Rochester Fringe Festival 2026: Your Pittsford Family Guide to the City's Biggest Cultural Event
The Short Version
- Circus in the City fills Parcel 5 for two free nights — September 18 and 19, 5 to 10 p.m. — with FLIP Fabrique, Circus EVO, and four other companies performing outdoors.
- Kids Day on September 26 is the cleanest entry point for Pittsford families: free Disco Kids, chalk art in the Spiegelgarden, and a full day of family-friendly programming.
- Pete Davidson performs one night only at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre on September 25 — the Fringe's biggest-name headliner this year.
- St. John Fisher University, based in Pittsford, is a returning higher education sponsor — this is a festival the Pittsford community helps make happen.
- Gospel Sunday on September 20 is free and draws standing-room crowds — Reverend Rickey Harvey of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church leads the afternoon, no ticket required.
The Rochester Fringe Festival 2026 is underway — 715+ performances at 45+ venues across downtown Rochester, running through September 26. The New York Times has called it "one of the country's more prominent multidisciplinary events." From Pittsford, it's a 20-minute drive, and there's more on the free calendar than most people realize.
What Is the Rochester Fringe Festival?
What Is the Rochester Fringe Festival?
Eleven days, more than 715 shows, 45+ venues across downtown Rochester. Ticketed productions share the calendar with free outdoor events, and the program spans circus to comedy to gospel. The Belgian Spiegeltent at One Fringe Place — corner of Main and Gibbs Streets — anchors the festival's biggest productions.
St. John Fisher University, based in Pittsford, is a returning higher education sponsor, helping bring more than 700 performances to dozens of downtown venues each September. That institutional connection gives this community a stake in the festival beyond the drive.
The Best Free Events for Pittsford Families
The Best Free Events for Pittsford Families
Circus in the City runs September 18–19 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Parcel 5 and Gibbs Street. Performers include FLIP Fabrique, Aloft, Circus EVO, Big Teeth Collective, and 3AM Theatre. Free, outdoors, two nights — the easiest Fringe event to plan around with kids.
Gospel Sunday on September 20 features Reverend Rickey Harvey of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. No ticket required, but arrive early — this event historically reaches standing-room capacity.
Kids Day is September 26, the final day of the Fringe. Free Disco Kids performances and chalk art run in the Spiegelgarden; pumpkin painting is available for a small fee. It's the fullest free day the festival offers for families, and the single best entry point for anyone coming from Pittsford with young kids.
Worth Getting Tickets For
Worth Getting Tickets For
Pete Davidson performs one night only at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre on Friday, September 25. He's the Fringe's biggest-name act this year — tickets move fast.
Cirque du Fringe: Anchors Away is a world-premiere circus production at the Spiegeltent, with a family-friendly matinee on Kids Day, September 26, for ages 5 and older. Pair it with the free Spiegelgarden programming if you're already downtown that afternoon.
Fringe Street Beat is a free all-styles dance battle at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park on September 26 — prelims 12:30 to 3 p.m., finals 3:30 to 5 p.m. No ticket needed; it fits naturally into a Kids Day afternoon.
How to Plan Your Visit From Pittsford
How to Plan Your Visit From Pittsford
The full schedule is at rochesterfringe.com and on the Fringe's iOS and Android app. Save shows and set reminders before you leave Pittsford. Parking near Eastman Theatre and Parcel 5 covers most of the festival footprint.
September 26 is the date to commit to. Kids Day free programming, the Cirque du Fringe matinee, and Fringe Street Beat finals all run the same afternoon. You're there and back before dinner.
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