Dominion EnergyGardenFest of Lights 2025-2026
November 17 - January 4
Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the U.S.!
Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights is a favorite tradition featuring a million 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 (walk-ups are not guaranteed entry. If entry is available, fees will apply). 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 always non-refundable. Tickets are also 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
NEW THIS YEAR
- Our 2025-2026 theme is The Elements As audiences take in millions of lights across the Garden they will explore areas with displays inspired by fire, earth, air, and water, as well as a special “fifth” element, love. Love is the invisible energy that binds us together. Just as the four elements sustain us, love fuels creativity, compassion, and connection. In this year’s exhibit, the elements become our storytellers, and visitors are invited to reflect on how these forces surround us daily, and how together they create harmony, resilience, and wonder.
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 4-9:45pm. Our volunteers have worked hard at creating and following the Garden’s theme of the four elements adding scenes of rural living and flight.
- The Warming Fire in the Cochrane Rose Garden is a great spot to warm up, drink hot chocolate, and roast s’mores (available for purchase).
- 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!
- Voted Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the U.S.! (USA Today 10Best contest; 2024 & 2023)
Special Nights
MEMBERS-ONLY PREVIEW WEEKEND
November 14-16, 2025 will be a complimentary preview weekend for Garden members only. Learn more about becoming a member here.
ADULT-FRIENDLY NIGHTS PRESENTED BY KEITER
New this year, the Garden is offering two evenings of GardenFest reserved for visitors 18 and older. Our adult-friendly dates are November 20 & 21.
GARDENFEST FOR FIDOS
On select Monday evenings, well-behaved leashed dogs are invited to enjoy GardenFest with their humans. GardenFest for Fidos 2025-26 nights are November 17 & 24; December 1, 8 & 15. Please read our rules and guidelines for visiting Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with dogs.
FREE NIGHTS FOR MEMBERS
Garden members receive complimentary admission to GardenFest from November 17-20 and January 2-4, 2026. Learn more about becoming a member here.
GARDENFEST HOLIDAY PHOTOS
This year, GardenFest guests can reserve portrait sessions with professional photographer Jessica Capozzola during your visit. Photo sessions will be held on November 17, 21, 30, and December 5 from 6:30p.m.-8:30p.m. The cost is $25, which includes a five-minute session, as well as one hi-resolution digital image available within 72 hours of your visit. Sessions must be reserved ahead of your visit via the scheduling link on Jessica’s website. Please note: photo sessions do not include admission to GardenFest, and event tickets must be purchase separately.
PERFORMANCE NIGHTS
Join us on select evenings for musical and dance performances from some of Central Virginia’s most beloved ensembles. All performances take place in the Cochrane Rose Garden unless otherwise noted.
- November 18, 6:30-8pm – The Nutcracker, performed by the Concert Ballet of Virginia
- November 25, 6-8pm – Jazz Night (Lucy Kilpatrick on keys and Ken Kellner on bass); performance will be in the Tea House
- December 2, 6:30-7pm – SPARC Touring Ensemble Choir
- December 3, 7-7:45pm – Voices in Peace, the Weinstein Jewish Community Center Choir
- December 9, 6-8pm – Greater Richmond Chorus
- December 16, 6-8pm – Henrico High School Choir
2025-2026 GardenFest Map
Food & Drink
GardenFest Cafe (location: Garden Cafe)
The Garden Cafe will transform into the GardenFest Cafe from Restaurant Associates! It’s our “go-to” for grab and go food and drink at GardenFest.
Jingle Bar & Grill (location: Tea House)
You can find the Jingle Bar & Grill after you’ve ventured down the hills of the Asian Valley Garden. The menu will be a limited version of the GardenFest Cafe menu.
Espresso-A-Go-Go (location: Carriage House) Hot drinks and s’mores kits
GardenFest Santa Brunches: December 6 & 7, 13 & 14, 20 & 21
Delicious brunches on Saturdays and Sundays in December with an opportunity to meet Santa. Reservations are currently open via OpenTable.
GardenFest Santa Dinners: December 21 & 22
Make GardenFest an extra special experience with dinners on select evenings and a chance to meet Santa. Reservations are currently open via OpenTable.
12 Days of Dining: December 1-12
Enjoy a three-course, seasonal dinner before or after exploring GardenFest. Reservations are currently available via OpenTable. Please note: you will need to update the date, time and party size on the OpenTable website.
GardenFest Dining for Groups: Book these buffet dinners in advance for groups of 15 or more on select Monday nights.
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
Thank You to Our Other Sponsors
Become a Member for the Best Value
Enjoy free admission on Member Nights! Receive special discounted pricing on all other nights.