Votes Needed to Help It Reach the Top Spot
The Rochester Lilac Festival has been nominated for USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Flower Festival in the USA, and the community’s support is needed to secure the top spot.
The 128th Rochester Lilac Festival will run from Friday, May 8, through Sunday, May 17, 2026. It is an award-winning, time-honored tradition celebrated since 1898, in conjunction with the blooming of the most extensive lilac collection 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 festival each year.
How to Vote
- Visit: https://10best.usatoday.com/qr/56625/
- Vote and share the link with your friends, family, and networks!
- Save the link and vote once per day through Monday, March 2, at 11:59 am EST.
Winning this recognition is an opportunity to shine a national spotlight on Rochester’s incredible community, Highland Park’s botanical wonder, and the Lilac Festival’s unique offerings. By voting, you’re helping celebrate Rochester’s beauty and vibrant culture.
In 2026, the festival will return with 100+ musical performances, 300+ juried arts and craft vendors, a 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.
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