EAST MARLBOROUGH — A Longwood Christmas is bringing friends and family together for the holidays.
More than 46,000 guests visited Longwood Gardens during the first weekend of December.
Nearly 2 million visitors come to Chester County from around the world each year to visit this world-renowned botanical treasure, home to more than 10,000 plant species.
Longwood Gardens spans 1,100 acres in three Chester County municipalities — East Marlborough, Kennett and Pennsbury townships.
Last year, the institution unveiled its debut of Longwood Reimagined, a $250 million renovation and expansion project, which brought in 195,000 visitors to the Longwood Gardens during November 2024. This past November, 172,000 visitors visited. And that number is swiftly rising with the return of A Longwood Christmas, on display now through January 11.
Longwood Gardens requires guests reserved timed tickets year-round, said Patricia Evans, public information officer for the nonprofit. Members should also make reservations during A Longwood Christmas holiday display, she added.
There isn’t a day for locals to attend with special rates or flexibility to swing by sans a pre-booked reservation.
Still, “crowds tend to lighten in January after the New Year holiday, especially the weekdays,” Evans said.
Despite the snowstorm on Sunday, Longwood Gardens was open. There were 43,000 visitors this past weekend.
Evans said thus far during A Longwood Christmas, people have traveled to visit from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the United Kingdom including England, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, Sweden and Switzerland.
In 2024, 646,000 people visited Longwood Gardens during its annual holiday display, according to Jourdan Cole, public relations manager.
“Guests can enjoy strolling carolers,” Cole said, “throughout the gardens on select nights and hear our carillon play holiday songs throughout the day.”
“From the brilliance of sapphires to the warmth of gilded metallics, every element of A Longwood Christmas has been thoughtfully chosen to convey the richness, beauty, and wonder of the holiday season,” said Jim Sutton, associate director of display design at Longwood Gardens.
“We carefully curate colors, textures, and materials, layering them in ways that invite guests to pause and discover fine details, much like a gem reveals new facets as you turn it in your hand,” he said.
This December, Longwood has on display 500,000-plus outdoor lights, creating a truly merry and festive atmosphere for all to enjoy.
Founded by Pierre S. du Pont, the institution’s 1,100 acres features gardens, meadows and woodlands, treehouses, fountains, a bell tower, waterways and a score of historic structures. Visitors can also enjoy a beer garden, café, formal fine dining at the 1906 restaurant, which is Great Gatsby-esque, and end the visit by bringing home some quaint souvenirs, or live plants, from the gift store.
In May, Paul Redman, Longwood Gardens president and chief executive officer, was inducted into the Chester County Hall of Fame. He is the 28th person to receive this award, which was established by the Chester County Economic Development Council in 1996.
“Paul is a visionary leader,” said Jane Pepper, who is a member of Longwood’s Board of Trustees. “He has elevated Longwood’s global recognition as a great garden of the world and as a leader in horticulture education and science.”
Under Redman’s leadership, Longwood completed its $250 million renovation and expansion project last year, which included the construction of an all-new 32,000-square-foot Mediterranean-inspired West Conservancy — home to agave, aloe, blue blossom, bay laurel, cypress and prostanthera rotundifolia – with vaulted, towering glass walls. Between the vibrant emerald gardens of the new conservancy are flowing canals, fountains and planted islands.
The scope of Longwood Reimagined, which began construction in 2021, was extensive. It moved, reconstructed and preserved the Cascade Garden by Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx; established a new outdoor courtyard for one of North America’s most celebrated bonsai collections; renewed and enhanced the Waterlily Court by architect Sir Peter Shepheard; and transformed the Orchid House.
Carolers entertain visitors on the grounds of Longwood Gardens in Chester County. (Courtesy of Longwood Gardens)
Chester County Conference & Visitors Bureau expects 2,000,000 people to visit the area this season.
“The holidays are a magical time in the Brandywine Valley,” said Nina Kelly, spokesperson for the tourism agency.
Rep. Dan Williams, D-74th, of Thorndale said Chester County is the best-kept secret in the entire world.
Noteworthy, people visit Longwood throughout the year from all 50 states and internationally from more than 40 different countries from England and Germany to Japan and France.
“Longwood Gardens doesn’t have a rival,” Williams said.
“Longwood Gardens is one of the crown jewels of our region — an iconic and cherished institution,” said Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell.
The commissioner said Longwood serves as a symbol of Chester County’s commitment to preserving natural beauty, fostering learning and creating wonderful experiences for all who visit.
Longwood Gardens is open every day this holiday season from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. through January 11.
Longwood Gardens is lighting up for the holidays once again. (Harold A. Davis for Longwood-Gardens)
File photo. The Whitney and Devlin families visit Longwood Gardens from Downingtown on Nov. 17, 2024. (Jen Samuel – Daily Local News)
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