Lilac Festival announces exciting new features for 2025
Guided walking tours, a local farmers market & a non-alcoholic bar
The 127th Rochester Lilac Festival, one of the largest free festivals in the nation, is expanding its offerings to delight even more visitors this year. In addition to its renowned activities during the 10-day event, festivalgoers can now enjoy free guided walking tours, a local farmers market and a first-of-its-kind non-alcoholic bar.
Walking tours
The Highland Park gardens and historic structures surrounding the Rochester Lilac Festival are a treasure trove of stories and beauty. This year, two unique, free tour experiences, the Flower City Flora Tour and Highland Park Historical Tour, will be offered in two formats:
A scheduled tour guided by knowledgeable volunteers.
A self-guided tour for visitors to explore at their own pace in both English and Spanish.
All tours will feature accessible routes through Highland Park, ensuring everyone can enjoy this enriching experience. Details on tour stops, duration, and timing will be announced soon. Interested in sponsoring a tour stop or volunteering to lead a tour? Email info@roclilacfest.com.
“This is one of the most exciting additions to this year’s festival,” said Jenny LoMaglio, Executive Producer of the Rochester Lilac Festival. “We’re thrilled to showcase the historic beauty of Highland Park and give our 500,000 annual visitors another way to celebrate the culture of our city and this historic Olmsted-built park.”
Lilac Local Farmers Market
New for 2025, the Lilac Local Farmers Market will run on Monday, May 12, and Wednesday, May 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on festival grounds behind the Children’s Wooden Playground. Visitors can browse and shop a curated selection of farm-to-table fresh foods, small-market products and artisanal goods. Area businesses interested in participating in the event can email info@roclilacfest.com.
“This farmers market is a perfect complement to our long-standing weekend Arts & Crafts Show,” said LoMaglio. “We’re giving families and visitors even more opportunities to experience the festival, whether they’re looking to shop local or simply enjoy a relaxing weekday outing, or both!”
Non-alcoholic bar
The Zero Proof Social Club will be a trailblazer as the Rochester Lilac Festival becomes the first event of its kind in the area to offer a fully non-alcoholic bar experience. The bar will serve expertly crafted mocktails with zero-proof spirits with the complexity and flavors of traditional cocktails—without the alcohol. In addition, non-alcoholic options for wine and beer will also be offered.
“Creating inclusive experiences is a top priority for me and my team,” said LoMaglio. “Last year, we introduced a sensory-friendly tent in partnership with AutismUp, and this year, we’re adding a non-alcoholic bar to help make socializing more accessible for everyone.”
Additional festival updates
The Annual Lilac Parade Grand Marshal this year will be Karen Iglesia from Primetime585. Karen is an advocate for all local high school athletes in our community. Her mission is to “provide a unique opportunity to bring together young adults and law enforcement, creating a shared vision of opportunities to fight racism and poverty.”
Mother’s Day Experiences: A new ticketed event on the Vision Financial VIP SkyDeck. Activities will include mimosas, spa and beauty experiences and brunch.
Save the dates
May 9 – Opening Ceremony (TBD) & Opening Day (10:30 am to 8:30 pm)
May 10-11 & 17-18 – Art in the Park (10 am to 6 pm Sat., 10 am to 5 pm Sun.)
May 10-11 & 17-18 – Small Business Circle (10 am to 6 pm Sat., 10 am to 5 pm Sun.)
May 10 – Annual Lilac Parade (commences at 10:30 am at Science Prkwy)
May 11 – Mother’s Day Experiences on the Vision Financial VIP SkyDeck and at Art in the Park
May 12 & 14 – Lilac Local Farmers Market (10:00 am to 3:00 pm)
May 14 – Seniors Day
May 18 – 46th Annual Lilac Run 5K/10K and Donut Dash
Sponsor and vendor opportunities
When local businesses partner with and support the festival, they’re helping this great community asset thrive –– in turn, the festival’s more than 500,000 annual visitors support them, which makes it possible for those businesses to give back to our community. It’s a cycle of giving that the Rochester Lilac Festival is proud to champion.
Organizers invite interested vendors, artisans, and sponsors to learn more about available opportunities for these new experiences and custom partnerships by visiting www.roclilacfest.com or by emailing info@roclilacfest.com.
2025 Rochester Lilac Festival Sponsors
KeyBank
Vision Financial Group
Pepsi
Wilkins RV
WellNow Urgent Care
Point of the Bluff Vineyards
House of Guitars
Boulder Coffee
Abundance Food Co-Op
Red Jacket Orchards
About the 127th Rochester Lilac Festival
The Rochester Lilac Festival is an award-winning, time-honored tradition celebrated every spring since 1898, in accordance with the blooming of the most extensive collection of lilacs in the Northeast. On average, more than 500,000 visitors from across Western and Upstate NY, the tri-state area, and Canada attend the 10-day free festival each year.
In 2025, the festival will return with 120+ musical performances, 300+ juried arts and craft vendors, kids’ activities, and the star of the show – the fragrant lilac blossoms. The annual event is hosted by Lilac Festival Inc., which includes Monroe County, the City of Rochester and Visit Rochester members.
For more information about this year’s event, visit www.roclilacfest.com or on social media at https://www.facebook.com/RochesterLilacFestival/ and @rochesterlilacfestival.