Tōrō Nagashi Commemorative Festival

SELECT ONE DATE: Wednesday, September 18; 6 - 9 p.m. OR Thursday, September 19; 6 - 9 p.m. Rain date: Thursday, September 26 In the spirit of the Japanese ceremony Tōrō Nagashi, please join us for our second annual candlelit floating lantern commemorative event. Traditionally, this late-summer Japanese ceremony honors the memory of loved ones. During the festival of Obon, it is believed that ancestors come back to spend time with the living. On the final evening of the festival, paper lanterns are set afloat to accompany the spirits as they depart for another year. Tōrō (灯籠), pronounced toh-roh, means “lantern,” while nagashi (流し), pronounced nah-gah-shee, means “cruise” or “flow.” Throughout the evening, enjoy contemplative live music, meander the paths of the Central Garden and Cherry Tree Walk to discover self-reflective prompts, and enjoy food and beverages for purchase. As dusk falls, observe the tranquil scene of floating glowing lanterns in Lake Sydnor and the pools of the Central Garden. This family-friendly event includes the opportunity to join in making a community paper chain of wishes and commemorations. Toro Nagashi is made possible by Bliley's. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions Will tickets be available for purchase the night of the event? Due to overwhelming interest and a limited number of tickets, this event is likely to sell out prior to the day of the event. You must have a pre-purchased Eventbrite ticket for entry to this special event. Children under age 3 do not need a ticket. How many lanterns will you float? There will be hundreds of lanterns floating in Lake Sydnor. Staff will also be floating lanterns in the pools of the Central Garden and Conservatory. Does my ticket include a lantern? No. Garden staff and volunteers will be responsible for lighting the lanterns — as shared symbols of wishes for lost loved ones. Staff and volunteers will also release and float the lanterns into the waterways. Lanterns are not available for individual purchase. How can I participate?              From 6-8 p.m. outside the Conservatory, join in making a community paper chain. Write your own special wish, or commemorate a loved one, on a strip of paper, and link it to another person’s. Watch how the chain comes together, each link connecting to and supporting the other. Are there special activities for children? All activities during this family-friendly evening are multigenerational in nature. Children are encouraged to participate along with adults of all ages. Will there be music? Yes. From 6-9 p.m., acoustic music will be performed at various spots scattered throughout the Central Garden and Cherry Tree Walk. What time will the lanterns be lit? At dusk, staff and volunteers will begin lighting and floating the lanterns until sunset. Where should I stand for the best view? We encourage visitors to wander the paths around Lake Sydnor and the Central Garden, experiencing the view from various vantage points as the evening light begins to change. Will all of the Garden paths be accessible? For your safety and security, areas of the Garden with insufficient path lighting will be closed for this special evening event. Guests will not be permitted in the Asian Valley, West Island Garden or Flagler Garden. Access to the Tree House and the floating docks will be closed. Will WaterPlay be open in the Children’s Garden? No, WaterPlay will not be open for this special event. Will the Garden Café be open? No, but food and beverages, including wine and beer, will be available for purchase outside in the Rose Garden until 8:30 p.m. Will the Garden Shop be open? Yes, you can enjoy shopping in the Garden Shop during the event until it closes at 6:30 pm. Is there a rain date? If inclement weather threatens the safety of our guests or if consistent rain prevents the lighting of the lanterns, the rain date will be September 26. What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event? Please consider carpooling. Onsite parking is free but limited.  What's the refund policy? This is a rain or shine event. There are no refunds. What is Tōrō Nagashi? Traditionally, this late-summer Japanese ceremony honors the memory of loved ones. During the festival of Obon, it is believed that ancestors come back to spend time with the living. On the final evening of the festival, paper lanterns are set afloat to accompany the spirits as they depart for another year. Tōrō (灯籠), pronounced toh-roh, means "lantern," while nagashi (流し), pronounced nah-gah-shee, means "cruise" or "flow." IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION The Garden is open rain or shine and closed only for severe inclement weather (no refunds). Any weather-related closings are posted on the website and Facebook. 1. Print your Eventbrite ticket or have the ticket on your smartphone. 2. Come to the Visitors Center and show ticket at the admissions desk for check-in.* 3. After check-in, you're good to go! Admissions will hand you a sticker, and you can proceed to the gardens. *PLEASE NOTE: If you're visiting during high-volume times, there may be a line at the admissions desk. DETAILS Children (under 3) are free! Tickets are nonrefundable, and Garden member tickets are nontransferable. Garden members must be prepared to show member ID cards. You must have a printed ticket or be prepared to show the ticket on your phone or electronic device. Parking is free, however, please be aware that onsite parking is limited.  Dogs are not allowed for this event. They are only allowed on select nights. See Fidos After 5 for more information.  Outside food and other items may not be brought into the Garden. See guidelines for planning your visit.  For questions, please call (804) 262-9887 or email contactus@lewisginter.org Follow us! To follow us on social media, find us @lewisginter or see the lower right corner of our website for links.  To learn more about Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, sign up for our e-news and to receive our blog via email. Tōrō Nagashi is made possible by Bliley’s.