With color soon to brighten the landscape of Rochester, the Lilac Festival signals arrival of spring through ten nights of live music at Highland Park.
Entering Year 128, the celebration returns May 8–17 to the KeyBank Center Stage beneath Highland Park’s signature purple hues and fragrant spring air.
One of the longest-running festivals in the United States, the Rochester Lilac Festival dates back to 1898 and draws more than half a million visitors each spring. To Rochester, this event represents a seasonal ritual, one that is more than a lineup of music, but an annual renewal of community and connection. County Executive Adam Bello emphasized the festival’s regional draw, noting, “Each spring, the Rochester Lilac Festival draws in visitors from around the area for an exciting event filled with unique vendors, mouthwatering food, and spectacular performances.”
For 2026, organizers emphasized cohesion, making each night in artistic alignment with one another. The programming moves beyond standalone shows and instead creates distinct, genre-focused evenings for each of the 10 days. Executive Producer Jenny LoMaglio set the intention for the event, saying, “Programming the music for the Lilac Festival is one of our favorite parts of this work, because every night is a chance for people to see an artist they love, stumble onto something unexpected, or simply jam out with friends.”
Live music on the KeyBank Center Stage runs from open to close each day, featuring a variety of community showcases, regional talent and national touring acts. In total, the event will feature nearly 60 musical performances.
Opening weekend leans into groove and soul, with Cimafunk kicking things off May 8 and soul veteran Lee Fields following May 9. Americana takes the spotlight May 10 with The Lone Bellow, while Rochester native Mikaela Davis celebrates an album release May 13. The festival closes with blues-infused rock from JD McPherson on May 16 before Eggy wraps the event up. For more information on the full performance schedule, visitroclilacfest.com. Additional details and package information are available at roclilacfest.com/music. In addition to live performances, the festival has launched an official Spotify playlist highlighting this year’s artists.
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