Wintertime can be tough for public gardens—most of the flowers are long dead. Sad face. Luckily the mad geniuses at Longwood Gardens figured out a way to make their venue the ultimate destination for year-round visits: a Longwood Gardens Christmas.
Longwood itself was the residence of Pierre S. du Pont, a member of the super-rich du Pont family. It was in 1907 that he started laying out his first garden and, frankly, the rest is kind of history. Now the grounds are an expansive little slice of manicured heaven in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania—about an hour outside of Philly and 14 miles away from Wilmington, Delaware. Longwood is dotted with all manner of flora, impressive fountains, and enough indoor flora to keep a plant nerd busy for days. While it's a great visit any time of the year, Christmas time (post-Thanksgiving to January 11) is its sweet spot.
During the holidays, the grounds are transformed into a fairy-light walkable wonderland, complete with light-and-music fountain shows (take that, Bellagio!), thousands of handmade oddities, and plenty of Christmas cheer. Each year the decor takes on a theme—and this year, it's birds, so each conservatory, greenhouse, and display is completely decked out in nods to creatures of flight. Taking in this overwhelming performance is essentially stepping into a completely Grinch-free zone—there's just no room for bad vibes here.
Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Road
Kennett Square, PA 19348
MAP![]()
Part of a feather-influenced tablescape at Longwood Gardens. Photos by Alison Baitz![]()
No detail is overlooked with the plants or the zillions of ornaments dotting the compound's many (many) Christmas trees.![]()
Flora and lights intermingle everywhere within the main conservatory, a dwarfing building that houses ferns, bonsai, camellias, and other dedicated rooms. It was opened in 1921.![]()
The centerpiece of the Christmas decor is really the conservatory's central fountain—this year decorated with red-pink poinsettias.![]()
Outside, those half-million lights take the form of twinkling stars, illuminated trees, and cool shapes, in all different colors and shades.
Longwood itself was the residence of Pierre S. du Pont, a member of the super-rich du Pont family. It was in 1907 that he started laying out his first garden and, frankly, the rest is kind of history. Now the grounds are an expansive little slice of manicured heaven in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania—about an hour outside of Philly and 14 miles away from Wilmington, Delaware. Longwood is dotted with all manner of flora, impressive fountains, and enough indoor flora to keep a plant nerd busy for days. While it's a great visit any time of the year, Christmas time (post-Thanksgiving to January 11) is its sweet spot.
During the holidays, the grounds are transformed into a fairy-light walkable wonderland, complete with light-and-music fountain shows (take that, Bellagio!), thousands of handmade oddities, and plenty of Christmas cheer. Each year the decor takes on a theme—and this year, it's birds, so each conservatory, greenhouse, and display is completely decked out in nods to creatures of flight. Taking in this overwhelming performance is essentially stepping into a completely Grinch-free zone—there's just no room for bad vibes here.
Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Road
Kennett Square, PA 19348
MAP
Part of a feather-influenced tablescape at Longwood Gardens. Photos by Alison Baitz
No detail is overlooked with the plants or the zillions of ornaments dotting the compound's many (many) Christmas trees.
Flora and lights intermingle everywhere within the main conservatory, a dwarfing building that houses ferns, bonsai, camellias, and other dedicated rooms. It was opened in 1921.
The centerpiece of the Christmas decor is really the conservatory's central fountain—this year decorated with red-pink poinsettias.
Outside, those half-million lights take the form of twinkling stars, illuminated trees, and cool shapes, in all different colors and shades.