The third-largest city in New York, Rochester and its surrounding suburbs boast a rich and diverse population of over one million people. If you think that there aren’t many things to do in Rochester NY this weekend, you’re probably just not paying enough attention. Of course, there are tons of local food coupons to a number of Rochester coupons that you and your friends could easily take advantage of.

Chances are however that you may have missed some of the best chances for a good time during your time in the city. Many of these fun opportunities have probably been staring you in the face for years. Whether you’re looking for things to do in Rochester NY this weekend, or you want to plan ahead for later on in the year, you’ll want to be sure to pay attention.

• The Jazz Fest
  One of the largest Jazz festivals in the United States, the Xerox Rochester International Jazz festival is one of the most incredible annual events in the city. Every summer, hundreds of talented musicians make their way to the stages downtown. Each year, over 160,000 people attend the festival to see performances by such artists as Bonnie Raitt, Herbie Hancock, Jeff Beck and James Brown.%3Cbr%3E

• The Lilac Fest
  The annual Lilac Festival brings tens of thousands of people each day to gorgeous Highland Park. Some come for the music, and some come for the food, but all come to see the worlds largest display of lilacs. No matter what your initial motivation may be, you’ll probably agree that the Lilac fest is one of the most fun things to do in Rochester.%3Cbr%3E

• The Film Fests
  You may be surprised to learn that Rochester is home to not one, but three distinct film festivals. The 360 365 Film Festival showcases the best in independent films from all around the globe. ImageOut, the Rochester Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival showcases films featuring gay directors, actors and stories. Last but not least, there is the annual Rochester International Film Festival, which shows off some of the best short films the world has to offer.

Whether you’re looking for a few things to do in Rochester NY this weekend or you’re trying to find something cool for when friends and relatives visit from out of town, you’ll want to make sure that you take a long hard look at what this city has to offer. You may just find the event of a lifetime that had previously been hiding in plain sight.