February 3, 2025, Rochester, NY— The Rochester Lilac Festival, a cherished tradition for 127 years, has been nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Flower Festival in the USA, and the community’s support is needed to secure the top spot.
Hosted annually in the stunning Highland Park, the Rochester Lilac Festival is the largest free festival of its kind in North America, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each May. The festival celebrates nature, culture, and community, featuring over 1,200 varieties of lilacs in full bloom, breathtaking gardens, live music from renowned performers, local artisans, delicious festival food, and so much more.
Highland Park, designed by legendary landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, is a botanical treasure and home to one of the world’s largest collections of lilacs. Its vibrant displays make it a destination for nature lovers and flower enthusiasts from across the globe. Winning this prestigious recognition would highlight Rochester’s rich history and showcase the city as a top destination for tourism and events.
How to Vote
- Visit: https://10best.usatoday.com/qr/45211/
- Vote and share the link with your friends, family, and networks!
- Save the link and vote once per day through Monday, March 3, at 11:59 am EST.
Why Your Vote Matters
Winning this recognition will shine a national spotlight on Rochester’s incredible community, Highland Park’s botanical wonder, and the Lilac Festival’s unique offerings. By voting, you’ll help celebrate our city’s beauty and vibrant culture.
About the 127th Rochester Lilac Festival
The 127th Rochester Lilac Festival will run from Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 18, 2025. It 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, local farmers’ market, Lilac Run, 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.
Organizers invite interested vendors, artisans, and sponsors to learn more about custom partnerships by emailing info@roclilacfest.com. For more information about this year’s event, visit www.roclilacfest.com or on social media at https://www.facebook.com/RochesterLilacFestival/ and @rochesterlilacfestival.