Stay in the loop with This Month in Rochester, your guide to events and activities in downtown Rochester, Minnesota!
Rochester hosts a variety of fall festivals, live music, markets, and seasonal events throughout October. Whether you're a local or visiting for the weekend, here's your event calendar for Rochester, MN in October 2025.
Explore Local Events
Each month, we curate a list of unique events and activities. Whether you're visiting Rochester for a short stay or making it your home, this blog will help you explore, connect, and enjoy the city. Broadway Plaza is in the heart of Rochester, and many of these events are around downtown – just steps away from our building.
Pereira’s Live Music
Thursdays from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Pereira’s Wine & Whiskey Lounge, located inside the Castle
Thursday night fun doesn’t have to end with closure of the summer classic Thursdays Downtown, get your fill of live music in Pereira’s Wine & Whiskey Lounge weekly. If you are looking to make a night out of it, eat at Latitude 44 on the first level of the Castle before heading up to Pereira’s to catch some tunes.
Learn more about the Castle and Pereira’s Wine & Whiskey Lounge on their website.
World Ballet Company: The Great Gatsby Ballet
Cost: Ticket prices begin at $57
Date: Friday, Oct. 10
Location: CH Mayo Presentation Hall at Mayo Civic Center
Take a step back in time to the roaring 20s. Hear the jazz and see the fashion of the time to come to life in the classic tale set in the 1920s with The Great Gatsby Ballet. Conveniently walk to the show using the skyway to get to the Mayo Civic Center.
Get tickets to the show on Ticketmaster.
Creepy Dolls: Loose in the Vaults Opening Reception
Cost: $8 in advance, or $10 at the door ($5 in advance for members)
Date: Friday, Oct. 10
Location: History Center of Olmsted County, 195 West Circle Drive SW
For the seventh year, creepy dolls are back at the History Center of Olmsted County to share a mix of education, entertainment, horror, and family fun. Before the exhibition officially opens, there will be a special 21+ exhibition reveal and cocktail party.
The exhibition will be open from Saturday, Oct. 11 through Halloween on Friday, Oct. 31. This year’s theme is Creepy Doll: Loose in the Vaults. The dolls will pull objects from the History Center’s collection and get into some mayhem along the way.
Learn more about the exhibit on the History Center of Olmsted County website.
Heading Up North
Cost: $35
Date: Saturday, Oct. 11
Location: Historic Chateau Theatre
A new music festival is bringing together area musicians for an evening at the Historic Chateau Theatre. Clay Fulton and the Lost Forty announced the inaugural line-up for the event, which will feature bands and singers from around southern Minnesota and nearby Wisconsin.
Get tickets and more information about the artists on the Heading Up North website.
Puzzle Night at the Chateau Theatre
Cost: FREE
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 15
Location: Historic Chateau Theatre
Sit down with other jigsaw enthusiasts and work on your own puzzle or put together a new-to-you puzzle during Puzzle Night. The event at the Historic Chateau Theatre serves not only as a gathering of puzzle lovers, but also as a jigsaw swap.
Pre-registration is encouraged, RSVP on the Chateau Theatre website.
Girl Named Tom
Cost: Tickets start at $39
Date: Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m.
Location: Mayo Civic Center
The winners of season 21 of The Voice will be bringing their folk sound to Rochester. The sibling trio was coached by Kelly Clarkson in 2021. Since winning the show, the group has made appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and the Indy 500.
Get tickets for the concert on Ticketmaster.
For even more events downtown, check out the Downtown Rochester, MN’s event calendar.
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