Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter

GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Avenue in Richmond, is framed as an otherworldly walk of fantastical creatures and faraway worlds in millions of lights. Volunteers built a Fairy Village in the Conservatory Exhibition Hall, and model trains run nearby. Hot chocolate, seasonal treats, and fire-pit s'mores are sold through the garden, with the GardenFest Cafe, Jingle Bar and Grill in the Asian Valley, and Espresso-A-Go-Go for coffee. Grownups-only evenings and select Monday dog nights are on the calendar, and the Garden Shop stocks gifts.

Our take: Carpool or use a rideshare on a peak night, then warm up at the Jingle Bar and Grill in the Asian Valley before the Conservatory's Fairy Village.