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Best visited during the mid of May and early June, the Lilac Tour is the perfect way to celebrate the Lilac blooms of Spring.
Photo Credit: The Warkworth Lilac Festival
These fragrant purple and white flowers are a beautiful, ornamental, and attractive plant that often marks the advent of summer.
Located an hour east of Toronto and three hours from Ottawa, this road trip through the lilacs is a trip for the memory books.
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The Warkworth Lilac Festival, scheduled on the weekend of May 30th and 31st this year (2026), is filled with family-fun activities and showcases the rarest varieties of lilacs. The festival features Preston lilacs for sale, vibrant garden displays, and fun kids’ activities like a scavenger hunt and cupcake decorating. Enjoy delicious eats, including wood-fired pizza and sweet treats. Live music and dance performances, Bay City Trio, Bradley McAree, and Firelight’s Belly Dance, add rhythm to a weekend celebrating spring.
Photo Credit: The Warkworth Lilac Festival
While there, don’t forget to stroll along the Millennium Lilac Trail by Mill Creek, accessed from the south end of Main Street or Highway 29.
Along the 2.6 km trail, you’ll find over three hundred plantings representing over sixty varieties of lilacs, which bloom from late May to the end of June, giving you plenty of time to plan your trip.
Visit the village of Warkworth for artisan creations of baked goods and crafts. The Main Street of Warkworth has amazing shops, galleries and cafés.
Northumberland County Tour for the Love of Lilacs
Northumberland County is a year-round true Canadian getaway just one hour east of the bustling city of Toronto. It is a true mix of old-town charm and natural beauty, combining independent boutiques and specialty shops, down-to-earth gastronomy, and outdoor recreation.
Discover the history of Northumberland County on a heritage walking tour to learn all about the Ojibway culture at the First Nation reserve, or get your gear on and go camping or hiking surrounded by incredibly lush greenery.
If you cannot get enough of lilacs, Northumberland County Tourism has identified three road trips sprinkled with lilacs and showcasing the best of Northumberland County.
The Picnic Trail –
Northumberland County/Google Maps
The Picnic tour allows you to picnic at Ganaraska River, Rice Lake, Ball’s Mill Pond, and Lake Ontario, with scenic views of the waterways and, of course, a trip through the lilacs.
The Dining Trail –
Take a dining route that includes scrumptious sit-down meals at a gluten-free bakery under a sheltered patio and a barbecue spot with tender pulled pork and classic poutine. This trail also gives you the perfect chance to purchase some organic heritage vegetables and sourdough artisan breads, along with glorious views of Lilacs.
Northumberland County/Google Maps
The Trent Hills Treat Trail –
For the retail-curious, this shopping-focused trail includes the main streets of Warkworth, Brighton, and Campbellford, where you can find artisan shops, bakeries, and eateries for the perfect afternoon delights.
So what are you waiting for? Round up your besties for a fun spring trip!
For more information, see here.
Even though the Warkworth Lilac festival is closed this year what can be assessed on our own to view the lilacs?
Is the Millennium Lilac Trail by the Mill Creek open so that we can take a walk through – if so what restrictions apply other than the 6′ distancing. We are a couple – coming on or own – not a group of any kind.