128th Annual Rochester Lilac Festival Brings Spring Celebrations to Highland Park

The 128th Annual Rochester Lilac Festival officially returned to Highland Park, welcoming hundreds of thousands of regional visitors and travel enthusiasts to celebrate the arrival of spring in the Flower City. The historic ten-day community event ran from May 8 through May 17, aligning with the peak seasonal bloom of North America's largest premier lilac collection.

Opening day ceremonies featured the highly anticipated unveiling of the official 2026 festival poster, designed by Rochester native, watercolor artist, and author David Corbin. Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, Rochester Deputy Mayor Michael Burns, and festival organizers gathered at the main stage to kick off the celebration, emphasizing the event's multi-million dollar economic impact on local tourism and small business sectors.

The 2026 production introduced several new guest experiences to the park grounds, including a curated Lilac Tasting Table showcasing regional culinary staples and craft beverage makers, alongside the Bloom & Breathe Lounge wellness space. These additions joined a lineup of long-standing festival traditions, including the annual Lilac Parade, the 47th annual Lilac Run 5K and 10K events, and the Art in the Park weekends featuring more than 300 regional makers. Throughout the ten-day stretch, the KeyBank Center Stage hosted nearly 60 free outdoor musical performances, anchoring the historic park celebration as a vital point of civic pride and community connection.