MONROE COUNTY & CITY OF ROCHESTER ANNOUNCE
2025 ROCHESTER LILAC FESTIVAL DATES
Vendor & Artisan Applications Now Open
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – December 13, 2024 – Event organizers announced today that the 127th Rochester Lilac Festival, one of the most beloved annual events in Monroe County, will take place from May 9 to May 18, 2025. With the 2025 event dates scheduled, organizers invite interested vendors, artisans, and sponsors to learn more about partnership opportunities by visiting www.roclilacfest.com.
The Rochester Lilac Festival is one of the largest free festivals of its kind in the country and serves as the unofficial start of Rochester’s festival season. Organizers expect more than 500,000 visitors to attend this time-honored tradition in 2025 to celebrate the beauty and fragrant scents of the largest collection of lilacs in the Northeast while enjoying 10 days of gardens, music, art, food and family fun.
The Board, LFI (Lilac Festival Inc) selected Best Resipe Productions as the 2025 production partner earlier this year, following a competitive RFP process. Best Resipe Productions principal and owner, Jenny LoMaglio, has been a long-time festival collaborator, bringing decades of experience and passion to this historic festival.
“It’s an absolute honor to lead the Rochester Lilac Festival into its 127th year,” said Jenny LoMaglio, of Best Resipe Productions. “This festival is woven into the fabric of Rochester – a celebration of legacy and tradition with experiences like the Art & Craft Show, the Lilac Run and the Lilac Parade. My team and I are committed to delivering the very best for these beloved favorites while introducing fresh, exciting elements that ensure this treasured event remains a can’t-miss celebration for generations to come.”
SAVE THE DATES
- May 9 – Opening Ceremony (10 am), festival grounds open (10:30 am through 8:30 pm)
- May 10-11 & 17-18 – Art in the Park (10 am – 6 pm Saturdays, 10 am- 5 pm Sundays)
- May 10-11 & 17-18 – Small Business Circle (10 am – 6 pm Saturdays, 10 am- 5 pm Sundays)
- May 10 – Lilac Parade (commences at 10:30 am at Science Prkwy)
- May 14 – Seniors Day
- May 18 – 45th Annual Lilac Run 5K/10K, and Donut Dash
“A time-honored tradition that brings our community together, the historic Lilac Festival offers a vibrant celebration of the spring, complete with Highland Park’s world-renowned lilac collection, live entertainment, local food, and family-friendly fun. I am excited to welcome Best Resipe Productions as our new production partner, and know Jenny and her team will uphold the legacy of the Lilac Festival in Monroe County,” said County Executive Adam Bello. “As one of the largest free festivals of its kind in North America, we look forward to welcoming residents and visitors alike to enjoy all that the Lilac Festival has to offer.”
“Marking the dates of the Rochester Lilac festival provides a welcome reminder that spring is on its way and we can look forward to enjoying the sights and sounds and, of course, the world-famous lilacs at Rochester’s most celebrated community gathering,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “I applaud the selection of Best Resipe Productions as the production partners for this year’s Lilac Fest because I know they’ll be ready to kickoff Rochester’s renowned festival season with a dynamic lineup of world-class music, interesting vendors, and family friendly entertainment.”
“We are thrilled to be able to announce the dates for the 2025 Rochester Lilac Festival, one of the most attended and beloved events in all of Upstate New York,” said Don Jeffries, President & CEO, Visit Rochester. “Announcing the 2025 festival is extra special as it comes on the heels of Rochester being named one of the Best Places to Travel in 2025 by the online travel guide Travel Lemming. We look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to Highland Park this spring.”
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. Contact the sponsor team at [email protected] to learn about custom partnership opportunities.
2025 Rochester Lilac Festival Sponsors
KeyBank, Bully Hill Vineyards, Vision Financial Group, Wilkins RV, Boulder Coffee, Abundance Food Co-Op, Point of the Bluff Vineyards.
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.
Media Contact: [email protected]
High-Resolution Logo Files: HERE
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