Tickets are available online only and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are limited.

Children age 3 and under do not need a ticket.

NON-PEAK (VALUE) NIGHTS: Nov. 18-Dec. 12, Jan. 2-5

• Non-members: Adults: $22; Youth (age 4-12): $12
• Members: Adults: $12; Youth (age 4-17): $8. Free Member Nights: Dec. 30-Jan. 5; must reserve online tickets. Please be prepared to enter the name on your membership and the membership level.
• Museums for All (Non-Members): Adults: $1; Youth (age 4-12): Free Learn more about the Museums for All initiative for SNAP/EBT recipients.
• Museums for All (Members): Adults: $1; Youth (age 4-12): Free

PEAK NIGHTS: Dec. 13-Jan. 1

• Non-members: Adults: $25; Youth (age 4-12): $17
• Members: Adults: $15; Youth (age 4-17): $10. Free Member Nights: Dec. 30-Jan. 5; must reserve online tickets. Please be prepared to enter the name on your membership and the membership level.
• Museums for All (Non-Members): Adults: $5; Youth (age 4-12): Free Learn more about the Museums for All initiative for SNAP/EBT recipients.
• Museums for All (Members): Adults: $1; Youth (age 4-12): Free

Yes, all Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights tickets are online ONLY (no walk-ups). When you purchase a ticket, you choose the date and an arrival time. Children under age 3 do not need a ticket. Garden members must reserve their tickets, too.

When to visit is a personal preference, but early arrival times (4, 4:30, 5 p.m.) and late arrival times (after 7:30 p.m.) tend to be less busy. Weeknights also tend to be less busy than weekends. Visitation increases after area schools get out for the winter holidays (Dec. 22). Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive within 30 minutes of their ticketed time.

No, there is no designated “meet-up” area. Please meet up before you come and please carpool if you can. There is no space to meet up inside the Visitor's Center during this busy time.

All guests 4 years or older must have a ticket to enter GardenFest. If you have tickets for members of your party who are arriving separately or are delayed, we recommend taking a screen shot of their tickets and sending it to them so they can enter on their own when they arrive. Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive within 30 minutes of their ticketed time.

Help us be quick! Please have your ticket QR code, confirmation email or order number at check-in. Members should be prepared to show their membership card if requested. If you created an account when you purchased tickets through my.lewisginter.org, you can also access your tickets by logging into your account. Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive within 30 minutes of their ticketed time.

Please meet up before you come and please carpool if you can. There is no space to meet up inside the Visitor's Center during this busy time.

However, if you have tickets for members of your party who are arriving separately or are delayed, we recommend taking a screen shot of their tickets and sending it to them via text or email. This way, you will not have to wait outside the Garden and they can enter on their own when they arrive. All guests four years or older must have a ticket to enter GardenFest.

You cannot transfer your ticket to another night unless you bought the optional Ticket Insurance at the initial purchase (see below).

For questions about our Ticket Insurance or to transfer your ticket reservation please email [email protected]

Please note: 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.

There are no refunds. This is a rain-or-shine event. Garden member tickets are non-transferable to non-members. Proceeds benefit Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and our mission.

There is no will call. Please be sure to forward tickets to anyone in your party who may be arriving separately.

It's okay, as long as you have your order number/confirmation email, we can look you up that way.

If you created an account when purchasing your tickets at my.lewisginter.org, you can also access your tickets there.

Please meet up before you come and please carpool if you can. There is no space to meet up inside the Visitor's Center during this busy time. Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive within 30 minutes of their ticketed time.

However, if you have tickets for members of your party who are arriving separately or are delayed, we recommend taking a screen shot of their tickets and sending it to them via text or email. This way, you will not have to wait outside the Garden and they can enter on their own when they arrive. All guests four years or older must have a ticket to enter GardenFest.

The time on your ticket is the start of your arrival time window. Arrive at that time or up to 30 minutes after that time. Example: if your ticket says 4 p.m., arrival time is between 4-4:30 p.m. If there are traffic/parking delays and you miss your arrival time window, we will work with you.

The Garden has free parking; however, it is limited. Please carpool or consider a ride-sharing service. While the timed ticket arrivals help with parking turnover, 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. If you park in nearby neighborhoods, please be mindful of our neighbors and do not block driveways. Please keep safety in mind.

The show is extremely popular and we will see high visitation, especially when the weather is nice and schools are out (after Dec. 22). Please carpool or consider a ride-sharing service. Since parking is limited, 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.

• GardenFest and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will be closed on Thanksgiving (Nov. 28), December 24 & 25.
• GardenFest is open 4 – 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

• GardenFest is rain or shine and is canceled only in cases of extreme inclement weather. Any closure notices will be posted to the Garden’s homepage and on social media (see bottom of website for links). We do not close if it is simply raining.
• Only FLEX ticket insurance can be transferred to another date. Restrictions apply.

We advise guests to allow at least an hour for their GardenFest visit (this would mean arriving by 9 p.m. since GardenFest ends at 10 p.m.) 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!”

• We have loaner wheelchairs and strollers for members and guests. They are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• You may also want to read more about the Garden’s accessibility.

There will be a suggested path with signs throughout the Garden! We are also currently working on a digital copy of the GardenFest Map.

GardenFest 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. 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 and s'mores kits are available for purchase in the Children’s Garden.

Due to the construction on our THRIVE expansion, there will not be a maze during the 2024-2025 GardenFest of Lights. Don't worry, we've added brand new interactive features in the Cochrane Rose Garden and the Waterway splash pad located in the Children's Garden!

Leashed dogs are allowed on these select Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights nights:

• Monday, Nov. 18
• Monday, Nov. 25
• Monday, Dec. 2
• Monday, Dec. 9
• Monday, Dec. 16

Please read our rules and guidelines for visiting Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with dogs.

Festive holiday dress is welcome, however no costumes with masks are permitted and "Santa" outfits are not allowed.

Look for festive fast-casual dining in the Jingle Bar and Grill (location: Garden Cafe) as well as drinks and snacks. There will also be a secondary location called the Jingle Bar at the Tea House (location: Robins Tea House) that will have a limited version of the same menu. We also offer hot chocolate, cookies, and s'mores kits at Espresso-A-Go-Go in the Children's Garden. We have sticks so you can roast s’mores in the Warming fire.

Outside food may not be brought into the event. Feel free to bring your water bottle. We have water bottle refilling stations.

Hot cocoa and s’mores kits can be purchased from Espresso A-Go-Go in the Children’s Garden. We have sticks so you can roast s’mores in the Warming fire in the Children’s Garden.

It’s good to stay hydrated. You may want to bring water to drink (we have a touchless water bottle refilling station). Also, bottled water is for sale in the Garden Shop.