Longwood Gardens’ Festival of Fountains Kicks off Summer Season May 9, 2024

Kennett Square, PA – Longwood Gardens kicks-off a summer season to remember with the debut of new garden spaces, the return of its popular Fireworks & Fountains Shows, dazzling Illuminated Fountain Performances, vibrant gardens, and a variety of fun performances under the stars. The Festival of Fountains season is on view May 9 through October 27. Tickets are available now at longwoodgardens.org.

New spaces to explore and the return of summer favorites highlight this Festival of Fountains season. After a two-year hiatus, guests can once again enjoy the Conservatory Overlook, reimagined to include an inviting allee of 28 yellowwood trees to stroll and tiered vistas from which to enjoy views of the dynamic Main Fountain Garden performances.  

Also returning are Longwood’s dramatic Fireworks & Fountains Shows with new performances, an enhanced sound system, and reserved seating. Six spectacular shows will fill the night sky with dazzling fireworks and fountains choreographed to music by iconic artists like The Beatles, Adele, and Prince. Limited tickets are available for select shows at longwoodgardens.org.

Throughout the Festival of Fountains Longwood’s popular Illuminated Fountain Performances will dance, soar, and delight in the Main Fountain Garden on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. Experience a variety of musical styles with new themes ranging from classical to pop with shows like Gershwin Favorites, Get Back: The Beatles, Take Me With U: Inspired by Prince, Someone Like You: Artists Who Inspired Adele, Italian Spectacular, and Spark Your Imagination. Illuminated Fountain Performances are included with Gardens admission.

“Our gardens are an inviting symphony of color, beauty, and entertainment during the summer,” said Longwood President & CEO Paul B. Redman. “From our amazing fountain shows to our inspiring gardens, to our world-class performances, to the new garden spaces we’re excited to share with our guests, there is something for everyone at Longwood.”

Before the fountain performances, Longwood’s Beer Garden features live music on Thursday through Saturday evenings featuring regional artists. Relax under the stars with refreshing brews from Victory Brewing Company, including the Longwood Seasons series of brews crafted from ingredients grown in the Gardens. Guests can also enjoy pub fare in the Beer Garden, as well as soups, salads, and entrees from The Café and full-service dining in 1906, which features a new seasonal menu.

Summer Performance Series
Festival of Fountains also features an eclectic lineup of celebrated artists and award-winning performers throughout the season. The Summer Performance Series kicks off with Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole on May 19, Grammy Award winners Angélique Kidjo on June 9 and Cuban pianist and composer Chucho Valdés Royal Quartet on August 25.

An annual highlight of Festival of Fountains is the Wine & Jazz Festival on September 14, featuring a stellar line up of distinguished jazz performers and regional and international wines. Renowned musicians including Diane Reed, Lakecia Benjamin, Harold López-Nussa, Endea Owens & The Cookout, The Dale Melton Trio, and High and Mighty Brass Band take the stage throughout the day. The Wine & Jazz Festival runs from 2-9 pm, with tickets available now for $65 and $43 for designated drivers. Longwood Gardens Members receive a discount. 
For a complete listing of summer performances and to purchase tickets, visit longwoodgardens.org.

Festive Fridays Offer Family Fun 
Select Fridays throughout Festival of Fountains feature Festive Friday nights with themed fountain performances, special concessions, live entertainment, and more. Guests can climb to the top of the Chimes Tower for a breathtaking view of Longwood’s 62-bell carillon and the surrounding landscape. The first Festive Friday, “It’s A Love Story,” on May 24, celebrates the music of Taylor Swift. Other highlights include “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” on July 12 with performers from the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, and a night inspired by Prince with “Party Like It’s 1999” on September 20. Included with Gardens Admission, visit longwoodgardens.org for more information.

Exquisite Horticulture
Explore the beauty of nature as Longwood’s lush gardens—from the vibrant Rose Garden to the colorful Flower Garden Walk bursting with a rainbow of summer annuals. Find solitude and shade in Peirce’s Woods—featuring meandering paths and native plants. The newly redesigned Idea Garden offers a refreshed layout, with a flourishing Ornamental Kitchen Garden that now supports the growth and production of more than 200 fruit and vegetable crops annually. The Meadow Garden, celebrating its 10th anniversary, highlights native wildflowers and high-quality habitats for a variety of wildlife. Indoors, the Conservatory stuns with perpetual blooms, grand displays, and tranquil water features.

Classes & Events
Throughout the Festival of Fountains Season, Longwood hosts a variety of events and classes celebrating plants and nature. Highlights include:

Pennsylvania Native Species Day
Friday & Saturday, May 17-18 
Included with Gardens Admission 
Pennsylvania Native Species Day falls on May 16, but Longwood is celebrating May 17&18—with a variety of walks and talks, including a Meadow Ecology Walk; Wildflower Walk; Using Native Plants in Your Home Garden Walk; and talks that Explore Our Native Ecosystems.

Science Series: Stewardship Science
Saturday, June 15, 1 pm
Included with Gardens Admission 
Learn about some of Longwood’s ongoing research in our natural lands and how it helps inform future large-scale restoration projects.

Rain Gardens and the Plants that Love Them 
Thursday, July 11, 6:30–8 pm
Register by July 7
$29 
Fully Online 
Learn tips and techniques to make your landscape well-suited for ever-changing weather conditions.

Festival of Fountains hours are 10 am–6 pm Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday, and 10 am–10 pm Thursday–Saturday, May 9 through August 28. August 29 through October 27, Thursday-Saturday hours are 10 am-9 pm. The Gardens are closed on Tuesdays. Timed Admission Tickets required and should be purchased in advance. Timed Reservations required for Members Thursday–Saturday from 3:00 pm to close.

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, 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.