What's Happening this Weekend in and around Rochester, NY
BeyondTheNest.com presents its calendar of things to do this weekend in and around Rochester, July 17-19, 2026: Shows, culture, recreation, festivals, sporting events, concerts, and more!
(Scroll down for full list of weekend activities.)
Friday, July 17, 2026
Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden - July 17-19, 2026 - Rochester, NY. Explore the first retrospective of prolific African American sculptor John Rhoden, highlighting his creative range and life story at the Memorial Art Gallery.
Edward Steichen and the Garden at the George Eastman Museum - July 17-19, 2026 - Rochester, NY. Discover how legendary photographer Edward Steichen’s passion for gardening shaped his views on art, nature, and creativity.
Picturing Equality: The Lambda Network at Kodak - July 17-19, 2026 - Rochester, NY. Learn how Kodak’s LGBTQ employee group transformed corporate culture through archival materials, photos, video, and oral histories at the George Eastman Museum.
Rashid Johnson: The Hikers - July 17-19, 2026 - Rochester, NY. Experience a powerful seven-minute video about chance encounter, anxiety, and platonic connection between two masked Black men in the Colorado mountains.
Rochester Red Wings vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp - July 17-19, 2026 - Rochester, NY. Enjoy family-friendly Triple-A baseball at ESL Ballpark with evening games Friday and Saturday and a Sunday late-afternoon matchup.
Lunch and Erie Canal Lock 32 Cruise aboard Sam Patch - July 17-19, 2026 - Pittsford, NY. Cruise the historic Erie Canal with live narration through a working lock, scenic views, and an optional onboard lunch.
RPO: Windborne’s Music of Led Zeppelin - July 17, 2026 - Rochester, NY. Hear the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra power through Led Zeppelin’s iconic catalog in a one-night-only symphonic rock concert at Kodak Center.
Live Music Cruise aboard Riverie - July 17, 2026 - Rochester, NY. Sail the Genesee River and Erie Canal at sunset while local musicians perform live, ending with a stunning view of the Rochester skyline.
Block Buster Watch & Build Movie Night - July 17, 2026 - Fairport, NY. Watch “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” and build a custom mini Black Pearl kit, with popcorn included at Bricks ROC!.
George Eastman Award Event with Octavia Spencer - July 17, 2026 - Rochester, NY. Attend a special screening of “Hidden Figures” at the Dryden Theatre, preceded by a conversation with award honoree Octavia Spencer.
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Scenic River and Canal Cruise aboard Riverie - July 18-19, 2026 - Rochester, NY. Relax on a narrated cruise along the Genesee River and Erie Canal, learning how these waterways helped shape the Rochester region.
Erie Canal Lock 32 Cruise aboard Sam Patch - July 18-19, 2026 - Pittsford, NY. Step back in time on a canal boat tour with live narration and a passage through Lock 32 highlighting the Erie Canal’s role in opening the American West.
General Admission – GCV&M’s 2026 Season - July 18-19, 2026 - Mumford, NY. Spend the day exploring the Genesee Country Village & Museum’s 19th-century Historic Village, farms, and community buildings.
Free Admission to RMSC for Active Duty Military and Families - July 18-19, 2026 - Rochester, NY. Active duty service members and up to five family members receive free entry to all RMSC locations as part of the Blue Star Museums program.
Unearth a Story: Summer Reading - July 18-19, 2026 - Penfield, NY. Join Penfield Public Library’s all-ages summer reading program featuring special events, activities, and prizes.
Destination Dinosaur at the Buffalo Zoo - July 18-19, 2026 - Buffalo, NY. Walk a dino trail with life-size animatronic dinosaurs, fossil dig activities, photo ops, and daily educational shows.
Forbidden Fruits: After-Hours Tours - July 18, 2026 - Mumford, NY. Take an evening guided tour at Genesee Country Village & Museum exploring 19th-century love letters, courtship customs, and Victorian-era romance.
Fur, Feathers, and Fins Exhibit at Image City - July 18-19, 2026 - Rochester, NY. View a large group photography exhibition celebrating animals of all kinds at Image City Photography Gallery.
Sunday, July 19, 2026
BioBlitz 2026 - July 19, 2026 - Naples, NY. Help document biodiversity at RMSC Cumming Nature Center by joining a citizen science effort to identify local plants and wildlife.
Fur, Feathers, and Fins (Second Exhibit) - July 19, 2026 - Rochester, NY. Experience another extensive animal-themed photography exhibit, with creative and traditional images of wildlife and companion animals at Image City Photography Gallery.