Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights
November 18, 2024 – January 5, 2025
A favorite tradition featuring more than a million lights, botanical decorations, model trains, hot chocolate and s’mores (for purchase)! Advance tickets will be required and available online only. Tickets will be limited and have timed arrivals.

In Conversation with Rich Soil Artist Kristine Mays
January 17, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Attend a special talk with Kristine Mays, the artist behind the hit Rich Soil sculptural exhibit opening at the Garden on January 18. Ms. Mays will speak to the inspiration, meaning, and process behind creating the 29 life-size sculptures, and will be joined by Saajida Chohan, Director of Education and Visitor Experience at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, to discuss why Rich Soil is particularly important for Richmond. This event is free for Garden members and $8.00 for non-members, with tickets sold at the door. Attendance is also free for members of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.

Rich Soil
January 18 – March 9, 2025
Inspired by the movements and gestures of Alvin Ailey’s dance composition "Revelation", Kristine Mays’ expression of the human form through wire pays honor to the ancestors — those that walked, lived and tended to this land.

Seed Swap Day at the Garden
Saturday, January 25, 2025
The Garden is celebrating Seed Swap Day! Our seed library will be highlighted with a seed focused Storytime. There will also be a seed-related class in the afternoon, Cutting Gardens: Prep, Planning, and Seed Starting.

Garden Ink
Saturday, February 8, 2025 (ticketed event for ages 18+)
Join us for an evening celebrating botanical tattoos with local artists and vendors. Explore stunning artwork, meet tattoo artists, and discover unique items. Enjoy drinks, small bites, and hear from local tattoo artists. 18+ only.

Winter Symposium & CVNLA Short Course
Wednesday, February 12 – Friday, February 14, 2025
Learn from a variety of experts! Explore the intricate relationships that exist between ecosystems, communities, and humankind, focusing on the importance of the reciprocal relationships between plants, animals, and humans. Learn how we, as gardeners and landscape professionals, can steward the land to support our natural ecosystems, foster biodiversity and build resiliency in our changing climate.

Great Backyard Bird Count
Monday, February 17, 2025
Enjoy this community science event that brings awareness to bird activity in the area through local partners, activities like a special Storytime with our Library, and self-guided experiences!

Virginia Orchid Society Show & Sale
Friday, February 28 – Sunday, March 2, 2025
Experience a weekend of orchids with the Virginia Orchid Society Show and Sale. Event admission is free.

Celebrating Rich Soil
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Join us for a celebration of the final weekend of Kristine Mays' sculpture series at the Garden. Events will include a special storytime, dance performances, and live art.

Garden Ink: A Staff Tattoo Showcase
January, 31 - March 27, 2025 
Garden Ink brings together the stories behind the tattoos that adorn our staff members. In a city like Richmond—one of the most tattooed in America—this showcase celebrates the powerful connection between tattoo art and our community. This exhibition in the Lora M. Robins Library is a celebration of art, identity, and how personal expression is rooted in our surroundings.

Soul for Soil
January, 31 - March 27, 2025
“Soul for Soil” is an artistic exploration of the profound historical and spiritual connection between African American culture and the natural world. This exhibit delves into the deep-rooted relationship with the earth—one that is both ancestral and contemporary, shaped by resilience, creativity, and renewal. This exhibition is located in the Community Art Gallery in the Kelly Education Center and was curated by The Art Seen. 

Virginia Daffodil Society Show
Saturday, March 22 – Sunday, March 23, 2025
The Daffodil Show features hundreds of delightful prize-worthy daffodils and expert growers.

Singularity is a Forest
Tuesday, April 1 – Wednesday, May 28, 2025
This photography series by Álvaro Alejandro López takes an aesthetic approach to the features and scars that give life to the individuality of each tree, with images accompanied by poetry from Paolo Ruffilli.

The Cecropia Moth Life Cycle
Tuesday, April 1 – Friday, May 30, 2025
Artist Mary Van Slyke invites you to celebrate spring and the return of lepidoptera (winged insects, including butterflies and moths) with a visit to The Cecropia Moth Life Cycle. The exhibit features vibrant watercolor paintings that depict in detail the life stages of the cecropia moth.

Richmond African Violet Society Show & Sale
Friday, April 4 – Sunday, April 6, 2025
Interesting and unusual African violet varieties on display and for purchase (until supplies last)!

The Big Bloom
Friday, April 11, 2025
This fun and festive, adults-only garden party celebrates the joys of spring. Enjoy food, drinks, art, and entertainment while surrounded by the beauty of the Garden in full bloom.

RVA Tropical and Exotic Plants Plant Swap
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Immerse yourself in a world of uncommon plants and plant products and discover the beauty of nature.

Meet the Diggers! 
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 
Come explore some of the equipment making our THRIVE expansion possible! Our partners at Hourigan Construction and CT Purcell will bring diggers for children and families to interact with. There will also be a special Construction Themed Storytime at 10:00 a.m.

Earth Day Celebration with Mister G
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Celebrate Earth Day with Latin GRAMMY Award-winning artist, author, and educator Mister G.

Spring Plant Sale
Friday, May 2 – Saturday, May 3, 2025
More than 40 vendors selling plants ranging from well-known favorites to rare exotics and other garden-related items. Presented by Garden volunteers.

Central Virginia Iris Society Show & Sale
Sunday, May 4, 2025
Celebrate these unique spring blooms and purchase a potted iris for your own garden.

Richmond Rose Society Show
Saturday & Sunday, May 17 & 18, 2025
Enjoy displays of specimen roses and get advice from the rose experts.

Water and Stone 
Friday, May 30 – Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Artist Nancy Kulik explores the relationship between nature and scripture in this exhibition, located in the Lora M. Robins Library.

Blooming with Pride
Sunday, June 1
Kickoff Pride Month at the Garden! Our celebration will feature music, a makers market, and drag performances in Grace Arents Garden.

Portraits of Place
Monday, June 2 - Friday, August 29, 2025
Portraits of Place is part of a series of site-specific botanical collaborations that honor the land and our connection to it, created by artist Hillary Waters Fayle and on display in the Kelly Education Center.

Richmond Daylily Society Show & Sale
Saturday, June 14, 2025
Come see hundreds of unique daylilies at their finest during the Richmond Area Daylily Society (RADS) Show and Sale!

Juneteenth Free Community Day
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Admission to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is FREE on Thursday, June 19 in honor of Juneteenth.

Groovin' in the Garden: Indigo Girls (SOLD OUT)
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
The iconic folk-rock duo makes their return to the Rose Garden this June.

Fourth of July Free Community Day
Friday, July 4, 2025
Garden admission is free on July 4! Celebrate by enjoying the gardens and feel free to wear red, white and blue and bring your decorated wagons and strollers.

Groovin' in the Garden: Iron & Wine and I'm With Her
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Iron & Wine and I'm With Her bring the Robin's Egg co-headline tour with support from Ken Pomeroy to the Garden.

Pop Up Exhibition: America the Beautiful 
Tuesday, July 1 - Thursday, July 31, 2025
Journey through the incredible life and inspiring art of Anh-Van Truong with this exhibition in the Robins Visitor Center celebrating the spirit of every U.S. state.

Groovin' in the Garden: Fitz and the Tantrums
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
See Fitz and the Tantrums w/SnackTime perform against the backdrop of the Cochrane Rose Garden.

Genworth Free Community Day
Monday, September 1, 2025
Garden admission is free on Labor Day! We’re excited to be able to offer a day of relaxation and fun with 50 acres of gardens, beautiful flowers, woodland paths, and friendly people.

Kennanee Native Arts Festival
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Celebrate Indigenous culture, community, and connection at Kennanee Native Arts Festival, a vibrant gathering at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in collaboration with the Virginia Native Arts Alliance and Indigenous voices from across the East Coast. Enjoy short films by Indigenous creators, a live game of Shinny, music, crafts, storytelling, seed-saving, and a bustling arts market. 

Fall Plant Sale 
Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20, 2025
One of Central Virginia’s most-anticipated plant sales. Dozens of vendors and knowledgeable Garden volunteers help you choose your best plants! The Fall Plant Sale is held outside in Parking Lot B at the Garden (no admission fee or ticket necessary.)

Homes & Habitats
Saturday, March 29 - Sunday, September 28, 2025
This outdoor art exhibition includes seven installations located in iconic areas throughout the Garden. Each work was created by a regional artist and inspired by nature.

Groovin' in the Garden: Rumours ATL
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Rumours ATL: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band returns to the Garden following their sold-out 2024 performance.

Groovin' in the Garden: Stephen Wilson Jr.
Thursday, October 2, 2025
See national act Stephen Wilson Jr. performing at the Garden as we continue our concert series.

The Earth Exhibition: Artist Talk and Poetry Reading
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Join Lisa Cusano from La Amatista and artist Leah Raintree for a discussion about their work, The Earth Exhibition, currently on display in the Lora M. Robins Library. Plus, a reading from poet George Teschner.

Storytime
Fridays & Saturdays at 10 a.m.; January 17 through November 1, 2025
Gather with us for Storytime outside under the oaks in front of the Kelly Education Center each Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m. Children can also participate in a craft or hands-on activity. (Weather permitting; indoor location is the Library).

Bi-Lingual Storytime - 10 a.m. on October 17
Join us on select Fridays for special bilingual storytimes!  RPL Youth Services Librarian, Summer Bowling Michau, is reading books and singing songs in both English and Spanish at our 10 a.m. Storytime in the Garden.

Acompáñanos los viernes para disfrutar de cuentos bilingües especiales. La bibliotecaria de Servicios Juveniles de la RPL, Summer Bowling Michau, leerá libros y cantará canciones en inglés y en español en nuestra Hora del Cuento en el Jardín de las 10 a.m.

Costume Caper Storytime and Parade - 10 a.m. on October 31
Wear your Halloween costume and join in the fun for a festive Storytime, craft, and parade through the Central Garden.

Flowers After 5 Concert Series
Thursday nights; May 15–October 30, 2025
Listen to a diverse mix of live music throughout the season, featuring local and regional acts. Select Thursdays of each month are Fidos After 5 nights when leashed dogs are allowed.

The Earth Exhibition
Saturday, August 23 - Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Artist Leah Raintree and the family-run business La Amatista offer distinct yet complementary perspectives on the Earth’s deep material history.

A Wonder-full World
Saturday, August 30 – Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Sophia is a 21-year-old artist with Down syndrome who lives life out loud and in vibrant color. This exhibition of her paintings capture the vivid and vibrant wonder of the world around her.

Groovin' in the Garden: Jeff Tweedy
Saturday, October 25, 2025
See Jeff Tweedy w/ Sammy and Spencer Tweedy, Sima Cunningham, Macie Stewart and special guest Liam Kazar.

HarvestFest 
Sunday, October 26, 2025
Join us for fall fun with live music, seasonal crafts like pumpkin painting and petal pounding, delicious comfort foods, and educational demonstrations celebrating the bounty of nature.