Longwood Gardens Celebrates Autumn’s Colors with Chrysanthemums, Fountains, and Foliage

Press Release

KENNETT SQUARE, PA– Featuring thousands of chrysanthemums in fanciful forms, beautiful fall foliage, and a bewitching lineup of seasonal programming, Longwood Gardens invites guests to experience Autumn’s Colors from October 2 through November 15, 2026. As temperatures cool and the Gardens are transformed by hues of gold and red, guests can explore the art and beauty of horticulture by day and night. 

Chrysanthemum Festival Returns With New Forms 

“Our Autumn display pairs nature’s colorful foliage with the ancient artistry of chrysanthemum training,” says Chris Cole, Vice President of Horticulture at Longwood Gardens. “More than 5,000 chrysanthemum plants are on display, many carefully sculpted by our expert horticulturists into spirals, clouds, and other forms for an exhibit that takes more than a year of planning and is only on view for a few weeks.”

Beginning October 16, the East and Main Conservatories are transformed into a vibrant showcase of horticultural artistry for Chrysanthemum Festival. In the conservatories, guests move through more than 5,000 chrysanthemum plants trained into sculptural forms including spirals and cascading clouds in gem-toned hues of yellow, orange, lavender, and maroon. New this year is a double chrysanthemum arch. In the Bonsai Workshop, students and staff present a chrysanthemum bonsai display.

In the Exhibition Hall, a live chrysanthemum curtain is the backdrop to a new display inspired by the Japanese artform of suiseki. Sometimes called viewing stones, suiseki appreciates naturally occurring stones for their resemblance to natural landscapes like mountains, islands, and waterfalls. Longwood has created chrysanthemum forms, some as large as 10-feet long, inspired by suiseki. 

From 1 to 3 pm on Saturday, October 24, Longwood’s Science Series celebrates the artistry and science of chrysanthemums with “Meet Us at the Mums.” Members of Longwood’s Science team will be stationed throughout the conservatories to field questions about their techniques, research, and the horticultural mastery behind the iconic Chrysanthemum Festival. Free with Gardens Admission, advance registration suggested. 

A New Kind of Fountain Show for Halloween 

Longwood’s Main Fountain Garden presents its final Illuminated Fountain Performances of the year at 8:15 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through October 31. New for 2026, the Symphony of Horror Illuminated Fountain Performance on October 23 is a dynamic after-dark performance combining projected scenes from the classic film Nosferatu with live organ music performed by Longwood Gardens Principal Organist Peter Richard Conte. Finishing out the lineup, the family-favorite Halloween Magic Illuminated Fountain Performance returns for performances on October 24, 25, and 31. 

Fall Color, Indoors and Out 
Autumn hues paint the Gardens indoors and out. Longwood’s lush conservatories transition from summer to fall with ornamental peppers, coppery sedges, bold coleus, and colorful coral bells. 

Changing foliage is the signature outdoor feature, and three treehouses offer striking views of peak gold and burgundy hues. Climb the Birdhouse Treehouse for a 20-foot view of the surrounding foliage, wander through the ADA accessible Lookout Loft to listen to the gentle hush of falling leaves, or step inside the Canopy Cathedral Treehouse for a serene overview of the Large Lake framed by dawn redwoods, sour-gums, and oaks. 

New this season, families can gather beneath the shade of the London Plane-trees in the West Conservatory Plaza for Storytime on October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 at 11 am. Designed for children ages 3-6, Longwood educators read two to three seasonally-inspired stories at each session. 

From October 3-31, a fall harvest display adorns the Rose Arbor, Idea Garden, and Peirce-du Pont House Plaza with iconic showings of bronzed ornamental grasses, richly-hued mums, pink and purple celosias, and whimsical gourds. 

The beloved Garden Railway returns with miniature Longwood landmarks, seasonal blooms, and dozens of engines running beneath a canopy of maples and white birches.

Seasonal Garden Dining 
For a dining experience immersed in the season’s colors, the Beer Garden offers an al fresco location beneath a canopy of golden ginkgo trees. Guests can enjoy seasonal fare, craft drinks, and live music Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings through November 1. 

1906, Longwood’s signature restaurant, features a seasonal menu showcasing crisp produce such as cabbage, kale, peppers, and lettuces that are harvested daily from Longwood’s Idea Garden. 1906 Offers lunch Monday and Thursday with both lunch and dinner service Friday through Sunday through November 1. 

Education
Autumn’s Colors sets the stage for a variety of educational opportunities and experiences to build new skills and gain a deeper appreciation for nature. From wellness to art classes, guests can learn in-person or online. 

Introduction to Carnivorous Plants
Thursday, October 8, 2–3:30 pm
Fee: $55
Discover the fascinating world of carnivorous plants and learn how some of nature’s most intriguing species have evolved to capture and digest their own prey in this online course.

Family and Youth Workshops
Join Longwood the second Saturday of each month for Family Workshops, designed for adults and children to learn and explore together, as well as Youth Workshops for older kids to learn and create alongside expert instructors. This October, delve into protecting feathered friends while creating window clings to take home. In November, discover the art of metalworking and create beautiful copper leaf keepsakes. 

• Protecting Our Feathered Friends 
  October 10, 10–11 am
• Fall Copper Leaf Creations 
  November 14, 10-11 am

Fall Migration Bird Walk
Saturday, October 10, 8-11 am
Fee: $49
This peaceful fall migration bird walk takes place on the Longwood at Granogue property. Observe and identify a variety of birds making their seasonal journey south.

Chrysanthemum Floral Design
Saturday, October 24, 9 am–12 pm
Fee: $219
Take an exclusive tour of Longwood’s Chrysanthemum Festival before the Gardens open for the day and then take that inspiration to the classroom while creating a chrysanthemum-focused design.

The Genius of Flowers Author Talk with Jill Brooke
Sunday, October 25, 1:30-2:30 pm
Free, registration required 
Flower historian Jill Brooke will discuss her new book, The Genius of Flowers: What Life’s Most Beautiful Creations Can Teach Us. Flowers have played a surprisingly influential role in human life—as symbols, sources of inspiration, and catalysts for connection. Brooke explores how they have shaped art, fashion, design, celebrations, and culture throughout history, revealing the many ways flowers extend far beyond the garden.

Layered Bulb Container Workshop
Wednesday, October 28, 9:30 am–12 pm
Fee: $165
Join The Flower Sommelier Christopher Sheridan at Longwood at Granogue to explore the technique of planting spring bulbs “lasagna-style”—layering a succession of flowers bulbs to optimize planting space, maximize bloom time, support emerging pollinators, and showcase a variety of fragrances, colors, and textures.

RE:SEARCH Oberlander Prize Forum V
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, October 28–30
Fee: $75–$350
In partnership with The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF), join Longwood for a full day symposium, plenary keynote reception, and mobile workshops, exploring how landscape architects are reclaiming and redefining their relationship between research and design.

Chocolate: From Bean to Bar
October 31, 1:30–3 pm
Fee: $65
Follow chocolate’s remarkable journey from cacao pod to finished pod and taste each step along the way.

Feeding Your Wintertime Backyard Birds
Sunday, November 8, 2–3:30 pm
Fee: $45
Learn how to feed backyard birds, particularly those that stick around through the winter months rather than migrate to warmer climates. Learn what food is best, how to select the perfect feeder, and how to provide shelter and water for the resident birds in winter landscapes.

Designing Stormwater Solutions
November 12–December 10, 3-5 pm
Fee: $185
During this online class, instructor Ryan Snyder will provide a foundational understanding of stormwater solutions in the landscape and also cover other stormwater management strategies outside of design-based solutions.

Eco-Printing with Autumn Leaves
Saturday, November 14, 1:30–4 pm
Fee: $139
This hands-on workshop will guide participants through the natural dye process known as "eco-printing" using eucalyptus and autumn leaves to create an organic cotton bandana.

Hours and Admission
Autumn’s Colors hours are 10 am-6 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and 10 am-9 pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through November 1. From November 2 through November 15, Gardens are open Wednesday through Monday from 10 am until 5 pm. The Gardens are closed on Tuesdays. Timed Admission Tickets required and should be purchased in advance. Timed reservations required for Members Friday through Sunday from 3 pm to close through Sunday, November 1. Tickets and reservations are available now at longwoodgardens.org.
Two-Day Passes are available Wednesdays through Sundays from now through October 25, 2026. Enjoy 10 percent off the price of admission and discover everything Longwood has to offer over two consecutive days.

Gardens By Day and Night Tickets are available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from now through October 25, 2026. For an additional $6 per ticket, guests can enjoy the flexibility of untimed admission to the Gardens and one reentry.