Back to All Events

Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights 2024-2025


  • Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden 1800 Lakeside Avenue Henrico, VA, 23228 United States (map)

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.

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)

Earlier Event: November 17
Bingo at Bingo
Later Event: November 18
Cider & Cheese Pairing Workshop