The Rochester Lilac Festival fills Highland Park with 1,200 lilac bushes representing 500 varieties and a broad slate of activities. The festival features live music on the KeyBank Center Stage with over 80 bands, food vendors, The Lilac Table tasting event, a 5K/10K and kids’ trot, a parade, guided walking tours, a farmers market, Art in the Park and special programming such as a Sensory Space and Seniors’ Day.

Plan your visit for any time during the festival run, 2027-05-07 to 2027-05-16, and allow time to enjoy both the plant collections and the events schedule. Consider which attractions matter most — concerts and tastings, the races, the parade, walking tours or the farmers market and art — and organize your days in Highland Park around those highlights.