Rochester’s 26 hottest food events for the summer of 2025: See the list

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Buckle up and/or unbuckle your belts: it’s time for another summer of festivals and other food-focused happenings around Rochester. Here’s a rundown of some of the more noteworthy events for the summer months.

These are listed in chronological order; if the events are held on multiple dates, they are listed on the first date of the series.

Food truck rodeos

Food truck rodeos are held from 5 to 9 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month at the Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union St and feature live music. The musical lineup for the 2025 season will be:

• May 28: The Earthtones
• June 25: Folkfaces
• July 30: Cool Club & the Lipker Sisters
• August 27: Junkyard Field Trip
• September 24: Steve Grills and the Roadmasters

Annunciation Rochester Greek Festival

Annunciation Rochester Greek Festival: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. May 29 through June 1 at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 962 East Ave. Greek food, beer, wine and coffee; a Greek marketplace; music and dancing; and a kiddie village with a variety of activities. Free admission. The food line closes at 9 p.m. rochestergreekfestival.com.

Midday Bash

Midday Bash: These lunchtime events will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 4, July 9, Aug. 6 and Sept. 10 at Parcel 5, 285 E. Main St. downtown. Food trucks, live music, massage chairs, games, giveaways, games and more. Free admission. rochesterdowntown.com.

Lao-Thai Summer Food Festival

Lao-Thai Summer Food Festival: noon to 3 p.m. (or until food runs out) June 8 at Wa Pat Lao Buddhadham, 135 Martin Road in Henrietta. Thai and Lao dishes prepared by local restaurants and members of the Theravada Buddhist temple. Bring lawn chairs, enjoy live music and wander the grounds of the temple. New this year is a beer and wine garden. Free admission and parking. watpalaorochester.com.

Sodus Rolling Stoves

Sodus Rolling Stoves: 5 to 8 p.m. at Sodus Fireman’s Field, 48 Mill St. in Sodus. These food truck rodeos also includes craft vendors and family entertainment. They will be held June 16 and 30; July 14 and 28; and Aug. 11 and 25.

Rochester Cocktail Revival

Rochester Cocktail Revival: June 2 to 8 at more than 30 craft cocktail bars around Rochester. The twelfth weeklong spirits festival will host pairing dinners, themed parties, tasting events, educational seminars, live music, a daytime spirit tasting event, interactive arts entertainment and a Bar Room Battle Royale between local mixologists. Find a full schedule at rochestercocktailrevival.com.

Rochester Real Beer Expo

Rochester Real Beer Expo: 6 to 10 p.m. June 7 on the concourse at Innovative Field. It will feature more than 75 breweries, cideries, kombucha producers and other craft beverage makers. This year’s event will have an increased focus on local breweries as well as non-alcoholic offerings. Live music from Stunt Double and the Brian Lindsay Band. A variety of food will be available for purchase. $76.50 VIP, $56.50 general admission, $16.50 for designated drivers. rochesterrealbeer.com.

Smokin’ Summer Kickoff

Smokin’ Summer Kickoff: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 7 and 8 at 12 Seneca Lake wineries. Members of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail will pair wine tastings with grill-friendly foods. $50 includes food, wine tastings and a souvenir glass; $25 for designated drivers, who receive nonalcoholic beverages and an insulated travel mug. senecalakewine.com.

History on Tap

History on Tap: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 13, Genesee Country Village and Museum, 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford. Craft beverage tastings, two beer gardens with live music, food vendors and hands-on activities in the village. $32; $37 after June 11. Discounted tickets for members and designated drivers. gcv.org.

Taste of Wayne County

Taste of Wayne County: 4:30 to 8 p.m. July 15 along Van Buren Street and in T. Spencer Knight Canal Park in Newark. Food-related businesses from around Wayne County will offer samples of signature dishes, food products or beverages. Live entertainment. Tickets ($15 presale, $20 at event) include 15 samples, a glass and a utensil. Individual sample tickets will be available at the event. Purchase online at tasteofwaynecounty.org.

Puerto Rican Festival

Puerto Rican Festival: July 31 to Aug. 2 at Parcel 5 in downtown Rochester. 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday. Live music, authentic cuisine, cultural events and more. Admission is free Thursday, with the exception of $75 VIP tickets. Advance purchase general admission is $15 per day Friday and Saturday or $75 for VIP tickets. Prices go up at the door. More information on Facebook.

Phelps Sauerkraut Weekend

Phelps Sauerkraut Weekend: July 31 to Aug. 2 at various sites around Phelps, Ontario County. Head to the former sauerkraut capital of the world for food (with and without sauerkraut), a parade, carnival rides, live music, kids’ activities, marketplace vendors, 5K and 20K and more. Festival hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. phelpsny.com.

The Hoochenanny Whiskey & Music Festival

The Hoochenanny Whiskey & Music Festival: Aug. 8 through 10 at Camp Eastman, on Lakeshore Boulevard in Irondequoit. Performances by a mix of Americana, rock, alternative, punk, outlaw country and rockabilly artists on two outdoor music stages. Among them will be Joan Jett. Seven tents on the 14-acre site will host whiskey tasting experiences, food vendors and more. Early bird general admission passes, available through May 31, start at $50 for one day; $85 for two days; $120 for three days, plus service fees. Find more details and pricing at Hoochenanny.com.

Pints in the Park

Pints in the Park: Resurgence Brewing Co. will hold a Pints in the Park pop-up event beginning at 3 p.m. Aug. 8 at Perinton Park, 99 O’Connor Road, in Fairport. This event series transforms parks across Western New York into mobile beer gardens. A Resurgence beer trailer will pour local beer, cider, seltzer and more. Strangebird Brewing will be on tap and will also serve food. Head to the shelter by the basketball and tennis courts and bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Gone to the Dogs

Gone to the Dogs: Visit 14 Seneca Lake wineries with your dog from Aug. 18 to 24 for wine tasting and dog biscuits. Pricing and ticket information to be announced at senecalakewine.com.

Flour City Brewers Fest

The 31st annual Flour City Brewers Fest: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22 at the Rochester Public Market. It will feature craft beer, wine, cider, non-alcoholic beverages, farm distilleries, food, games, live music and vendors. This year, the New York State Brewers Association (NYSBA) takes over as producer; it promises more breweries and a focus on craft beer from across the state in addition to local staples. You must be 21 and up to attend. $55 for general admission, $85 for VIP tickets and $10 for designated drivers at flourcitybrewersfest.com.

Rochester VegFest will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 24 on Parcel 5, 285 E. Main St. downtown. The free outdoor festival devoted to plant-based living will have a lineup of speakers, live cooking demos, local vendors, music, movement and activities. Shop a vegan marketplace, enjoy live sets from Sage Bava and ROB.DOE, and take part in a morning yoga session led by Jennifer Arena. New this year is a vegan entrepreneurs panel. rocvegfestny.org.

Le Dîner en Blanc: The evening of Aug. 27 at a secret location to be upon arrival for the event. Dress elegantly and all in white; this year’s theme is Blooming Elegance. Pack a white linen tablecloth and napkins; a picnic basket with fine food, stemware and white dishes; and your own non-alcoholic beverages. A catered picnic basket, wine and Champagne may be ordered. Live music, dancing and entertainment. Sign up at rochester.dinerenblanc.com.

This story may be updated with more options. To submit an event for consideration, email Tracy Schuhmacher at [email protected].