Tips for Visiting Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights
Planning Your Visit: Helpful Tips, Parking, Food & More
All Tickets are Online in Advance
with 30-minute Arrival Window
- All Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights tickets are online ONLY (no walk-ups). You choose an arrival time. Children under age 3 do not need a ticket; Garden members must reserve their tickets too.
- Masks are required for children over 5.
- Read about measures in place for your safety, including masks are required.
- Food and drinks are available for purchase or you can enjoy a meal in our full-service restaurant by reservation. On select nights enjoy the Jingle Bar. Make a reservation, see the menu and learn more.
- Have a question we didn’t answer? See our most frequently asked questions!
HOW TO FIND
THE GARDEN
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is located at 1800 Lakeside Avenue in Richmond, Virginia (23228). If you are using GPS, you may want to use “Henrico” instead of “Richmond.” We’re on the corner of Lakeside Avenue and Hilliard Road in Henrico County. The Garden entrance is off of Lakeside Avenue. Map.
DO YOU WALK OR DRIVE
THROUGH THE LIGHTS?
GardenFest is a walk-through show. We encourage guests to dress accordingly with good footwear and weather-appropriate clothing.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE
TO SEE THE LIGHTS?
We advise guests to allow an hour for their GardenFest visit (this would mean arriving by 9 p.m. since GardenFest ends at 10 p.m.). This year, due to the governor’s new COVID restrictions, we are asking all visitors to keep their visit to one hour or less. For those who don’t want a lot of walking, there is much to see in the Central Garden (between the Visitors Center and Conservatory); however, there are many lights along the Garden’s pathways and in the Children’s Garden for those who want to “experience it all!”
WHAT ABOUT
PARKING?
Parking is free and available on-site. Please note parking is limited. Carpool if you can.
ANY TIPS FOR
VISITING WITH CHILDREN?
GardenFest of Lights is a family-friendly event! If you are bringing small children, please note there is walking involved, so you may want to bring a stroller. Due to COVID, we are unable to lend strollers. Since the show is outdoors, it’s also a good idea to dress children according to the weather.
Come early! Arrive early and explore the Garden in twilight when it’s less busy, then watch as the sun goes down and the magic happens. Timed tickets start at 4 p.m. Hot drinks are available for purchase in the Children’s Garden.
WHAT KIND OF FOOD
IS AVAILABLE AT GARDENFEST?
Look for fast-casual dining in the Tea House as well as drinks and snacks. The restaurant in the Robins Visitor Center offers socially-distanced full-service dining by reservation only. In the Children’s Garden, Espresso-A-Go-Go sells hot drinks and cookies ranging in price from $3 to $6.
WHAT HAPPENS IF
THE WEATHER IS BAD?
Our guests’ safety is our number one priority. We close GardenFest in cases of extreme inclement weather and notices will be posted on our website and phone message system. We do not close if it is simply raining.
DISCOUNTS
Details on our GardenFest Discounts page.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a non-profit organization. Our 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 growing fresh produce for FeedMore (the local food bank) and educational programs for young students, many of whom come free of charge.
GARDENFEST OF LIGHTS
FACTSHEET
Wonder what’s involved in putting one of the biggest Richmond holiday traditions? Here are GardenFest Facts that you won’t believe!