Dominion Garden Fest of Lights

We did this in December of 2015 as a family. It was well set-​up and we appreciated the opportunity to get a hot chocolate or coffee in several areas throughout! Very pretty and an interesting thing to do, but can get pretty packed especially on the weekends. I also imagine it can get pretty expensive for a large group.

Just meh. Lots of Christmas lights strung around the property, which was huge. Great for walking around with kids but not worth the twelve dollar admission for adults. I would much rather go driving around on the Richmond Tacky Light Tour. The Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens in Maryland puts this place to shame.

This event is a magical winter wonderland! Since this is my second year going I think that makes it a holiday tradition!!! The displays were amazing and very creative. I liked the refreshment station and bon fire to make s’mores. It was located along the route just where you would be ready to take a rest from walking. I enjoyed it very much.

I live a few hours away from here, so this was my first time here.
For this year, the cost to get into the event was $ 12 per person. I do think that amount was high considering what was available there. I may be a bit spoiled though considering that I go to Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg all the time where they have over 8 million lights. The garden is beautifully decorated with lights throughout the place. There isn’t a set way to go through them, so you can go at your own pace and directions. There is a small shop outside if there if you want to get some holiday «bling».
Overall, the visit to see the lights were just okay, which is why my overall rating at this time is at three stars. I just thought there would be more there to explore as well.

What a wonderful holiday tradition! I had never been before and neither had my aunt. So we decided it was high time we visited.
Beautiful lights display! The grounds are beautiful and offer a very large and varied display. Lots of walking but definitely worth it as there is something interesting tucked in every corner!
Over in the children’s section they offer hot chocolate, s’mores and a fire pit.

Beautiful lights display! We brought our toddler son here for his first Christmas light experience and we had a wonderful time. A very large and varied display over the huge grounds. Lots of walking but definitely worth it! They have a very pretty restaurant you can stop by (we did not). They also offered hot chocolate, s’mores & a Bön fire! Would definitely come back next year!

I love Christmas. The love, laughter and of course the fun festivities! And nothing says festive like a million tiny lights illuminating the botanical gardens.
This year’s theme was East Meets West, so Asian-​inspired creations abounded. My favorite display was a large dragon that enveloped part of the pathway; visitors walked underneath the dragon and it reminded me of the dragons that people carry on poles in parades. It was quite impressive. I also enjoyed some of the traditional decorations, like the gigantic intricately decorated tree in the greenhouse and the moving toy train display.
There were also a few fun crop creations, from oversized watermelon to grapes to carrots made out of lights. Oh, and did I mention there was a life-​size unicorn? Yep, I got a photo with that guy.
Despite the crowds, we were still able to check out all the displays, walk up into the treehouse, and visit the orchid room (always my favorite place when we visit). And we did all of this in about an hour. Granted, we arrived early so our ticket wait was minimal, and by the time we left the lines were out the door. So word to the wise: head over early or wait a bit and arrive on the later end.
GardenFest is the perfect family activity, and definitely a great place to bring out-​of-​town guests if you’re looking for a festive outing over the holidays. Can’t wait til next year!

I’m one of those annoying Christmas nuts. As soon as Thanksgiving is over, I’m all about the holidays. I watch «Miracle on 34^th St» (the original, not that sappy remake) as a kick-​off, and I round up my nieces and nephews and take them to all the fun holiday special events in town. One of our favorites that’s become an annual tradition is the GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter.
The kids love running around the maze made from Christmas lights strung on garden fencing, and we adults usually do at least one run through with them. They would stay here all night racing each other through the paths, but when we get cold, we can always talk them into going to the train room in the library center. This is an elaborate set up with trains that whistle and blow smoke, miniature cities, and big tunnels. I think different hobby train clubs set up and run the room each year.
Down by the light maze, you can grab a hot chocolate or toast marshmallows at a bonfire. We always go up in the tree house for a view of the grounds from on high. There’s no better way to get in the mood, and ditch the Scrooge, than to hang out with kids during the holidays.