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Discover firsts, favs and FUN.

15 Things You Didn't Know About Bigfoot

This satiric film resonates even more now because the “clickbait” world has only ballooned. “15 Things” follows a cynical reporter who treks into the Appalachian woods in search of the mythical Sasquatch. What, after all, could be a bigger news “get” and career affirmation than finding Bigfoot? Sure, the creature is the mysterious centerpiece of the search, but a wacky cryptozoologist steals the show.

Length: 86 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: Spiegelgarden
Genre: Visual Arts & Film

3AM Theatre

Join 3AM Theatre on the streets in the crepuscular hours of the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival as they bring contemporary circus performance straight to you. While you make your way to or from a show, make sure to stop by for an unforgettable 20 minutes of hand balancing, contortion archery, acrobatic juggling, tight wire work, and original music.

Length: 20 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: Gibbs Street (between Main & East)
Genre: Multidisciplinary & Circus

9th Avenue Street Circus

A duo performance featuring multiple circus skills simultaneously combined, forming a kinesthetic compilation far greater than the sum of its parts. Balancing, spinning, juggling, hula hooping, teetering on unstable surfaces—all at the same time! Geriatric acrobatics and audience participation, a multitasking marvel for family friendly fun in the Spiegelgarden.

Length: 180 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: Spiegelgarden
Genre: Multidisciplinary & Circus

The Ballad of Wallis Island

This charming British dramedy can tug at your heartstrings, but in all the right ways. Neither mawkish nor manipulative, it is the story of a folk duo, once a romantic couple, lured to the isolated Wallis Island for a performance. Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan portray the songsters, but Tim Key steals the film as the bumbling lottery winner who has brought them to Wallis Island.

Length: 100 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: Spiegelgarden
Genre: Visual Arts & Film

Banjos & Juggling: A World Vaudeville Adventure

Brian Tomaszewski blends banjo, guitar, live looping, juggling, percussion, and storytelling into a high-energy, one-man vaudeville adventure inspired by musical and performance traditions from around the world. Experience rhythms, languages, instruments, and vaudeville arts woven into a fast-paced theatrical journey where every live loop is created on the spot then deleted forever—making each performance unique.

Length: 60 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: The Little Theatre: Theatre 1
Genre: Music

Beatriz at Dinner

Fans of Mike White, the creator of “The White Lotus,” know that he sets his stories amid the privileged, contrasting entitlement with characters on lower economic rungs. This Mike White work is similar yet more pointed. Rochester-born John Lithgow portrays an uber-wealthy developer who, over a dinner, exchanges barbs with a working-class immigrant, portrayed by Salma Hayek. This could have fallen into one-dimensional messaging but offers nuance and depth.

Length: 82 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: Spiegelgarden
Genre: Visual Arts & Film

BELONG by Gianna Stewart

BELONG is composed of words deemed unsavory, or “woke” by the current U.S. administration. In 2025, organizations documented the removal of these words from government publications and websites. This triptych by Gianna Stewart incorporates PEN America’s list into the letters BELONG, also a censored word, showing the power of language and the importance of naming to prevent erasure. Here the words are presented openly, in public space, in direct opposition to their removal from public discourse.

Length: 1435 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: Rochester Contemporary Art Center: Side Lawn
Genre: Visual Arts & Film

Bennie Jaye "Polishing My Craft" Songs Set to Poems by Martha Kelch

Bennie Jaye performs songs set to poems written by her late partner, Martha Kelch, who passed away in 2020 leaving behind a stack of poems a foot tall and very few other material things. While many of Martha’s poems explore serious topics, her distinct voice and humor add levity and unexpected emotional twists. Fair do's: songs are of a sexual nature; you've been warned!

Length: 75 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: Biltmore Bar & Lounge
Genre: Music

Best Films! RIT School of Film and Animation

Enjoy the very best animation, fiction, documentary, and experimental films made by students during the 2025-2026 academic year and selected by the faculty of Rochester Institute of Technology’s famed School of Film and Animation. Witness the future of media in one evening of delightful and diverse entertainment from a new generation of film artists.

Length: 210 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: The Little Theatre: Theatre 1
Genre: Visual Arts & Film

Brick City Boppers Showcase

Immerse yourself in a show that will have your toes tapping and hands clapping with the Brick City Boppers! The Brick City Boppers are the members of RIT's swing dancing club. They regularly learn and practice Lindy Hop, a historically African American dance. With the club being active for over 25 years, they are excited to continue the tradition of leaving audiences in awe with their dynamic dance moves!

Length: 30 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: The Little Theatre: Theatre 1
Genre: Dance

A Capella Time with Eight Beat Measure and Vocal Accent

Join us for a lively hour of a cappella music featuring three of RIT’s standout vocal groups! The always entertaining Brick City Singers, known for their signature Hawaiian shirts, will kick things off with a mix of classic pop hits. Then, enjoy smooth jazz selections from Grace Note, RIT’s newest a cappella ensemble. The show wraps up with Proof of Purchase, RIT’s original co-ed group, delivering high-energy, feel-good tunes that are sure to leave you smiling.

Length: 45 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: The Little Theatre: Theatre 1
Genre: Music

A Capella Time with Proof of Purchase, Grace Notes and Kaminari

Experience the vibrant sounds of RIT’s a cappella scene as three dynamic groups take the stage! First is Encore, RIT’s first soprano/alto group, delivering everything from early 2000s hits to today’s pop favorites. Next up is Vocal Accent, another powerhouse soprano/alto group known for its bold blend of rock, soul, and modern pop. Closing out the evening is Kaminari, RIT’s only Japanese a cappella group, performing a unique and exciting mix of songs from across Japanese music genres.

Length: 45 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: The Little Theatre: Theatre 1
Genre: Music

A Capella Time with Surround Sound, Brick City Singers and Encore

Join us for a memorable evening of music featuring two of RIT’s standout a cappella groups! Eight Beat Measure, RIT’s original a cappella ensemble with over 30 years of history, will showcase a wide-ranging repertoire spanning multiple genres. Then, enjoy the rich harmonies of Surround Sound, RIT’s premier barbershop group, as they perform everything from barbershop classics to pop hits—and maybe even a Disney tune or two!

Length: 45 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: The Little Theatre: Theatre 1
Genre: Music

Captain America: Brave New World

A new cinematic Captain America is at the heart of this film but, let’s face it, having Harrison Ford find a spot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the real treat. It only makes sense that Indy Jones/Han Solo would be at home in a superhero world. Anthony Mackie, taking up the Cap America mantle, does so with his own swagger and style.

Length: 118 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: Spiegelgarden
Genre: Visual Arts & Film

Cardio Charleston

Come on out for a free cardio workout class where all the steps are classic moves from the Jazz Age! We’ll sweat it out while dancing to the hottest jazz of the early 20th century, doing the granddaddy of all dance crazes: the Charleston! If you've never tried authentic vernacular jazz dance, this is a fantastic way to get started. All kinds of dancers and movers and all fitness levels are welcome.

Length: 55 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: The Rose Room
Genre: Dance

Cirque 101 Workshop

Have you always wanted to run away and join the circus? Or maybe just learn some of those great circus skills? Here's your chance! You get to skip the hardships of living on the road! Who knows, maybe this will launch your own "cirque" career!? Ted Baumhauer of Red Tie Variety will host these two fun sessions on the basics of balancing and juggling. Come to either one or both sessions for beginners or intermediate jugglers!

Length: 45 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: Joseph Avenue Arts and Culture Alliance: Joseph Ave Arts @ Lincoln Library
Genre: Kids Fringe

Comedy Therapy

Welcome to Comedy Therapy, with your host Brandon WayOfTheLock Langill. A local comedian of the 585 Rochester area just making a name for himself in the comedy scene. He tells tales of his past and current life that only his therapist would know. Tales of his drunken father, or funny stories of his mother and siblings. Come join the fun and share some laughter and good vibes.

Length: 60 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: Photo City Music Hall: Photo City Music Hall - Front Stage
Genre: Comedy

Comics Art Slideshow

Comics on the big screen! Part performance and part visual art show! Hear from the artists themselves as they bring their comics to life with a slideshow. A slate of local comics artists with varied styles will read and perform their stories while accompanying art is projected on the big screen. The Comics Slideshow Reading has long been a favorite event at the Rochester Indie Comics Expo and now you can catch it at Fringe!

Length: 60 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: The Little Theatre: Theatre 1
Genre: Visual Arts & Film

Commotion Dance Theater and Friends

Dance, music, and poetry in the South Wedge: Dancers Ruben T. Ornelas, Alaina Olivieri, Nanako Horikawa Mandrino and Ryley St. Rose-Finear present whimsical dances to music by Mexican composers Manuel Ponce, Felipe Villanueva, and Silvestre Revueltas, performed live by Kevin Wang on piano, and Cynthia Qiyue He on violin. The show will also include “Mostly Red,” a dance theater work by Laurie MacFarlane performed to music by Dan Farkas.

Length: 60 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: The Rose Room
Genre: Multidisciplinary & Circus

Composers' Concert, Featuring Eastman Student Composers

From its inception in 1921, Eastman School of Music has been a center for music composition and for the performance of new and recent music. Made up entirely of music written by Eastman student composers, this concert features the best of tomorrow's household names, and is a celebration of the next generation of contemporary composers. The Composers’ Concert is free and open to the public!

Length: 75 Minutes
Tickets: Not Required
Venue: Eastman School of Music: Hatch Recital Hall
Genre: Music

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Dates

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Genres

Comedy
Dance
Kids Fringe
Multidisciplinary & Circus
Music
Spoken Word
Theatre
Visual Arts & Film

Accessibility

ASL Interpreted
Closed Captioned

Free Shows

Only Free Shows

Ages

All Ages
5 and Over
13 and Over
16 and Over
18 and Over
21 and Over
Mature Audiences
Family Friendly