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Things to Do in Rochester, MN in October 2026
Welcome to the ultimate autumn guide by Rochester MN Business List! As the leaves turn vibrant shades of amber and gold, Rochester, Minnesota, comes alive with a diverse lineup of local entertainment, community festivals, family-friendly gatherings, and cultural performances. Whether you are a long-time resident planning your weekends or a visitor exploring what our local businesses and venues have to offer, October 2026 has something special for everyone.
Venues & Entertainment
Dining & Social
Parks & Nature
🎃 Your October Events Lineup 🎃
October 1
⏱ 10:30 AM
Preschool Dance Party
📍 Rochester Public Library Auditorium — 101 2nd St SE, Rochester, MN
Get your toddlers and preschoolers moving in this high-energy, 30-minute non-stop dance party. It’s a wonderful, free indoor community event hosted by the public school and library system to promote physical activity and socialization for early learners.
October 2
⏱ 4:30 PM
Family Lego® Night!
📍 Rochester Public Library Auditorium — 101 2nd St SE, Rochester, MN
Bring the whole family out for a creative evening of building. The library provides an immense collection of interlocking plastic Lego bricks, giving kids and parents alike a chance to build imaginative structures together.
⏱ 6:30 PM
Spooky Season Candle Making
📍 Art Heads Emporium — 321 Broadway Ave S, Rochester, MN
Kick off the spooky season with a hands-on crafting experience. Attendees will be guided through pouring custom soy candles, choosing between black or white wax, unique wicks, dried florals, and citrus. Choose from a curated selection of thrifted vessels or bring your own heat-safe cup.
⏱ 9:00 PM
Rhino Live at the North Star Bar
📍 The North Star Bar — 503 N Broadway Ave, Rochester, MN
Perfect for an adult night out with friends, Rhino — a popular four-piece Twin Cities band — brings a full-sensory performance to Rochester. Expect an energetic blend of ’80s nostalgia, alternative rock, modern hits, and unexpected country transitions that will keep you dancing all night.
October 3
⏱ 6:00 PM
Shabby Road Orchestra: The Beatles Tribute
📍 Historic Chateau Theatre — 15 1st St SW, Rochester, MN
Enjoy an elegant nighttime cultural experience at the historic downtown theatre. The Shabby Road Orchestra, a large and talented instrumental ensemble, will perform a dedicated selection of the finest music from the Beatles. This event is highly recommended for couples and families alike.
October 4
⏱ 1:00 PM
Jerry DeCaire Presents: The Superhero Comic in ‘Real’-Time
📍 Rochester Public Library Auditorium — 101 2nd St SE, Rochester, MN
Marvel Comics artist Jerry DeCaire, known for his work on iconic characters like Deadpool, Wolverine, and Thor, hosts a live-drawing performance and educational workshop. Watch the comic book creation process unfold from scratch. Demo drawings will be given away to attendees for free!
October 7
⏱ 5:30 PM
Mozart After Hours
📍 Historic Chateau Theatre — 15 1st St SW, Rochester, MN
Unwind mid-week with a touch of classical mastery. This kid-friendly, couple-approved evening event brings the timeless compositions of Mozart into the atmospheric, warm lighting of the Chateau Theatre for a relaxed community culture night.
October 10
⏱ 8:30 AM
Rochester’s Fall Craft, Vendors & Boutiques Shopping Event
📍 RCTC Fieldhouse — 851 30th Ave SE, Rochester, MN
Get a head start on your autumn and holiday shopping! This massive trade event features over 150 local vendors, crafters, and independent boutiques showcasing unique handmade goods, decorations, and treats. Admission is entirely free, and the day includes door prizes and music.
⏱ 10:00 AM
Saturday Storytime With Craft and Snack
📍 History Center of Olmsted County — 1195 W Circle Dr, Rochester, MN
Ideal for local families, this free weekend morning session provides an engaging storytime experience at the local museum. Children can enjoy a light snack alongside a hands-on, interactive craft project to take home.
⏱ 6:00 PM
SEMYO It’s Instrumental: An Evening of Chamber Music
📍 Historic Chateau Theatre — 15 1st St SW, Rochester, MN
Support young local musicians at the annual Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras (SEMYO) chamber music showcase. Enjoy an exquisite evening of instrumental talent in the beautiful acoustics of the historic theater.
⏱ 9:00 PM
The Brianna Rae Band
📍 The North Star Bar — 503 N Broadway Ave, Rochester, MN
Having graced massive stages like Summerfest and the Minnesota State Fair, The Brianna Rae Band is bringing their high-energy nostalgic rock setlist to Rochester. Get ready for a night of late ’90s and 2000s singalong anthems.
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October 14
⏱ 6:00 PM
Puzzle & Game Night
📍 Historic Chateau Theatre — 15 1st St SW, Rochester, MN
Tabletop and puzzle lovers can converge for the final installment of this popular community social series. All skill levels are welcome to drop in, make new connections, and enjoy an assortment of board games in a relaxed atmosphere.
⏱ 7:00 PM
An Evening with Skye Peterson and Thomas Austin
📍 Trinity Presbyterian Church — 2577 Schaeffer Lane NE, Rochester, MN
This church-hosted community event features Nashville singer-songwriter Skye Peterson (voted “Best Christian Album” by The Gospel Coalition) alongside theo-folk musician Thomas Austin. The concert is free to the public, with a free-will offering collected at the venue.
October 15
⏱ All Day
Super Mario Party!
📍 Rochester Public Library — 101 2nd St SE, Rochester, MN
A lively public celebration inspired by the famous video game franchise. This all-ages library event swaps screens for creative analog board games, interactive challenges, and physical mini-games that guarantee temporary power-up fun for children and parents alike.
⏱ 6:00 PM
Paint Your Pet POP Art Class
📍 This is Food Union Cheese Shop — 900/1300 Salem Rd SW, Rochester, MN
Combine your love of art and fine food! Send in photos of your pet ahead of time to receive a personalized canvas outline, then spend the evening creating a vibrant pop-art masterpiece. Tickets include all necessary supplies, light snacks, and a glass of local wine.
October 16
⏱ 3:00 PM — 4:00 PM Entry Window
1st Annual Downtown Burgers & Brews Get Together
📍 Peace Plaza — Downtown Rochester, MN (in partnership with The Kahler Grand Hotel)
Foodies rejoice! This premier outdoor tasting experience brings together five local restaurants crafting unique burger concepts alongside five featured regional craft breweries. Take part in backyard games like cornhole, listen to live music, and cast your vote for “People’s Choice Best Burger.” A portion of all ticket sales goes directly to supporting the Ronald McDonald House of Southeastern Minnesota.
October 23
⏱ 9:30 PM
Caster Volor: Industrial Rock Spectacle
📍 The North Star Bar — 503 N Broadway Ave, Rochester, MN
Minneapolis shock-rockers Caster Volor are bringing an over-the-top, vaudevillian-inspired theatrical production to Rochester. Melding heavy metal riffs with immersive props, gritty anthems, and unexpected rock covers, this 21+ adult event features no cover charge.
October 24
⏱ 10:30 AM
Magic and Marionettes with Jim Jayes
📍 Rochester Public Library Auditorium — 101 2nd St SE, Rochester, MN
Bring out the little ones for an enchanting, colorful morning performance featuring Jim Jayes and his incredible dancing marionettes. Packed with lighthearted magic tricks, upbeat music, and plenty of laughs, it’s a great free way to spend a chilly October Saturday.
⏱ 11:00 AM
Ridgefest 2026: Trunk-or-Treat & Fall Festival
📍 Autumn Ridge Church — 3611 Salem Rd SW, Rochester, MN
Celebrate the height of autumn with Ridgefest! This expansive, free community event offers a safe trunk-or-treat neighborhood candy loop alongside classic fall festival games, outdoor family activities, and great food trucks.
🎃 Have a Winter Event Coming Up?
Are you a business owner or event organizer looking to get your upcoming winter festivities highlighted on Rochester’s premier business network? Submit your event or business details directly to our community registry to stay on the radar of thousands of local shoppers and residents!
Submit Your EventEvent Disclaimer
Rochester MN Business List does not list every local event. Details including dates, times, and locations may change. We have no affiliation with event organizers or venues. Always verify information directly with the event host before attending. To submit an event or report a change, visit tiv360.com/contact-the-inventors-velocity/. Content confirmed September 2026.
