Winter takes on a particularly festive character in Virginia’s Richmond Region, where illuminated gardens, historic railroad tracks and a brand-new seasonal attraction offer different ways to experience the area during the holidays. From Richmond’s urban energy to the small-town charm of Ashland, the region combines traditional Christmas atmosphere with experiences that feel distinctly local.

At Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, the annual Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights transforms the grounds into a walk-through display illuminated by more than a million lights. The experience combines large-scale light installations with botanical displays and seasonal activities, turning the garden into an evening destination that draws visitors from beyond the Richmond area.

In Ashland, known as “The Center of the Universe,” the holiday season unfolds along an active railroad corridor. Light Up the Tracks creates a mile-long display of lights along the historic rail line, while visitors can shop and dine downtown and watch trains pass directly through the center of town. The combination of a working railway, small-town streets and holiday lights gives the experience a sense of place that goes beyond a conventional Christmas display.

New for 2026, WINTERWORLD brings a more contemporary winter experience to Richmond’s CarMax Park. The seasonal attraction will feature outdoor ice skating, a Ferris wheel, festive food and beverages, a holiday village, immersive lighting installations and one of Richmond’s tallest Christmas trees, transforming the entertainment venue into a destination of its own for the winter season.

The Curated Take: The Richmond Region’s winter appeal comes from the variety of ways it interprets the season. GardenFest offers an immersive evening surrounded by nature, Ashland turns an active railroad into the backdrop for a small-town Christmas, and WINTERWORLD introduces a new urban-scale celebration. Together, they make the region interesting for travelers who want holiday traditions, but also want those traditions to feel connected to the character of the place they are visiting.