Members-Only Preview Nights at Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights

Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights

We’re delighted to offer this special Members-Only Preview to Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights November 18, 19, and 20, 2022. Members receive free admission and must reserve their tickets in advance; please note tickets have arrival times. The Members-Only Preview is open to members only -- no guests on these evenings, and no "member for a day" passes.

Not a member yet? Sign up as a Garden Member now to take advantage of these special nights!

Free Member Nights: Members may also visit for free as often as they like on the evenings of January 2–8. Please use this link for Member Nights tickets in January.

Members, you can reserve the same number of member tickets as corresponds to your membership type. For example, an individual member can reserve one ticket. A dual member can reserve two. A family member can reserve 2 adults and up to 6 kids' tickets. Friends members can reserve up to 4 adult and 8 kids' tickets. Children under 3 are free and do not need a ticket.

Use the red "Select a Date" button for one of the following dates:

• Friday, November 18, 2022
• Saturday, November 19, 2022
• Sunday, November 20, 2022

Not a member yet? Learn more about the benefits of Garden Membership.

TICKETS

• Tickets are available online ONLY (no walk-ups). Each half-hour has a limited number of tickets available.
• ***If you find that cannot attend this event, please cancel your ticket so another member will be able to attend. To cancel, find your confirmation email. Below the Order Summary is a link to “View and Manage Your Order Online.” Here, you can “Cancel Order” so another member will be able to attend.

ARRIVAL

• Arrive at the time on your ticket 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.
• Please have your tickets with QR code showing (either on your smartphone or printed) and ready for scanning.
• Garden members must be prepared to show a member ID card or membership confirmation email upon arrival.
• Please carpool if you can. We do not have an indoor space for meet-ups and parking is limited.

LIGHTS, DISPLAYS & MORE

This year's theme is "Seeds of Light."

Part of the magic of winter nights is how a twinkle of light can transform the darkness. In the natural world, seeds hold a similar mystical power. So tiny, yet so mighty, seeds are the “spark of life” containing the secrets of a never-ending creation. Through the sparkle of more than a half-million lights, imaginative displays, and memorable experiences, GardenFest takes inspiration from seeds and fruits to reveal an interconnected world of incredible diversity, amazing strategies, and enduring beauty.

• Millions of lights line garden paths and twinkle in trees under the night sky. This is a walk-through experience designed so you and your loved ones and friends can relax, have fun and make special memories in a magical outdoor setting.
• A 20-foot-tall, cut, live tree in the Conservatory. Decked out in a botanical theme, this tree promises to be a favorite photo opportunity.
• Model trains return to the Kelly Education Center
• Trees decorated by Henrico County Public Schools students brighten the Lora Robins Library; botanical decorations also grace the cozy Library Reading Room.
• The Kelleher 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).
• The Garden Shop is known as one of the best gift shops around and is full of great holiday gift ideas. Treat yourself or shop for presents for the special people on your list.

SPECIAL NIGHTS

• Free Member Nights: Jan. 2-8, 2023: Admission is free for members on these evenings.
• GardenFest for Fidos Nights: Leashed dogs allowed on Monday, Nov. 21, 2022; Monday, Dec. 5, 2022; and Monday, Jan. 2, 2023
• Live Music on select Thursday nights; visit bit.ly/GardenFEST to learn more.

FOOD & DRINK

The Restaurant at Lewis Ginter (Garden Cafe) has sit-down dining; the Jingle Bar and Grill (Tea House) has "grab and go" casual fare and a bar.

The Restaurant at Lewis Ginter* (location: Garden Cafe)

• Nov. 18-20 (Members-Only Preview Weekend): Walk-ins only, no reservations.
• Nov. 25-Dec. 18: Thursdays-Sundays only
• Dec. 19-Jan. 1: Nightly
• Open 5-8:30 p.m.; last reservation at 8:30 p.m.
• Festive holiday dinners. Reservations highly recommended and are online only through OpenTable. Please note: reservations are not available during the Members-Only Preview Weekend.
• *When making a reservation, please make sure that you book your GardenFest ticket before choosing a time for dining.

Jingle Bar & Grill (location: Tea House)

4:30-9 p.m.

• Grab and go items such sandwiches, soups, salads and snacks. Drinks include sodas and water, plus adult beverages. The space includes tables for first-come, first-served seating, and items are packaged so that you may enjoy them as you walk through the lights.

Espresso-A-Go-Go: hot drinks, s’mores kits, and snacks available for purchase in the Children’s Garden Carriage House (near the Kelleher Warming Fire).

Jingle Bar (location: Cochrane Rose Garden; subject to weather): Adult beverages and non-alcoholic drinks and snacks for purchase in the Cochrane Rose Garden.

ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Garden members must be prepared to show a member ID card or membership confirmation email upon arrival.
• GardenFest and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will be closed on Thanksgiving, December 24 & 25.
• The attractions are all outdoors and it is a walk-through show. Please dress accordingly.
• The event 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.
• Proceeds benefit Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. There are no refunds. This is a rain-or-shine event. Garden member tickets are non-transferable to non-members.
• Those purchasing "General Admission" tickets through the "Museums for All" initiative must be prepared to show SNAP or WIC card.
• Parking is free, but it is limited.
• Busiest nights tend to be weekends and the week prior to Dec. 25.
• Outside food and other items may not be brought into the event.
• For questions about the event, please call (804) 262-9887 or email contactus@lewisginter.org
• During the ticket purchase process, anyone using an email address that is not recognized by the Eventbrite system will be asked to set a password the first time. If you have previously purchased tickets on Eventbrite you will not need to do this. You can access your GardenFest tickets from your email confirmation and either print them or show them on your smartphone when you arrive. There is no need to login to Eventbrite or use the Eventbrite App unless you would like to do so, or for some reason are unable to retrieve your email tickets.
• On many phones, the tickets are attached as a pdf at the bottom of the confirmation email.