Skip to main content

Seasonal Highlights: Winter 2026

Page 1

WI NT ER Winter Wonder January 16–March 22, 2026 Featuring Garden Glow February 13–March 8


Winter Wonder On View January 16–March 22, 2026 This winter, discover a garden where beauty never sleeps. When the world outside grows cold and quiet, step inside our glasshouses and find yourself transported— surrounded by vibrant blooms, tropical palms, and lush greenery that defy the season. Beginning February 13, the magic deepens. Our conservatories transform into living works of art— extraordinary floral designs that dazzle the eye and lift the spirit. And when night falls? Pure enchantment awaits. Garden Glow illuminates our Conservatory and Main Fountain Garden Districts with luminous splendor … turning familiar gardens into something extraordinary. Let winter surprise you. 3


February 13–March 8, 2026 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Evenings: 5–10 pm (SPARK installation on view 7–10 pm) Garden Glow tickets required and include all-day Gardens Admission and re-entry during that day ... so you experience our Gardens by day and Garden Glow at night! Tickets On Sale Now: longwoodgardens.org/garden-glow

When darkness falls, magic rises. Nature and light collide in Garden Glow—an enchanting afterhours journey through our Conservatory and Main Fountain Garden Districts. Follow glowing paths of luminaria as they guide you through an evening of discovery. Inside our historic conservatories, explore floral masterworks created by Longwood artists, revealing plants’ hidden beauty as they’re bathed in colors that bring warmth to the winter night. Experience Seeking Light: Bonsai Illuminated, a striking blacklight installation in which the intricate details of bonsai take on an otherworldly dimension, glowing with a captivating intensity. Step into a West Conservatory transformed by award-winning floral designer Jennifer Reed, where a suspended installation evokes an ethereal, vibrant dreamscape. Outside, thousands of shimmering, biodegradable sparks float gracefully skyward— like fireflies dancing at dusk or stars drifting within reach—with SPARK, a mesmerizing installation by the visionary artist Daan Roosegaarde. Let the glow guide you. Let the night delight you.

Garden Glow Dining 1906 Enjoy prix-fixe dining in 1906 on Garden Glow evenings. Last 1906 seating is at 7:30 pm. Guests must have a ticket to Garden Glow to dine in 1906 after 5 pm.

The Café Open 5–9 pm Concessions Available 5–9 pm

Please note: The SPARK component of Garden Glow may be unavailable during below freezing temperatures or inclement weather. We will continue to offer Garden Glow on evenings if SPARK is unavailable. 4


5


How Does Our Garden Glow? Garden Glow isn’t just a garden at night. It’s a luminous dreamscape, where every corner promises discovery, and every turn unveils something beautiful.

West Conservatory

Main and East Conservatories

Created by Jennifer Reed of Jennifer Designs in Mullica Hill, NJ—recipient of the 2025 Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Philadelphia Flower Show Cup for Best in Show—this suspended floral and fabric installation transforms the West Conservatory into an immersive experience.

Our historic Main and East Conservatories glow with a series of four floral installations, each bathed in colors that bring warmth to the winter night.

Soft, neutral tones gradually shift into vibrant greens, echoing the quiet stillness of winter and the lush vitality of spring. Sheer, canopied fabrics stretch across the ceiling like a woven sky, guiding guests through a journey of seasonal transition. Theatrical lighting casts a spell throughout the space, amplifying the drama and harmonizing with the vivid plantings of the West Conservatory to create a scene that feels both ethereal and vibrant. 6

Glass orbs drift in the Oval Basin, welcoming you to the East Conservatory. Beside the Green Wall, graceful floral arches and a dreamy floral cloud showcase a vibrant palette. In the Patio of Oranges, a dazzling floral chandelier wreath graced with cascading crystals floats overhead. Glowing grandeur continues in the Exhibition Hall, where an effervescent display of live Anthurium and dried floral baskets of pink, white, and red hues fill the space with radiance.


Bonsai Illuminated

SPARK

Seeking Light: Bonsai Illuminated is a striking blacklight exhibit that unveils the intricate beauty of Shimpaku junipers (Juniperus chinensis), aged between 200 and 1,000 years and originally collected from the rugged mountains of eastern Asia before being transformed into living sculptures.

On view from 7–10 pm each evening of Garden Glow, SPARK delights with thousands of shimmering, biodegradable sparks floating gracefully skyward, taking the shapes of fireflies dancing at dusk or stars drifting within reach. Created by the visionary artist Daan Roosegaarde, this mesmerizing installation adds an entirely new dimension to our Main Fountain Garden.

Revered for their resilience and adaptability, Shimpaku embody the delicate balance between survival and surrender—expressed in the stark contrast of living veins and deadwood. Carved and refined by nature’s forces, these details take on an otherworldly dimension, glowing with a captivating intensity that invites you to see bonsai artistry in a new light.

Please note: The SPARK component of Garden Glow may be unavailable during below freezing temperatures or inclement weather. We will continue to offer Garden Glow on evenings if SPARK is unavailable.

7


Ensuring a Beautiful Tomorrow: Science in Action At Longwood Gardens, art and science meet to create beauty that inspires. While the artistry of beauty is what captures the eye, it is the science—often unseen—that forms the foundation. From horticultural precision to ecological innovation, science is the force that makes our Gardens flourish and helps us make a global impact in a world where plant diversity is under threat, climates are shifting, and weather grows increasingly unpredictable. Building on a longstanding legacy of scientific excellence, we are now bringing this vital work to the forefront—amplifying its role in addressing the urgent challenges of our time. Join us January 24 for a day of discovery as we celebrate our passionate community of experts committed to deepening the world’s understanding of plants—from how we explore the world to find and save them, to how we grow them with extraordinary care, to how we safeguard their future in the wild. Through engaging presentations, interactions with our scientists, and hands-on activities, you’ll gain insight into how Longwood’s applied science is advancing beauty, biodiversity, and sustainability. Come see the science behind the beauty—and learn how you can join us in ensuring a beautiful tomorrow. Learn more about science at Longwood at longwoodgardens.org/our-science.

8


Science in Action Day Panel Discussion: Longwood Science, Global Connections, Shared Purpose January 24: 11 am–12 pm Conservatory Ballroom To celebrate the launch of Longwood’s new Science Strategy, Longwood Associate Vice President of Science Kate Santos, Ph.D., brings together leading voices from horticulture, conservation, ecology, and agriculture. The panel explores how these interconnected fields advance biodiversity conservation and climate resilience while also fueling the creativity, craft, and extraordinary gardens that inspire people around the world. By bringing diverse global perspectives into dialogue, the discussion underscores how these disciplines must increasingly work in concert— each contributing unique expertise yet united by plants as the common denominator—to shape solutions at the scale our changing world requires. This conversation invites attendees into the heart of the launch itself—opening a window into the future we’re all working toward and illuminating the global significance of these intertwined disciplines in advancing meaningful, science-driven change.

Action Stations January 24: 10 am–3 pm Experience science in action with five interactive stations throughout our conservatories, designed for all ages. Near our Green Wall, explore the concept of floriculture and learn about the process behind growing our signature baskets, standards, and crops for display. On the Patio of Oranges in our East Conservatory, explore how we regenerate our resources by turning last season’s plant material into healthy, living soil. Enjoy two stations in the Exhibition Hall in our Main Conservatory, where you can delve into how we grow plants to save them, as well as connect with the living library of our plant collections. In our West Conservatory, see the tools and methods we use when caring for 1,700 acres of dynamic ecosystems. Free with Gardens Admission

Gifts of all sizes support our efforts to sustainably cultivate, conserve, and steward our natural world. Support Longwood’s science initiatives with a contribution at longwoodgardens.org/ support.

Free with Gardens Admission; registration required

9


Winter Calendar Spotlight Tours

Join a tour guide and discover more about Longwood during our free, 30-minute Spotlight Tours. Throughout Winter Wonder, experience the extraordinary seasonal beauty of our gardens under glass during these tours.

January 22

Daily at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2 pm

January 24

Free with Gardens Admission. Sign up at the Main Conservatory Information Desk on the day of your visit. Capacity is limited. Please note: Spotlight Tours will not run on January 24.

Science in Action Day Turn to pages 8–9 for details

January January 14 Teen Volunteer Program Applications Open1 January 15 College and University Internship Program Applications Close2 International Internship and Training Program Applications Close2

Member Orientation 12 pm Fully online4

Panel Discussion: Longwood Science, Global Connections, Shared Purpose 11 am5 January 25 Aaron Patterson 1 and 3 pm

February February 1 Marc Cheban 1 and 3 pm February 6

January 16 Winter Wonder On View Now–March 22

Today’s Horticulture Symposium 8 am–4 pm6 Professional Horticulture Program Plant Sale 8 am–3:30 pm

January 18 Gabe Benton 1 and 3 pm January 19 MLK Day Celebration 11 am–3 pm Enjoy a day of discovery and learning in the East Conservatory in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. January 21 Spring Educator-Guided and Self-Guided Field Trips Registration Open3 Spring Traveling Seeds Program Registration Open3 10

February 7 Member Appreciation Day Take advantage of one-day-only double discounts (20% off!) in The Garden Shop—both online and on-site— and on dining. February 10 Design Tuesdays at The Garden Shop: The Art of Kokedama 6–8 pm7 February 11 Scout Programs Registration Opens3


February 13 Garden Glow On View On View Now–March 8 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Evenings: 5–10 pm February 18 Member Orientation 6 pm4 Fully online February 21

March 22 Emily Ballentine Erb 1 and 3 pm March 24 Design Tuesdays at The Garden Shop: Spring Bloom Forever Cloches 6–8 pm7 March 27 Spring Blooms On View Now–May 3

Science Series: Cracking the Code on Endangered Plants 1 pm5 February 24 Design Tuesdays at The Garden Shop: The Art of Kokedama 6–8 pm7 February 25 Teen Volunteer Program Applications Close1

Horticulture Performance Education The Garden Shop

March March 4 Chelsea Chen 7:30 pm8

Member/Innovator Event 1 To apply: longwoodgardens. org/education/family-and-youthprograms/teen-volunteer-program 2 To apply: longwoodgardens.org/ education/college-universityprograms

March 7

3 To register: longwoodgardens.org/ education/k-12-programs

Science Series: Fleeting Beauty of Spring Ephemerals 1 pm5

4 To register: longwoodgardens.org/ member-orientation

March 10 Design Tuesdays at The Garden Shop: Spring Bloom Forever Cloches 6–8 pm7

5 To register: longwoodgardens.org/ science-series 6 To register: longwoodgardens.org/ enroll 7 To register: longwoodgardens.org/ design-tuesdays 8 To buy tickets: longwoodgardens. org/organ

March 14 Member Appreciation Day Take advantage of one-day-only double discounts (20% off!) in The Garden Shop—both online and on-site— and on dining.

Please note: All ticketed events are limited. Sell out likely. To access and print our complete winter calendar, use this QR code or visit longwoodgardens.org/ winter-calendar.

Member Orientation 10:30 am4

11


Winter Performances Longwood Debut:

Chelsea Chen March 4 at 7:30 pm Hailed by The Los Angeles Times for her “rare musicality” and “lovely lyrical grandeur”, organist Chelsea Chen is known for her bold artistry and genre-defying programs. A Fulbright scholar and graduate of Juilliard and Yale, she blends classical repertoire with dazzling transcriptions and contemporary works, captivating audiences worldwide. She currently serves as artist-in-residence at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. Tickets on sale now at longwoodgardens.org

12


Enjoy these free performances:

Longwood Debut:

Gabe Benton January 18 at 1 and 3 pm Director of Music and Organist at the historic Grace United Methodist Church (Wilmington, DE), Gabe Benton studied organ performance at Yale University’s Institute of Sacred Music, where he served as University Church organist and received the prestigious Charles Ives Award. Free with Gardens Admission

Longwood Debut:

Aaron Patterson January 25 at 1 and 3 pm A recent graduate of the Juilliard School, Aaron was first-place winner of the 2017 Albert Schweitzer Organ Competition and 2016 West Chester University International Organ Competition. Patterson is Director of Music at Cresheim Valley Church in Philadelphia. Free with Gardens Admission

Marc Cheban February 1 at 1 and 3 pm Director of Music at St. Thomas’s Parish (Newark, DE), Marc Cheban has performed extensively all over the Delaware Valley and on the great Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall pipe organ, with programs marked by a delightful combination of serious organ works, orchestral transcriptions, and colorful novelty works. Free with Gardens Admission

Emily Ballentine Erb March 22 at 1 and 3 pm An accomplished musician and educator, organist Emily Ballentine Erb is Director of Music Ministries at First & Central Presbyterian Church (Wilmington, DE) and Artistic Director for community music series Market Street Music, dedicated to providing inspiring experiences in the Delaware Valley. Free with Gardens Admission

13


Winter Classes and Experiences Start the new year inspired. Our winter classes and experiences offer fresh ways to learn, create, and connect. From hands-on design workshops to immersive wellbeing experiences, there’s something new to explore all winter long. Plant Styling Your Home with Hilton Carter

Staghorn Fern Mounting Workshop

February 1: 2–3:30 pm Register by January 27

February 17: 6–7:30 pm Register by February 4

Step into the lush world of plant styling with interior and plant stylist, artist, and author Hilton Carter as he shares his approach to weaving greenery into our everyday spaces— creating rooms that feel alive, connected, and deeply personal.

Interactive and fun, this hands-on workshop focuses on the striking staghorn fern. Mount your own to create a living piece of art and learn expert tips for care.

The Art and Science of Happiness

February 28: 9:30 –11:30 am Register by February 15

Begins February 11 Register by February 4 In this reflective, insightful class, learn what happiness is, how it affects our lives, and practical strategies to develop and sustain it.

Colors of the Floral Rainbow: Red Kick off this new, colorful floral design series with a bold and beautiful exploration of red. Create a striking arrangement entirely in shades of red, from deep crimson to vibrant scarlet.

Discover all of our learning opportunities at longwoodgardens.org/enroll.

14


Get Ready for Spring Spring Blooms March 27–May 3, 2026

Spring isn’t just a season—it’s a feeling. The world awakens, colors burst to life, and every breeze carries the promise of something new. This season, let that sense of renewal surround you in our Gardens. Wander through vibrant blooms, linger in serene spaces, and discover beauty at every turn. Spring at Longwood: Fresh blooms. Fresh joy. Fresh possibilities. Spring is one of our most popular times to visit. During Spring Blooms, Members require timed reservations daily from open to close. Gardens Premium Members and Innovators do not require reservations.

Enjoy Tulip Tuesdays! April 21, April 28, May 5 10 am–6 pm Looking for even more spring? Join us for three Tulip Tuesdays, featuring special Tuesday hours. 16


Dates to Know Winter Wonder On View January 16–March 22, 2026 Reservations Member and Innovator reservations are not required during Winter Wonder; special ticket required for Garden Glow. See below for details. Gardens and The Garden Shop Hours Wednesday–Monday: 10 am–5 pm Tuesday: Closed 1906 Hours January 23–February 12 Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 11 am–3:30 pm February 13–March 8: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 11 am–3:30 pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 11 am–7 pm March 9–22: Wednesday–Monday: 11 am–3:30 pm Garden Glow February 13–March 8, 2026 Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 5–10 pm (SPARK installation 7–10 pm) Tickets Garden Glow tickets required and include all-day Gardens Admission and re-entry for that day 1906 Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Prix fixe dining with last seating at 7:30 pm. Guests must have a Garden Glow ticket to dine in 1906 after 5 pm. The Café 5–9 pm Concessions Available 5–9 pm

18

Timed tickets for Gardens Admission are now available to book through March 2. As we upgrade our ticketing system, tickets for March 4 and beyond will be available beginning March 4. Please note: Tickets for Garden Glow are not affected by this upgrade.

Follow Us @LongwoodGardens #LongwoodGardens

Phone: 610.388.1000 Website: longwoodgardens.org Free WiFi available: Connect to FreeGardenWIFI Our Gardens are smoke-free. Photography credits: Laurie Carrozzino, Judy Czeiner, Hank Davis, Carol DeGuisseppi, Adelyn Duchala, Gottlieb Hampfler, Becca Mathias, Meghan Newberry, SPARK, and Daniel Traub © 2026 Longwood Gardens


longwoodgardens.org

Longwood Gardens PO Box 501 Kennett Square, PA 19348

Deliver to:

West Chester, PA Permit No. 474

PAID

Non-Profit Organization US Postage


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Seasonal Highlights: Winter 2026 by Longwood Gardens - Issuu