Dominion EnergyGardenFest of Lights 2024-2025
We look forward to welcoming you again this holiday season! Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights kicks off with the Member Preview Weekend November 15-17, 2024, and opens to the public on November 18, 2024, through January 5, 2025.
Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the U.S.!
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights is a favorite tradition featuring millions of lights, botanical decorations, model trains, festive dinners, warming fire, hot chocolate and s’mores, and more!
GardenFest Tickets
Advance tickets are REQUIRED and are available online only (no walk-ups). Tickets are limited and have an arrival time window. Popular times sell out quickly. Las entradas están disponibles en línea SOLAMENTE (no se venderán en ventanilla) Cada 30 minutos tiene un límite de entradas disponibles. Language Translations: see drop-down menu at bottom right of web page.
GardenFest is rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable unless you purchase the optional Ticket Insurance. You can purchase the optional Ticket Insurance at checkout. Please note: Insurance allows for tickets to be moved ONCE. All ticket sales are final. Ticket transfer insurance is available at time of purchase that allows you to transfer your ticket to an alternate date and/or time. Ticket Insurance is non-transferrable and all tickets, with or without insurance, are non-refundable. The cost of purchased tickets that are unused, will be donated to the general operating fund of the Garden.
Please have your ticket QR code, confirmation email or order number at check-in. If you created an account when you purchased tickets through my.lewisginter.org, you can also access your tickets by logging into your account.
PARKING
Parking is limited. Please carpool from home/a meeting spot or consider a ride-sharing service. Traffic can back up. We have no control over how long guests stay; our team works hard to park guests as soon as spaces become available. If there are traffic/parking delays and you miss your arrival time window, we will work with you. We appreciate your patience.
Know Before You Go
Weather, parking, ticket transferring, etc. Make the most of your visit and avoid surprises by reading our GardenFest FAQ page.
Lights & Displays
What’s New:
- Voted Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the U.S.! (USA Today 10Best contest; 2023)
- This year’s theme is Homes & Habitats: A Celebration of Connection: As audiences take in millions of lights across the Garden they will explore and celebrate the beauty and importance of interconnected environments. Homes and habitats; where nature and community intertwine. From vibrant wetlands, a lush forest, and a vibrant savannah, to a magical world of fantasy, every environment plays a vital role in sustenance for life. Enjoy as you explore different ecosystems, and welcome HOME!
- Travel through our grounds as the Gardens are re-imagined resembling wetlands, rainforests, deserts, and more through light forms and brand-new interactive features in the Waterway splash pad (Children’s Garden) and Cochrane Rose Garden.
- Find the Pokémon light form in each habitat! Ponyta, Ivysaur, and many others are waiting for you.
- Herbs in the Home, a display in the Library Reading Room, will show us how we use nature in our kitchen, for crafts and decorations, and other practices, representing the HOME – traditions and festivities.
- Dried botanicals and a brand-new timeline exhibit outlining our Garden’s past, present, and future will grace the Robins Visitors Center and its hallway as you walk in. Celebrate 40 years with us!
FAMILIAR FAVORITES RETURN
- Millions of lights light up the gardens and twinkle in trees under the night sky. The walk-through experience is designed so you, your loved ones, and friends can relax, have fun, and make special memories in a magical setting.
- Model trains return to the Kelly Education Center nightly 4-9:45 p.m. Our volunteers have worked hard at creating a themed display centered around Homes and Habitats that includes a lake scene, a wooded mountain, a farm, a town, and more!
- The Warming Fire in the Children’s Garden is a great spot to warm up, drink hot chocolate, and roast s’mores (available for purchase at the nearby Carriage House).
- Homemade natural wood trees built by our volunteers and decorated by Henrico County Public Schools students brighten the Lora Robins Library.
- The Fairy Village enchants viewers in the Lora M. Robins Library, with miniature houses made with seeds, petals, and other natural mediums.
- A Live Tree outside of the Conservatory and a light tunnel in the Central Garden –perfect for a holiday photo-op!
Special Nights
MEMBER PREVIEW WEEKEND: Nov. 15-17
Free admission for members only, learn more and become a member here.
GARDENFEST FOR FIDOS:
Please read our rules and guidelines for visiting Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with dogs.
- Monday, Nov. 18
- Monday, Nov. 25
- Monday, Dec. 2
- Monday, Dec. 9
- Monday, Dec. 16
FREE NIGHTS FOR MEMBERS: Dec. 30-Jan. 5
Free admission for members only.
PERFORMANCES:
- Tuesday, Nov. 19, 6-7 p.m., Pungmulnori Korean Festive Performance (The Main Garden Walk)
- Tuesday, Nov. 26, 6:30-8 p.m., The Nutcracker performed by The Concert Ballet of Virginia (The Rose Garden)
- Tuesday, Dec. 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m., SPARC’s Touring Ensemble will be caroling around the Garden (The Rose Garden)
- Tuesday, Dec. 10, 6-8 p.m., Hanover High School (The Rose Garden)
- Tuesday, Dec. 17, 6-8 p.m., Henrico High School (The Rose Garden)
GardenFest Map
Coming soon!
Food & Drink
The Jingle Bar and Grill (Garden Cafe) has many options for grab and go casual fare; the Jingle Bar (Tea House) has a limited menu and a bar.
Jingle Bar and Grill (location: Garden Cafe)
The Garden Cafe will transform into the Jingle Bar and Grill from Restaurant Associates. Make your GardenFest visit extra special with our “go-to” for food and drink at GardenFest.
Jingle Bar at the Tea House (location: Tea House)
You can find this secondary Jingle Bar location after you’ve ventured further down the hills of the Asian Valley Garden.
Espresso-A-Go-Go (location: Children’s Garden) Hot drinks and s’mores kits
Santa Brunch: Delicious brunches on Saturdays and Sundays in December with an opportunity to meet Santa. These reservations fill quickly; make yours today! Dec. 7 & 8; Dec. 14; Dec. 21 & 22; Seatings for the first two weekends is at 10 a.m. & 12 p.m., December 21st & 22nd will have 3 seatings at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m.
GardenFest Dinners with Santa: Make GardenFest an extra special experience with dinners on select evenings and a chance to meet Santa. Dec. 22 & 23; seatings at 5 p.m. & 7 p.m.
GardenFest Dining for Groups: Book these buffet dinners in advance for groups of 15 or more on select Monday nights. Mondays: December 2, 9 & 16.
For More Dining Experiences including Holiday Rentals, please visit Holiday Events and Private Parties.
Shopping
The Garden Shop in the Visitors Center is known for its outstanding, high-quality merchandise. A great place for all your gift-giving needs!
Thank You to Our Title Sponsor
Become a Member for the Best Value
Enjoy free admission on Member Nights! Receive special discounted pricing on all other nights.