Harborfest 2026

The Rochester Harborfest will take place in Charlotte at Ontario Beach Park and the Port of Rochester, June 18-21, 2026 to mark the opening of the summer season at the beach. New this year will be a water ski show on the Genesee River on Saturday afternoon. A professional sand sculpting demonstration/display on the beach will highlight the 250th anniversary of the United States and an amateur contest open to the public to crown Rochester’s official Sand Champion. A car show featuring several hundred vehicles and a boat parade of lights will also take place Saturday and a display of antique fire equipment will take place on Sunday. Other activities will include a beach volleyball tournament, 5/10k runs, food and over 80 merchandise vendors, tours of the historic Charlotte lighthouse, a children’s area including rides on the 120+ year old Denzel Carousel. In addition, “buskers” street entertainers will be invited to perform. Rochester aerial performance artists will perform 3 free shows Sunday. Musical entertainment will be offered every day in the food tent with a variety of food offerings from 18 food vendors.
Amusements rides and games for the entire family will be offered all 3 days.
The historic tall ship Lettie G. Howard will visit Rochester for the weekend offering public sails and dockside tours... Area restaurants and businesses are also expected to offer discounts and specials and plan musical entertainment to complement the weekend.
T H U R S D A Y, J U N E 1 8
5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Carnival rides and games open
F R I D A Y, J U N E 1 9
7:00 a.m. - Sunset- “America 250” sand sculpture display- Beach
10:00 a.m.-12:00.p.m. Deck tours of historic schooner Lettie. G Howard (Port dock-free)
10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Arts, Crafts, Merchandise Vendors
?12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Carnival rides and games open
12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Food & Beverage Vendors
12:30 p.m. Day sail aboard schooner Lettie G. Howard (Reservation only)
1:00 p.m. - 5; 00 p.m. Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Tours (fee)
2:30 p.m. Day sail aboard schooner Lettie G. Howard (Reservation only)
2:00 - 7:30 p.m. Live music in the Festival Tent
4:30 p.m. Day sail aboard schooner Lettie G. Howard (Reservation only)
7:00 p.m. Sunset cruise aboard schooner Lettie G. Howard (Reservation only)
S A T U R D A Y, J U N E 19
7:00 am - Sunset- “America 250” sand sculpture display- Beach
7:45 - 9 a.m. Fleet Feet Harborfest 5k/10k Races
8:00 a.m. Regional beach volleyball tournament
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Registration Open Sand Sculpture Contest on Beach (cash prizes)
10:00 am - 3:00 p.m. Harborfest Rev On Car Show
10:00 a.m.-12:00.p.m. Deck tours of historic schooner Lettie. G Howard (Port dock-free)
10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Arts, Crafts, Merchandise Vendors
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Wine and Craft Beer Tasting
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Food & Beverage Vendors
12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Carnival rides and games open
12:30 p.m. Day sail aboard schooner Lettie G. Howard (Reservation only)
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. “X Squad” water ski show- River
1:00 p.m. – 5: 00 p.m. Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Tours (fee)
1:00 - 9:00 p.m. Historic Denzel Carousel rides (fee)
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Beetles Tribute- Pavilion stage
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Coast Guard vessel tour -Port dock
2:30 p.m. Day sail aboard schooner Lettie G. Howard (Reservation only)
3:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Live music in the Festival Tent
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. “X Squad” water ski show- River
4:30 p.m. Day sail aboard schooner Lettie G. Howard (Reservation only)
7:00 p.m. Sunset cruise aboard schooner Lettie G. Howard (Reservation only)
9:00 p.m. Boat Parade of Lights led by schooner “Leslie G. Howard”
S U N D A Y, J U N E 2 0
7:00 a.m. - Sunset: “America 250” Sand Sculpture Display- Beach
10:00 a.m.-12:00.p.m. Deck tours of historic schooner Lettie. G Howard (Port dock-free)
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Arts, Crafts, Merchandise Vendors
11 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Antique Fire Equipment Exhibit-River
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wine and Craft Beer Tasting
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Food & Beverage Vendors
12:30 p.m. Day sail aboard schooner Lettie G. Howard (Reservation only)
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Carnival rides and games open
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Tours (fee)
1:00 - 9:00 p.m. Historic Denzel Carousel rides (fee)
1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Live music in the Festival Tent
1:00 p.m. ROC City Circus Acrobats
2:30 p.m. Day sail aboard schooner Lettie G. Howard (Reservation only)
4:00 p.m. ROC City Circus
4:30 p.m. Day sail aboard schooner Lettie G. Howard (Reservation only)
7:00 p.m. Sunset cruise aboard schooner Lettie G. Howard (Reservation only)