Planning Your Visit
Is this a walking-only or a drive-through event? How long is the route?
This is a walking-only event. Driving through the lights is not permitted. The event route is a one-mile loop, and although it is walking-only, it is accessible for strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, and mobility assistance devices. Keep in mind that some of our pathways are permeable, packed gravel. These paths can be a little tricky to navigate with wheelchairs, strollers, or wagons. Some portions of the permeable pathway are on a slight incline/decline, including the road from the back of Baker Hall to the Rose Garden, the road from Rose Garden Bridge to NATO Bridge, and the road from Wildflower Meadow to Rose Garden Bridge.
Families with double strollers should be prepared to fold their strollers in order to enter and exit the doors of Baker Hall, where we scan your e-tickets.
Do you offer anything for guests who can’t walk through the Dominion Energy Garden of Lights?
The Mobility Shuttle runs once every evening for guests with limited mobility and their group, offering a scenic ride through our Dominion Energy Garden of Lights. Arrival time to Norfolk Botanical Garden for our Mobility Shuttle is 4:45PM, with boarding at 5:00PM and a prompt 5:15PM departure.
Please click this link to reserve tickets.
A limited quantity of electric wheelchairs are available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis from Baker Hall. We hold on to a photo ID while you have the wheelchair checked out, and checking out a wheelchair requires a $35 rental fee for non-members and a $30 rental fee for members, as well as signing a liability waiver.
A limited number of manual wheelchairs are available at Baker Hall on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 5:30PM. Manual wheelchairs are free to use, but we require a photo ID to rent one.
What are the days and hours of operation of Dominion Energy Garden of Lights?
Dominion Energy Garden of Lights will run Friday, November 6th 2026, through Sunday, January 3rd 2027. We are open every evening, including holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.
Did you know that the Dominion Energy Garden of Lights is an award-winning light show?
NBG has been lighting up your holidays for over 30 years!
The Dominion Energy Garden of Lights has won the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights for multiple years!
Named “One of the 12 Magical Christmas Destinations You Need to Add to Your Holiday Bucket List” by Simplemost.com
Anything I should know about parking?
Parking is free, but limited, so please consider carpooling. Our team works hard to park guests as soon as spots become available. If there are traffic/parking delays, we will honor a ticket that is slightly earlier or later than your scheduled arrival time. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
When you turn off Azalea Garden Rd., the Tollbooth arm will be up, and our parking crew will direct you to the nearest available space. Once your party is ready, head inside Baker Hall to explore our Gift Shop, stop by our restrooms, and have your tickets scanned at the back of Baker Hall.
Tickets
How do I purchase tickets?
Tickets must be purchased online. You do not have to print out your e-ticket! Tickets can be scanned directly from your smartphone! *Please make sure you have the original ticket pulled up; we are unable to scan screenshots.
Tickets are limited. Purchasing online RESERVES your date and time. If available, walk-up tickets incur an additional $5 fee per ticket.
Is there a limit to how many tickets I can purchase as a Garden member?
Members may purchase as many tickets as they like; however, the number of discounted tickets varies by membership.
Individual members receive a discount on 1 ticket.
Garden Family, Garden Family & Friends, Garden Family & Friends+, and Garden Patron Level members receive a discount on up to 6 tickets.
Do you have discounts?
For the biggest discount, we recommend becoming a member and purchasing a ticket online for a Value Night. We offer Military discounts online on Value Nights. We offer in-person discounts on Value Nights for Dominion Energy and City of Norfolk employees. We offer in-person discounts every night for Museums for All and Norfolk PowerUp!. Please show your SNAP, EBT, WIC, or Medicaid card with a valid ID. Guest passes and AHS reciprocal benefits are not accepted for this special event. There are no group discounts.
What if I can’t use my ticket?
The Dominion Energy Garden of Lights is a rain-or-shine event. Tickets are non-refundable. Cancellations will be announced on the Garden’s website as well as Facebook in the case of severe weather. Please contact Guest Services at VS_Supervisors@nbgs.org or 757-441-5830 48 hours in advance to reschedule your tickets.
Is my ticket purchase helping the Garden? Is NBG a non-profit organization?
Yes! Norfolk Botanical Garden is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Dominion Energy Garden of Lights is our largest fundraising event of the year.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Your ticket purchases help us as a non-profit fulfill our mission:
IMMERSE VISITORS IN A WORLD OF BEAUTY. LEAD THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION. INSPIRE THROUGH EDUCATION AND CONNECTION TO NATURE.
During Your Visit
As you stroll through the dazzling displays of the Dominion Energy Garden of Lights, we’ve made sure your holiday cravings are covered! Along the way, you’ll find festive food trucks serving up sweet treats and cozy sips to keep you in the holiday spirit. A huge thank you to REED’s Bistro, Bear House Coffee Roasters, Spicy Latina, Ben & Jerry’s and Classic Kettle Corn of Chesapeake for bringing the flavors of the season to life! So grab a snack, warm up with a drink and let the magic of the lights (and goodies!) fill your night with cheer!
Will the Garden Gift Shop be open during the Dominion Energy Garden of Lights?
Yes! Our Gift Shop located in the Baker Hall Visitor Center will be open until 8:15PM on Value Nights and 9:15PM on Popular Nights.
Can I take photos? What about selfie-sticks?
Yes, we encourage you to take photos – use the hashtag #NBGLights2026 Visitors may also use monopods or selfie-sticks with care.
May I bring a pet to the Dominion Energy Garden of Lights? What about on Wednesday/Sunday Dog Days?
We are allowing dogs to visit the lights on Wednesdays and Sundays. ADA service animals are always welcome. Dogs would need a separate ticket to enter the show.
Am I allowed to smoke during the Dominion Energy Garden of Lights?
The Garden is a nicotine-free environment.
Can I walk into the Garden from the main road to see the Dominion Energy Garden of Lights?
Due to the safety of our guests, we do not allow guests to walk into the Garden from the main entrance road.
Are there restrooms available?
There are 3 sets of restrooms available for guests. One is indoor in Baker Hall near the Gift Shop before you get your ticket scanned and the other indoor option is about halfway through the walk at our Butterfly House. Portable Restrooms will be located just after the NATO Tower Waterfall and available for guests use.
Still have questions?
Please email vs_supervisors@nbgs.org or call 757-441-5830 ext. 0.
