Things to do this weekend in and around Rochester
Friendly fun in Rochester & the Finger Lakes for Friday, August 28, 2026 – Sunday, August 30, 2026
(Scroll down for full list of weekend activities.)
Friday, August 28, 2026
Start your weekend with animal adventures and outdoor fun all around the Rochester region! Little explorers will love coming face-to-face with camels, zebras, bison, and more on the Safari Tours At Hidden Valley Animal Adventure!, where families can ride an open-air bus or self-drive through 63 acres of wildlife and then meet gentle farm animals in the Small Animal Adventure. Baseball fans can cheer on the home team at Rochester Red Wings vs. Buffalo Bisons Aug 25-30, 2026, a family-friendly game at Innovative Field with plenty of ballpark treats and promotions to keep kids smiling. History-loving families can step back in time on the water with the Lunch and Erie Canal Lock 32 Cruise Aboard Sam Patch - Pittsford, NY, gliding through a working lock as lively narration brings Erie Canal stories to life. As the sun sets, music and river breezes combine on the Live Music Cruise Aboard Riverie, where local musicians serenade you along the Genesee River and Erie Canal, ending with sparkling skyline views that parents and kids will both remember.
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Saturday is packed with hands-on discoveries, dinosaurs, and imaginative play for every age. Budding scientists in military families can spend the day tinkering, building, and experimenting with free admission during Free admission to RMSC for active-duty military and their families, which opens the doors to three Rochester Museum & Science Center locations at no cost with the right ID. Animal lovers can wander through an inspiring outdoor storytelling experience at Tales of Conservation sculpture exhibit at the Seneca Park Zoo - Summer 2026, featuring larger-than-life sculptures of species saved from extinction and encouraging kids to imagine themselves as conservation heroes. Future paleontologists will be thrilled by roaring animatronic dinos, fossil digs, and a daily educational show at Destination Dinosaur at the Buffalo Zoo!, a perfect day trip that mixes zoo animals with prehistoric giants. Foodies and history buffs can savor 19th-century flavors at Taste of History at Genesee Country Village & Museum, where you stroll a historic village, peek at vintage cooking tools, and learn about quirky culinary trends that will fascinate kids and grownups alike.
Sunday, August 30, 2026
Wrap up the weekend with creative camps, movie magic, and sky-high adventures tailored to kids and teens. Families who love imaginative play can enjoy a mix of 19th-century village fun, nature exploration, and hands-on activities together at Family Fun Day Camp, a special day where grownups join the camp experience instead of just dropping kids off. Little movie fans and car lovers can stay up a bit late for a cozy outdoor screening during Movie at the Zoo: Cars - Seneca Park Zoo, when Monroe County’s Movies in the Park brings the beloved film “Cars” to the zoo after dark with snacks available on-site. Aspiring climbers can conquer colorful walls and build confidence in a one-hour, staff-led session at Guided Climbing at RocVentures Climbing Gym, a friendly way for kids new to climbing to try something adventurous in a safe, encouraging environment. And music-loving families can sing along under the stars at Laser Taylor Swift: Remixed - Matinee at Strasenburgh Planetarium, where Taylor Swift’s biggest hits are reimagined in dazzling laser shows that keep everyone dancing in their seats.