and equipment vendors. The event features family golfing fun and kids’ activities β a great way to shake off winter and start thinking about your golf game. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just getting started, the Golf Expo has something for you.
π Location: Tim Hortons Iceplex, Rochester, MN
βΉοΈ Note: Event schedules and admission may vary. Verify details with organizers before attending.
βοΈ St. Patrick’s Day in Rochester β March 17, 2026
Rochester knows how to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! From a beloved annual bagpipe pub crawl to bar crawls, family-friendly history events, and Irish food and drink specials at downtown restaurants, March 17th is a full day of festivities. Here’s what to expect in 2026.
πΊ Rochester Caledonian Pipe Band β Annual Parade of Pubs
One of Rochester’s most beloved St. Patrick’s Day traditions! The Rochester Caledonian Pipe Band β a community pipe band with over 50 years of history β loads up and marches through Rochester all day long, performing rousing sets of hornpipes and reels at 11 pubs and restaurants across the city. They typically begin at Beetle’s around 11:30 AM and wind through stops at bars and eateries throughout the day, ending at Whistle Binkies on the Lake in the evening. No tickets required β just follow the sound of the bagpipes!
π Location: Multiple bars and restaurants throughout Rochester, MN
π Start Time: Approximately 11:30 AM (schedule varies annually)
π° Cost: Free to watch β just show up!
βΉοΈ Tip: Follow the band’s Facebook page for the confirmed 2026 pub stop schedule closer to the date.
Rochester Caledonian Pipe Band Info* This is an annual tradition. 2026 pub stop schedule will be announced closer to St. Patrick’s Day. Verify with the band before attending.
πΊ Official St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl β Downtown Rochester
The Official St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl returns to Rochester for 2026! Explore the best bars in town with exclusive drink specials, holiday-themed beverages, and a lively crowd dressed in green. Tickets include free entry at all bars, mid-party, and an after party. Participants receive a wristband and map at registration.
π Location: Multiple downtown Rochester bars and venues
π Age Requirement: Must be 21+ with valid ID
ποΈ Tickets: Available at PubCrawls.com
βΉοΈ Note: Drink responsibly. Participating venues and times are subject to change.
Get Tickets β PubCrawls.comπ St. Patrick’s Day at Olde Brick House β Rochester’s Irish Pub
Olde Brick House is Rochester’s own traditional Irish pub, located in the heart of downtown across from Mayo Clinic with dΓ©cor straight from Dublin. On St. Patrick’s Day, it’s the place to be β expect food specials including corned beef and cabbage, fish and chips, Guinness stew, and reubens, plus drink specials, giveaways, live bagpipers, and live music. An annual Rochester tradition!
π Location: Downtown Rochester, MN (across from Mayo Clinic)
βΉοΈ Note: Specific 2026 specials and entertainment will be announced closer to the date. Check their social media for updates.
St. Patrick’s Day Guide β Experience RochesterποΈ Downtown Rochester St. Patrick’s Day Specials
Every St. Patrick’s Day, downtown Rochester’s bars and restaurants go green with food and drink specials. Past years have featured green beer, Irish cocktails, corned beef specials, and festive menus at spots throughout the city. Parking is free after 5 PM on weekdays and all weekend long in downtown Rochester, making it easy to hop between venues.
π Location: Downtown Rochester, MN
βΉοΈ Tip: Check the Downtown Rochester MN website and individual restaurant social pages closer to March 17 for the confirmed 2026 specials lineup.
Downtown Rochester MNπ» Kilbourn Concert Series: Caroline Shaw & SΕ Percussion (feat. Ringdown)
The prestigious Kilbourn Concert Series presents a world-class performance by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and performer Caroline Shaw alongside acclaimed ensemble SΕ Percussion, featuring Ringdown. This is a remarkable opportunity to experience boundary-pushing contemporary classical and chamber music in Rochester. Kilbourn Hall at Eastman Theatre is one of the finest acoustic venues in the region.
π Location: Kilbourn Hall, Eastman Theatre, Rochester, MN
π Time: 7:30 PM
ποΈ Tickets: Check website for ticket availability and pricing
Experience Rochester EventsποΈ Year-Round Attractions in Rochester, MN
π₯ Mayo Clinic
The world-renowned Mayo Clinic is Rochester’s most iconic institution. Visitors are welcome to explore the public areas of the campus, including impressive architecture and public art. The Plummer Building and its historic tower are worth a walk-through.
π³ Quarry Hill Nature Center
Free year-round nature exploration at 701 Silver Creek Road NE. With miles of trails, a natural history museum, live animals, and seasonal programming, Quarry Hill is a Rochester gem for all ages. Open MondayβSaturday 9 AMβ4 PM, Sunday 12β4 PM.
π¨ Rochester Art Center
Located at 30 Civic Center Drive SE, the Rochester Art Center features rotating exhibitions, family programming, and community events. In March, catch the Celebrations in Fiber exhibition running through March 31.
ποΈ History Center of Olmsted County
Explore the rich history of Rochester and Olmsted County at this comprehensive local history museum. Located at 1195 West Circle Drive SW, Rochester, MN 55902.
π Historic Chateau Theatre
A beautiful 1927 landmark venue in downtown Rochester hosting concerts, community events, dance nights, and more throughout the year. Check their calendar for ongoing programming beyond the Thaw Festival. View their event calendar.
The Inventor’s Velocity
Digital Marketing, Websites & AI Solutions
Helping Rochester & Minnesota businesses grow online with expert WordPress development, local SEO, and digital strategy.
Contact Us Todayβ οΈ Events and schedules are subject to change. Please verify with organizers before attending.
Content verified February 2026 | © 2026 rochestermnbusinesslist.com
