Lilac Festival – Highland Park

ROCHESTER LILAC FESTIVAL CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Friday, May 10 – Sunday, May 19
10:30 AM – 8:30 PM daily
https://roclilacfest.com/things-to-do/

General Info

• Festival Map
• Parking & Shuttle

Every Day Experiences

• Stroll through the 1,500 fragrant lilac bushes in Highland Park
• Listen to free music all day long at KeyBank Center Stage
• Taste some treats from our more than 50 food vendors
• Visit our more than 50 exhibitors
• Let the kids play at the Kids’ Zone presented by Fidelis Care
• NEW: Dedicated sensory space for those impacted by Autism and/or other disabilities. Partners with AutismUp a non-profit here in Rochester!

Here is the order of events for the Lilac Festival at Highland Park, Rochester, NY

Friday, May 10 – Opening Day

10:00 am – Poster Reveal Press Conference (Giving Garden)

4:00 pm – Bellwether Breaks

5:30 pm – Left-Handed 2nd Baseman

7:00 pm – Rayland Baxter

Americana bliss that blends country, roots, and vintage pop.

(For fans of Fleet Foxes, The Lumineers, and Jack Johnson)

Advertisement

Saturday, May 11

10:00 am – 6:00 pm – Art in the Park

Presented by MVP Healthcare and Boulder Coffee Co.

10:30 am – Lilac Parade (Starts at South & Science Parkway)

Noon – Girls Rock! Rochester

2:30 pm – Sage Bava

4:00 pm – Aaron Rizzo Band

5:30 pm – Zahyia

7:00 pm – Butcher Brown

A genre-bending feast that blends jazz, hip-hop, and funk into an eclectic fusion.

(For fans of The Roots, Sly and the Family Stone, A Tribe Called Quest)

Sunday, May 12 – Mother’s Day

10 am – 5 pm – Art in the Park

Presented by MVP Healthcare and Boulder Coffee Co.

Noon – Roc Star Academy

2:30 pm – Fall Creek Brass Band

4:00 pm – Head to The Roots

5:30 pm – Grace Serene and the Super Clean

7:00 pm – Ghost-Note

A fresh blend of afrobeat, and funk, led by Snarky Puppy’s percussion duo.

(For Fans of James Brown, Soulive, and Thundercat)

Monday, May 13

4:00 pm – Nuyorican Project

5:30 pm – The Medicinals

7:00 pm – Pachyman

A breezy, dub and reggae-infused experience where the artists’ Puerto Rican roots shine bright.

(For fans of Bob Marley, King Tubby, and Fela Kuti)

Advertisement

Tuesday, May 14

4:00 pm – Ellen Pieroni & The Encyclopedia of Soul

5:30pm – Horacio & La Fama Salsa Band

7:00 pm – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Masters of high-energy swing, BBVD has been integral in revitalizing swing music for over 30 years.

(For fans of Louis Prima, Duke Ellington, and Brian Setzer Orchestra)

Wednesday, May 15

Seniors’ Day (special entertainment)

4:00 pm – Adrianna Noone

5:30 pm – Teagan & the Tweeds

7:00 pm – The Skycoasters

A Rochester Institution! This nationally recognized, lively 9-piece cover band has been the life of the party for over 40 years.

(For Fans of Classic Rock, Funk, and Pop)

Thursday, May 16

4:00pm – EKUA featuring ZWENA

5:30 pm – Chi TheRealist

7:00 pm – An Evening of Soul Curated by Danielle Ponder

Rochester native and nationally touring artist brings masterful songwriting, bold vocals, and soulful storytelling to the stage.

(For fans of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Black Pumas, and Aretha Franklin)

Advertisement

Friday, May 17

4:00 pm – The Sideways

5:30 pm – Claude Bennington’s Fever Dream

7:00 pm – Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

An electrifying eight-piece band performance blending brass, funk, and hip-hop.

(For Fans of Trombone Shorty, Vulfpeck, and Earth, Wind & Fire)

Saturday, May 18

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM – Art in the Park

Presented by MVP Healthcare and Boulder Coffee Co.

Noon – Submarine School of Music

2:30 pm – Judah

4:00 pm – The Pete Griffith Group

5:30 pm – Eli Flynn & The Everymen.

7:00 pm – Dopapod

More than just a jam band, they deliver a mind-bending blend of funk, jazz fusion, and progressive rock.

(For fans of STS9, Disco Biscuits, and Yes)

Sunday, May 19 – Closing Day 🙁

8:00-9:30 AM – 45th Annual Lilac Run 5k & 10k

Presented by MGM Associates of Rochester

11:30 AM – Dunkin’ Dash Fun Run

10:00 AM – 5:00 PM – Art in the Park

Presented by MVP Healthcare and Boulder Coffee Co.

1:00 pm – AKOMA Choir

2:30 pm – Meg Williams & Travis Bowlin

4:00 pm – The Honey Smugglers

5 pm – Claudia Hoyser

7:00 pm – Trousdale

This powerful female band brings melodic and heartfelt harmonies that spread a message of self-acceptance and love.

(For fans of The Chicks, Kacey Musgraves, and HAIM)