Sat., Dec. 9: GardenFest Tickets Sold Out
Please consider other nights. Save money by visiting before Peak Season (Dec. 15-Jan. 7).
Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the U.S.!
Nightly Through Sunday, January 7, 2024: 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! Tickets are available online only, they are date and time specific, and there are limited quantities. Purchase yours today to ensure you get the day and time you want. You cannot transfer tickets to another date unless you purchase an optional Flex Add-On at checkout.
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 Flex Add-On. You can purchase the optional Flex Add-On ($10 per ticket) at checkout. Without the Flex Ticket Add-On, you cannot transfer your ticket. Flex Add-On Policy: ticket change requests must be made at least two business days before the new date requested. Flex Add-On tickets will still be honored past the original date if not used. Guests switching from non-peak to peak times will have to pay the difference in ticket prices. All changes are subject to availability.
Help us be quick! Please have your ticket QR code, confirmation email or order number at check-in.
Know Before You Go
Weather, parking, food, performances, shopping, etc.: You have questions; we have answers! Make the most of your visit and avoid surprises by reading the info below and our Gardenfest FAQs page. We appreciate your patience during this busy season. If you should find parking lots full, please know spaces will open up, and our team will get you parked as soon as possible. Carpool if you can!
Non-member Ticket Pricing
- Children under age 3 do not need a ticket.
- Value Nights: Nov. 20-Dec. 14: Adults: $17; Youth (age 3-12): $8
- Peak Nights: Dec. 15-Jan. 7: Adults: $20; Youth (age 3-12): $12
Member Ticket Pricing
- Members: Please be prepared to enter the name on your membership and the membership level. Not a member? Consider joining as a Garden member for the best value.
- Children under age 3 do not need a ticket.
- Member tickets: Nov. 20-Dec. 31: Adults: $10; Youth (age 3-17): $7
- Free Member Nights: Jan. 1-7; must reserve online tickets
Museums for All
Learn more about the Museums for All initiative for SNAP/EBT recipients.
- Children under age 3 do not need a ticket.
- Value Nights: Nov. 20-Dec. 14: Adults: $1; Youth (age 3-12): free
- Peak Nights: Dec. 15-Jan. 7: Adults: $5; Youth (age 3-12): free
Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights was voted the number one “Botanical Garden Holiday Lights” in the U.S. in the 2023 USA Today 10Best contest.
Lights & Displays
What’s New: Rhythms of Nature Theme
- Millions of lights light up the gardens and twinkle in trees under the night sky. The walk-through experience is designed so you and your loved ones and friends can relax, have fun, and make special memories in a magical setting.
- This year’s display is an immersive experience celebrating nature and the rhythmic seasons of life that connect us all. Winter, Summer, Spring and Fall are represented by a variety of colored lights, forms and botanical decorations throughout the gardens. Attention is drawn upward into the tree canopy and you may even hear sounds of nature, such as bird calls. A highlight this year is an installation by local artist Kyle Epps: Rhythms of Light Uje Wepinasow. This illuminated tapestry of symbols, marks, and movements is a cloth offering to the spirits of central Virginia painted by the artist over a three-day period in the Garden. Learn more about this year’s theme and By-the-Numbers
FAMILIAR FAVORITES RETURN
- Model trains return to the Kelly Education Center nightly 4-9:45 p.m.
- Trees decorated by Henrico County Public Schools students brighten the Lora Robins Library; botanical decorations also grace the cozy Library Reading Room.
- The Kelleher 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).
- Dried botanicals and Fairy Houses displayed in the Robins Visitors Center, the Kelly Education Center, and the Lora M. Robins Library Reading Room.
- Fraser Fir Conservatory Tree in the North Wing of the Conservatory. It measures 19 feet, 6 inches (but hits 20 feet in the stand!)
Special Nights
FREE NIGHTS FOR MEMBERS: Nov. 17-19 and Jan. 1-7
GARDENFEST FOR FIDOS:
Monday, Nov. 20
Monday, Nov. 27
Monday, Dec. 4
PERFORMANCES:
Tuesday, Nov. 28, 6:30-8:00 p.m. The Concert Ballet of Virginia presents a short version of The Nutcracker (Cochrane Rose Garden)
Tuesday, Dec. 5, 6-8:00 p.m. VCU Vox Concordia and Vocal Chamber Ensemble (Conservatory); Deau Eyes (Cochrane Rose Garden)
Tuesday, Dec. 12, 6-8:00 p.m. The Greater Richmond Chorus (Cochrane Rose Garden)
Tuesday, Dec. 19, 6-8:00 p.m. Henrico High School Choir (North Wing of the Conservatory)
Friday, Dec. 29 6-8:00 p.m. SPARC’s Touring Ensemble will be caroling around the Garden (various locations)
Tuesday, Jan. 2, 6-8:00 p.m. James River Ringers (Cochrane Rose Garden)
GardenFest Map
Click on the GardenFest Map image (JPG) above to view or download it in a higher resoultion.
Food & Drink
The Restaurant at Lewis Ginter (Garden Cafe) has sit-down dining; the Jingle Bar and Grill (Tea House) has grab and go casual fare and a bar.
The Restaurant at Lewis Ginter (location: Garden Cafe)
Make your GardenFest visit extra special with a festive holiday dinner. Reservation only. Walk ins accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Jingle Bar & Grill (location: Tea House)
Your “go-to” for food and drink at GardenFest.
Espresso-A-Go-Go (location: Children’s Garden) Hot drinks and s’mores kits
On Select Nights: Pop-Up Jingle Bar (location: Cochrane Rose Garden)
Santa Brunch: Delicious brunches on Saturdays and Sundays in December with an opportunity to meet Santa. These reservations fill quickly; make yours today! Dec. 2 & 3; Dec. 9 & 10; Dec. 16 & 17; seatings at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
GardenFest Dinners with Santa: Make GardenFest an extra special experience with dinners on select evenings and a chance to meet Santa. Dec. 17, 18 & 19; seating at 5 p.m.
GardenFest Dining for Groups: Book these buffet dinners in advance for groups of 15 or more on select Monday nights. Mondays: December 4, 11 & 18.
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!
Know Before You Go
These GardenFest FAQs provide helpful info and tips for planning your visit, parking and more. Carpool if you can!
Thank You to Our Title Sponsor
Thank You to Our Other Sponsors
Atlantic Constructors
Become a Member for the Best Value
Enjoy free admission on Member Nights! Receive special discounted pricing on all other nights.