As winter turns to spring, blooming flowers fill Upstate New York with color. One major festival in Upstate New York celebrates the arrival of spring and the beautiful flowers it brings. This event, the Rochester Lilac Festival, is just around the corner.
The Rochester Lilac Festival occurs during the peak bloom period for lilacs in Rochester’s Highland Park. The event displays North America’s largest collection of lilacs, including more than 1,800 bushes and 500 varieties. It features shows, special events, and more, all with the backdrop of stunningly beautiful flowers. The event is free to attend and will take place this year from May 12th–21st.
The Rochester Lilac Festival offers visitors numerous experiences ranging from art and entertainment to food and drink. One of the first events of the festival is the Lilac Parade, a massive spring celebration that features more than 2,500 participants, 20 marching bands, mini cars, and more. Attendees can also participate in a 5 km and 10 km run/walk through the Rochester suburb of Brighton that starts and finishes back in Highland Park.
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The festival will be an excellent place to sample products from the wineries and breweries that Upstate New York has become famous for, all with a scenic spring backdrop. The Lilac Festival hosts both a Wine Tasting Expo and a Craft Beer Expo, where local vineyards and breweries can display their latest work. The Bully Hill Wine Grove is a wine-based experience that offers charcuterie boards and tasty treats.
The Rochester Lilac Festival will be a blast for all ages, with live music and performances, an Art in the Park area sharing the works of talented artists, and a kids’ zone with child-friendly activities to keep the little ones entertained for hours on end.
