Maymont invites everyone to experience nature in a whole new light during Garden Glow presented by Kroger, October 15 – November 9. For 23 nights, Maymont transforms after dark into an enchanted landscape suffused in soft colors and special lighting effects for an unforgettable evening out with friends and family.
Enchanting Light Installations in the Gardens
The immersive experience begins at The Robins Nature Center, where guests follow the Kinsale Glow Path through creative light installations designed by international artists, including Effervescence, a lawn blanketed with thousands of synchronized lights; Peonies, bouquets of 22-foot-tall glowing flowers sprouting on a hilltop; and L’Envol presented by Genworth, an illuminated flock of origami birds caught in midflight among the trees. The heart of Garden Glow is a stroll through the serene Japanese Garden, enveloped in color from the treetops down to their reflection in the pond.
Food, Drinks, and Fun in the Glow Village
The Glow Village on the Carriage House Lawn is the place to gather for food, refreshments and fun activities, from a spin on the Glow Swings to striking poses at the Shadow Wall presented by Juno Financial Group. A rotating lineup of food trucks offers an array of cuisines and treats for separate purchase, and the Glow Bar by CoStar Group offers beer, wine and cider to those ages 21 and over, with ID. Guests can relax around cozy fire pits and toast s’mores, or stock up on light-up accessories and toys at the Glow Shop near The Robins Nature Center or in the Glow Village.
Special Events, Tickets, and Visitor Information
New this year, Maymont has reserved one night, October 16, for Glow Up! — a special fundraising evening with light bites and refreshments included in the ticket price, along with VIP swag and live performers including Taiko drummers and light-up stilt walkers. The evening offers group packages that give businesses and groups an all-inclusive opportunity to gather clients and employees, or family and friends, for a fun evening for a good cause. Details are here.
“Garden Glow is an exciting and unforgettable way to experience Maymont with friends and family,” said Parke Richeson, President and CEO of Maymont Foundation. “It’s also a wonderful way to support the ongoing care of Maymont’s historic collections and gardens, as well as our resident animals, all while having a great time.”
Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends; popular time slots often sell out in advance. Ticket prices vary over the course of the event, ranging from $16 to $25; see website for details. Garden Glow is closed on Mondays. The event opens at 6 pm for the first eight nights, and progressively earlier as days grow shorter. The event closes at 10 pm each night and final entry is 9 pm. Event proceeds help care for Maymont.
Maymont members enjoy discounted admission, and the Museums for All program offers admission of $3 per person for up to 4 people (adults or children) on designated Value Nights to anyone who presents a SNAP/EBT card.
Garden Glow takes place entirely outdoors, rain or shine, except in the case where the event is canceled due to severe weather. Guests are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear suited for walking rustic paths. For guests who are unable to walk the hilly terrain, a trolley shuttle will make regular trips to the Japanese Garden, however, it cannot accommodate wheelchairs or strollers.
The entrance for Garden Glow is The Robins Nature Center lobby, 2201 Shields Lake Drive. Event parking is available at The Robins Nature Center and Hampton Street parking lots, in addition to street parking. The Maymont Farm parking lot will serve as overflow parking as needed. Maymont grounds will close at 4 pm each day from October 15 through November 9.
Volunteers are welcome! Details are available at the event website.
For more details on Garden Glow and other events at Maymont, please visit the events calendar. The light sculpture installations are made possible by Culture Creative, LLC, a U.K.-based event producer, in collaboration with French art studios Tilt and Pitaya. Richmond, Virginia-based Lighting & Sound Company collaborated with Maymont staff on the overall lighting experience.
Insider Tips
Insider tips:
- Walking the full length of the Glow Path, Woodland Trail and Japanese Garden covers a little over a mile and takes about 90 minutes, with some steeper sections that are optional.
- Sturdy walking shoes are recommended for the more rustic sections, and warm layers as the temperature drops during the evening.
- A trolley shuttle will make regular trips to and from the Japanese Garden for anyone who can’t manage the slope of the Woodland Trail. Some historic sections of the gardens cannot accommodate wheelchairs or strollers, but The Robins Nature Center is accessible, as are the Kinsale Glow Path and the Carriage House Lawn.
- There are 13 Value Nights (mostly weeknights and the first weekend of the event) that offer discounted admission and a more relaxed vibe.
- Allow ample time to find parking, and for the walk to The Robins Nature Center.
About Maymont
Maymont, located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, is a well-preserved 100 acres where all are welcome to connect with history, nature, wildlife and each other. Built as a Gilded Age estate overlooking the James River, Maymont opened to the public in 1926 and today offers free admission to explore its miles of walking paths through rolling hills, beautiful landscaped gardens, a petting farm and the Virginia Wildlife Trail with habitats for rescued native animals. In addition, Maymont offers guided and self-guided tours of the 1893 Maymont Mansion*, historic estate buildings and gardens, plus the immersive “Run of the River” experience highlighting the remarkable ecology of the James River in The Robins Nature Center. Since 1975, the nonprofit Maymont Foundation has been entrusted to care for this unique place, galvanizing community support around its mission to delight, educate and inspire all who visit. Maymont annually welcomes over 800,000 guests and is consistently ranked among the region’s top attractions by travelers and locals alike.
*The Mansion is currently closed for a roof restoration project, and portions of the Virginia Wildlife Trail are undergoing an enhancement and expansion project. Learn more here.
