Free, Fun Things to Do in Rochester, Minnesota This Summer

When our Springs at South Broadway residents are not lounging by our resort-style swimming pool, they will be able to take advantage of a range of fun (and free) activities around Rochester, Minnesota. Be sure to mark your calendar with these five exciting local events:

This free concert series begins Wednesday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m. and reoccurs every Wednesday evening through August 31. The event takes place on the gorgeous rural grounds of Zwingli United Church of Christ of Berne, where attendees will have the chance to listen to music ranging from country and acoustic pop to R&B and funk throughout the summer. Patrons are invited to pack a picnic, but in case you forget, the delicious Berne Wood-Fired pizza is sold on-site each week.

If you don't get enough live music on Wednesday nights at the Berne Wood-Fired Concert Series, you can catch a concert every Thursday night at 8 p.m. at The Doggery. This underground speakeasy has one of the best cocktail menus that Rochester has to offer, which pairs really well with the acoustic and classic rock performances.

This weekly outdoor summer market is free and offers more than 100 art, craft, and food vendors. The event takes place in Peace Plaza and runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and you won’t want to miss the live music performances on two stages at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

If you're new to the area and are looking for a sense of community, you won't want to miss this huge, week-long Rochester tradition. The festivities kick off on Saturday, June 18 with various events (some free, others with minimal cost) happening around town. Examples of events throughout the week include a high flying disc dog competition, triathlon, 5K road race, live music, a grand parade, and hot air balloon rally. Be sure to check out the complete schedule of events for Rochesterfest so you don't miss out on the fun!

Pack a picnic and bring your lawn chair to catch a free family-friendly movie such as The Intern or Beethoven each Saturday at 9 p.m. Visit the Downtown Rochester, MN website for the entire 2016 movie lineup.

Will you be attending any of these summer events in Rochester? Let us know in the comments below!