ROCHESTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Riders from across New England will take to the road on Saturday, May 2, 2026, for a scenic, multi-stop motorcycle ride in celebration of International Female Ride Day, with proceeds benefiting Dismas Home of New Hampshire. Organized by the New England Motorcycle Group, the ride begins at Big Moose Harley-Davidson in Gorham, Maine, stops at…
The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts is pleased to announce “Heart Of The Wild,” an art exhibition featuring works by Mike Durkee at Back Hill Beer Co. in the Gonic Mill, beginning April 4, 2026. Mike Durkee is a New England–based artist, muralist, designer, and the founder of Durkish Delights Design Co. He specializes in…
The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce was pleased to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony in celebration of the 45th anniversary of Bernier Insurance Agency. Bernier Insurance Agency is located in downtown Rochester, NH, at 32 Wakefield Street. Now in its 45th year, Bernier Insurance serves thousands of personal and commercial customers throughout New England. From life…
A message from the Rochester Public Library: At the RPL, we invite everyone to join the celebration. Whether you’re a longtime patron, a new neighbor, or haven’t visited in a while, now is the perfect time to explore all the library has to offer. Our library provides books and audiobooks, a Library of Things, free…
The Lilac City Gardeners are seeking participants for their 4th Annual Lilac City Garden Tour, scheduled for Saturday, June 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Local gardeners are invited to showcase their gardens, share knowledge, and inspire others in the community. Those interested in participating can contact [email protected], message Lilac City Gardeners on Facebook,…
The Rochester Public Library will host a Gardening Lecture Series program on Monday, April 20, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in the Community Room. Led by Kat Holder, the session will explore common invasive plant species in New Hampshire, why they pose a problem, and how to manage them, along with recommendations for native alternatives….
No foolin’, April is the best time to visit us at the Main Desk! Here’s what we have sprouting in the stacks: NEW DVDS Did you watch or at least hear about the recent Academy Awards? We currently have Oscar winners One Battle After Another; Sinners; Weapons; and Hamnet available on DVD. You can also…
The Rochester Senior Activity Center recently welcomed a special guest to its weekly bingo program: a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic swimming team. According to a social media post, participants enjoyed a memorable afternoon of Bingo as Olympic gold medalist and Rochester Recreation and Arena Advisory Commission member Rhi Jeffrey joined as a celebrity…
The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Bernier Insurance Agency will host a Business After Hours event on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. The event will take place at Bernier Insurance Agency, located at 32 Wakefield Street in Rochester. Celebrating its 45th year in downtown Rochester, Bernier…
MVSB (Meredith Village Savings Bank) is excited to announce the launch of its annual Community Photo Contest, open to the public from March 30 through June 6. Photographers of all levels are invited to capture the beauty, spirit, and everyday moments that make New Hampshire such a special place to live and explore. Winning images…
The Lilac City Gardeners will host a free public workshop, “Getting the Garden Ready for Spring,” on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Frisbie Conference Center, 24 Rochester Hill Road. The session will cover soil preparation, early spring planting techniques, weed and pest identification, composting benefits, and tool maintenance. Open to gardeners…
The Rochester Public Library will host a program on end-of-life planning on Wednesday, April 15, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in the Community Room. Led by end-of-life consultant Holly Herriott, the session will explore the importance of planning ahead and provide clear, compassionate guidance to help individuals and families better understand what to expect, express…
In this episode of the Rochester NH History Podcast, we take a closer look at Gonic—a community within Rochester that has long maintained a distinct identity of its own. Recognized as a neighborhood yet unique enough to have its own ZIP code (03839), Gonic holds a special place in the city’s history. After receiving many…
Rochester Recreation & Arena, in partnership with Lila Productions, is excited to announce a brand-new opportunity for the community to watch and learn dance. As part of its ongoing outreach efforts to bring the art of dance to more people, Lila Productions will hold free workshops and performances at Rochester Rec during the week of…
The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce was pleased to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony in celebration of the grand opening of Robbins Auto Repair & Sales, located at 20 Summer Street in Rochester, NH. Robbins Auto Repair & Sales officially opened on February 13, 2026, and celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, April 7. While Robbins…
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and community members, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to show their support by participating in initiatives such as “Light it up Green,” by displaying green lights, and “Wear Green,” by wearing green clothing throughout the month. National Wear it Green Day will take place on Friday, May 15, 2026,…
Everyone is emerging from winter hibernation, and the Opera House has plenty of shows to keep you and your family entertained! First up, we have A Man Named Cash, the premier tribute to the music and lives of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, coming Friday, April 10 at 8:00 PM. A Man Named Cash…
There’s still time to register for the Rec’s April Vacation Camp! Resident registration is now open, and nonresident registration will open early on 4/13. The cost is $140 for residents and $175 for nonresidents. Registration can be completed at the Rec Office (located inside the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, 150 Wakefield Street) or…
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…