Richmond Light Shows 2026: Maymont Garden Glow and Lewis Ginter GardenFest Dates, Hours and Prices

Sources read in the browser on October 22, 2026. Dates, hours and prices can change, so confirm on each garden’s page before you go.

Richmond has two large garden light shows this season, and their dates do not overlap. Garden Glow at Maymont runs on select nights through November 8. GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden starts November 23 and runs through January 3. Below are the dates, hours, ticket prices and parking rules, taken from each garden’s own pages. For more happenings, see our Richmond events page.

The two shows at a glance

Non-member adult prices as listed by each garden on October 22, 2026.

Maymont Garden Glow, October 14 to November 8

Maymont calls Garden Glow its largest annual fundraiser. Opening times vary by night, last entry is 9 p.m., and some Mondays are open. Ticket proceeds help Maymont care for its historic mansion, gardens and resident animals.

The route follows a lit path called the Glow Path and a second stretch through the Japanese Garden. Maymont lists several new displays this year, including Petals in Pink, a glowing pathway of magnolias, Field of Fireflies, with thousands of floating lights, and 20-foot Rainbow Light Ladders. In the Japanese Garden, the Laser Lane returns in an expanded form, and the Tree of Life by the waterfall has a new glow.

Garden Glow tickets and timing

Source: Maymont Garden Glow page, read October 22, 2026.

Plan about 90 minutes. The glowing path is a little over a mile and includes the rugged Woodland Trail, which links the route to the Japanese Garden. Maymont offers a complimentary shuttle for guests who need an alternative to that trail. Weekend evenings often sell out, so buy online first. Onsite sales are cashless.

Lewis Ginter GardenFest of Lights, November 23 to January 3

This year’s theme is the otherworldly: fantastical creatures, fairy tales and faraway worlds in millions of lights. The show reaches into the Garden’s new gardens and expanded Conservatory. Food and drink stops include the GardenFest Cafe, the Jingle Bar in the Asian Valley and Espresso-A-Go-Go, which sells hot chocolate, coffee and s’mores kits. The Garden Shop is open until 10 p.m.

GardenFest ticket prices by night

Source: Lewis Ginter GardenFest tips and FAQ page, read October 22, 2026. Children under 4 are free. The page does not list a price tier for November 27, so check the ticket calendar for that night.

Tickets are for a date and an arrival time. The Garden says early times (4, 4:30 and 5 p.m.) and late times (after 7:30 p.m.) tend to be less busy. Walk-up tickets are not guaranteed and carry an extra $5 per ticket. All tickets are non-refundable, though optional ticket insurance lets you move a ticket once. Free member nights are November 23 and 24, December 30 and January 1 to 3, and members must still reserve. The Garden’s GardenFest tips and FAQ page also lists Museums for All pricing for SNAP and EBT recipients.

Closures, dining dates and parking

• Closed: Thanksgiving (November 26), December 24 and December 25.
• Open 4 to 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
• Brunch with Santa: December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, 19 and 20.
• Dinner with Santa: December 20 and 21.
• Holiday Dining Experience, new this year: December 14, 15, 21, 22 and 31.
• Parking is free but limited. The Garden suggests carpooling or rideshare and asks visitors not to block neighbors’ driveways.

Where these gardens sit on the map

Maymont’s entrance is in the City of Richmond. Lewis Ginter’s address is on Lakeside Avenue, and we have a Lakeside community page for that part of Henrico County. Our City of Richmond hub lists city neighborhood pages, including Carytown and The Fan. If you are comparing areas for a move, our buying page explains how we work, and you can contact us with questions.

Planning other outings? Our guides to Richmond fall events through mid-November and winter at WinterWorld and the VMFA cover the dates around these two shows.