Kennett Square, Pa. -- Longwood Gardens will open A Longwood Christmas on November 20, 2026, running through January 10, 2027, with a cosmos-themed holiday display and timed tickets already available at longwoodgardens.org.
A galaxy-themed display fills the conservatories with gilded trees and star motifs
Visitors entering the Visitor Center will see images from the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes, recommended by the Space Telescope Science Institute. A 22-foot rotating Frasier fir wrapped in a lit shooting-star garland stands on the Center Walk, while an 18-foot Fraser fir slowly revolves in the Music Room alongside Pierre S. du Pont's 1923 Porter Garden Telescope. More than 25 poinsettia varieties, paperwhites, and amaryllis fill the conservatories.
In the historic ballroom, trees are decorated with ornaments made by local groups including the Philadelphia Society of Botanical Illustrators, Space 1026, Philly Dye Club, Centered Clay Studio, Sarafina Fiber Art, Mudslingers Pottery Studio, The Stained Glass Project, Rockdale Arts District, Chester County Art Association, and Bellefonte Arts.
Half a million lights illuminate more than 100 decorated trees outdoors
Outside, over 500,000 lights guide guests past the Wildlife Tree on Flower Garden Drive, oversized supernova-style stars on the Small Lake, and new half-moon lit arches in the Meadow Garden leading to the Meadow Tunnel. The Open Air Theatre features 750 water jets dancing to holiday music daily, and three treehouses are transformed into sun, nebula-and-stars, and supernova displays.
Dining adds a themed beer brewed with Longwood-grown ginger
The Fountain Room hosts Taste of Christmas culinary experiences December 20-24 and 26-30, requiring separate tickets. The signature restaurant 1906 offers a three- or four-course prix-fixe menu, with reservations via Tock. In partnership with Victory Brewing Company, Longwood created Longwood Seasons: Pomegranate Ginger Winter Wheat Ale, made with ginger grown in the Gardens, available in the Beer Garden. A new Coffee and Cocoa stand opens in the East Conservatory this year.
Holiday workshops range from needle felting to wine pairing
Classes include a Holiday Needle Felt Shadowbox Workshop on November 6 ($105), a Christmas tree decorating session on November 7 ($59), a backyard bird-feeding class on November 8 ($45), a wine tasting and pairing workshop on November 12 ($109), a Seasonal Holiday Planter Workshop on December 5 ($149), and a Scandinavian-Inspired Holiday Floral Design class on December 19 ($195). The full schedule is listed at Longwoodgardens.org/education.
The Garden Shop will sell themed ornaments featured in the display, including a new hand-painted Waterlily Court ornament, alongside a new popup Winter Shop debuting in the Topiary Garden.