Thousands of blossoms are in bloom in Rochester’s Highland Park as the annual Lilac Festival kicks off this weekend.
The Flower City’s signature festival is set against the backdrop of North America’s largest collection of lilacs: 1,800 fragrant bushes representing 500 varieties planted in Highland Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The 10-day festival begins Friday, May 10 at Highland Park and is now celebrating its 126th year.
Festival grounds will be open daily between Friday, May 10 and Sunday, May 19, from 10:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., according to the festival’s website.
How much does it cost to go to the Lilac Festival?
The festival is free, although you can purchase tickets to tour the Lamberton Conservatory within Highland Park for $3 per adult or $2 for seniors and children (ages 6 to 18). Children 5 and younger are free.
Lilac Festival parking for 2024
Parking costs $7-$10 per vehicle and is available at several nearby sites close to Highland Park. Rates vary depending on time of day with the more expensive rates on evenings and weekends.
Visitors seeking a place to park can find directions to each of the three lots on the festival’s guest Info page.
The lots include parking at:
- Main lot at the festival site, across the street from 1111 Elmwood Ave.
- Goodman Street lot at 1065 Elmwood Ave.
- Golisano Institute lot at 150 Sawgrass Drive. This lot offers a shuttle to the festival site is only available on weekends.
Certain lots may be closed due to inclement weather, according to festival officials. People with disabilities who have a wheelchair hang tag should park at 1440 South Ave.
What is there to do at the Lilac Festival?
While the Lilac Festival’s website lists the event’s full schedule, some of the more significant events are taking place this weekend, including the Lilac Parade, which starts at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 11.
Live music is performed daily at the festival’s main stage within the park, located near 1440 South Ave. Some days the free concerts will begin as early as noon., but most days music starts around 4 p.m. Here is the full list of scheduled performances. One notable performer this year is International R&B/soul singer and Rochester native Danielle Ponder, who is performing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 16.
Art in the Park, a juried art and craft show with more than 300 vendors, will be held both festival weekends – May 11 and 12, and May 18 and 19, beginning at 10 a.m. Nearby, a new section for small business owners (and their wares) will also operate on weekends. The annual Lilac Run – 5K and 10K road races – will be held the morning of Sunday, May 19, which begin and end by the slope along Highland Avenue. There are also children’s rides, activities and games on the festival grounds.
New this year is a sensory space, a large tent and outdoor area located near the festival’s Elmwood Avenue entrance. The tent area will include soft lighting and activities including coloring books, music, books, comfortable seating, weighted lap pads, Yogi balls, fidgets, noise canceling headphones and other items that aid in regulation.
What food is available at the Lilac Festival?
Here’s more on the 2024 festival food vendors:
- Rochester Plates
- Rob’s Kabobs
- Red Osier/Cheesy Eddies
- Nenos
- KO-BQ Korean Food Truck
- Bloomin Onion
- Abbott’s Frozen Custard
- Pickle Pirate
- Eat Greek
- Little Debbie’s Concession Wagon
- Travelers Kitchen
- Frozen Dreams
- Avenue29 Foods
- Henry’s Kettle Korn
- Sonny’s Landing
- The Big Cheese
- Tasty Tom’s Turkey Legs
- Mary’s foods
- Big Kauhuna’s
- Nancy’s Fried Dough
- Crepes/Coffee
- Cinnamon Saloon
- Island Wraps
- Rudy’s Bubble Tea
- Rita’s Italian Ice
- Rob’s Sweet Tooth
- Chef’s Catering
- Macarollin Food Truck
- Wraps on Wheels
- Ice cream and Chili
- Roll’n Deep
- Roc Dilla
- Melt Food Truck & Catering
- El Kapitan
- 546 Chicken & Waffles
- Tuscan Woodfired Pizza
- Steve and Al’s Steakout
- Jungle Juice Smoothies
- Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
What are the festival site rules?
- No pets allowed
- No weapons allowed
- Bicycles, skateboards and in-line skates are not allowed
- Guests may not bring food or beverages onto festival grounds (except for one sealed bottle of water)
- Bandanas are not allowed
All children 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian 21 or older (ID is required) on festival grounds. Any non-parental guardian may only escort up to two children.
Bags will be checked by security upon entry to festival grounds.
