Events & Exhibits

Calendar: Event Details

Event Dates
November 26; 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
November 27; 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
November 28; 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

View the Calendar for more dates and events

Event Sponsors:

GardenFest of Lights

Friday, Nov. 26, 2010 - Monday, Jan. 10, 2011

Details:

 Nightly, 5 - 10 p.m. (closed Dec. 24 & 25)
Ticketed event

A holiday tradition! This year's theme is "Fire & Ice" with the display featuring more than a half million lights arranged in botanical themes throughout the Garden. Visitors can also marvel at displays in the Garden’s Conservatory and decorations in the Visitors Center and the Education and Library Complex. Holiday dinners are available in the Garden Café and in the Robins Tea House (Tea House dinners require Garden admission and reservations, please call (804) 262-9887, ext. 329. Reservations will be taken starting Oct. 1, 2010. Merry Mondays on Monday evenings include storytelling for kids with the Garden Keeper and Butterfly Fairy.

SPECIAL DATES:

  • GardenFest Illumination: Friday, November 26
    Entertainment with countdown to the lights being turned on (5:30 p.m.); Crystal Concert in the Education and Library Complex Auditorium     (7 p.m.)
  • Crystal Concerts (Nov. 26, 27 & 28): Hear classical music and seasonal favorites performed on amazing glass instruments (7 - 8 p.m.)
  • Member nights are Nov. 29, 30, Dec. 1 & Jan. 10. 
  • Merry Mondays (Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27 & Jan. 3, 10); 5 - 8 p.m.: Story time fireside with Gaden Keeper (Mondays, 5:30, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.)
  • Musical Thursdays (Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 & Jan. 6): Acoustic music on Thursday evenings.
  • New Year’s Eve Family Frolic; Friday, Dec. 31; 2 - 5 p.m. Live entertainment, family activities and more. Free with regular admission; free for members. GardenFest of Lights afterwards (5 - 10 p.m.)
  • GardenFest for Fidos: Thursday, Dec. 2 & Thursday, Jan. 6: Leashed pets allowed.

 DINING:

GARDENFEST DINNERS (Group Dining 15+)
Nov. 28 - Jan. 10, Sunday - Tuesday only
Robins Room Seatings (semi-private), 5:30 & 7:30 PM
Delightful holiday dining option for groups of 15 people or more. Includes GardenFest admission. Reservations required, (804) 262-9887, ext. 224 or 345. Learn more.

GARDENFEST DINNERS WITH SANTA
Dec. 19, 20 & 21
Auditorium Seating (semi-private), 5:30 PM
So popular we brought it back again this year! This family friendly dining option is open for groups of any size. Includes GardenFest admission. Cameras welcome. Reservations required, (804) 262-9887, ext. 224 or 345. Learn more.

SATURDAY BRUNCH WITH SANTA
Saturdays, December 4,11 & 18
Robins Room, Seatings at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Holiday brunch with kid-friendly favorites and Santa's visit for "wish list" sharing. Limited seating; reservations required: (804) 262-9887, ext. 329 starting Oct. 1. Includes Garden admission. Cameras welcome. 
Presenting Sponsors: Meriwether Godsey & Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance

TEA HOUSE 
During GardenFest of Lights: Lunch served 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and Holiday Dinners served 5 - 9 p.m., including New Year's Eve. 
Reservations strongly suggested: (804) 262-9887, ext. 329 starting Oct. 1. GardenFest of Lights admission required. 
Closed Dec. 24, 25 & Jan. 3 - 31.

GARDEN CAFE
During GardenFest of Lights: Open 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., including New Year's Eve. 
Closed Dec. 24, 25 & Jan. 13 - 21. 

 HOLIDAY RENTALS:

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden offers four delightful venues for a private facility rental and a memorable evening of holiday fun during GardenFest.
Click here for a printer-friendly holiday party pdf.

To learn more about a facility rental, call an Event Coordinator at (804) 262-9887, ext. 224 or 345, or email Facility Rental.