This year’s festival will take place from May 8 to 17, 2026.
Every May, Highland Park plays host to Rochester’s Lilac Festival, though the lilacs are not the only attractions to see. According to the official Rochester Lilac Festival website, it is the largest free festival of its kind in North America.
Concerts begin in the early evening, leaving your days free to explore the Rochester area. While visiting our beautiful little city, here are a few of my favorite places to see around the Highland Park area.
Want to explore Highland Park more deeply?
Highland Park
by Debi Bower
Now available—just in time for spring in Highland Park. Explore Frederick Law Olmsted’s living landscape in Rochester, New York.
Highland Park – you are here!
There is so much more to Highland Park than the festival area and the Lilac Collection! Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Highland is Rochester’s first park.
Explore all the pathways, flower and tree collections, memorials, and play spaces while you’re here! Favorites among locals include the walk-through tree and Poet’s Garden, both located near the Lamberton Conservatory, to the west of the reservoir.
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Highland Park
Explore Highland Park in Rochester, NY—an Olmsted-designed landscape known for lilacs, gardens, and year-round beauty.
Places in the Immediate Area of the Lilac Festival
Lamberton Conservatory and Sunken Garden are part of Highland Park; Mount Hope Cemetery and Ellwanger Garden are right down the street, so that you can walk from the Lilac Festival. They make a perfect quick getaway from the crowds.
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Lamberton Conservatory
Running through mid-May, the Lamberton Conservatory Spring Show showcases fragrant hyacinths, daffodils, lilies, and tulips.
Sunken Garden at Warner Castle
In Highland Park, walk behind Warner Castle or up the hill from Highland Bowl, and there you will find the magnificent Sunken Garden.
Mount Hope Cemetery
Mount Hope Cemetery's winding roads are best explored on foot for a glimpse into the area's rich history, ecology, and geology.
Ellwanger Garden
Maintained by the Landmark Society, the Ellwanger Estate Garden is periodically open to the public for special events.
Outdoor Destinations Around Rochester
As much as I love the immediate Highland neighborhood, if you’re in town for a few days for all the free concerts, these are a few outdoor places in the city you can explore before the evening concerts begin.
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50 Hidden Places Around Rochester
From secret gardens to enchanting waterfalls, exploring hidden places around the Rochester area is the ultimate way to add some spice to your travel experiences.
22 Monroe County Parks
Monroe County parks are free and offer 12,000 acres of natural, zoological, horticultural, historical, and geological experiences.
132 Things to Do Around Rochester, NY
We've pulled together a list of fun and unique things to do around Rochester, NY, within two hours of home—perfect for quick getaways.
Easy-to-See Waterfalls Near Rochester
Not all waterfalls are hidden in dark ravines. Many of the region’s most stunning waterfalls can be viewed from the road or a short walk.
Exceptional Rochester Museums
The festival takes place in May. It’s not the warmest or driest month of the year in Rochester! Just in case you visit Rochester for the Lilac Festival on a rainy day, here are a few places to spend a few engaging hours riding the storm out.
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Museums Around Rochester
Rochester is home to world-renowned museums and thought-provoking galleries. You can spend weeks exploring our rich cultural heritage.
Food & Beverage
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Food & Beverage Guide
Whether savoring a gourmet meal, enjoying local delicacies, or embarking on a culinary adventure, you'll love Rochester’s dining scene.
Have a bit more time to see the Greater Rochester area?
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104 Days Trips from Rochester
Discover 104 day trips across Rochester, the Finger Lakes, and Western New York—from waterfalls and parks to museums and historic towns.
132 Things to Do Around Rochester, NY
We've pulled together a list of fun and unique things to do around Rochester, NY, within two hours of home—perfect for quick getaways.
Easy-to-See Waterfalls Near Rochester
Not all waterfalls are hidden in dark ravines. Many of the region’s most stunning waterfalls can be viewed from the road or a short walk.
Transformative Travel Destinations
Instead of being an escape, I see these places as opportunities that encourage us to transcend space, time, and our state of mind.
Gorge Trails Near Rochester
Gorge trails call out from their deep, dark, and cool caverns. If you haven’t already, start checking these spectacular trails off your list.
47 New York State Parks Within a Two-Hour Drive of Rochester
Venture into one of these New York State Parks within a two-hour drive of Rochester and discover what makes them unique.
What do you look forward to most during the Rochester Lilac Festival?
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Help Support My Work
People often ask if I get free access to the places I visit. The answer is no—unless I’m invited to a special preview or offered behind-the-scenes access through my media role. Most of the time, I don’t even mention Day Trips Around Rochester, New York when I visit a place. I want to have the same experience you would.
I create and share this content because it brings me joy—and I hope it adds value to your adventures, too.
If my work has helped you explore and appreciate the Rochester area, please consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack. You’ll receive an email whenever I publish new content and have the chance to connect with a growing community of local explorers.
Thank you for supporting my efforts to keep producing meaningful and helpful content.
Thank you!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
