Family events in Rochester, NY

Nitro Circus 2.0 brings an amped-up action sports spectacle to ESL Ballpark with bigger stunts and louder thrills. Look for a 75 foot backflip that cuts through blazing fire, a 40 foot plunge into only three and a half feet of water, and snowmobiles soaring even without any snow. The wild contraptions make their return, adding unpredictable, high-flying moments throughout the show. It is an all out, no limits experience built to keep audiences on the edge of their seats from the first jump to the last landing.

Genesee Land Trust partners with Martha Zettel, a longtime member of the Land Trust and a retired bat biologist, along with Bill O’Neill, to lead a late evening walk exploring the sounds and sights of Salmon Creek Nature Preserve in Hilton after dark. Participants will first use displays, bat detectors, and sound analysis software to learn about local bats, then head outside to watch them hunt insects using echolocation. The group will also listen for the nighttime songs of katydids and crickets, and may even spot them by flashlight. Bring a small flashlight, wear closed shoes, and be prepared for mosquitoes and ticks. If it rains, bats will not fly and the detectors cannot be used, so a rain date will be put in place. Registration is required due to limited capacity.

The A.P. Property Services Rochester International Airshow, presented by Kwik Fill, Ontario Golf Club and Pub on the Green, brings a full day of family-friendly aviation excitement to Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport. Look to the sky for the USAF Thunderbirds, the F-35B Jump Jet, the Golden Knights, and a roster of additional performers showcasing precision flying, jet power, and parachute demonstrations. Tickets are available.

Drop by the College and Transition Fair for People with Developmental Disabilities to connect with local colleges and organizations that can help you or a loved one map out plans for the future. It is an in-person event designed for all ages, with free parking available.

A playfully titled tabletop gaming club offers a rotating mix of tabletop role playing adventures, complex and strategic skirmish games, and other options that change from week to week. This is a family friendly event, and children are welcome with parent or guardian supervision. All offerings are free and open to anyone who has maintained at least 48 hours of continuous sobriety. First time participants should complete a membership questionnaire before attending.

Spend time with adoptable cats and kittens and chat with volunteers during open hours. Same day adoptions are not available, and all prospective adopters must complete an application. Applications can be submitted in person or online.

A free community celebration will mark the opening of the N Goodman Street branch in Rochester. Food will be available from Grill Kingz and Rob's Kabobs, with treats from The Ice Cream Factory of Fairport. The event features music, games, and activities suited to families. Member FDIC.

Start the day with a guided golf cart tour that lets you experience Seneca Park Zoo as the animals wake and begin their routines. Over 90 minutes, learn about the species that call the zoo home and get a look at how the lions start their morning. This seasonal offering runs from April through September. The cart tour is separate from general admission, and entry to explore the zoo after the tour requires purchasing admission tickets.

Operation Freedom Ride partners with Three Heads Brewing for a casual meet and greet featuring adoptable dogs. Attendees can spend time with pups looking for loving homes, talk with volunteers about adopting, fostering, or getting involved, and enjoy a beer while connecting with fellow animal lovers at Three Heads Brewing.

Join fellow Littlest Pet Shop fans for an in-person meetup packed with trading, vendors, raffles, and more. Bring your littlest pet shops to connect with the community and enjoy a full afternoon of LPS activities at Liberty Lodge. There’s free parking, and the event runs for about 6 hours.

Central Rock Gym Rochester hosts a weeklong, five-hours-per-day vacation program in winter tailored for ages 8 to 13. Led by experienced instructors, each day blends on-the-wall and off-the-wall activities that build foundational climbing skills, technique, and body awareness. Kids take part in bouldering, top-rope climbing, belaying practice, obstacle course challenges, and collaborative games, all designed to keep them active and engaged. Along the way, participants make new friends, grow their confidence, and progress in both movement and climbing. Expect a lively mix of climbing, running, jumping, swinging, problem solving, balancing, and belaying that keeps minds focused and bodies moving.

Curious about how animals stay safe in the wild? This program invites participants to investigate the defenses used by different types of animals and learn how those adaptations help them survive. It is designed for ages 5 to 12. Registration is required through the link under "Tickets," or by calling the Lyell branch.

Wednesday nights get a boost at the City of Rochester Public Market with ROC the Bricks, a monthly series presented by Bands on the Bricks. These Wednesday shows are in addition to the Friday night concerts. Admission and parking are free.

As part of Wegmans Concerts by the Shore at Ontario Beach Park, Dukes performs R&B from the 1960s and 1970s. This free concert is presented by Wegmans, the Ontario Beach Park Program Committee, the City of Rochester, and Monroe County.

MAG’s Neighborhood of the Arts Block Party marks the final week of "Determined to Be: The Sculpture of John Rhoden" with a celebration of sculpture that takes place inside the exhibition and outdoors in Centennial Sculpture Park. Inspired by Rhoden’s artwork and interests, the afternoon features hands-on artmaking at sculpture stations, inclusive and participatory movement workshops such as Zumba and yoga, dance performances, guided museum tours, a community wellness fair, music, and food. Designed for all ages, it offers a welcoming mix of creativity, wellness, and movement.

A fun kids night features airbrush face painting and glow airbrush tattoos. Everyone can receive a glow tattoo or two at no cost, and no sign up is required. Sponsored by Salvatore's at the Garage Door in Rochester, NY.