Is There a Thursdays Downtown in Rochester, MN This Week?

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! I know summer is finally here and we've got fun outdoor festivities happening everywhere, but there is a bit of a change to one of our favorites in Rochester, Minnesota that you need to know about.

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HEADS UP! No Thursdays Downtown in Rochester, Minnesota This Week

Before you text your friends and plan on grabbing lunch together on 1st Ave on Thursday or listen to the live bands on the stage by the old Potbelly's downtown, there is a big change you need to know about. There is NO Thursdays Downtown on June 22nd, 2023.

I know. We just had a taste of it and then BAM!, no Thursdays Downtown.

ALEX D -Alpha-Digital-courtesy-of-Rochester-Downtown-Alliance

Why is Thursdays Downtown Canceled This Week?

I saw quite a few people asking "Why is Thursdays Downtown canceled?". Before the rumor mill really gets out of control (looking at you specifically Facebook), here are a few facts to know:

Is Thursdays Downtown Canceled because of the smoke in the air or air quality alerts?
- No
Is Thursdays Downtown canceled because of the heat?
- No
Is Thursdays Downtown canceled because of bands backing out?
- No

The press release from the Rochester Downtown Alliance didn't say why it wasn't happening specifically. This isn't new news though. When I first received a list of all of the downtown Rochester events for 2023, which was many, many months ago, June 22nd was not on the list of dates for Thursdays Downtown. This was communicated from the beginning. In other words, this event wasn't canceled. It wasn't even planned for the 22nd.

My guess was that the Rochester Downtown Alliance was showing some Minnesota Nice to Rochesterfest this week. According to one of their latest Facebook posts, that is exactly why there isn't a Thursdays Downtown this week:

Tomorrow, Thursdays Downtown is taking a pause for the Rochesterfest cause. We will see you next Thursday, June 29, though, for the continuation of this staple summer event in #DowntownRochesterMN!
Until then, it's Family Night and a great night of music featuring Blackbird band and fABBAulous tomorrow at Rochesterfest. Stop by the Downtown Rochester MN tent for a chance to win a downtown gift card and to see what else is going on downtown!

When is the next Thursdays Downtown?
- Thursday, June 29th is the next Thursdays Downtown

Townsquare Media Rochester

Check Out The Other Fun Event Happening in Rochester, Minnesota This Week - Rochesterfest!

Just down the street from where Thursdays Downtown is typically located is another fun event in town. Rochesterfest is a yearly tradition in the Med City and this year, it goes from June 17th until June 25th. You can find a full schedule of events at the Rochesterfest website.

One of the fun events is the Rochesterfest parade! You can find the parade route, time, and everything else you need to know about the Rochesterfest parade on Saturday here.

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Check out the 28 Food Vendors at Rochesterfest This Year

Instead of Thursdays Downtown, you can check out the fun happening at Rochesterfest, including the huge list below of vendors bringing delicious treats and drinks to the downtown area.

28 Vendors Bringing Delicious Food and Drinks to Rochesterfest in 2023

You know summer is almost here when you start to hear news about Rochesterfest, the huge community party from June 17th - 25th in Rochester, Minnesota!

The latest announcement about Rochesterfest might make your mouth water because the list of vendors was just announced...and basically, every fair food group is covered, including quite a few new vendors this year! Take a look at the list below.

And go give Rochesterfest a "like" on Facebook at their page here so you don't miss out on any of the Rochesterfest fun this year.