This guide is sponsored by Rochesterfest
Rochesterfest 2025: Ignite Your Spark with a Week of Celebration, Community, and Connection
📅 June 21–29, 2025 | 📍 Soldier’s Field, Rochester, MN
Rochesterfest is back and brighter than ever! With the 2025 theme “Ignite Your Spark,” this beloved community tradition invites people of all ages to come together and celebrate what makes Rochester shine. From high-energy live music to heartfelt tributes and family fun, there’s a spark for everyone to discover.
Read through the highlights below and then check out the daily event schedule for all the fun all week long!
2025 ROCHESTERFEST HIGHLIGHTS
🎉 Events All Week Long
Rochesterfest kicks off Saturday, June 21, with Breakfast on the Farm at North Creek Dairy in Chatfield. From there, each day is packed with something for everyone:
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America’s Traveling Vietnam Wall and Cost of Freedom Display (June 23–29) at Soldier’s Field—powerful, moving tributes honoring veterans. Check here for Veteran’s Day events.
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Woof Fest — Yes, dogs are welcome all week long!
- Kids Events and Senior Shine Day provide fun for all ages!
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Bounce Houses, Laser Tag, Dance Lessons, Vendor Fairs, Art Events, and Fitness Demos all throughout the week!
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Daily Pet Events, the Village Farmer’s Market, and community showcases like the Community Excellence Awards and the Million Dollar Hole-in-One Shootout (June 24–27 at Hadley Creek Golf Course).
- Special theme days and events such as Art, Puzzle Contest, and Date Night
From morning waffles to evening concerts, spark your summer at Rochesterfest 2025. Bring your curiosity, your dancing shoes, and your sense of adventure—this is your moment to ignite your spark!
🍽️ Food That Sparks Joy
Bring your appetite! Rochesterfest food vendors represent a delicious mix of global flavors and local favorites:
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Savory Staples: Philly Cheesesteaks (Hollandberry), Corn Dogs & Cheese Curds (Solem), Jerk Chicken (Caribbean Kitchen), Fried Chicken Wings (WinCity Wings)
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Sweet Treats: Mini Donuts, Funnel Cakes, Waffles on a Stick, Bloom Acai Sorbet Bowls, and Ice Cream Paninis
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International Bites: Ethiopian Cultural Dishes, La Boriqua Rice Bowls, Kung Fu Chicken Tacos, and more
Whether you’re craving BBQ, empanadas, or shaved ice, there’s something to satisfy every palate.
🎶 Live Music & Dance
This year’s lineup includes 18 live bands across genres—from jazz to country to salsa:
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Daily shows at noon, 3:00, 6:00, and 8:30 PM, followed by sing-alongs and karaoke
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Artists include: The Preserves, Resounding Voices, Soul Train, Amanda Grace, The High 48s with Becky Schlegel, Salsa Del Soul, and many more
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New this year: Professional Dance Floor with lessons offered all week—perfect for showing off your new moves!
🧭 The Treasure Hunt
A perennial Rochestefest favorite, the Treasure Hunt is back! The 2025 Rochesterfest Treasure Hunt challenges clue-crackers of all ages to find a hidden acrylic medallion tucked somewhere on public land in Rochester. Daily clues will guide you to its location—just remember to leave nature untouched as you explore!
🎉 Grand Parade & Family Highlights
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Koleski Foto | used with permission Rochesterfest Grand Parade: Saturday, June 28, at 2:00 PM — Live-streamed by KAAL TV 6.
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Saturday’s Family Fun Day features:
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Kids Adventure Quest
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Dream Bubble Dance Party
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Magical Barrel Train Rides
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Tuesday’s Senior Shine Day includes:
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Taylor Swift Karaoke
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Free photo booth, dance lessons, and wellness activities
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🇺🇸 Honoring Our Heroes
The Traveling Vietnam Wall and Cost of Freedom Tribute will be the emotional core of this year’s celebration. These nationally recognized exhibits offer space for remembrance, education, and honoring the sacrifices made by military service members. A special welcome ceremony will take place Monday, June 23 at 5:30 PM at Soldier’s Field. Don’t miss the Field of Flags, a striking visual tribute to military and frontline heroes.
🎟️ Get Your Button!
Show your Rochesterfest button to unlock exclusive deals and discounts at local businesses all week long! Support the fest and unlock fun with your Rochesterfest button, available at:
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Madonna Towers, 125 Live, Canadian Honker, Hy-Vee (all Rochester locations), Hunt Silver Lake Drug, Friends of the Library, Central Bark, Leashes & Leads, and more.
🏃 Community Fun Runs & Festivals
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Run, Walk & Roll – June 28 at Soldier’s Field
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Camp Olson Fun Run – June 28, 1:30 PM
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Zumbro River Community Festival – June 28, 5:00 PM in Zumbro Falls
🚗 Transportation & Parking
Getting to the heart of the action at Soldier’s Field is easy:
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Handicap Parking: Designated spaces available on the east side of Soldier’s Field, along 2nd Ave SW, Soldier’s Field Drive, and the Veterans Memorial parking lot on Gibbs Drive.
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Rochester Public Transit (RPT): Several routes drop off close to the festival grounds. Park & Ride locations include Mayo High School, the County Fairgrounds, and others.
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Residential Street Parking: Limited free parking available near the east side of Soldier’s Field and along 2nd Ave SW.
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Mayo Clinic Lots: Look for parking availability in Lots 11, 28, 35, 37, and the Old Kmart Lot.
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Reserved Parking: The golf course lot is reserved for golfers, aquatic center visitors, and Townies patrons. George Gibbs Drive parking (west of the field) is designated for Rochesterfest volunteers, food vendors, exhibitors, and additional handicap spaces.
ROCHESTERFEST DAILY EVENT SCHEDULE
6:15 am – 11:30 am Breakfast on the Farm North Creek Dairy—Chatfield
1:00 Traveling Veteran’s and First Responder Memorial Wall—Caravan. Caravan starts at the International Event Center and takes 52 North, then turns right at 6th street SW and goes directly to Soldier’s Field
5:30 Ceremony to Welcome this amazing Tribute to Rochester, MN
5:00 Beer Tent Opens
9:00 am to 5:00 pm Master Gardener Session
9:00 am to 10:00 am Cardio Drumming–125 Live
9:00 am to 5:00 pm The Village Farmers Market
9:00 am to 5:00 pm Vendor Fair
Tuesday 9:00 am Master Gardeners
10:00 am to 11:00 am Senior Yoga
10:00 am to 11:00 am Bingo
10:00 am to 2:00 pm Hand Massages
10:00 am to 1:00 pm Pet Training and Activities
11:00 am to 2:00 pm Free Digital Photo Booth
11:00 am Bounce Houses
11:00 am to 10:00 pm Beer Tent open
11:00 am to 12:00 pm Bucket the Dog-Frisbee Exhibition
11:00 am to 8:00 pm Food Trucks-Open for Business
11:00 am to 12:30 pm Resounding Voices
12:30 pm to 1:00 pm East Coast Swing
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm The Preserves Band
2:30 pm to 3:00 pm Salsa Dance Lessons-Rochester Salsa Community
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Salsa Del Soul Band
4:00 pm to 12:00 pm Bucket the Dog-Frisbee Exhibition
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Camp Victory Laser Tag
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Sun observing with the Rochester Astronomy Club
5:00 pm to 5:30 pm West Coast Swing dance lessons
5:30 pm to 6:00 pm Ceremony City Proclamation/Festival Opening
6:00 pm to 8:15 pm Soul Train
8:30 pm to 10:00 pm Taylor Swift Karaoke Night
9:00 am to 10:00 pm American Veterans Traveling Tribute Wall
9:00 am to 10:00 pm Park and Rec Trailer—all day
10:00 am to 1:00 pm Paws and Claws Adoption Event
10:00 am to 1:00 pm Pet Events and Activities
11:00 am to 10:00 pm Beer Tent open
12:00 pm Vendor Fair
11:00 am to 10:00 pm Bounce Houses—all day
11:00 am to 12:00 pm Bucket the Dog-Frisbee Exhibition
11:00 am to 12:00 pm East Coast Swing Dance Lessons-1x Lindy
12:00 pm to 2:30 pm Swing Street Band
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Competitions between Mililtary and First Responders. Axe Throwing, Nerf Gun Target Shooting, Tug-of-War, Push up/Pull Up Challenge, and Obstacle Course
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm Free Digital Photo Booth
2:30 pm to 3:00 pm East Coast Swing Dance Lessons-3X Flying Lindy
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm The Gopher Tones Band
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Camp Victory Laser Tag
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Hot Air Balloons-POW and Liberty Bell
5:30 pm to 6:00 pm Ceremony to Honor Veterans and First Responders
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm fAABAulous-A Tribute to Abba
8:30 pm to 10:00 pm Jae Havoc and the Make Believe Friends
10:00 am to 1:00 pm Forever Fido Puppy Rescue
10:00 am to 1:00 pm Pet Events and Art Activities (Vendors include: Twigs and Branches Shop, Art of Sweaterjon, Gallery 24, Magic Door Designs, Kevin’s Creations, Nichelle Franzen Otto Art, Norm’s Creations by Tim Nelson | Activities Include: Painted Fluid Acrylic Tiles, Self Portrait Prints, Paint a Flower Pot)
11:00 am to 10:00 pm Beer Tent open
11:00 am to 12:00 pm Bucket the Dog-Frisbee Exhibition
11:00 am to 8:00 pm Food Trucks—Open for Business
11:00 am to 12:00 pm The Community Excellence Awards
12:00 pm Family Fun Day
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm FoxTrot Dance lessons
1:00 pm -3:00 pm Social Dancing sponsored by USA Dance.
12:00 pm to 8:00 pm Non-profit Vendor Day
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm Line Dancing-NRG Line Dance
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Camp Victory Laser Tag
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Kaptain Kirby Train Rides
4:00 pm to 10:00 pm Community Day at Rochesterfest
4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Magical Afternoon Party-Meet the princesses
4:00 pm to 5:30 pm The Honky Tonk Happy Hour
5:30 pm Barn Line Dancing
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Baseball Game between Moonshots and Sr. Softball League
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm The High 48’s Bluegrass band with Becky Schlegel
8:30 pm to 10:00 pm 80s Karaoke Night
11:00 am Little Buddy Tractor Pull for kids 4-11.
11:00 am Rumba Dance Lessons
10:00 am – 2:00 pm Million Dollar Shootout–an extra day to win $1,000,000.
10:00 am – 1:00 pm Paws and Claws Adoption Event
11:00 am K9 Police Dog Demonstration
11:00 am Bucket the Dog–Frisbee exhibition
11:00 am Kite Flying Exhibition
11:00 am Fencing Demonstration on Stage. Lessons off stage.
12:00 pm Amanda Grace Band
2:30 pm Fox Trot Dance Lessons–I can see Charlie doing this.
3:00 pm Uptown Jazz Band
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Kaptain Kirby Train Rides
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm Magical Afternoon Party–Meet the Princesses
5:00 pm Spark the World–A Global Dance Journey
5:30 pm Ceremony to honor the Veterans and First Responders–Soldier’s Field Memorial
6:00 pm Mat Class by Pilates
6:00 pm Hot Air Balloons–POW Balloon, Liberty Bell Balloon, and the Remax Balloon–all by the baseball field.
6:00 pm Date Night
6:00 pm The Rockin’ Hep Cats
8:30 pm The Jae Havoc and the Make Believe Friends band.
9:00 am to 10:00 pm American Veterans Traveling Tribute Wall
9:00 am to 10:00 pm Bounce Houses—all day
9:00 am to 10:00 pm Park and Rec Trailer—all day
10:00 am to 11:30 am Puzzle Contest
10:00 am to 11:00 am Run, Walk & Roll event–EA Therapeutics
11:00 am to 10:00 pm Beer Tent open
11:00 am to 12:00 pm Bucket the Dog-Frisbee Exhibition
11:00 am to 12:30 pm Dachshund Dash
11:00 am to 12:00 pm Dance Lessons-East Coast Swing 3X Flying Lindy
11:00 am to 8:00 pm Food Trucks-Open for Business
11:00 am to 2:00 pm Rochester Astronomy Club-Public Sun Viewing
12:00 pm to 2:30 pm Nostalgic No-Names Band
1:30 pm Camp Olson YMCA Fun Run
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Grand Parade starts
2:30 pm to 3:00 pm Dance Lessons-East Coast Swing 1x Lindy
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Photo Booth by Moses
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Dream Bubble Dance Party
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Kid’s Adventure Quest–Home Depot
3:00 pm to 5:15 pm Sister Luv Band
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Kaptain Kirby Train Rides
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Bucket the Dog-Frisbee Exhibition
5:30 pm to 6:00 pm Dance Lessons-Hustle (4 ct Swing)
6:00 pm to 8:15 pm Incognito
8:30 pm to 10:00 pm Push & Turn
5:00 pm to 10:30 pm Zumbro River Community Festival
ROCHESTER MN GUIDE TO JUNE EVENTS
Looking for a fun family event or maybe something just for you? Check out our Guide to June Events or click the image below. Check out our event calendar for citywide events all summer long! Click the image below to be redirected to the guide.
