The Dominion Energy Garden of Lights brings more than 1.5 million lights to Norfolk Botanical Garden in Norfolk, Virginia, for a holiday tradition the garden says has lit up the season for over 30 years. The 2026 event runs from Friday, November 6, 2026 through Sunday, January 3, 2027, with Value Nights from 5 to 8 pm and Popular Nights from 5 to 9 pm. New for 2026 are the Neon Fusion of Lights display, the Dancing Pixel Forest and an interactive RGB color-blend feature, alongside returning favorites like the glowing NATO Tower and the walk-through Mega Tree, plus a first look at the garden’s newly built conservatory with Dale Chihuly glass art.
The roughly one-mile walking route suits families, couples and anyone who likes a slower-paced holiday stroll, and most visits take an hour to ninety minutes depending on how often you stop at the food stands. Tickets are sold online for a specific date, and the garden recommends buying ahead since popular nights have sold out in past seasons.
Stats at a Glance
- Venue: Norfolk Botanical Garden
- City: Norfolk
- State: Virginia
- Dates: November 6, 2026 to January 3, 2027
- Hours: Value Nights 5-8 pm, Popular Nights 5-9 pm
- Tickets: Value Nights $18-$24 adult / $12-$15 child; Popular Nights $24-$30 adult / $15-$18 child; members pay less
- Timed entry: Dated ticket chosen at purchase; walk-up tickets cost $5 more
- New for 2026: Neon Fusion of Lights and Dancing Pixel Forest displays
What’s new for 2026
The garden has added the Neon Fusion of Lights and the Dancing Pixel Forest for the 2026 season, along with an interactive RGB color-blend feature and new laser elements. Guests also get a first glimpse of the garden’s newly constructed conservatory, which houses Dale Chihuly glass art installations. Returning highlights include the sparkling Conifer Garden, the glowing NATO Tower and the walk-through Mega Tree, so repeat visitors will still recognize the garden’s signature stops alongside the newer additions.
The lights and displays
Garden of Lights covers about a mile of paved paths through Norfolk Botanical Garden, lit with color-changing trees, a twinkling tunnel and the historic NATO Tower wrapped in lights. The Mega Tree is a walk-through display near the center of the route, and the Conifer Garden gets its own dedicated lighting treatment every year. The route is stroller, wheelchair and mobility-device friendly, and a nightly mobility shuttle departs at 5 pm for guests who need it.
Tickets, prices and member nights
Tickets are split into Value Nights and Popular Nights, with Popular Nights costing more because they fall on busier dates, generally weekends and the nights closest to Christmas. For 2026, Norfolk Botanical Garden members pay $18 per adult and $12 per child on Value Nights, versus $24 and $15 for non-members; on Popular Nights members pay $24 per adult and $15 per child, versus $30 and $18 for non-members. Walk-up tickets, when available, cost an extra $5 each, so buying online in advance is cheaper and safer against sellouts. Individual members get a discount on one ticket, and Garden Family-level members and above get discounted tickets for up to six people. Parking is free but limited on busy nights.
Food, drinks and extras
Food and drink stands along the route include REED’s Bistro for holiday bites, Bear House Coffee Roasters, Spicy Latina, Classic Kettle Corn of Chesapeake and a Ben & Jerry’s stand. The garden also runs Barks & Bulbs on Wednesday and Sunday evenings, when dogs are welcome on the route with a separate ticket, though ADA service animals are always permitted without one.
Tips for your visit
Weeknights, especially Value Nights early in the season, tend to be quieter than weekend Popular Nights in December, and arriving right at opening gives the shortest lines for food and the least crowding on the paths. Plan for an hour to ninety minutes to walk the full route at a relaxed pace, dress warmly since the whole visit happens outdoors, and check the garden’s calendar before you go since nights and hours can shift around the holidays. Buying a dated online ticket is the safest way to guarantee entry, particularly for nights close to Christmas and New Year’s.
Explore more: every zoo and garden holiday light show for 2026, by state.
Rapids, log flumes and splash zones without the rice-bag aftermath. The touchscreen still works through the window, so you can still take photos.
Cheaper than the $15 poncho at the gift shop and you get a whole bag. Toss one in every backpack for water rides and pop-up storms.
Soak, snap and drape. A cooling towel takes the edge off a 45-minute midday queue in July.
Dominion Energy Garden of Lights 2026 at Norfolk Botanical Garden FAQs
When is Dominion Energy Garden of Lights 2026?
The 2026 season runs from Friday, November 6, 2026 through Sunday, January 3, 2027, at Norfolk Botanical Garden in Norfolk, Virginia.
How much are Dominion Energy Garden of Lights tickets in 2026?
Value Night tickets cost $18 for member adults and $24 for non-member adults, with children at $12 and $15. Popular Night tickets cost $24 for member adults and $30 for non-member adults, with children at $15 and $18. Walk-up tickets, when available, cost $5 more per ticket than buying online.
Do you need to buy Garden of Lights tickets in advance?
Yes, tickets are sold online for a specific date, and the garden recommends buying early since popular nights have sold out in past seasons.
Get More from Dominion Energy Garden of Lights 2026 at Norfolk Botanical Garden
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Dominion Energy Garden of Lights 2026 at Norfolk Botanical Garden, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Want the day’s theme park news in your inbox? Subscribe to ThrillZing Daily — free.
Photo: PumpkinSky / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.