May 12 – 21, 2017. It began in 1898.

When thinking of Rochester, “Kodak” comes to mind. But did you know there’s more? Rochester is also famous for being “Lilac Capital of the World.”

Camera manufacturing comes and goes but it looks like lilacs will be in Rochester forever.

May Lilacs Rochester Festival

An art, music, food, and flower festival taking place in early May every year. Over 500 varieties of lilacs on 1,200 bushes.

The idea for the festival came about on a Sunday 1898 when 3,000 people came to the park to see the lilacs. The event has grown immensely. Now over 500,000 people attend.It goes on for ten days.

Festival’s official website: http://www.rochesterevents.com/lilac-festival/