Events in Rochester today

Kids Nite at Stewartville Pizza Ranch offers a complimentary kid buffet with each regularly priced adult buffet purchase. Children 12 and under qualify, and the offer now includes ages 11 and 12 as well.

At HyperSpace Starcade, happy hour play gives your game credits 20 percent more value on participating games. It is a fit for after school outings, family gaming, and friendly face offs, with opportunities to win real prizes. The special pricing is shown directly on the game card readers that are part of the offer. No reservation is required.

At Rochester Community Education, Brenda Schultz, The Funeral Lady, leads a free educational seminar that explains funeral preplanning in a comfortable, no pressure environment. The session helps individuals and families explore their options, document their wishes, and gain peace of mind for the future. Topics include what preplanning entails, why advance planning benefits loved ones, funding considerations, common misconceptions, and practical steps for recording final wishes so planning today can reduce stress tomorrow. There is no obligation to purchase anything, and questions are welcome. For more information, contact Brenda Schultz at 507-259-7951.

St. James Coffee hosts a co-ed Catholic in Recovery meeting for anyone seeking support and healing from addiction and unhealthy attachments. A brief social time takes place before the meeting, and workbooks are available. Catholic in Recovery is a nonprofit that serves people facing challenges such as alcoholism, drug use, pornography, sex and relationship struggles, compulsive overeating and other food-related issues, gambling, codependency and its impact on families, and patterns of fear, control, and anxiety. The program emphasizes fellowship, freedom, and faith, integrating the Twelve Steps with the sacramental life and wisdom of the Catholic Church to offer a holistic path toward recovery. The group setting provides a place to connect with others on a similar journey.

Each Wednesday at Pizza Ranch, earn double loyalty points. Receive two points per dollar on qualifying purchases, whether you enjoy the buffet, dine in, order carryout or delivery, or place an online order. Transactions paid with a Pizza Ranch gift card count too. After reaching 100 points, you get a $5 reward to use on a future visit.

Enjoy casual Magic: The Gathering Commander free play with no entry fee. Games are available all day and continue until the store closes. Use the MTG Companion App to submit the store code and receive a promo pack. Help spread the word to grow the groups, and rest easy about space since there is an additional room that can accommodate more than 50 people.

Get hands-on with bike maintenance at a workshop that opens the tool library so you can work on repairs and upgrades with support from volunteer bike mechanics. Connect with other riders, exchange stories, and share practical tips in a friendly setting. Whether you are an experienced cyclist or just getting started, this session offers a welcoming way to build skills and community. The workshop takes place at Pata de Perro Community Bike Club, located around the back of the former Silver Lake Fire Station.

Orchid Jane brings a southeast Minnesota acoustic set to The Redwood Room, performing as a duo or trio. The group features husband and wife Greg and Karyn Hintermeister with bassist Mark McGlinch. The performance highlights acoustic versions of familiar songs that span decades and genres, including mashups.

Break up the workweek and get a head start on the weekend with a Wednesday night karaoke party. Sing, dance, enjoy food and drinks, and take your turn at the mic. Karaoke entertainment is provided by Mainstream Music DJ and Karaoke.

Rochester Trolley & Tour Co. presents a 3 day, 2 night trip to South Dakota’s Black Hills centered on the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. Witness a herd of more than 1,300 bison sweep across the hills from a reserved group viewing area. The package includes round trip travel aboard a deluxe motor coach, two nights in a hotel, two dinners at local South Dakota restaurants, a hot breakfast at the roundup grounds, a barbecue lunch during the event, and the support of a professional tour host. Expect wide open vistas and a scenic Black Hills experience throughout. Double occupancy pricing starts at $1,083 per person.

Thursday nights at Gamez & More center on miniature tabletop gaming, with two rooms available for play. Multiple games run at the same time, including Warhammer 40, 000, Conquest, and Blood Bowl. It suits anyone seeking a match as well as those interested in learning a new game, with plenty of activity across the tables.

A hands-on session focused on brush control and discipline for miniature painting, open to all hobby painters with extra attention for those who are brand new or just getting started. Instruction covers how to apply smooth, even coats, how to guide your brush over different surface contours, and how managing moisture in your paints and brush can help achieve consistent results. Suggested items to bring include brushes in sizes 0, 2, and 4, a wet palette or a simple pad for your paint station, a water and rinse cup, and a cloth rag or paper towels. A model to paint will be provided, and participants may bring their own miniature if they want to practice on something familiar. After the lesson there will be time for questions so attendees can get help with specific challenges.

Every Thursday night, the buffet features wings. Enjoy boneless or traditional options paired with a variety of sauces.

A one-night screening at Pop's Art Theater features Echoes in the Night: The Search for Jacob Wetterling, a new 120-minute film from the USA directed by Chris Newberry. The story looks back to October 1989, when 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling was abducted in St. Joseph, Minnesota, a crime that resonated nationwide. It begins as the perpetrator is finally apprehended and the investigation into Jacob's disappearance is scrutinized anew. Centered on the Wetterling family's 26-year quest for answers, the film also highlights the efforts undertaken in Jacob's memory to improve how missing children cases are investigated and resolved.

Byron Farmers Market takes place at the Byron Community Recreation Complex. There is no market on the day that coincides with Good Neighbor Days, when many of the market's vendors participate in the GND vendor fair.

Set in downtown Rochester’s Historic District, this hands-on class explores vintage inspired cake decorating with guidance from Alysha of Rush of Sweetness. Participants will assemble and frost a take-home cake while learning a range of piping techniques and creative ways to finish a delicious dessert.

A karaoke night for teens who love to sing or simply enjoy music. Participants can step on stage with a full sound system and perform age-appropriate songs, or stay in the crowd and sing along if the spotlight is not their thing. The evening also features plenty of games. Snacks are provided, and drinks are available for purchase.

This open meeting welcomes anyone, including children, family members, and other loved ones. Participants may receive a chip, sometimes called a pin, coin, or medallion, to recognize continuous sobriety. Milestones covered include one to eleven months, one year, and each year after that for more than eighty years. Those who want to share can speak from the podium about their journey, what has helped, and what keeps them returning. To be called up, plan to stop by the front table a few minutes before the meeting begins to add your name, and names are called in order of sobriety milestone. Chips are available at any meeting at the Pioneer, and there is a suggested donation of $2 per chip.

A relaxed Star Wars Unlimited open play session featuring casual games, with a promo pack provided to participants who take part.

The Village Global Farmers’ Market brings a lively, community-focused experience to MLK Park in Rochester, MN. Explore a changing mix of local growers, artists, and makers offering in-season produce and distinctive goods that highlight a variety of cultures, so there is always something new to discover. The setting is welcoming for families, with room for children to play and shaded areas for relaxing. The space is also accessible for visitors with mobility needs. In addition to shopping, watch for extra activities such as music and free fitness offerings connected to the market’s programming.

At Bleu Duck Kitchen, Chef Zach Welle presents a Gairah pop up dinner that blends intricate Indian spices with the cozy spirit of Midwestern fare. The menu celebrates the season and a lively exchange of culinary traditions, with layered flavors that balance heat, tang and richness. Gairah, a word for passion, desire and enthusiasm, reflects the chef’s dedication to Indian-fusion cooking and draws on his 15 years in the restaurant industry. There are two seatings available. The price is $100 per person and includes the meal along with a specialty cocktail, beer, house wine, kombucha and soft drinks. The experience begins with walleye tikka strips in a Forager beer batter, served with tikka remoulade, lemon and a raita-dressed salad. A sweet corn chaat follows, combining charred corn and chickpeas with crispy wild rice, chive cream, arugula, blackberries and papadum. A Madras-style corn and wild rice chowder features sweet corn puree with potato, onion, ginger, garlic, bacon and kale. Next comes curried porchetta with yellow curry sauce, a basmati and wild rice blend and a pickled okra salad. Dessert is a mango lassi inspired bundt cake finished with mango yogurt icing, sliced mango and a marshmallow salad. Beverages include the Honey Crisp Bootlegger with apple syrup, a choice of gin or vodka, soda and a cinnamon stick, along with house wines and Coors Banquet. Nonalcoholic options feature locally made Kowabucha kombucha and Coke products.