Photos from Rochester’s Lilac Festival

Pretty lilacs in Highland Park, Rochester, New York

It’s almost time for the annual Lilac Festival in Rochester, New York! The 2024 dates are May 10-May 19, and at least at this point, it seems like the forecasters have been about right for the lilac blooms. If you happen to be seeing this in a different year, know that the city hosts the festival every year, usually in May, in Highland Park.

Map of the 2023 Lilac Festival in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — Map of the 2023 Lilac Festival

The first lilac festival was in 1902 and has run every year since, except for 2020. At this point, the festival is known for its blooms (my favorite!), food trucks, and live music. It’s appropriate for children and adults of all ages (there is a playground for the kids). Some of the paths are paved or hard-packed stone, while other parts of the park are grassy hillsides. Admission is free to the public (though you’ll probably have to pay for parking).

A few lilac blooms in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — A few lilac blooms

I visited in the middle of the festival (weekday evening) last year. I wandered all over Highland Park and photographed much more than just the famous flowers. Blooming trees, more traditional flowers in the beds, and even ferns and fallen flower petals found their way in front of my camera lens. I found the park to have people in it, but it wasn’t crowded by any means, especially once I got away from the food trucks. Enjoy the photos – and feel free to visit Rochester to see the flowers for yourself!

Closeup of lilac flowers in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — Closeup of lilac flowers

GPS Coordinates & Things Like Parking

I’ll state the GPS coordinates of Highland Park at 43.128478268, -77.60790349, though this is a parking area near a playground. Usually the food trucks are also not too far (slightly west) of this area.

In the midst of the food trucks at the Lilac Festival in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — In the midst of the food trucks

There are a fair number of places to pay for parking; I was able to find a side street to park for free, but 1) this is not guaranteed, and 2) most of the side streets in the area are blocked off (not so much for the money-makers as for the peace and privacy of the neighbors). So if you don’t mind walking, you can probably find free parking, but it’s a whole lot easier to find paid parking closer to the park.

A spiky-sort of lilac at Highland Park, Rochester, New York — A spiky-sort of lilac

There is no walking tour; just hike around the park and you should come upon flowers and lilacs.

We started out near the stage, walked through the food trucks, and then crossed over Highland Avenue. Most of the rest of the pictures are in this area just after crossing the road.

A blooming lilac bush in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — A blooming lilac bush

Looking up at lilac blooms in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — Looking up at lilac blooms

Branches of a shady tree in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — Branches of a shady tree

White lilacs in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — White lilacs

Flowering tree in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — Flowering tree

Another flowering tree in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — Another flowering tree

A floppy peony in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — A floppy peony

A pink peony in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — A pink peony

A wild violet in the peony bed of Highland Park, Rochester, New York — A wild violet in the peony bed

Another pink peony in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — Another pink peony

One last peony in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — One last peony

Eventually, we made our way over to the Lamberton Conservatory. It costs a small fee to get in, so we just wandered around the outside. Highland Park, Rochester, New York — Eventually, we made our way over to the Lamberton Conservatory. It costs a small fee to get in, so we just wandered around the outside.

More flowering trees near the conservatory in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — More flowering trees near the conservatory

Fallen flower blossoms in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — Fallen flower blossoms

On our way back, we saw the Good Year Blimp over Highland Park, Rochester, New York — On our way back, we saw the Good Year Blimp

Another interesting flower in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — Another interesting flower

More lilacs in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — More lilacs

Purplish-white lilac in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — Purplish-white lilac

Closeup of the spiky lilacs in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — Closeup of the spiky lilacs

Purple lilacs that become white in Highland Park, Rochester, New York — Purple lilacs that become white

And then we were back at the food trucks at the Lilac Festival, Highland Park, Rochester, New York — And then we were back at the food trucks!

More Things to Do near Rochester

This book showcases some of the best things to see and do in and around Rochester, New York! From charming towns and museums to waterfalls and swimming holes, there’s simply so much to explore. Buy your copy here!

free, GPS Coordinates, Rochester, Rochester NY

GPS Coordinates & Things Like Parking

More Things to Do near Rochester

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