Member News

The 2026 ESL Rochester Fringe Festival show submissions open today, February 17, 2026, at 9 a.m. (ET). Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2026, at 5 p.m. (ET).

Artists interested in putting on a show at New York State’s largest multidisciplinary performing arts festival will go to rochesterfringe.com to enter their show details into one online application and submit to the venues of their choosing.

• Fringe venues showcase a myriad of art forms, including comedy, dance, multidisciplinary, music, spoken word, theatre and visual art & film.
• Each Rochester Fringe venue selects and books their own shows directly with artists, and since bookings occur on a rolling basis, early applications are encouraged.
• There is no cost to apply.

Artists can apply to all of the venues listed below at rochesterfringe.com:

• Aerial Arts of Rochester
• Biltmore Bar and Lounge
• Blackfriars Theatre
• Bop Shop Records
• CenterStage Theatre at the JCC
• Central Library of Rochester
• Century Club at the Strathallan
• Downtown United Presbyterian Church
• Eastman School of Music
• The Focus Theater
• The Harley School
• The Hochstein School
  The Inn on Broadway
• Java’s
• The Little
• Joseph Avenue Arts and Culture Alliance
• Memorial Art Gallery
• MuCCC
• Photo City Music Hall
• RIT City Art Space
• RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium
• ROC Cinema
• The Rose Room
• Salena's
• School of the Arts (SOTA)
• St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

The 2026 Fringe run dates are September 15 – 26. The entire festival lineup will be announced on July 14, when all tickets will be placed on sale.