Stop And Smell The Flowers At The Rochester Lilac Festival In New York 

In 1890, two horticulturalists planted thousands of lilac bushes on the south slope of Highland Park. Eight years later, a spontaneous festival broke out, as thousands of people flocked to the park to delight in the beautiful blooms. This was the beginning of what would become the Rochester Lilac Festival in New York, the largest festival of its kind in the country! Here’s everything you need to know to get ready for this ten-day, free event in Rochester that’s celebrating its 125th year in 2023:

First of all, let’s mark the calendars:

The Lilac Festival in New York takes place May 12-21, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. and it's free to attend.

As North America’s largest collection of lilacs, you’ll feel like you’re in a whimsical fairytale as you stroll around the park.

There are more than 1,800 lilac bushes and over 500 different varieties!

And in addition to the labyrinth of lilacs, you’ll also be able to see the other beautiful gardens within the park including the pansy bed (with over 10,000 plants), the tulip garden, and the rhododendron/azalea garden, with up to 700 varieties of these showstopper flowers.

Benches peppered around are perfect to sit for a spell and take it all in!

This might just be the best-smelling festival of all time.

Seriously, though. With thousands of lilacs in bloom, you can bet that the park truly transforms into a scented wonderland.

It's definitely a festival you'll want to bring your camera to!

Think of all the photo opportunities.

The lilac 5K/10K is one of the most beloved races in New York, and it takes place on May 21.

Marking the beginning of spring, who could resist strapping on your sneakers and celebrating the return of warm weather? After the winter we've had, it's certainly a warm welcome!

If you’re not much of a long-distance runner, don’t worry...the Dunkin’ Dash is right up your alley.

This is much more my style. Run, walk, or even cartwheel your way down to the finish line sporting your best and most creative Dunkin’ Donuts apparel. This race is great for all ages, and you even get a T-shirt and a tasty donut at the finish line.

The 10-day festival is jam-packed with things to do, including Art at the Park.

Just a short distance from the center of the festival (about a two-minute walk) you’ll find the artist’s corner, where you can support local artists selling everything from handmade soaps to one-of-a-kind jewelry.

No festival is complete without some tunes, and the Lilac Festival came to party in this department.

Check the website for the full line-up to find out when your favorite band is playing. Feel free to bring your own chairs, umbrellas, or blankets to enjoy the show.

There will be plenty of food and beverage options, too.

Including both a craft beer and a wine-tasting expo.

Visit the Rochester Lilac Festival's website to find out more, and be sure to follow the Lilac Festival on Facebook so you don't miss out on any announcements!