With spring in full bloom, Rochester's annual Lilac Festival is right around the corner. Scheduled to begin Friday, May 6, at Highland Park, the festival — now celebrating its 124th year — will run each weekend through May 22, from 10:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., according to the festival's website.

The festival is free for everyone, although you can purchase tickets for a tour of the Lamberton Conservatory for $3 per person or $2 for seniors 62 and over. Guests can also book free reserve seating for the Lilac Parade but must reserve in advance.

Parking is $7 per car and is available at several nearby sites close to Highland Park, with shuttles from Monroe Community College also available, running from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. each weekend.

Visitors seeking a place to park can find directions to each of the three lots on the festival's guest Info page.

Certain lots may be closed due to inclement weather, according to festival officials, while people with disabilities who have a wheelchair should park in the South Avenue lot located between 1219-1419 S. Goodman Street and South Avenue. 

While the Lilac Festival's website has a full itinerary on its landing page, some of the more significant events are taking place this weekend, including the Lilac Unity Parade, beginning Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

The parade will begin on on South Avenue at Science Parkway and travels north on South Avenue to Highland Avenue where it turns south past the lilac gardens before ending at the corner of Highland Avenue and Goodman Street.

There will also be a "Big Sing" singalong featuring gospel singers to commemorate Monroe County's Bicentennial anniversary.

There will also be a Wine Tasting Expo Saturday, May 7 at noon and 4:30 p.m. featuring a Kentucky Derby theme with a chance to view the race and enter outfit contests.

Additional activities include Art in the Park May 7 and 8 beginning at 10 a.m. and live music from 11 different bands, starting at 4 p.m. May 6 with Steve Grills & the Roadmasters before ending with Driftwood at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 8.

All music will be held at the Center Stage, which is in the park near 1440 South Ave. Here is the full list of scheduled performances.

Festivalgoers interested in purchasing a VIP ticket can do so online.

The festival will also have two ASL interpreters for each concert night.

Here is the list of 2022 food vendors and locations:

Nancy’s (fried dough, lemonade)

Sonny’s Landing (hot dogs, hamburgers)

The Big Cheese (gourmet grilled cheese)

Debbie’s Concessions (bloomin’ onions, deep-fried veggies, French fries)

Island Wraps (jerk chicken, jerk pork, salads)

Roll N Deep (bubble tea, egg rolls)

Macarollin’ (specialty macaroni and cheese)

Chick ’N Out (fried chicken, macaroni salad)

The Big Top Food Tent

Effortlessly Healthy (plates, lettuce wraps)

Oberst Concessions (chicken sandwiches, baked potatoes)

Red Osier (roast beef sandwiches)

Mary’s Foods (sausage, hot dogs, hamburgers)

Nancy’s (fried dough, lemonade)

JMB Concessions (cinnamon buns, coffee)

At Art in the Park (first weekend