What’s happening now (late October 2026): The fall Chrysanthemum Festival fills the conservatories through November 15, with more than 5,000 mums trained into spirals, clouds and a new double arch. The last Illuminated Fountain Performances of 2026 run Friday to Sunday nights at 8:15 p.m. through November 1. Then A Longwood Christmas, with a “Cosmic Christmas” theme, opens on November 20 and runs to January 10, 2027. Timed tickets are required, and popular nights sell out.
Longwood Gardens is the kind of place that makes you rethink what a garden can be. You can wander through glass conservatories full of orchids and tropical plants, walk past formal pools that look straight out of an Italian villa, stroll an 86-acre wildflower meadow, and end the night watching fountains shoot water 175 feet into the air, lit up and set to music. At Christmas, half a million lights turn the whole place into something out of a storybook.
Spread over about 1,100 acres in Kennett Square, in Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Valley, Longwood is one of the great gardens of the world, and an easy day trip from Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore. This guide covers everything you need to plan a visit: tickets and hours, the fountain shows, the conservatories (including the new West Conservatory), the best time to go, Christmas, where to stay, weddings, dining and how to spend your day.
Cover photo: the fountains at Longwood Gardens. Photo: John Anzivino / Pexels
Longwood Gardens at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348 |
| Size | About 1,100 acres of gardens, meadows and woods |
| Known for | Fountain shows, conservatories, seasonal flowers, Christmas lights |
| Tickets (fall 2026) | Adults $35 weekdays / $38 weekends; youth (5–15) $20 to $22; kids 4 and under free |
| Christmas tickets | Adults about $45 to $52; youth about $25 to $32 |
| Timed tickets | Required; buy online in advance |
| Closed | Tuesdays for most of the year (open daily during Christmas) |
| Parking | Free |
| Time needed | 3 to 5 hours; a full day with an evening fountain show |
| Fountain season 2026 | May 8 to November 1 |
| Christmas 2026 | November 20, 2026, to January 10, 2027 |
| Pets | Not allowed (service animals welcome) |
| Outside food | Not allowed inside; picnic area across the street |
| Accessibility | Free wheelchairs and scooter rentals at the Visitor Center |
Where Is Longwood Gardens?
Longwood Gardens is on US Route 1 just outside Kennett Square, in Chester County in southeastern Pennsylvania, only a few miles from the Delaware line. It’s the heart of the Brandywine Valley, an area known for historic estates, gardens and the du Pont family.
| From | Drive time (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Kennett Square | 5 to 10 minutes |
| Wilmington, DE | 20 to 30 minutes |
| West Chester, PA | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Philadelphia (Center City) | 45 to 60 minutes |
| Philadelphia International Airport | About 40 minutes |
| Lancaster, PA | About 1 hour |
| Baltimore, MD | About 1.5 hours |
| Washington, DC | 2 to 2.5 hours |
| New York City | About 2.5 to 3 hours |
Driving is by far the easiest way to get there. There’s no direct train, and evening fountain shows and Christmas nights end long after local buses stop running. Parking is free, with large lots right by the Visitor Center.
Tickets, Hours and Parking
Ticket prices
Longwood uses timed admission tickets: you pick a date and an entry time online. Prices change with the season and day of the week. Here’s what it costs in fall 2026:
| Ticket | Weekday | Weekend (Fri–Sun) |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (16–64) | $35 | $38 |
| Seniors (65+) | $31 (weekdays only) | Adult price |
| Active military and veterans | $26 | $29 |
| Youth (5–15) | $20 | $22 |
| Children (4 and under) | Free | Free |
| Museums for All / PA ACCESS | $2 | $8 |
| Members | Free (reservations sometimes needed) | Free |
During A Longwood Christmas, prices go up, to about $45 to $52 for adults and $25 to $32 for youth, depending on the date. Longwood says prices can change without notice, so check the official website when you book.
Is a membership worth it? If you live nearby and plan to come back for fountains in summer and lights at Christmas, a membership often pays for itself in two visits, and it includes free admission all year.
Opening hours
Hours change a lot through the year. Here’s the schedule for late 2026:
- Through November 1: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Tuesdays.
- November 2–15: Wednesday to Monday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Tuesdays.
- November 16–19: outdoor gardens only on some days while the Christmas display goes up.
- A Longwood Christmas (November 20–January 10): open daily, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Good to know before you go
- Parking is free.
- No re-entry. Once your ticket is scanned, you can’t leave and come back (except some higher-level members). Plan meals inside.
- No outside food or coolers inside the gardens, but you can bring an individual water bottle. A picnic area across the street is open from mid-April to late October.
- No pets. Trained service animals are welcome.
- No bikes, drones or smoking.
- Accessibility: free wheelchairs and electric scooter rentals (ages 18+) are available first come, first served at the Visitor Center. Strollers rent for $10 (single) or $15 (double), and you can bring your own.
Best Things to See at Longwood Gardens
Longwood is huge, so it helps to know the highlights. These are the places most worth your time.
1. Main Fountain Garden
This is Longwood’s showpiece: a five-acre formal garden of lawns, stone terraces, pools and grottoes, built by Pierre S. du Pont and first unveiled in 1931. After a three-year restoration, it reopened in 2017 with 1,719 jets that can shoot water as high as 175 feet. Several times a day in season, the fountains perform short shows set to music. On many evenings, the full illuminated performances turn it into one of the best light-and-water shows in the country.
2. The Conservatory and West Conservatory
Longwood’s historic Conservatory, opened in 1921, is one of the great glasshouses of the world, with over a dozen indoor gardens. In November 2024, the Longwood Reimagined project added a stunning 32,000-square-foot West Conservatory: a modern glass building with a Mediterranean garden of planted islands, shallow pools and walkways that seem to float on the water. Don’t miss the Orchid House, the moody Cascade Garden (now in its own glasshouse) and the Bonsai Courtyard.
3. Italian Water Garden
Built in the 1920s and inspired by the Villa Gamberaia near Florence, this is the most elegant spot at Longwood. Blue-tiled pools step down a gentle slope, framed by clipped lawns, stone walls and a series of small fountains. The fountains usually run from late spring to mid-fall. At Christmas, the garden lights up and dances to holiday music.
4. Flower Garden Walk
The oldest flower garden at Longwood, laid out by du Pont in 1907, is a long walk lined with beds that are replanted with every season. In spring, it’s a sea of tulips. In summer, it bursts with bright annuals. In fall, warm reds and golds take over. A small fountain sits at its center.
5. Meadow Garden
Want a break from the crowds? Cross the bridge to the 86-acre Meadow Garden, opened in 2014. Mowed paths and boardwalks wind through native grasses and wildflowers, past ponds and a restored 18th-century farmhouse. It’s the best place at Longwood for a real walk, birdwatching and butterflies, especially from midsummer into fall.
6. Open Air Theatre
An outdoor theater built in 1914, with a stage hidden by tall hedges and 750 fountain jets in front. Short fountain shows play here throughout the day, and during Christmas they dance to holiday music daily. It’s also a venue for summer concerts.
7. Topiary Garden
Dozens of yews and other evergreens clipped into cones, spirals and geometric shapes surround a giant sundial. It’s especially fun for kids and makes a great photo backdrop. During Christmas 2026, the new Winter Shop sets up here.
8. Peirce’s Woods and the Treehouses
Longwood started as an arboretum planted by the Peirce family in 1798. Pierre du Pont bought the land in 1906 to save those trees from being cut for lumber. Some of the old trees still stand. Nearby, three treehouses let you climb into the canopy: the Birdhouse Treehouse, the accessible Lookout Loft, and the Canopy Cathedral, which overlooks the Large Lake. In fall, they’re a great way to see the foliage.
9. Rose, Peony and Wisteria Gardens
Time your visit right and you’ll catch some of Longwood’s most beautiful short seasons: the Wisteria Garden in early May, the Peony Garden in mid to late May, and the Rose Garden in late May and June, with another flush in fall.
10. Indoor Children’s Garden
Inside the Conservatory, this playful space is full of hidden passages, water features and kid-sized paths. It’s a perfect break for young children, especially on a rainy or cold day. Check the website before you go, since individual spaces sometimes close for maintenance.
Longwood Gardens Fountain Shows
Longwood has three main fountain experiences, and it’s worth knowing the difference.
| Fountain | What it is | When |
|---|---|---|
| Main Fountain Garden (daytime) | Short musical shows, several times a day | May to early November |
| Illuminated Fountain Performances | About 30-minute evening shows with lights and music | Selected evenings; 2026 season ends November 1 |
| Italian Water Garden | Formal, quiet fountains; no show | About late April to mid-October; lit at Christmas |
| Open Air Theatre | Short shows with 750 jets | Through the day in season and at Christmas |
The illuminated fountain show
After dark, the Main Fountain Garden comes alive with colored lights, music and, on some nights, fire effects, for about 30 minutes. Each night has its own theme, from classical music and Broadway to 80s hits, the Beatles and Halloween. In 2026, the shows run from late August to November 1, mostly Friday to Sunday at 8:15 p.m.
- Included with admission. Regular illuminated shows are free with your timed Gardens ticket.
- Reserved seats: optional seats on the Conservatory Overlook cost $22 per person (on top of admission), and they sell out.
- Bring a chair. Chairs are strongly recommended. You can set them on the lawn from noon, and blankets are allowed in marked areas.
- Arrive early to walk the fountain garden in the evening light and grab a good spot.
- Weather: shows can be canceled for storms.
Best place to watch: The terraces near the Conservatory give you the full, symmetrical view. It’s perfect for photos. The lawn closer to the fountains is more immersive (and you might feel the mist). With kids, stake out a spot early so they’re settled before it starts.
Does the fountain show run at Christmas? No. The Main Fountain Garden season ends in early November. At Christmas, you’ll see light displays at the Italian Water Garden and the Open Air Theatre fountains dancing to holiday music instead.
The Longwood Gardens Conservatory
The Conservatory is the reason Longwood is great in every season, rain or shine. Together, the glasshouses hold thousands of kinds of plants and more than a dozen indoor gardens.
- East Conservatory and Main Conservatory: the grand historic halls, with big seasonal displays: bulbs in spring, mums in fall, poinsettias and themed trees at Christmas.
- West Conservatory: the new modern glasshouse with Mediterranean plants, islands and pools.
- Orchid House: thousands of orchids in bloom all year, expanded in 2024.
- Cascade Garden: a misty, waterfall-filled tropical garden, now in its own glasshouse.
- Silver Garden: desert plants in shades of silver and blue.
- Music Room and Ballroom: home to the huge 10,010-pipe Longwood Organ, one of the largest in the world.
- Bonsai Courtyard: a peaceful collection of miniature trees.
Allow at least 60 to 90 minutes inside. On a hot summer afternoon, many parts of the Conservatory are cooler than outside. Just note that some rooms, like the tropical ones, are warm and humid.
Best Time to Visit Longwood Gardens
There’s no bad time. Longwood is designed to look good all year, but each season has its own highlights.
| Season | Highlights | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (March–May) | Tulips, flowering trees, wisteria and peonies; fountains start in May | Flower lovers |
| Summer (June–August) | Fountain shows, roses, waterlilies, evening concerts, Beer Garden | First-time visitors, families |
| Fall (September–mid-November) | Chrysanthemum Festival, foliage, last fountain shows | Photography, cooler walks |
| Christmas (late Nov–early Jan) | Half a million lights, decorated Conservatory, garden railway | Festive trips |
| Late winter (Jan–Feb) | Quiet, warm Conservatory displays; Orchid Extravaganza in late winter | Fewer crowds |
Longwood Gardens in summer
Summer is Longwood at its liveliest. The outdoor gardens are full of color, the Waterlily Display blooms with giant platters, the daytime fountain shows run several times a day, and the summer concert series fills the Open Air Theatre. The Beer Garden is open, too.
- Arrive at opening to enjoy the outdoor gardens before the midday heat.
- Head indoors at lunchtime to the Conservatory and the Café.
- Walk the Meadow Garden in the late afternoon, when it’s cooler and the light is golden.
- Stay late for an illuminated fountain show if one is scheduled.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle, and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Longwood Gardens in fall
Fall brings the famous Chrysanthemum Festival (October 16 to November 15 in 2026). Thousands of mums are trained over months into cascades, spirals and giant domes, including the legendary “Thousand-Bloom Mum,” a single plant grown to carry more than a thousand flowers. Outside, the trees turn gold and burgundy, and the fountain season wraps up with Halloween-themed shows.
Longwood Gardens Christmas 2026
A Longwood Christmas is one of the most popular holiday events on the East Coast. In 2026, it runs from November 20, 2026, to January 10, 2027, open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the theme “A Cosmic Christmas.”
What to expect in 2026
- More than 500,000 outdoor lights and over 100 decorated trees.
- Space-themed displays with stars, supernovas and galaxies made from holiday plants and lights, plus images from the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes in the Visitor Center.
- A 22-foot rotating Fraser fir on the Conservatory’s Center Walk, surrounded by giant handmade ornaments.
- An “observatory” in the Music Room, with an 18-foot tree and a 1923 telescope once owned by Pierre du Pont.
- Light shows at the Small Lake and the Italian Water Garden, which syncs to holiday music.
- The Garden Railway with G-scale trains, a favorite with kids.
- Open Air Theatre fountains dancing to holiday music every day.
Christmas tips
- Book early. Timed tickets are required, and weekend evenings and the weeks around Christmas sell out.
- Pick a late-afternoon entry. Tour the Conservatory in daylight, then walk the outdoor lights after dark. That’s the best of both.
- Go on a weekday in late November or early December for smaller crowds.
- Dress warmly. You’ll spend a few hours outside on a winter night.
- Dining: the 1906 restaurant offers prix-fixe holiday meals (reserve ahead), and the Fountain Room’s “Taste of Christmas” dinners need separate tickets.
How to Spend Your Day at Longwood
You’ll walk a lot. A full day at Longwood easily adds up to 3 to 5 miles, with gentle hills between areas. Wear comfortable shoes, and grab a map at the Visitor Center.
Short visit (2 to 3 hours)
Visitor Center → Flower Garden Walk → Conservatory and West Conservatory → Main Fountain Garden for a daytime show → back to the Visitor Center.
Full day in fountain season
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 10:00 a.m. | Arrive at opening. Walk the Flower Garden Walk and Open Air Theatre while it’s cool |
| 11:00 a.m. | Italian Water Garden, Peirce’s Woods and a treehouse |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch at the Café |
| 1:30 p.m. | Conservatory, West Conservatory and Orchid House |
| 3:00 p.m. | Daytime fountain show at the Main Fountain Garden |
| 4:00 p.m. | Meadow Garden walk |
| 6:00 p.m. | Dinner at 1906 or the Beer Garden |
| 8:15 p.m. | Illuminated Fountain Performance (on show nights) |
Two days in the Brandywine Valley
- Day 1: Longwood Gardens, staying for an evening show or the Christmas lights. Overnight in Kennett Square.
- Day 2: Winterthur’s gardens and mansion, or the Brandywine Museum of Art, then dinner in Kennett Square or Wilmington.
Where to Eat at Longwood Gardens
Since outside food isn’t allowed and there’s no re-entry, you’ll probably eat inside.
- The Café: casual food, sandwiches, salads and treats, with indoor and outdoor seating. Easy for families.
- 1906: Longwood’s fine-dining restaurant, named for the year du Pont bought the property. Seasonal menus, often using ingredients grown on site. Reservations are strongly recommended (book through Tock or by phone).
- Beer Garden: seasonal drinks and light bites under the trees near the Main Fountain Garden, often with live music. It’s weather-dependent.
- The Fountain Room: the new event and dining space overlooking the Main Fountain Garden, used for special ticketed dining events.
Want to picnic? The picnic area is across the street from the entrance (mid-April to late October). Eat before you enter, since you can’t come back in.
Photography Tips and Rules
- Personal photos are welcome everywhere you’re allowed to walk.
- Special-occasion and professional shoots need a permit (engagement, wedding, family portrait sessions and the like), booked at least four weeks in advance for a set date and time. Photos must be for non-commercial use.
- Tripods are only allowed at certain times and places. Check the photo policy.
- No drones.
Best photo spots: the Italian Water Garden (perfect symmetry), the Main Fountain Garden from the Conservatory terrace, reflections in the West Conservatory pools, the Flower Garden Walk in soft morning light, and the Christmas lights on the Small Lake after dark.
Longwood Gardens Weddings
Longwood is one of the most romantic settings in Pennsylvania, so it’s no surprise couples ask about weddings here. Here’s what to know:
- No wedding ceremonies. Longwood does not host ceremonies of any kind, formal or religious.
- Receptions are allowed in Longwood’s event spaces through its events team. A full-service wedding planner is required.
- Engagement and wedding photos need a paid photography permit booked at least four weeks ahead. Casual photos during a normal visit don’t.
- Proposals: plenty of couples get engaged here, especially in the Italian Water Garden and during the Christmas lights. A quiet proposal during a regular visit is fine. A planned photo shoot needs a permit.
Hotels Near Longwood Gardens
Staying nearby is a good idea if you want to catch an evening fountain show or the Christmas lights, which end late.
| Area | Best for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Kennett Square | Closest to Longwood; walkable town with restaurants | Hilton Garden Inn Kennett Square |
| Mendenhall | Quiet, classic country inn | The Inn at Mendenhall |
| Wilmington, DE | More hotels and city dining | The Quoin Hotel |
| Exton / West Chester | A base for exploring Chester County | Holiday Inn Exton |
Longwood also partners with some local hotels on packages that include garden tickets. Check the “Hotels, Attractions & Packages” section of its website. Book early for Christmas weekends and big summer show nights.
Things to Do Near Longwood Gardens
- Kennett Square: a charming little town with cafes, shops and restaurants, known as the “Mushroom Capital of the World.” It produces a huge share of the country’s mushrooms and hosts a Mushroom Festival each September.
- Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library: about 20 minutes away in Delaware, a former du Pont estate with a huge naturalistic garden and a famous collection of American decorative arts.
- Brandywine Museum of Art: in Chadds Ford, home to the Wyeth family’s paintings, in an old mill on the Brandywine River.
- Nemours Estate: in Wilmington, a French-style mansion with formal gardens.
- Hagley Museum and Library: the original du Pont gunpowder works and family home along the Brandywine River.
- Brandywine Creek State Park: just over the Delaware line, with easy hiking trails through meadows and woods if you want a real hike after the gardens.
A Short History of Longwood
In 1798, Quaker brothers Samuel and Joshua Peirce began planting an arboretum on their farm here, and it grew into one of the finest collections of trees in the country. A century later, the trees were about to be cut down for lumber. In 1906, industrialist Pierre S. du Pont bought the farm just to save them. He went on to spend decades turning it into a showplace, adding the conservatory, fountains and formal gardens, inspired by his travels in Europe and the World’s Fairs. He opened Longwood to the public in 1921, and today it welcomes more than a million visitors a year.
Practical Tips
- Buy tickets online in advance, especially for weekends, show nights and Christmas.
- Remember it’s closed on Tuesdays for most of the year.
- Check the fountain calendar for show times on your date.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll walk more than you expect.
- Bring a refillable water bottle and dress for the weather. Much of the garden is outdoors.
- Eat before or inside. There’s no re-entry.
- Use the Conservatory as your weather backup. It’s great on rainy, hot or cold days.
Longwood Gardens FAQs
Where is Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania?
At 1001 Longwood Road in Kennett Square, Chester County, about 45 to 60 minutes southwest of Philadelphia.
How much are Longwood Gardens tickets?
In fall 2026, adult tickets are $35 on weekdays and $38 on weekends, and youth (5–15) are $20 to $22. Kids 4 and under are free. Christmas tickets cost more, about $45 to $52 for adults.
Is parking free at Longwood Gardens?
Yes, parking is free.
How long do you need at Longwood Gardens?
Plan 3 to 5 hours for the main highlights, or a full day if you want to see the Meadow Garden and stay for an evening fountain show.
When are the fountain shows at Longwood Gardens?
The 2026 fountain season runs May 8 to November 1. Illuminated evening shows run mostly Friday to Sunday at 8:15 p.m. from late August to November 1. Daytime shows run several times a day in season.
Is the illuminated fountain show included with admission?
Yes, regular illuminated shows are included with your timed Gardens ticket. Reserved seats on the Conservatory Overlook cost $22 extra.
When is Longwood Gardens Christmas 2026?
A Longwood Christmas runs from November 20, 2026, to January 10, 2027, daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the theme “A Cosmic Christmas.”
Is Longwood Gardens open year-round?
Yes, but it’s closed on Tuesdays for most of the year, on a few days in mid-November while the Christmas display goes up, and briefly in January after Christmas.
Can you get married at Longwood Gardens?
Not the ceremony. Longwood doesn’t host wedding ceremonies, but it does host receptions. Engagement and wedding photo sessions need a permit.
Are dogs allowed at Longwood Gardens?
No. Pets aren’t allowed. Trained service animals are welcome.
Can you bring food into Longwood Gardens?
No outside food or coolers inside, but individual water bottles are fine. There’s a picnic area across the street from mid-April to late October.
Is Longwood Gardens Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. Longwood isn’t just a garden. It’s fountains, architecture, history and seasonal color rolled into one. Come in summer for the fountain shows, in fall for the mums, at Christmas for the lights, or on a gray winter day just to warm up among the orchids.
If it’s your first visit, give it at least half a day, buy your tickets ahead, and if you can, pick a date with an evening show. Watching those fountains light up the night sky is the moment most people remember.
Love public gardens? Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond and the Portland Japanese Garden in Oregon are two more worth a trip.