NEWSLETTER
“The Lilac Table: A Tasting Collective” Takes Place Saturday, May 16
Rochester, N.Y. — The Rochester Lilac Festival will debut its first-ever premium food and beverage tasting event, The Lilac Table: A Tasting Collective, on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
The ticketed event will take place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 249 Highland Ave. (behind the Lilac Adventure Zone). The space will be outfitted with tents, lounge areas, music by DJ Pepi, and a surprise-guest MC for a thoughtfully designed all-inclusive tasting experience. The Lilac Table name brings Rochester’s hottest restaurants and craft beverage producers all ‘to the table’ to showcase pairings of the City’s best flavors.
“The Rochester Lilac Festival will always be special for its renowned history. We as organizers are continually growing, to expand here what other major cities are doing around the country,” said Executive Producer and Best Resipe Productions Owner Jenny LoMaglio. “The Lilac Table is homage to what’s right in our backyard- homegrown talent that deserves to be celebrated. What better place to enjoy the best of the best in Rochester!”
Partners: Angelina’s, Bevy, Carmella’s, El Kapitan, Gio’s at the Inn on Broadway, Good Luck, Palmer’s, Poke Sushi, Strangebird, Ramsey’s at Champion Hills, The Ice Cream Factory, Vern’s, Aldaskeller, Aqua Vitae, Barry’s Brand, Iron Smoke, Mercury Coffee, Leonore’s, Living Roots, Lucky Frog, Martine Kocktails, Rochester Cocktail Revival, Song Hill Winery, Vanni’s, and Off Hours.
In addition to curated tastings, guests will enjoy a shuttle arrival, a welcome drink, samples of food and beverage for all palettes, and a locally curated gift bag. The Lilac Table: A Tasting Collective is a limited, ticketed experience. Full event and ticketing details are available at www.roclilacfest.com.
Current 2026 Rochester Lilac Festival Sponsors
KeyBank, Bully Hill Vineyards, Fairlife, Fleet Feet, Tim Hortons, Wilkins Recreational Vehicles, Inc., Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Impact Earth, Window Nation, Rohrbach Brewing Company, MVP Healthcare, Autism Up, New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Community Bank, Reimer Heating and Cooling, Dick’s House of Sport, Hamilton AV, Boulder Coffee, North Glow Photo and Video, The Inn on Broadway, Admar, McCarthy Tents & Events, WROC-TV News 8 Rochester.
About the 128th 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 festival each year.
In 2026, the 128th Rochester Lilac Festival will return with more than 100 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 the Lilac Festival Board, which includes members from Monroe County, the City of Rochester and Visit Rochester. For more information about this year’s event, visit www.roclilacfest.com, Facebook, and Instagram.
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