Dominion GardenFest of Lights 2012
See all that’s happening this month!
A holiday tradition featuring more than half-a-million twinkling lights, hand-crafted botanical decorations, model trains, holiday dinners, family activities and more. Visit often to fully experience Dominion GardenFest of Lights -- the region's
ultimate holiday extravaganza!
Nov. 23 - Jan. 7 (closed Dec. 24 & 25); Nightly 5 - 10 p.m.
1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA 23228 (directions)
Dominion GardenFest of Lights is a "rain or shine" event and is only closed for extreme inclement weather. Admission: $11 adults; $10 seniors; $7 children ages 3 - 12; children under age 3 free; Garden Members $5; child on Membership (ages 3 - 18) $4; Member on Member Nights ( Nov. 26, 27, 28 & Jan. 7): FREE.
More about
member privileges during Dominion GardenFest of Lights,
including special ticket pricing.
Garden Membership may be your best deal; FREE member nights on Nov. 26, 27, 28 & Jan. 7; 10% off in the Garden Shop and much more.
Gift Memberships make great presents!
Ticket Information: Tickets can be used on any night when Dominion GardenFest of Lights is open. Purchase tickets in one of three ways:
- At admissions during regular Garden hours: daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; during GardenFest: 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.)
- Online; convenience charge applies ($2+ dollars, depending on how many tickets ordered)
- By phone at 1-800-594-TIXX (8499); convenience charge applies ($2+ dollars, depending on how many tickets ordered)
Pick up online and phone tickets at "Will Call" in the Visitors Center. Please note: phone and online tickets must be purchased the day before your visit (by 5 p.m.) in order to be processed and placed in will-call.
TO HELP PLAN YOUR VISIT:
PHOTOS OF SOME OF THE SIGHTS YOU'LL SEE
A SHORT VIDEO OVERVIEW OF DOMINION GARDENFEST OF LIGHTS
NEW! This year's "East Meets West" theme showcases the rich array of plants and decorative arts of Eastern cultures that have influenced our Western traditions. The theme underscores our educational mission and our passion for connecting people and plants to improve our community.
WHAT'S NEW & FAMILIAR FAVORITES
TIPS TO HELP PLAN YOUR VISIT AND DISCOUNTS
HISTORY AND FACTS
PRESS RELEASE
SPECIAL DATES:
Garden Member Nights
Nov. 26, 27, 28 & Jan. 7
Free admission for Garden Members
Historic Bloemendaal House open; live music 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 7: Music by Meade Skelton
Dominion GardenFest for Fidos
Select Thursdays, Nov. 29 & Jan. 3
Leashed pets allowed; suggested $2 pet admission benefits the Richmond SPCA.
New Year's Eve Family Frolic
Monday, Dec. 31; 2 - 5 p.m.
Family fun with live music plus make-and-take crafts. Live music by the Ululating Mummies. Those who attend the New Year's Eve Family Frolic and who are already in the Garden can stay to attend Dominion GardenFest of Lights.
EVERY WEEK THROUGHOUT GARDENFEST:
MONDAYS
Merry Mondays: Nov. 26, Dec. 3, 10, 17, 31, Jan. 7
5 - 8 p.m.
Location: Library Reading Room; Santa "sightings" in the Conservatory on Mondays through Dec. 17
Storytime fireside with the Garden Keeper and visits from the Butterfly Fairy.
TUESDAYS
Caroling Tuesdays: Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18 & Jan. 1
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Throughout the Garden
The Four in the Morning Quartet strolls and sings. You can join in the fun, too!
WEDNESDAYS
Crafty Wednesdays: Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26 & Jan. 2
5 - 8 p.m.
Location: Education and Library Complex, Classroom 1 (across from the train room) Families can join Garden staff and volunteers to make Asian-inspired crafts. Projects include origami (Dec. 5 & 26), miniature kites (Dec. 12 & Jan. 2), and lanterns (Nov. 28 & Dec. 19).
THURSDAYS
Musical Thursdays: Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27 & Jan. 3
6 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Location: Library
Acoustic musicians perform festive entertainment. Schedule of performers.
SUPPORTING FEEDMORE:
On Sunday, Dec. 2; Sunday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Jan. 6, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will be accepting donations for FeedMore, Central Virginia's foodbank. This is part of the Garden's on-going commitment to helping feed the hungry. This past growing season, the Community Kitchen Garden at Lewis Ginter grew and donated more than 10,000 lbs. of fresh produce for FeedMore.
GARDENFEST SHOPPING:
GARDEN SHOP
A great (and convenient) place to pick up holiday gifts.
Garden Shop hours during GardenFest: (Closed Dec. 24 & 25)
Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. - 10 p.m. (open Sunday, Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.)
GARDENFEST DINING:
GARDEN CAFE
Hours during GardenFest: 10 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Casual, yet inviting, setting with home-style soups, salad bar and sandwiches. MENU & PRICING
TEA HOUSE
Nightly; 5 - 9 p.m. (closed Dec. 24 & 25 and Jan. 1 - 31)
Exceptional fare complemented by wines and picturesque Asian Valley views. Reservations: (804) 262-9887, ext. 329.
NEW THIS YEAR: Also offering light fare, dessert & coffee and more from 8 - 9 p.m. MENU & PRICING
*Pre-purchase your GardenFest ticket in person or online before the night of your reservation and you'll be able to bypass admission lines. With ticket in hand, you can enter the Garden.
Please note: there is a service charge for online purchases and you do need to purchase by 5 p.m. the day prior to your visit. When you purchase online, you pick up your tickets at the will-call/information table in the Visitors Center.
If you plan to purchase tickets when you come for your reservation, please allow ample time as we are entering a very busy season of visitation.
GARDENFEST DINNERS (Group Dining 15+)
Sunday- Tuesday
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. 345.
Learn more about GardenFest Dinners, including menu and pricing.
SATURDAY BRUNCH WITH SANTA
SOLD OUT
GARDENFEST DINNER WITH SANTA
SOLD OUT
Monday - Thursday, December 17, 18, 19 20
Auditorium (semi-private)
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Family-friendly dining for groups of any size, featuring Santa's visit. Limited seating; reservations required: (804) 262-9887, ext. 345 or 224. Includes GardenFest admission. Cameras welcome.
Learn more about GardenFest Dinners with Santa, including menu and pricing.
HOLIDAY CATERED EVENTS:
From Nov. 23 - Jan. 7, your private party, meeting or banquet includes elegantly decorated facilities and scrumptious fare, plus the ultimate in holiday entertainment: free admission to GardenFest. To learn more, call (804) 262-9887, ext. 224 or 345 or facilityevents@lewisginter.org.
See details including spaces and pricing.
GARDENFEST OF LIGHTS EARLY BIRD TOUR:
November 29 - January 6, 4:30 p.m.
By reservation
Knowledgeable Garden Guides lead your private group of 15 - 40 adults in early-evening exploration of Dominion GardenFest of Lights. Enjoy the best of "East Meets West": lavish Asian-inspired decorations, model trains winding between pagodas and tea houses, and the Asian Valley in seasonal splendor. As darkness falls, your "early bird" access reveals the region's most magical light show as it glows bright!
For tour only, call (804) 262-9887, ext. 322.
For tour with group dining (begins 4 p.m.), contact Facility Events at ext. 345 or 224. Tours start at the Robins Visitors Center.
Photo Credits:
Top photo of Conservatory and Moon Gate: Don Williamson
Photo of family and lights: Patricia Cancro
Photo of family in front of the Conservatory and with tree: Stephanie Gross
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE GARDEN
FACTSHEET ABOUT THE GARDEN
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s mission is education, and our passion is connecting plants and people to improve our community. Dominion GardenFest of Lights is an extremely popular holiday light show, and visitation during GardenFest allows us to reach a wider audience in pursuit of that mission. Revenues generated during the event help fund our mission-related activities year-round, including the display gardens, our Community Kitchen Garden and educational programs for young students, many of whom come free of charge.
Our members and volunteers are the backbone of our Garden Community. We work to keep our membership rates and admission fees as low as we can for year-round access to the garden. During Dominion GardenFest of Lights we offer free Member nights and discounted prices on additional tickets for members, and every year we assess our offerings. But as successful as the Garden is (with 310,000 visitors last year), income from membership fees and admissions will cover less than a third or our operating expenses. Support we receive during Dominion GardenFest is vital to the health of the organization. We thank our visitors for their generosity and support of our mission.
INTERESTED IN WHAT WE DO THE REST OF THE YEAR?
The Garden has many great events, activities and classes throughout the year. See our Calendar of Major Events for 2013.
You can also keep up with the Garden through the enewsletter and social media.
