An illuminating view of nature

[maxgallery id="57831"]

(Sponsored content) – Holiday traditions can come in any number of forms, from personal, family-centered customs to large celebrations that include entire communities. In Richmond, one of the most popular and most engaging holiday traditions is Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights, open to the public now at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and running through January 9, 2022.

Located in Henrico County, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has consistently been ranked by USA Today as one of the country’s top botanical gardens, thanks to its 50 acres of lush, gorgeous garden landscapes. And during Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights, that landscape is illuminated with over one million vibrant, colorful holiday lights—more than 57 miles of light strands altogether.

Visitors to Lewis Ginter’s easy-to-access location at 1800 Lakeside Avenue will find those lights both lining the Garden’s woodland paths and twinkling in the trees overhead, creating a magical view of the Garden that’s unique to the holiday season. The staff and volunteers design the displays with an eye toward accentuating the beauty of the Garden. More than 300 volunteers help with the event, from installation to greeting guests each night. The Garden team is dedicated to creating a memorable outdoor atmosphere that is unlike any other in Richmond.

This year, Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights also presents a theme that’s appropriate to its outdoor setting—“Naturally Connected.” Along with spreading holiday joy, the lights have been positioned to help highlight how we are all connected to each other and nature, including a maze of lights that has been designed as a spider web. Elsewhere, visitors will delight to displays that include a lit-up life cycle of a butterfly and enormous, oversized flower forms.

While the lights are the main attraction, there are many other elements that make Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights such an unmissable event. Model trains can be found making their way down the tracks in the Kelly Education Center, complete with a new “Farm to Table” theme, while trees decorated by Henrico County Public Schools students brighten the Lora Robins Library and botanical decorations grace the cozy Library Reading Room.

At all times of the year, the Children’s Garden at Lewis Ginter is one of the most charming areas to visit, but during the holiday season, it’s especially enchanting. The Kelleher Warming Fire in the Children’s Garden offers families a great spot to get warm, enjoy hot chocolate and roast s’mores (available for purchase at the nearby Carriage House).

In addition, visitors will find additional dining and shopping opportunities at Lewis Ginter, including casual dining in the Garden Café and holiday dinners in the Tea House (where reservations are strongly suggested), along with great shopping for gifts and souvenirs in the Garden Shop.

Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights will also debut several other new elements this year, to complement the “Naturally Connected” theme. For one, visitors won’t want to miss the 25-foot-tall, cut, live tree in the Conservatory. Decked out in its holiday best with decorations of a botanical theme, this enormous tree will undoubtedly be a favorite photo opportunity.

Also debuting this year is a light installation from Orlosky Studio, entitled “The Poems of Positivity.” This community-centered project features three sculptural towers with light shining through words cut out of black acrylic. The words were crowd-sourced through a social media invitation for people to share a few short words in response to the prompt, “What is something that makes you feel positive?”

We feel positive that Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights has something for everyone—and will certainly succeed at making spirits bright this holiday season. Visit lewisginter.org to plan your visit today and be a part of one of Richmond’s most memorable holiday traditions.

Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights runs through January 9, 2022 (closed Dec. 24 & 25). Tickets are available online only and have timed arrivals starting at 4 p.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are limited, and popular nights and times will sell out quickly. There are no walk-up sales so please take a moment to visit lewisginter.org to secure your tickets.