We look forward to welcoming you again this holiday season! Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights

Lights & Displays
What's New:

Voted Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights in the U.S.!

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!

Jingle Bar (location: Tea House)

You can find the Jingle Bar after you've ventured down the hills of the Asian Valley Garden. The menu will be a limited version of the GardenFest Cafe menu. Please note: The Jingle Bar will not be in service from Dec. 1-12 during 12 Days of Dining. Reservations start in early November!

Click here to Buy Tickets