Stay for the festival

Hotels in Rochester around 8 to 17 May 2027, dates pre-filled. Prices and availability open on the partner site.

Editor's tip. Weekend afternoons are peak crowd; the park is most beautiful mid-week when lilacs are full bloom but the festival is less crowded. Festival spans 10 days with free admission.

Plan the days around it

Eat your way around Rochester while you are in town

Rochester Lilac Festival runs 8 to 17 May. These are the food tours and tastings in Rochester to book for the days around it; most cancel free up to 24 hours ahead.

See all 20 bookable experiences in Rochester

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Also in park-avenue

Park Avenue Summer Stroll ★ 4.3

Park Avenue

The Park Avenue Summer Stroll is a free one-day August event in Rochester's East End, where the avenue's restaurants and cafes stay open alongside artisans, live music and children's activities.

TipLive music plays at the Park Avenue Green on the corner of Park and Barrington, and a raffle rewards visits to ten participating businesses; free on-street parking and a free lot at 606 Park Avenue.

Full park-avenue food guide →

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