My favorite Christmas tradition includes a cool, crisp evening with hot cocoa in hand, wandering through millions of Christmas lights with my family. Having moved so often over the past few years, the venue has changed. Regardless, I have always been able to find an incredible display of lights for us to enjoy! Thankfully, for this year, I found the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia. Our first experience there was late in the Summer. They showcased the Nature Connects®: Art with LEGO® Bricks exhibit by Sean Kenney. He is an award-winning creator best known for his collection of nature-inspired LEGO® masterpieces. After thoroughly enjoying the LEGO® exhibit, I was given the opportunity to return to the garden for a preview of their Dominion Energy® GardenFest of Lights.
For 2019, in commemoration of the first manned mission to land on the Moon, the theme was “Magic in the Air”. The displays are inspired by a blend of the garden’s natural beauty and items that fly. Walking along the paths, you will come upon fantastic creatures like flying pigs and a pegasus. After passing through the Children’s Garden, You can take a walk up to the top of the CWDKids Tree House for an incredible view of the conservatory! At every turn, there is a unique collection of lights transformed into displays of man-made inventions, natural wonders, and mythical creatures. The kids will love finding their way through the large maze in Anderson Meadow! Be sure to stop in the Kelly Education Center to see the large trains in motion! The hallway back to the model train room is lined with beautifully decorated trees by local elementary school students. There is a large Holiday tree in the library and a “pollinators and flowers” themed tree in the reading room!
Throughout the evening of the preview, only a few others were walking around the garden at the time. It was a unique, magical experience. I stopped to pinch myself a few times to be sure it was real. Though 1 million lights are quite a spectacle, they have snowflake glasses available for purchase to put a festive spin on the evening! If you need a warm-up outside, they have Espresso A-Go-Go hot chocolate and smores available for purchase & the Kelleher warming fire to gather around.
If you are in or near Richmond over the winter holidays, the GardenFest of Lights should not be missed! Get your friends and family together for a magical night of lights and imagination! Last but not least, we must give a standing ovation to the hundreds of volunteers who work throughout the year to help make this happen! Check the schedule for highlights and special event nights, including GardenFest for Fido and a New Years’ Eve Family Frolic!
I highly suggest visiting this botanical garden anytime of year. Check out our visit from the Summer where we got to see life size LEGO creations here.
The Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights begins November 20th, 2023 and runs through January 7, 2024! Click here for more info: Rhythms of Nature
Wow, this is beautiful. I love looking at Christmas lights. There is something so peaceful and calming about the whole thing.
Wow…this place looks stunning! Those lights!! It’s amazing that they can make it such a work of art. Looks like the perfect place to get you in the holiday mood 🙂
So fun! I love looking at Christmas lights!
This is gorgeous! I’d love to wander this display. A hot chocolate would be perfect to go along with this. So pretty!
We have been to something similar. I love this..and definitely with hot cocoa in hand!
What a gorgeous display of lights, and you did such an amazing job capturing it! It truly looks magical! I wish I lived closer…I would totally visit!
Wow! This is truly a magical place. Absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing such stunning photos.
It looks like every inch of this place is covered in lights! How magical! Looking a Christmas lights is one of our traditions as well!
Wow, what a stunning display of lights!! This place looks like such a fun place to visit…adding to my travel wishlist!
That is absolutely stunning!!! We have a place here that does a Christmas display called BentleyVille and it is beautiful, but not like that.
WOW! How gorgeous!! Your pictures are amazing, but I bet it’s even more amazing in person! Definitely a cool place to check out!
Wow, so beautiful. I love viewing the lights.
These garden lights are really beautiful, perfect for the holidays
Every year we go as a family to look at lights. This looks perfect! What a display.
Wow what a beautiful display of lights and what a fun tradition. Thanks so much for sharing. Absolutely gorgeous in the pictures – can only imagine that its even better in person!
I am going there next week after all my kids are home with their families. I cannot wait to go. It will be our first time at Christmas time. Thanks for sharing.
That’s awesome! Hope you have a wonderful time with your family!!
Wow what a beautiful place to visit during the holidays!! I would love to visit! Your pictures are amazing
Absolutely gorgeous lights! What a treat!
These displays are truly lovely!
Wow, this is so beautiful…putting it on my bucket list
Wow-what a beautiful light show! Thank you for sharing!
Oh my gosh! This really does look magical. Would love to visit it sometime. Thanks for sharing!
Wow! Those Christmas lights – how spectacular and you captured it beautifully. I wish we have this type of event in Alberta.
You took gorgeous photos! I’m about an hour from Richmond, so I may need to hit this up!
Those are stunning displays!!!
Wow, what a wonderful & magical display! Your photos did them justice 🙂
Man, I wish I lived closer to this; nothing boosts my holiday spirits more than looking at lights. Your photos are beautiful.
So gorgeous! When I was a child, it was our tradition to drive around and look at Christmas lights. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Gorgeous pictures! We have botanical gardens where I live and it has been years since I have actually been inside! It is located in the middle of a park and we like to run there all year round. I think I may need to check ours out to see how the decorate for Christmas – I am pretty sure they do!
This looks amazing! There are so many lights! I gets it’s beautiful in person!!
So beautiful! I need to check into one of these gorgeous displays nearby.
Gorgeous!
So beautiful! I love Christmas lights. We have something similar her in Victoria, BC, called the Butchart Gardens, they are world famous and so magical!
Your pictures are absolutely stunning! What a beautiful light display!
Wow they are so beautiful. That helped me get into the spirit…lol. Thank you for sharing.
Wow how extraordinary! I’d love wandering around looking at the lights.