The 15th annual Rochester Fringe Festival will return to downtown this fall with a dense program of more than 715 acts across 12 days, organizers announced Tuesday. The festival runs Sept. 15–26, and organizers say the schedule includes new outdoor programming, returning favorites in the Spiegeltent and a headlining performance by comedian and former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Pete Davidson at Kodak Hall on Sept. 25.
New outdoor circus and neighborhood showcases
For the first time in New York state, the Fringe will stage a large-scale, multi-day outdoor circus series billed as "Circus in the City". The free program will run for the duration of the festival with performances concentrated along Gibbs Street and Parcel 5, bringing high-energy street shows into the heart of downtown.
Festival organizers are also working with the City of Rochester to highlight downtown and near-downtown spaces that are newer or less used as performance venues, including Austin Steward Plaza and the International Plaza. The aim is to spread activity across the neighborhood and create more opportunities for casual foot traffic and pop-up performances.
- Dates: Sept. 15–26 (12 days)
- Acts: more than 715
- Headliner: Pete Davidson at Kodak Hall, Sept. 25
- New feature: "Circus in the City" outdoor series on Gibbs Street to Parcel 5
Spiegeltent, returning shows and local musicians
The festival’s signature Spiegeltent returns as a centerpiece venue and will host internationally known productions as well as Fringe staples. Among the offerings is a one-night presentation of a long-running Edinburgh Fringe favorite:
"A Young Man Dressed as a Gorilla Dressed as an Old Man Sits Rocking in a Rocking Chair for Fifty-Six Minutes and Then Leaves."
Fans of familiar formats will see the return of Shotspeare, which this year stages an adaptation of Othello with an unconventional, alcohol-themed twist. The festival will close with a city-focused celebration of local music: "ROC'ing the Streets" is planned for the final day, featuring pop-up performances downtown.
What this means for Rochester
With hundreds of acts and expanded outdoor programming, the Fringe is likely to increase pedestrian activity and demand for nearby restaurants, hotels and retail, particularly around Kodak Hall and the Parcels downtown. The combination of free outdoor attractions and ticketed headline events is designed to draw both local residents and visitors for staggered attendance throughout the run.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Festival length | 12 days (Sept. 15–26) |
| Number of acts | More than 715 |
| Headliner | Pete Davidson — Kodak Hall, Sept. 25 |
| Free outdoor series | "Circus in the City" on Gibbs Street to Parcel 5 |
Tickets for ticketed shows are on sale now. Organizers encourage attendees to plan travel and lodging early, and to check the festival schedule for venue-specific details and free-event timing.
As Rochester prepares for the September run, the festival’s blend of international acts, local performers and new public programming aims to knit the downtown scene tighter while offering accessible arts experiences across the city.
