Rochester’s Lilac Festival ranked among nation’s best in USA Today poll
Victoria E. Freile
Rochester's annual Lilac Festival has been named among the best flower festivals in the nation in the latest USA Today Readers' Choice poll. The festival landed fourth on the list of the country's best flower festivals.
The 2025 USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards highlight the very best in travel, food and drink and lifestyle. Every week, USA TODAY 10Best invites a panel of industry experts to nominate their favorite points of interest and attractions across a wide range of categories.
Here's more on the latest awards:
The Rochester Lilac Festival
The Flower City's signature festival is set against the backdrop of North America’s largest collection of lilacs: 1,800 fragrant bushes representing 500 varieties planted in Highland Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The 10-day festival begins Friday, May 9 at Highland Park and is now celebrating its 127th year.
The festival - which this year runs from Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 18 - features live music, food, artisans selling their wares, family-friendly activities, a parade and other activities all while being around our famous lilac blossoms.
The festival ranked fourth among the best flower festivals in the nation, according to 10Best results.
USA Today's 10Best Flower Festivals
- Daffodil Festival at Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Georgia
- Zoo Blooms at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in Cincinnati, Ohio
- Mackinac Island Lilac Festival in Mackinac Island, Michigan
- Rochester Lilac Festival in Rochester, New York
- Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan
- International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia
- Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon, Washington
- PHS Philadelphia Flower Show in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Portland Rose Festival in Portland, Oregon
- Thomasville Rose Show and Festival in Thomasville, Georgia
Other New York festivals named to USA Today's 10Best list
- Taste of Buffalo - This two-day festival held each summer in Buffalo was voted to be the third best city food festival by USA Today readers.
- EEEEEATSCON New York - This event, held in Queens, brings together top chefs, influencers and food lovetd. It placed ninth in the best city food festival category by USA Today readers.
- International Taste Festival - Held each spring on the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, the event celebrates food from around the globe. The one-day event placed as the ninth best cultural festival by USA Today readers.
- Hamptons International Film Festival - A celebration of cinema, this event showcases feature films, documentaries and short films. The East Hampton event also includes panel discussions, Q&A sessions and opportunities to connect with filmmakers. It was listed seventh in the national among the best film festivals.
- National Buffalo Wing Festival - This Buffalo-based festival marks the end of summer. The two-day event - held at Sahlen Field - features wing vendors, a wing-eating contest, live entertainment and highlights Buffalo's food scene. It placed third in the nation for best specialty food festivals, by USA Today readers.