Entertainment Alternatives in Rochester, NY

Rochester has developed a number of festivals that celebrate the many aspects of Rochester life, and most of which occur between late spring and all throughout summer. These include the Rochester International Jazz Festival, established in 2002; the Corn Hill Festival (arts, crafts, and food in this historic Third Ward neighborhood); the Rochester-High Falls International Film Festival (held at the George Eastman House's Dryden Theatre and the Little Theatre downtown); the Image Out/Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (also held at the Little Theatre); the Clothesline Art Festival (artists from the region display their works on the grounds of the Memorial Art Gallery); the Park Avenue Merchants Festival; the Lilac Festival at Highland Park (world famous for its lilac bushes); the Rose Festival at Historic Maplewood Park; the annual Greek Festival on East Avenue; the Rochester Music Festival; and the Cold Rush Winter Celebration (celebrating the wide variety of winter sports in the Rochester area).

During the summer, and especially on the 4th of July, downtown after dark is lit up with fireworks and a laser show at the High Falls Entertainment venue.

Rochester has eight professional sports teams. The Rochester Red Wings baseball club, the AAA affiliates of the Minnesota Twins, play in the International League. The Rochester Americans ice hockey team, the AHL affiliate for the NHL Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers, are commonly known as the "Amerks". The Rochester Raging Rhinos soccer club plays in the USL First Division, which is the second-highest level American soccer league. Rochester is the only city with at least seven current professional teams, all with lifetime winning regular season records.