Lilac Time

View on map
Nature & SeasonLombard
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forSeasonal rites, water traditionsLilac Time's centerpiece is Lilacia Park
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryNature & SeasonFestival type
The story

Lilac Time in Lombard

Lilac Time is a spring festival centered on Lilacia Park in Lombard, Illinois, a DuPage County village nicknamed the Lilac Village. Running since 1930, the roughly two-week festival in May celebrates the park's more than 200 varieties of lilac bushes, planted on the former estate of Colonel William Plum, who bequeathed the property to the village in 1927. It includes a Lilac Queen coronation, concerts, a formal ball, and a closing parade.

Its floral identity and parade make it a strong seasonal row.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Lilac Time's centerpiece is Lilacia Park itself, a compact botanical garden built from a private estate donated to the village and planted with over 200 lilac varieties that bloom in a concentrated, dramatic window each spring, giving the roughly two-week festival its urgency and its name

02

The mystery stays covered

Lombard has run some version of the festival since 1930, making it one of the longest continuously themed civic festivals in the Chicago suburbs, anchored by a Lilac Queen and her court, a tradition that predates most contemporary suburban street festivals by decades

03

The city starts moving

The festival closes with a full parade through the village, and the run of events in between, a formal ball, park tours, and a Mother's Day brunch, gives it a more genteel, garden-club character than typical carnival-style suburban fests

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The coronation of a Lilac Queen and her court opens the festival each year

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a tradition that has continued since the festival's early decades and gives Lilac Time a pageant character distinct from most Chicago-area street festivals

The sacred route

Living ritual

A formal ball

The local code

Living ritual

a Mother's Day brunch timed to the holiday

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and guided tours of Lilacia Park's lilac collection are recurring fixtures

Tradition 6

Living ritual

and the festival's grand finale parade through downtown Lombard closes out the roughly two-week run each May

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

Metra to Lombard can be useful.

What to wear

Spring layers suit most of the festival's outdoor garden events: light jackets or sweaters for cool May mornings, comfortable shoes for walking park paths, and sundresses or slacks for...

Safety

Keep distance from unsafe water edges and follow local crowd or weather warnings.

Where to stay

Lombard

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map41.88 N, 88.01 WOpen in Google Maps

Lombard, IL

TransportMetra to Lombard can be useful.
Stay areaLombard

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Lombard via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Lombard, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearSpring layers suit most of the festival's outdoor garden events: light jackets or sweaters for cool May mornings, comfortable shoes for walking park paths, and sundresses or slacks for daytime events. The formal ball calls for cocktail or formal attire, while the parade and general park visits are casual.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Lilac Time?

Lilac Time is listed for Past edition: 17 May 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Lilac Time take place?

The festival is listed in Lombard, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Lombard, IL

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLlombardlilactime.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
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