News

The Rochester Fire Department is announcing that as of August 19, 2025, the Fire Danger level has been downgraded from VERY HIGH to HIGH. ONLY contained campfires no greater than 2 feet in diameter are allowed today. These are considered Category 1 fires. Categories 2 and 3 are NOT permitted. DO NOT leave any fire […]

Individuals from Great Bay Services recently joined Monarch School of New England students for a hands-on garden project, exploring Monarch’s fully accessible therapeutic garden. Together, they created small container gardens planted with tomatoes, basil, and chives — all the key ingredients for pizza sauce — while blending sensory exploration, creativity, and fun. The visit reflected […]

The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the results of this year’s Chamber Raffle! All 350 tickets for the raffle sold out prior to the event. Underwritten by Deepa Reddy DMD, PLLC, and D.F. Richard Energy, Barbie’s Dream Raffle was held on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the Rochester Elks. In addition […]

The First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Rochester is excited to announce a major steeple renovation project aimed at restoring its historic steeple and beloved city clock. This essential effort to preserve a more than 200-year-old legacy will be completed in phases, with an estimated total cost of $800,000. Since its founding in 1868, the […]

Dominicus Hanson was a wealthy and respected resident of Rochester, remembered as one of the city’s greatest benefactors. His most enduring gift to the community is the magnificent stretch of land along the Cocheco River known as Hanson Pines. This hidden gem, located near Spaulding High School, spans 30 acres of old-growth pine forest with […]

LILA Productions is proud to announce its 5th Annual LILA Dance Festival, taking place on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Rochester Commons Park in Rochester, New Hampshire. This vibrant, free outdoor celebration of dance, artistry, and community brings together both local and international talent to engage audiences of all ages. LILA Productions, a nonprofit organization […]

Rochester has seen many businesses come and go over the years. Some were lost to events like the Great Depression, while others simply faded as the world moved on. After all, there’s not much demand for blacksmiths or horse stables these days. In this episode, we’ll take a nostalgic look back at the shops and […]

The Commission for Arts and Culture, for the City of Rochester, is proud to present the recipients of the 2025 Rochester Arts Awards. These annual awards are an opportunity for the Commission to celebrate individuals, organizations, and events that make significant contributions to the vitality of our community. According to chairperson Ashley Desrochers, the 2025 […]

This August, the Rochester Public Library is accepting donations of new or gently used craft supplies for our annual GET CRAFTY Craft Swap in September. Bring your items to the Main Desk any time during Library open hours. Please bag small items: beads, buttons, small tools, or sets of items. Questions? Please call 603-332-1428 ext […]

The Knights of Columbus, Father McDonald Assembly, is excited to announce the upcoming Race to Serve, taking place on September 1, 2025, in the parking lot of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church. The Race to Serve is a charitable 5K and 10K run/walk, with proceeds benefiting the Michael’s Treasure 603 Foundation of Rochester, […]

The Rochester Opera House is pleased to present The Producers beginning Friday, August 8, and running until August 31, 2025. Directed by iconic Opera House vet Jenry Towle, The Producers follows down-on-his-luck Broadway producer Max Bialystock and timid accountant Leo Bloom as they hatch a wild scheme to get rich: raise far more money than needed […]

Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce that Tanya Hervey, IOM, Director of Events & Communications of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the […]

Todd Marsh, the City of Rochester Welfare Director, has announced the launch of “Cutting into Homelessness,” a new initiative designed to provide interview-ready, professional haircuts for residents experiencing homelessness who have upcoming job interviews. Beginning August 15, 2025, the initiative will partner with multiple local barbershops and salons and is funded through an existing allocation […]

The Seacoast LGBTQ History Project and The Franklin Gallery are thrilled to announce the upcoming Pride art exhibition: (Un)Mask. This exhibit is a celebration of identity, courage, and self-expression that embodies the true spirit of Pride. (Un)Mask will be showcased at The Franklin Gallery throughout the month of August. During Rochester’s Pride Day on Saturday, […]

The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce it will hold its 51st Annual Golf Tournament, underwritten by Waste Management, on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at The Oaks Golf Links.  The format for this tournament is a Scramble with a shotgun start time of 9:00 am. Players will enjoy a continental breakfast and […]

Rochester’s National Night Out will take place on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at the Spaulding High School Torr’s Park, also known as “the triangle”. Part of a nationwide celebration held throughout the United States, Rochester’s National Night Out aims to strengthen police-community relationships and promote crime prevention. This year’s event […]

There are fewer than 100 tickets left for the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce’s annual Chamber Raffle, where the winner will choose between $10,000 or a 2025 Harley-Davidson Street Bob motorcycle! Underwritten by Deepa Reddy, DMD, PLLC, and D.F. Richard Energy, this year’s raffle will take place on Friday, August 15, from 6:00–9:00 PM at […]

The Rochester Opera House is pleased to present The Producers beginning Friday, August 8 and running until August 31, 2025. This wildly irreverent musical comedy, adapted by Mel Brooks from his 1967 film, premiered on Broadway in 2001 with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. The production became a sensation, winning a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards—including […]

Rochester Pride will take place on Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 12–3 PM at 2 Wakefield Street. The event will feature live speakers, music, vendors, food, and family-friendly activities. Attendees can also participate in the poetry contest, with submissions due by July 25, or help with the day of voting. For more information, contact [email protected].

The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the release of the Rochester Community Magazine, designed to promote the quality of life and business opportunities in Rochester. This attractive publication highlights Rochester and the surrounding communities served by the Chamber. The Chamber is proud to publish Rochester’s Community Guide to showcase how Rochester […]

Hope on Haven Hill, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women and families in substance use recovery, will host an Open House on Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at its facility located at 40 Charles Street in Rochester, NH. This free, family-friendly event invites community members, service providers, and local […]

Disney’s The Little Mermaid sails onto the Rochester stage with beloved hits like “Kiss the Girl,” “Under the Sea,” and “Part of Your World.” This enchanting musical adaptation of the 1989 animated film premiered on Broadway in 2008, earning Tony Award nominations for Best Lighting Design of a Musical and Best Original Score. With a book […]

The Rochester Public Library invites community members to attend Restful Nights: A Mindfulness-Based Sleep Workshop on Tuesday, August 5th, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in the Community Room. Quality sleep plays a vital role in maintaining mental health, yet many individuals struggle with getting the rest they need. This engaging workshop, led by Anja Schneider […]

Rochester Main Street is excited to welcome everyone downtown this July for a month filled with family-friendly events, local partnerships, and community spirit. 🦶 Bigfoot Scavenger Hunt (in collaboration with Maple Street Magnet School)Bigfoot is back — and he’s brought friends! Participants can search for cutouts, complete challenges, and earn raffle entries throughout the month. […]

Although summer is just getting started, Rochester Main Street is already hard at work planning an exciting fall season — and the organization wants the community to be a part of it! The Reimagined Spooktacular & Downtown Pumpkin Patch will return this October, and Rochester Main Street is currently looking for: 🎪 Vendors interested in […]

In a recent newsletter, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Laura Ring announced that she will retire on December 31, 2025, after many years of dedicated leadership. Dear Members, After serving the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce for over 35 incredible years, with 33 years as your President/CEO, I have made the difficult […]

On Monday, July 14, 2025, at the annual State of the State forum, Governor Kelly Ayotte presented a special commendation to Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Laura Ring to celebrate her upcoming retirement, recognizing 36 years of dedicated service. WHEREAS, Laura Ring has served with distinction for 36 years with the Greater […]

Rochester Recreation & Arena officially opened the city’s public pools on Saturday, June 22, 2025. The following pools are now open for the summer season: East Rochester PoolLocated behind the former Nancy Loud School on Green Street, off Portland Avenue.Address: Green Street/Cocheco Ave, East Rochester, NH 03868Public swim hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – […]

The Rochester Public Library is a historic gem located in the heart of the city, serving the Rochester community for more than 100 years. It is a Carnegie library, meaning it was built with funds donated by Andrew Carnegie, one of the wealthiest men of his time. Between 1883 and 1929, more than 2,500 Carnegie […]

Rochester Pride is holding a poetry contest. The theme is “What does Pride mean to you?” Participants can win a $50 Jetpack Comics gift card or two tickets to an Opera House production. Submit entries by email to [email protected]. The deadline is July 25th.

The City of Rochester, in collaboration with the School Department, is preparing the grounds of Spaulding High School and the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center for the upcoming Lilac Family Fun Festival on Saturday, July 12, 2025. According to Recreation & Arena Director Lauren Krans, carnival rides are expected to be delivered on the […]

Rochester’s National Night Out will take place on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at the Spaulding High School Torr’s Park, also known as “the triangle”. Part of a nationwide celebration held throughout the United States, Rochester’s National Night Out aims to strengthen police-community relationships and promote crime prevention. This year’s event […]

The City of Rochester invites the community to the Lilac Family Fun Festival, a celebration taking place at Spaulding High School and the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center on Saturday, July 12, 2025, from 4:00 to 9:00 PM. Rain Date: Sunday, July 13, 2025 This exciting event features FREE kiddie carnival rides for young […]