There’s an allure to Longwood Gardens any time of year, but around the holidays, the massive horticultural venue really shines.
Longwood Gardens began as a quiet Quaker farm in the early 1700s, later becoming a celebrated arboretum known as Peirce’s Park. Its transformation into the destination we know today started in 1906, when industrialist Pierre S. du Pont bought the land to save its trees—and then dreamed much bigger.
Inspired by grand European gardens, he added elegant conservatories, fountains and formal landscapes. Today, the gardens span over 1,000 acres and around the winter season specifically, a few more sparkly additions are added to the estate.
‘A Longwood Christmas’ is one of the venue’s fan-favorite traditions, with roots dating back to Pierre S. du Pont’s love of holiday tradition and spectacle. But in 2026 specifically, the estate is leaning into a “Cosmic Christmas” theme.
“Extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy, nature’s beauty shines like never before during A Longwood Christmas," says Jim Sutton, Director of Display Design. “Holiday décor has often looked to the sky for inspiration and this year we have created memorable moments for our guests that not only highlight the beauty of the holiday season and the extraordinary horticulture Longwood is known for, but also showcase the wonder of the cosmos.”
The experience begins in the Visitor Center with imagery from the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes, and then inside the conservatories, the spaces are also decked out with supernovas made of woven vines, a swirling galaxy of moss and poinsettias and a 22-foot rotating Fraser fir wrapped in a glowing shooting-star garland.
What visitors will additionally find wandering through the halls is a barrage of Christmas trees floating over water, an organist belting out festive tunes, light displays sprinkled throughout the flowers, and perhaps, a group of carolers on site to tie your experience up with a bow. The indoor spaces also don different horticultural walks, a whimsical children’s garden (which is fun to walk through at any age) and spaces like an orchid house and bonsai courtyard.
Outdoors, the venue is equally as decorated with more than half a million lights illuminating the gardens throughout different displays (like the Meadow Tunnel of Lights and Open Air Theatre’s Fountain Show). One of the more unique aspects of the venue is its Garden Railway, made up of miniature trains. This time of year, it's dressed to the nines with twinkling fixtures to add to its allure. New touches throughout the grounds in 2026 also include a starry lantern in the Waterlily Court and a fresh Holiday Tree glowing in shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold.
There’s also some bite-sized fun to check out. At The Fountain Room, the popular Taste of Christmas culinary experience returns Dec. 20 to 24 and 26 to 30, offering chef-prepared savory and sweet selections, desserts, a hot chocolate station and seasonal beverages. Tickets are $136 for adults 21 and older, $95 for guests ages 16 to 20, and $54 for children ages 5 to 15; children four and under are free. (Note, the experience requires a separate ticket from the Gardens admission.)
There’s also a beer garden on site, and different booths set up around the venue to nab warm drinks. But for those who want a dining experience as creative as the elaborate garden displays, the move is absolutely to make a reservation at one of the other venue's on-site restaurants, 1906.
The name is in honor of the year Pierre S. du Pont purchased the property and began transforming it into the garden we know today. It offers a seasonal, locally inspired menu, with ingredients grown just steps away (in the Ornamental Kitchen Garden) from where you sit to dine.
Visitors can also head to the Garden Shop for holiday ornaments, plants, festive décor, and gifts from local artisans, plus, Longwood is also offering several seasonal workshops. First, a holiday wine-tasting and pairing class is set for Nov. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. ($109), followed by a Seasonal Holiday Planter Workshop on Dec. 5 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. ($149). Then on Dec. 19, a Scandinavian-Inspired Holiday Floral Design workshop will be in full swing to teach participants how to create festive arrangements from 9 a.m. to noon ($195).
'A Longwood Christmas' at Longwood Gardens (1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square) runs Nov. 20 through Jan. 10, 2027. Timed admission tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific date and entry time. Adult tickets range from $45 to $52, while youth tickets (ages 5–18) range from $25 to $32. Tickets and reservations are available at longwoodgardens.org.
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A Longwood Christmas runs Nov. 20, 2026, through Jan. 10, 2027, at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square.
The 2026 theme is “Cosmic Christmas,” featuring celestial-inspired holiday displays, including a 22-foot rotating Christmas tree, galaxy-inspired horticultural arrangements, starry lanterns and more than half a million outdoor lights.
Timed admission tickets range from $45 to $52 for adults and $25 to $32 for children ages 5 to 18. Children ages 4 and under are free. Tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific date and entry time.
Yes. Visitors can dine at on-site restaurants, including 1906, or enjoy seasonal offerings at The Fountain Room. The Taste of Christmas culinary experience returns Dec. 20–24 and Dec. 26–30, with chef-prepared food, desserts and seasonal beverages. It requires a separate ticket from general garden admission.
