Flourish: 40 Years and Growing!

The year 2024 is a big one at the Garden–it’s our 40th anniversary. You’ll see familiar favorite events, plus some exciting new ones. Below is a list of major upcoming Garden events and exhibits. The Garden also has lots of great adult classes and children’s activities. Visit our calendar to see and search for more events.

Calendar

2024 Events

Please note: We will not have our Butterflies LIVE! exhibit in 2024 and 2025 while we expand the Conservatory to include a permanent butterfly house. Learn more about the Garden’s expansion project.

Storytime
Fridays & Saturdays at 10 a.m. through Saturday, November 16, 2024
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).

Staff Art Show: Love, the Garden
Feb. 1-March 28
Visual art show in Community Art Gallery in Kelly Education Center with opening reception and talent show on Feb. 1.

Great Backyard Bird Count
February 17, 2024
Community Science event that brings awareness to bird activity in the area through community partners, activities, and self-guided experiences.

Cocktails in the Conservatory SOLD OUT
February 17, 2024
From 6 – 9 p.m., enjoy crafted cocktails, tasty light bites, live music and tours.

Virginia Orchid Society Show and Sale
February 23-25, 2024
Multi-day event featuring hundreds of orchids on display and for sale, free lectures, orchid vendors and more.

Garden Member Appreciation Month
March 1-31, 2024
We have special things planned for our Garden members.

A Million Blooms
March 20-May 31, 2024
The Garden’s celebration of spring! Events throughout the season include Spring Plant Sale and plant shows.

Virginia Daffodil Society Show
March 23-24, 2024
The daffodil show features hundreds of delightful prize-worthy daffodils and expert growers.

RVA Tropical and Exotic Plants Plant Swap
March 31, 2024
From 1 – 4 PM, join RVA Tropical and Exotic Plants for an unforgettable Plant Swap. Meet other growers, learn from them, and take home your new plants.

Artist-in-Residence Kyle Epps
April-September 2024
As part of its Flourish: 40 Years and Growing anniversary celebration, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has commissioned contemporary American multi-disciplinary artist Kyle Epps as an artist-in-residence from April-September 2024. Epps’ work will explore the landscape and history of the Garden through a variety of mediums. Guests will be able to view the artwork in the Garden’s Community Art Gallery and Epps will also lead workshops.

African Violet Show and Sale
April 5-7, 2024
Interesting and unusual African violet varieties on display and for purchase.

The Big Bloom
Friday, April 12
This fun and festive spring garden party kicks off our season of A Million Blooms. Live music, food, and beverages. This is an adults-only, ticketed event.

Spring Plant Sale
May 3 & 4, 2024
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
May 5, 2024
The sale will take place from 10 AM – 4 PM in Robins Visitors Center Atrium, and the show will be from 12 – 4 PM in the Robins Room

Flowers After 5
Thursday nights; May 16-October  24, 2024
Listen to a diverse mix of live music throughout the season, featuring local and regional acts. The second and fourth Thursdays of each month are Fidos After 5 nights when leashed dogs are allowed. Please see schedule; there are some nights when we don’t have Flowers After 5 due to Groovin’ in the Garden concerts (Groovin’ concerts are special, ticketed events).

Richmond Rose Society Show
May 18 & 19, 2024
Enjoy displays of specimen roses and get advice from the rose experts.

Groovin’ in the Garden: Carbon Leaf
May 30, 2024
Our 2024 Groovin’ in the Garden concert series kicks off with Richmond’s own Carbon Leaf. This show is presented by Broadberry Entertainment Group.

Groovin’ in the Garden: Ben Folds
June 11, 2024
Our 2024 Groovin’ in the Garden concert series continues with Ben Folds: The Paper Airplane Request Tour. This show is presented by Broadberry Entertainment Group.

Pride Month
June 1-30, 2024
Month-long celebration honoring and bringing awareness to LGBTQ+ community. Includes LGBTQ youth event and themed Flowers After 5.

Free Fourth of July
July 4, 2024
Garden admission is free on July 4; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Free Community Day (Labor Day)
September 2, 2024
Garden admission is free on Labor Day; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Fall Plant Sale
September 20 & 21, 2024
Featuring vendors selling plants ranging from well-known favorites to rare exotics and other garden-related items. Presented by Garden volunteers.

HarvestFest
October 26, 2024

Seasonal event with entertainment, crafts, activities, and an abundance of fall displays.

Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights
Mid-November to Early January