Family events in Rochester, MN

Spend the weekend on the trails with pricing for both members and nonmembers. Nonmember drivers pay 60 dollars and passengers pay 10 dollars. Member drivers pay 20 dollars and passengers pay 10 dollars. Participants 18 and under can attend at no cost. Camping is available Friday only. Saturday includes technical check-in and open trails.

Students take part in a Taekwondo promotion test with separate sessions for white belts and for color belts. The public is welcome to watch and there is no admission fee.

Find a friendly presence at Rochester Farmers Markets where doulas and community members will be ready to connect, respond to questions, and provide practical support. Spend a few minutes with the MedCity Doulas team to explore how doula care can help during pregnancy, the postpartum period, and beyond. Get hands-on babywearing guidance or a quick fit check, and take time to share what is on your mind or simply say hello. All are welcome, from expecting and current parents to those supporting someone else or just passing by. The emphasis is on conversation, resources, and genuine connection.

The Native American Center of SE MN hosts a meet and greet at People of Hope ELCA. The gathering offers storytelling, arts and crafts, food and more, with free admission and optional donations. It provides a chance to celebrate Native culture, learn about the Center, and reconnect as the organization resumes its work following a post covid restructuring.

Celebrate early American rural life at the annual Days of Yesteryear, a family friendly weekend of live demonstrations and hands on activities. Hosted by the Mechanical History Round Table on the historic Ralph Stoppel Farmstead at the History Center of Olmsted County, this gathering features Oliver, Cockshutt, and White tractors. See steam tractors at work, watch traditional oat threshing, and enjoy the classic parade of power. Visitors can try pioneer crafts such as rope making, visit the tinsmith, catch an authentic 1860s vintage base ball game with the Roosters, and sample local food. Buttons are $8 each or two for $15 at the History Center of Olmsted County, or $10 at the gate, and kids are free.

Returning after last year’s rainout, the fifth annual Mustang Car Show is set to showcase Mustangs of all generations. Owners can display their cars with no entry fee, simply drive in and show them off. Enthusiasts without a Mustang are welcome to attend, enjoy food, and explore the lineup on display. Highlights include raffle prizes, a food truck, and a live DJ, with more details to be shared soon.

Experience vintage base ball as part of the Days of YesterYear show, with the Hens facing the Chicks and the Applejacks taking on the Roosters. Beyond the games, the event includes demonstrations and exhibits, a parade of power, a garden tractor pull, and food trucks. Admission is $10 and includes parking and a button, and children under 16 get in free.

Families of every kind are invited to a relaxed playgroup on an enclosed playground with convenient bathroom access. It is a casual chance for parents and children to meet new friends while kids play. Complimentary coffee and juice will be available. The gathering is hosted by an Open and Affirming Congregation.

Experience a friendly poetry gathering at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo featuring nature themed verses for all ages. The program will be held regardless of weather, moving to the nature center classroom if it rains. Participants will meet inside the zoo.

Get moving for Summer Sizzler- Rochester, a family-friendly race with options for different distances and all paces. Packet pickup starts in the early morning, there’s also a kids dash, and the event includes the national anthem and race start. After the finish, results and awards are available right away at the registration tent. Registration includes race-day perks like a designer shirt, custom medal, chip timing with live results, free photos, and Kona Ice at the finish line.

Get ready for a family-friendly summer race at Cascade Lake Park in Rochester. Packet pickup runs early morning, followed by a kids dash and then the main race start with the national anthem. Results and awards are available right after participants finish at the registration tent.

Learn about the animals that live at Zollman Zoo during a zookeeper-led chat. Discover how they are cared for, what they eat, and which toys and enrichment items they enjoy, along with other insights into daily life at the zoo. Questions are welcome, with opportunities to ask about favorite animals.

A lively community market fills MLK Park in Rochester, MN with a changing mix of local growers, vendors, and artists. Shoppers can find fresh, seasonal produce alongside distinctive, culturally diverse goods, and the selection varies from week to week with new faces and flavors. The atmosphere is welcoming for families, with space for children to play and shaded areas for relaxing, and the site is accessible for people with mobility needs. Calendars highlighting music and special happenings, along with a free fitness schedule, are available.

Live music fills Mayo Park with a free, all-ages concert featuring Better Than Ezra with Marina City. Marina City opens with alternative pop rock led by vocalist Ryan Argast, known from The Voice and as an American Idol favorite. Their sound mixes dark, atmospheric elements with genre-blending influences and powerful vocals, heard on the EPs Reflections Vol. I and Reflections Vol. II, and their shows are marked by high intensity and emotional punch. Better Than Ezra follows, a New Orleans band formed in 1988 at Louisiana State University by Kevin Griffin and Tom Drummond, recognized for catchy melodies, memorable guitar work, and heartfelt lyrics. Billboard named them among the 100 Greatest Alternative Artists of All Time, and they continue to headline tours and festivals. Food and drinks are available from The Spud Truck LLC, Uni Uni Bubble Tea, and Kinney Creek Brewery. Guests can bring a chair or blanket and arrive early to enjoy the vendors. The event is accessible, with CART live captioning and staff on site for wayfinding, questions, and guest support. Presented as part of the Riverside Music Series from Rochester Public Music, which has brought performances to Mayo Park for over 30 years, with support from Think Bank and Y-105 FM.

Say hello to Ollie the Octopus in a guided youth painting class that explores playful background techniques and a cheerful sea creature as the main subject. Designed for beginners and experienced kids alike, this summertime session offers step by step instruction, so no prior art experience is required. Each participant receives an 11x14 canvas and all supplies. The cost is $25 per painter, and registration is through Community Ed. All ages are welcome. Children ages 3 to 5 should have a helper, and adults are invited to paint as well.

Young artists dive into a multi-day camp featuring hands-on art projects, engaging activities, and instruction from Gallery 24 artists. Each day focuses on creating in a supportive setting that nurtures imagination and growing skills. After the final session, families are welcome at a reception celebrating the campers’ artwork.

Create a cheerful octopus named Ollie in a guided youth painting class that introduces simple background techniques and clear, step by step instruction. Suitable for beginners and young artists of every ability, this summertime session emphasizes creativity and fun, and no prior art skills are needed. Each participant works on an 11x14 canvas, with all materials provided. The cost is $25 per painter, and registration is through Community Ed. Open to all ages, with children ages 3 to 5 needing an assistant, and adults are welcome to paint as well.

Discover a lively open-air market at Cascade Park, where a changing mix of local growers, artists, and vendors offers fresh, in-season produce and culturally diverse offerings. With the lineup rotating regularly, there is always something new to explore. The setting is welcoming for families, with room for kids to play and shaded spots to unwind. The space also provides convenient access for visitors with mobility needs.

Enjoy a lower-stimulation family storytime at the Rochester Public Library Auditorium. Space is limited, and registration is required for this sensory-friendly program. It runs on select Wednesdays, including August 12.

Create with the library's LEGO collection during a casual building session. Welcoming builders of every age, this is a chance to experiment, imagine, and see what you can make.

Bear Cave Amphitheater hosts a free concert featuring Element. Attendees may bring lawn chairs and a cooler to relax while enjoying concessions, food trucks, and sweet treats. Activities for kids will also be available, making it a welcoming option for families.

Enjoy a kid-focused performance from The Zinghoppers at Boundless Playspace and Activity Center. The show starts in the late morning and is a great option for families looking for an upbeat, music-filled event for children.

Climb aboard for a lively, screen-free musical experience with Conductor Jack, an Emmy-winning educator and entertainer for children. In his friendly train conductor persona, he gets families singing and dancing while performing children’s and family folk tunes entirely live with no prerecorded tracks. Expect ukulele, guitar, kazoo, harmonica, and more as he helps young children explore music, movement, and playful learning in a relaxed, nostalgic setting. Recognized as Nashville’s top children’s entertainer for five consecutive years, Conductor Jack welcomes kids and grownups alike for a joyful time together.

A monthly themed art reception welcomes everyone. Spend time socializing and hear directly from local artists. Food and drinks are available, and the setting is family friendly.