Experience a Gem of a Holiday Season During A Longwood Christmas 

Press Release

KENNETT SQUARE, PA…  Step into a world of glittering jewels and timeless elegance this holiday season as A Longwood Christmas returns November 21, 2025, through January 11, 2026. Guests are invited to experience the Gardens transformed into a radiant celebration of gemstones, horticultural treasures, and holiday artistry. Timed Tickets to A Longwood Christmas are available now at longwoodgardens.org.

A Shimmering Holiday Celebration 

Longwood’s grand conservatories come alive with a variety of opulent holiday displays. Towering trees shimmer in cool blues, ruby reds, emerald greens, and gilded metallics, while hanging crystal accents, lush fabrics, and gemstone-inspired lighting enhance the immersive experience. 

A Gilded Gala takes place in the Music Room, where a magnificent jewel-encrusted 12-foot fraser fir tree rises from a larger-than-life jewelry box, crowned with a sweeping ruby red bow that arcs gracefully across the room. Every branch glimmers with ornaments in jewel tones accented by metallic touches that catch the light. Ten mineral specimens on loan from the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science radiate natural brilliance, serving as one-of-a-kind holiday décor. A banquet table, set with gilded dishware, crystal glassware and a tapestry-like runner, evokes the elegance of a grand holiday feast. Gilded mirrors in every corner multiply the room’s luminous details, highlighting the shimmering packages, garlands, and decorative treasures. Nearby, a whimsical holiday jewelry shop display blends festive décor with gift-worthy artistry, offering curated items available for purchase from the Garden Shop.

“From the brilliance of sapphires to the warmth of gilded metallics, every element of A Longwood Christmas has been thoughtfully chosen to convey the richness, beauty, and wonder of the holiday season,” said Jim Sutton, Associate Director of Display Design at Longwood Gardens. “We carefully curate colors, textures, and materials, layering them in ways that invite guests to pause and discover fine details, much like a gem reveals new facets as you turn it in your hand.”

Charming horticultural features can be found at every turn throughout A Longwood Christmas. Thousands of colorful poinsettias, fragrant paperwhites, amaryllis, and other floral finery are highlighted throughout the conservatories. Festive horticultural touches as only Longwood can create are found in living wreaths and living trees. Glowing crystal forms made of echeveria surround a 22-foot concolor fir adorned with geode-like ornaments in deep blue, cobalt, plum, and gold. Nearby, 18 baskets of white poinsettias gracefully hang over the Conservatory lawn. 
Inside Longwood’s historic Ballroom, it’s a glittering celebration of community spirit as eight trees are lovingly dressed in gold and glittering ornaments crafted by local art centers, including Main Line Art Center, Haverford; Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia; Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School, Philadelphia; Art Goes to School of Delaware Valley, Media; The Garage Youth Center, Kennett Square; Mighty Writers El Futuro Kennett, Kennett Square; Bellefonte Arts, Wilmington, Del.; Sarafina Fiber Art Inc., Elkton, Md.

Overhead in the Acacia Passage, iridescent red and gold sheer fabrics shimmer with strands of gold crystals. A sea of foliage from red cordyline with gold crystal accents complement the palette. 

The West Conservatory is decked in warm white lights hanging down between chandelier-like hanging baskets. Cut trees appearing as though they float on water, drip in jewels of champagne, gold, lilac, and silver.  

Outdoor Highlights 

Outside, more than half-a-million enchanting lights guide guests throughout the Gardens, past decorated trees, illuminated displays and other holiday treasures. Along Flower Garden Drive, ribbons of light lead to the popular Wildlife Tree, adorned with opulent faux pearls, gilded oyster shells, and natural accents of millet and seaweed. Each day, volunteers replenish the grains to ensure woodland creatures and feathered friends have a tasty holiday snack. 
Oversized gem-inspired forms float on the Large Lake, while lights dance to holiday music in the nearby Italian Water Garden. 

The popular Meadow Tunnel, covered in changing holiday lights, returns. The Garden Railway delights young and old as G-scale model engines, passenger cars, and holiday freight travel past miniature Longwood landmarks. 
The sounds of the season are also a special part of A Longwood Christmas, from strolling carolers and musicians on select evenings to daily fountain shows in the Open Air Theatre, where 750 jets dance to holiday favorites during five-minute shows that run throughout the day and evening.

Dining

Savor the season at The Fountain Room during select Taste of Christmas culinary experiences December 21-24 and 26-30. Guests can enjoy exclusive access to an imaginative array of chef-prepared sweet, savory, and carved-to-order selections; decadent desserts; non-alcoholic beverages, including an enticing hot chocolate station; and house wines, seasonal local craft beers, and a themed cocktail. A cash bar will also be available. Special tickets are required in addition to Gardens admission.

A distinctive dining experience is offered in 1906 where each course is artfully arranged like edible jewels on plates. Guests can select between a special three- or four-course prix-fixe menu, and enjoy an award-winning selection of wine and cocktails. Menu highlights include Main Lobster, Green Circle Chicken, and Prime Beef Carpaccio. Open daily, reservations are required via Tock.

“During the Holidays at 1906, we’re featuring a prefix menu inspired by our region's finest ingredients,” said executive Chef George Murkowicz. “Every dish is thoughtfully crafted by our team of talented chefs to standout as on its own, and to harmoniously combine with the other selections for a true gem of a dining experience.” 
The Café and Beer Garden offer seasonal fare, hot chocolate, local brews, and other holiday treats for guests to enjoy.

The Gift of Longwood

The Garden Shop offers an eclectic selection of home décor, gardening essentials, plants, and more. From handcrafted terrariums and potted plants that are both beautiful and easy to care for to unique creations by local artisans, finding the perfect holiday gift has never been easier. 

For Longwood enthusiasts and book lovers alike, the second edition of Longwood Gardens Christmas, written by Longwood P.S. du Pont Fellow Colvin Randall, is now available in the Garden Shop and covers every Longwood Christmas through 2024.

For those with a passion for experiences, the gift of a Longwood membership not only supports the Gardens’ mission of bringing joy to all through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning, but also provides a year full of memorable moments. Memberships are available for one to nine people, and offer a multitude of benefits and experiences. 

A Longwood Christmas is on view November 21, 2025 through January 11, 2026. Admission to the holiday display is by Timed Admission Ticket, with tickets purchased in advance for a specific date and time. Tickets are $45 for adults and $53 for Youth (ages 5-18). Members require free, timed reservations every day. Gardens Premium Members and Innovators do not require reservations. Tickets and reservations are available now at longwoodgardens.org.

Tickets for Taste of Christmas at The Fountain Room, are $136 for adults (ages 21+), $95 (ages 13-20); and $54 (ages 5-12); Kids 4 and under are free. Please note that Taste of Christmas tickets include the dining experience only, and Gardens Admission must be purchased separately and in advance via timed Admission Ticket or Member reservation. 

About Longwood Gardens

In 1906, industrialist Pierre S. du Pont (1870-1954) purchased a small farm near Kennett Square, PA, to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Today, Longwood Gardens is one of the world’s great horticultural displays, welcoming 1.6 million guests annually and encompassing 1,100 acres of dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, a 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ, and grand conservatory. Expanding on its commitment to conservation, in 2024 Longwood Gardens acquired the 505-acre Longwood at Granogue, a cultural landscape in nearby Wilmington, Delaware. Longwood Gardens is the living legacy of Pierre S. du Pont, bringing joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning. Open daily, Longwood is one of more than 30 gardens in the Philadelphia region known as America’s Garden Capital. For more information, visit longwoodgardens.org.