Rochester Fringe Festival returns September 15–26, 2026—and Sibley Square is right in the middle of the fun.
This year’s lineup brings 18 productions to The Duke at The Mercantile on Main and Focus Theater. From drag, stand-up and sketch comedy to improvised movies, musical mayhem, interactive games and unforgettable storytelling, there is something on the schedule for nearly every kind of Fringe fan.
All performances listed below run approximately 60 minutes. Tickets are required unless otherwise noted. Show details and availability may change, so be sure to review the official listing when making your plans.
View all shows and get tickets through Rochester Fringe Festival →
Rochester Fringe Shows at The Duke
Stand Up for Drag
Showtimes: September 15 at 8 p.m. and September 23 at 6 p.m.
Drag, music and stand-up comedy come together for an inclusive evening of laughter featuring King Bey, Cindy Arena, Kyla Minx and Kevin Markman. The performers’ mission is to bring Rochester together one “Stand Up for Drag” family member at a time.
Comedy Is A Drag
Showtimes: September 16 and 18 at 8 p.m.
Aggy Dune brings razor-sharp wit, outrageous stories and unapologetic glamour to the Fringe stage. Blending stand-up, drag and pure camp, Aggy transforms everyday chaos into a bold and wildly entertaining comedy experience.
Get tickets for Comedy Is A Drag →
Sorry 4 Da Weight
Showtimes: September 21, 22, 23 and 24 at 8 p.m.
Drew Jemison, Dre Gray and Mike Gamble take the stage alongside a surprise guest host and featured performers. Expect explosive energy, fearless crowd work and unapologetic humor rooted in real-life experiences.
Rochester Fringe Shows at Focus Theater
Mouth Harpo’s Final First Fringe Tour II: Electric Boogaloo
Showtimes: September 15 at 7 p.m. and September 26 at 5 p.m.
Rochester’s improvisational indie rock band has forgotten every song it has ever written. Give the band a song title and watch the members create it on the spot—possibly with a guest air-guitar solo from the audience.
The Night of 1000 Johns: An Alternative Comedy Show
Showtime: September 15 at 9 p.m.
Three Johns are close enough to one thousand, right? Rochester comedians John Mungovan, Johnny B. and John F. deliver an evening of alternative comedy hosted by local comedian and ordained minister Shawn Hennessy.
Nerds in a Basement
Showtimes: September 16 at 7 p.m. and September 18 at 9 p.m.
Dungeons & Dragons meets improv as a dungeon master guides performers through a completely unscripted adventure. Audience suggestions help create the characters, setting and quest, now accompanied by live music.
Movie Night
Showtime: September 16 at 9 p.m.
Name a movie and watch some of Rochester’s esteemed improvisers create their own completely improvised remake. From dramas and westerns to beloved classics and notorious flops, no corner of cinema is safe.
The Roustabouts
Showtimes: September 17 and 22 at 7 p.m.
The Roustabouts are back—mostly. The reunited sketch group joins forces with more local comedians for a clever collection of original comedy, sketches and fun.
Battle Royale Improv Tournament
Showtimes: September 17, 19, 24 and 26 at 9 p.m.
Three teams enter, but only one advances—and the audience decides who survives. Winners move on to the Tournament of Champions for a shot at fame, adoring fans and a cash prize. This returning Fringe favorite has produced multiple sold-out performances, so early tickets are recommended.
Thank You Kiss Presents: Please Excusememe
Showtimes: September 18 and 26 at 7 p.m.
Thank You Kiss blends satire, sincerity and silliness through sketch, improv and video. The acclaimed group features performers who have studied or worked at comedy institutions including iO, The Second City and The Annoyance.
Stage Coaches
Showtimes: September 19 at 5 p.m. and September 22 at 9 p.m.
Improvisers transform audience-suggested football plays, penalties and coaching calls into fast-paced, unscripted scenes. Football experts will catch the references, but you do not need to know a blitz from a biscuit to join the fun.
Guilt & Mirrors Improv Troupe
Showtimes: September 19 and 24 at 7 p.m.
The comedy queens of Guilt & Mirrors introduce bold, bizarre and unforgettable personalities in “She’s a CharactHER!” Audience suggestions and everyday chaos inspire larger-than-life scenes filled with spicy, irreverent humor.
Eno and Dan French DEUX
Showtime: September 20 at 3 p.m.
Eno and Dan have gone French—again. Their multimedia comedy mashup explores the language, food and music of France through sound, movement, questionable cultural knowledge and plenty of slapstick silliness.
Have I Ever Told You About…?
Showtimes: September 20 at 5 p.m. and September 23 at 7 p.m.
Penny Sterling shares more strange and hilarious adventures in an evening of stories, songs and surprises. Rochester’s favorite transgender storyteller still has plenty of tales left to tell—including one involving rum raisin ice cream and the KGB.
ComedySportz Buffalo
Showtime: September 20 at 7 p.m.
Improvisational comedy becomes a sport as two teams compete in games, songs, scenes and jokes inspired by the audience. A referee calls the fouls, fans vote for their favorite team and a winner is crowned. Best of all, the show offers clean, family-friendly fun for all ages.
Conspiracy Council
Showtimes: September 20 at 9 p.m. and September 25 at 7 p.m.
You are formally invited to the next meeting of the Conspiracy Council. Five guests will pitch their favorite theories before the audience selects one to become the Council’s newest “canonically true” conspiracy.
Jackboxxing
Showtimes: September 21 at 7 p.m. and September 26 at 3 p.m.
Free event—no ticket required.
Local improvisers and comedians duel inside the digital world of Jackbox. Bring a charged cellphone so you can vote, influence the competition and help determine the champion.
Dads for Democracy
Showtime: September 21 at 9 p.m.
Eno, JP, JFT and Keith return with a long-form improv coalition running on characters, concepts, silliness and whimsy. Despite the campaign-themed name, the production notes that the performance will likely contain no political elements.
Gameshow! Gameshow! Gameshow!: A Games Show
Showtimes: September 23, 25 and 26 at 9 p.m.
Winner of the Hollywood Fringe Award for Immersive & Games, this interactive showdown pits one side of the audience against the other. Prepare to leave your seat and compete in more than 40 trivia, physical and custom-built video games—and remember to charge your phone.
Make a Night of It at Sibley Square
With performances running throughout Rochester Fringe Festival, there are plenty of opportunities to experience something new at The Duke and Focus Theater. Come downtown early, meet up with friends and enjoy food or drinks at The Mercantile on Main before the show. Individual restaurant hours may vary.
Shows with multiple performances can sell quickly, so reserve your preferred dates early.