ROCHESTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Free Comic Book Day will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, across both the region and the country, offering free comics to visitors of comic shops that participate. The event in downtown Rochester, started by Ralph DiBernardo at Jetpack Comics & Games, has blossomed into a citywide event, featuring multiple comic locations, discounts at…
The Maple Street Magnet School will host its final student Art Gala on Saturday, April 18, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Rochester Performance & Arts Center (RPAC), 32 North Main Street in downtown Rochester. The community is invited to bid on student artwork, enjoy refreshments, and enter raffles featuring prizes such as…
Rochester Main Street invites residents and volunteers to participate in Rochester Cares Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 18, 2026. This annual community-wide effort focuses on enhancing the cleanliness and appearance of downtown and other neighborhoods, parks, and public spaces throughout the city. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own rakes, gloves, and wheelbarrows if possible….
Rochester Writers Night, the monthly literary event for the Lilac City and its writers, is holding its third annual Rochester Area Authors Fair on Saturday, April 11th, from 1 PM to 4 PM. The Fair will be held at the outdoor covered pavilion at Hanson Pines Park, located at 68 Dominicus Way, Rochester, NH 03867….
The Willand Warming Center will host a Spring Support Fair on Monday, April 13, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM, offering community members an opportunity to prepare for the transition out of the warming center for the season. The event will feature a range of resources, including clothing donations, medical services, recovery programs, and housing assistance,…
The Franklin Gallery will host an exhibit titled An American Story: The Phasianidae Family & Friends during the month of April. The exhibit features the work of artist Susan York and will be on display at the gallery, located at 33 N. Main Street in Rochester. The public is encouraged to visit during regular gallery…
The City of Rochester invites the community to the Lilac Family Fun Festival, an annual celebration taking place at Spaulding High School and the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 4:00 to 9:00 PM. This exciting event features FREE kiddie carnival rides for young children, games, food trucks, local…
MVSB (Meredith Village Savings Bank) is proud to support the Rochester Opera House with a $2,500 contribution in support of the organization’s arts education programs for local youth. The Rochester Opera House offers high‑quality classes, camps, workshops, and private lessons designed to inspire creativity and artistic growth for participants of all ages. “Theater programs give…
A message from the Rochester Historical Society and Museum: A reminder notification has been sent to the membership of the Rochester Historical Society concerning the upcoming speaking event we have planned. This event is open to the public, and we look forward to having you there. We always welcome your decision to become a member…
The Strafford Wind Symphony presents All That Jazz, a lively evening of music on Wednesday, April 8, at 7:00 PM at the Rochester Opera House. The Strafford Wind Symphony is a volunteer-based, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that rehearses weekly in Rochester. Its members include both professional and non-professional musicians from a wide range of backgrounds, united…
Beginning April 1, the Rochester Public Library will transition its popular monthly puzzle swap to an ongoing, permanent offering. The swap will be located on the top floor of the library, on the empty bookshelf next to the nonfiction tables. Participants are invited to bring a completed puzzle (minimum 250 pieces, adult-appropriate) and exchange it…
The Rochester Public Library Teen Room invites teens to enjoy a variety of events and activities throughout the month of April. The Teen Winter/Spring Reading Program is going strong! Raffle prizes are awarded at the end of the program, including art kits, water bottles, reading baskets, Pokémon cards, games, and more. Teens can sign up…
A message from the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce: Hi everyone, This is it — your last chance to be part of our Business Showcase! Whether you’re joining as a table participant or attending as a guest, this is one event you don’t want to miss. With 49 local businesses participating, the room will be…
The Rochester Public Library is introducing a new digital offering, Library Chef, a platform featuring virtual cooking classes for all ages. Library Chef provides a range of live and on-demand classes for adults, teens, and children. The program includes three live cooking classes each month for adults, as well as two monthly family classes, one…
The Greater Dover, Rochester, and Somersworth Chambers of Commerce will present a Tri-Chamber Legislative Reception on Monday, March 30, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, hosted by Frisbie Memorial Hospital at their Community Education & Conference Center, 11 Whitehall Rd. Rochester. The event will provide an opportunity for business leaders and members of the…
Local nonprofit Cornerstone VNA is proud to announce that Todd Burnett, PT, DPT, CLT, WCC, Lymphedema and Wound Management Coordinator, has been honored with the Award of Excellence in Clinical Practice from the Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management, a component of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). This prestigious award recognizes an Academy…
The New Hampshire Farm Museum in Milton, New Hampshire, is pleased to announce that it has joined Museums For All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museums and Library Services (MLS) administered by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM). The program encourages people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong…
The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce was pleased to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony in celebration of the grand opening of Fastest Labs of Rochester, located at 120 Washington Street, Suite 103, in Rochester. The grand opening of Fastest Labs of Rochester brings fast, accurate, and affordable testing services to the Rochester community and surrounding…
This March, Spaulding Music and Performing Arts proudly presents its production of Frozen the Broadway Musical. Running from March 18 through March 22, the production features a company of nearly 100 Spaulding High School students involved in the cast, crew, and pit band. Based on the Academy Award-winning film, the musical tells the story of…
The Rochester Public Library will host a Beginner Ukulele Workshop on Tuesday, March 24, from 6:00–7:30 PM in the library’s Community Room at 65 South Main Street. Led by the Southern New Hampshire Ukulele Group (SNHUG), the workshop is open to participants of all skill levels and will introduce basic techniques in a fun, welcoming…
Applications for the Fuel Assistance Program (FAP) and the Electric Assistance Program (EAP) through Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC) remain open until April 30. These essential programs provide support to help households manage heating and electricity costs during the year. The Fuel Assistance Program and Electric Assistance Program offered by CAPSC offer financial…
A message from the Rochester Opera House: The Murder Mystery Has Been Extended Once Again at the Rochester Opera House! Due to popular demand, Rochester’s annual Murder Mystery has been extended for a second time for one more weekend through March 21, making our run of The Murder Mystery here at the Opera House a…
The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts presents Beth Wittenberg: Selected Works, a posthumous exhibition celebrating the life and work of Seacoast artist Beth Wittenberg (1966–2025). The exhibition offers visitors a glimpse into the wide breadth of Wittenberg’s creative practice while acknowledging a career that ended too soon. Throughout her career, Wittenberg created art that was bold,…
Music Drives Us, a nonprofit organization founded in 2006 by Ernie Boch Jr., donated $6,000 worth of musical instruments to the Rochester Opera House and the Rochester Performance and Arts Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Celebrating its 20th year, Music Drives Us is dedicated to providing access to music education for children across New…
Secretary of State David Scanlan and Civic and Voter Education Coordinator Lily Woo are pleased to usher in Civic Learning Week (March 9–13) with a new “Civic and Voter Education” section on the Secretary of State’s website. The Secretary of State’s Office has made a concerted and continued effort to expand civic education resources for…
The Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC) has expanded its Senior Transportation Program with new routes serving residents in Farmington and Milton, helping more older adults access essential services and remain independent in their communities. CAPSC’s Senior Transportation Program provides door-to-door transportation for Strafford County residents age 60 and older, offering rides to local…
Due to the winter storm that is predicted to arrive tonight and be in place through the first part of Friday morning, the decision has been made to delay the start of all COAST services between 7:25-8:00a, with all scheduled service operating as normal after 8:00a. “The prediction of up to 5” of snow in…
A portion of gaming revenue proceeds from The Nash Casino will enable Dismas Home of New Hampshire to expand its services and support the opening of a second home for women in recovery who are rebuilding their lives after involvement in the court system. As the nonprofit marks its ten-year anniversary, Dismas Home Executive Director…
Rochester Writers Night, the monthly literary event for the Lilac City and its writers, is holding its third annual Rochester Area Authors Fair on Saturday, April 11th, from 1 PM to 4 PM. The Fair will be held at the outdoor covered pavilion at Hanson Pines Park, located at 68 Dominicus Way, Rochester, NH 03867….
After years of planning, The Rochester Opera House has taken a major step forward in enhancing its production capabilities with the installation of a state-of-the-art fly system: the Thern Clew Winch System. This upgrade marks a significant investment in the theater’s future, enabling larger, safer, and more technically ambitious productions for years to come. Since…
The Granite YMCA is hosting a “Family Movie Night for a Cause” as part of its 2026 Community Campaign, Mission: Possible. The event will feature a screening of Lilo and Stitch on Thursday, March 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Rochester Performance and Arts Center, 32 N. Main Street in Rochester, NH, with…
In this episode of the Rochester NH History Podcast, we take a closer look at Rochester’s city seal — the familiar emblem seen on city trucks, municipal buildings, and official documents — and uncover the story behind it. Far from a random design, each element of the seal reflects Rochester’s traditions, civic identity, and nearly…
The Rochester Public Library Teen Room invites teens to enjoy a variety of events and activities throughout the month of March. The Teen Winter/Spring Reading Program is going strong! Raffle prizes will be awarded at the end of the program and include an art kit, water bottles, reading baskets, Pokémon cards, games, and more. Teens…