NEWSLETTER
First Festival of the Season Opens with Annual Poster Reveal
Rochester, N.Y. (May 8, 2026) — The 128th Rochester Lilac Festival officially opened today in Highland Park, welcoming visitors to ten days of music, art, food, and community celebration. Timed with the peak bloom of the Northeast’s largest collection of lilacs, the festival continues its long-standing tradition as the unofficial start of spring in the Flower City.
Festival Executive Producer Jenny LoMaglio was joined by Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, Deputy Mayor Michael Burns, and Visit Rochester President & CEO Don Jeffries for the Opening Day ceremony, which included the annual unveiling of the 2026 official festival poster.
This year’s poster was designed by David Corbin, a Rochester native and trained artist. A graduate from SUNY Brockport, David is also the author of his own story, Ninety-Eight Nights. He describes a near-fatal accident that has left him as a quadriplegic- yet still a father, husband, writer and artist.
“This was such an honor and artistic thrill to be able to create the poster and work with really dedicated people who care about the event as much as they do,” said David Corbin. “I wanted the poster to be as handmade as possible, especially with an ever-growing AI presence looming everywhere. The poster consists of 16 watercolor paintings. I really wanted the poster to have a festival vibe to it and this feeling of awakening after winter, where everyone comes out to get together and appreciate the beauty of nature, which this festival showcases like no other. Nature is beautiful. It's for everyone. You only have to look at the recent photos the astronauts from Artemis 2 took of the rocky, gray, barren moon to realize how lucky we are here on Earth.”
Building on recent momentum, the 2026 festival introduces several new experiences designed to enhance the visitor experience, including the Lilac Tasting Table, a curated food and beverage experience with local restaurants and beverage crafters; the Bloom & Breathe Lounge, a dedicated space for relaxation within the park; and expanded Zero-Waste Zones, supporting the festival’s ongoing sustainability efforts.
At the same time, the festival continues to expand on guest-favorite offerings. The Lilac Local Farmers Market returns with an added day, the Sprouts Stage offers free, family-friendly entertainment throughout the festival, and Seniors Day features enhanced programming, including wellness activities like chair yoga. Additional amenities, including a free water fill station and accessibility features such as ASL interpretation for all headlining acts, and a Sensory Space
Visitors can also enjoy nearly 60 musical performances on the KeyBank Center Stage, alongside the return of Art in the Park, the Small Business Circle, the annual Lilac Parade, and the 47th annual Lilac Run, continuing the traditions that have defined the festival for generations.
“This festival belongs to the community, and everything we do is centered around that,” said Executive Producer Jenny LoMaglio. “We want people to come here, feel connected, and create memories together—whether it’s their first visit or a tradition they’ve been part of for years.”
“Local musicians, artisans, and performers will once again come together for the 128th Rochester Lilac Festival,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “Each year, this cherished tradition, set against the backdrop of our beautiful lilacs, brings our community together for 10 days of celebration and connection. I’m grateful to Lilac Festival Inc. and Best Recipe Productions for making this beloved event something residents and visitors look forward to year after year.”
“In a city that loves its festivals, the Rochester Lilac Festival stands alone as a reflection of the Flower City’s enriching history, vibrant present and limitless future,” said Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans. “Applause to Festival Producer Jenny LoMaglio and her team for once again putting together another free, family-friendly event with engaging vendors, exciting activities, and world-class musicians and entertainers set against the backdrop of Highland Park’s magnificent lilac collection. Like Rochester itself, the Lilac Festival offers something for everyone.”
“The Rochester Lilac Festival is one of Rochester's crown jewels, a celebration that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to our city each spring and showcases everything that makes this region special,” said Don Jeffries, president & CEO, Visit Rochester. “The festival ushers in the start of Rochester’s festival season and a peak time for visitors to Rochester and Monroe County. It is especially fitting that the opening day of the 2026 Rochester Lilac Festival falls during our observance of National Travel & Tourism Week, a celebration of the essential impact of travel and tourism on our community. In Monroe County alone, visitor spending is responsible for nearly $1.5 billion annually, and events like the Rochester Lilac Festival play a central role in driving that economic activity,” Jeffries said.
Current 2026 Rochester Lilac Festival Sponsors
KeyBank, Bully Hill Vineyards, Fairlife, Fleet Feet, Vision Financial Group, West Herr, The Establishment, Wright Beverage Distributing, RG&E, Tim Hortons, Wilkins Recreational Vehicles, Inc., Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, I Love NY, Impact Earth, McCarthy Tents & Events, Zespri, Total Sport Enterprises Buffalo, Window Nation, Fidelis Care, Off Hours, Rohrbach Brewing Company, MVP Healthcare, Autism Up, New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Community Bank, Reimer Heating and Cooling, Highland Hospital, Lake Beverage, Dick’s House of Sport, Long Construction, Lock 1 Distilling, UnitedHealthcare, Hamilton AV, Scott’s Rochester Photo Supply, Town Square Health, Boulder Coffee, North Glow Photo and Video, The Inn on Broadway, TLF Graphics, Admar, Info Advantage, R-Options, House of Guitars, ROC Paper Straws, MGM Associates of Rochester, Eco Products, Dablite Vending Solutions, Nazareth University, Abundance Food Co-Op, Pepsi, City MAGAZINE, Zweigle’s, Hyatt Regency Rochester, WROC-TV News 8 Rochester, Whitestone Development Partners, WXXI.
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Image: Lilac Festival Poster