When you think about the best holiday attractions near Philadelphia, Christmas at Longwood Gardens is easily at the top of the list!
Over half a million lights decorate the nearly 1000+-acre property, and larger-than-life decorations are found throughout the conservatory, making it the most magical experience for all ages.
If this is your first time visiting A Longwood Christmas (or you haven’t been for a few years), the guide below will help you have the best experience.
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A Brief History of A Longwood Christmas
Longwood Gardens wasn’t always a must-visit Christmas light display! It started in 1921 with a huge Christmas display for the children of employees in the conservatory.
The display grew with poinsettias in the Fern Passage in 1956 and then spread into the Orangery and Exhibition Hall in 1957. In 1960, the Exhibition Hall was completely transformed for the first time into a Christmas display.
By the 1980s, the display grew into what visitors experience today (though it continues to grow every year!). It has become a must-do Christmas event near Philadelphia.
Planning Your Visit to A Longwood Christmas
Get Your Tickets Early
You’ll want to purchase your tickets as soon as you know what date you want to attend A Longwood Christmas.
Members’ tickets go on sale mid-September, and the general public can purchase tickets soon after.
Weekend nights sell out quickly, and as the holiday approaches, weeknights tend to fill up.
Allow for Enough Time
Longwood Gardens is enormous! At almost 400 acres, it takes time to walk and explore the various areas.
They suggest allowing 3-4 hours to tour the premises fully. We spent three hours on our first visit and didn’t get to see everything (fatigue got the best of us!).
If you are short on time, make the Open Air Theater fountains and the conservatory your priorities. However, we encourage you to tour the entire property; it is beautifully decorated!
Visitor Tip: You can stay at Longwood Gardens as long as you’d like (until closing) but keep in mind if you leave the gardens you cannot re-enter.
Dress Warmly
The majority of the Christmas displays at Longwood Gardens are outside. Of the 3 hours we spent at the gardens, more than half was spent outdoors. We made sure to bring warm gloves, hats, scarves, and our heaviest coats.
Although there are fire pits strategically located throughout the grounds, we enjoyed the reprieve from the cold inside the Cafe and conservatory. But for the most part, we were happy to have bundled up for the experience!
Visitor Tip: Bring hand warmers like hot hands with you for additional warmth.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
As noted above, the gardens cover almost 400 acres. You will be doing a lot of walking around. Comfortable (and warm) shoes will be your friend!
Most of the paths are paved, so there is no mud to trudge through. However, there is a section composed of a sand/stone mixture.
Visitor Tip: While strollers and wheelchairs can navigate the property easily, there are a few sections where the paths are narrow and crowded, so they may be challenging to navigate with a double stroller.
Arrive Before Sunset
Although the magic happens when the sun goes down, we still suggest visiting A Longwood Gardens Christmas before then.
We like to enter gardens about 45-60 minutes before it gets dark so can can see some of the unique features of the gardens that are not illuminated at night.
And then you get to experience the magic of watching the lights start to POP as the daylight dissipated. It is a magical experience!
What to Do During Christmas at Longwood Gardens
Explore the Treehouses
There are three “treehouses” around the property. And all of them feature a special holiday touch! You’ll want to make sure to visit each one.
Open Air Theater Fountains
Although the Main Fountain performances are a big draw during the warmer months, they are turned off for winter. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on fountain fun!
The smaller Open Air Theater fountains will put on a show every 15 minutes (starting at noon) throughout A Longwood Christmas. It’s worth stopping by for a holiday show!
Sing Along With the Carillon
The Chimes Tower (behind the pumphouse) provides the accompaniment with its 62 bells for a holiday sing-along. Daily, between 11 am and 3 pm, on the hour, you can join other jolly folks and sing traditional Christmas songs. The set lasts about 15 minutes.
Organ Concert
Warm up inside the conservatory and enjoy live and automated performances on the Longwood Organ daily. Performances begin at noon, and the live performances are offered from 5 pm to 8 pm.
Afterward, make your way into the organ exhibit, where you can learn about the history and design of the Longwood organs over the years.
Conservatory
When visiting Longwood Gardens at Christmas, you don’t want to skip the conservatory. The stunning showpiece in the exhibition hall is always breathtaking! Plus, it’s nice and warm inside, making it a great place to defrost from the cold.
Train Display
Every year, designers transform a small area in the beer garden into a beautiful, large-scale model train display. Multiple specialty engines ride along over 500 feet of track past holiday lights and miniature Longwood landmarks.
Children’s Garden
Inside the conservatory is a fun and magical place for kids to play! The Children’s Garden features dancing fountains, a mystical dragon, and more. It’s the perfect place for kids to get out some energy while staying warm inside.
Food Options at Longwood Gardens Christmas
The Cafe
The Cafe is not your typical grab-n-go eatery. With options like quiche, bourbon pork, and autumn harvest pasta, you can enjoy a tasty meal quickly. They also serve kid-friendly options like hot dogs and chicken tenders, and hot and cold sandwiches for those looking for a lighter meal.
Beer Garden
Just outside of the cafe is the Beer Garden, where you can purchase handheld eats like bratwurst, turkey sandwiches, or hot dogs. There is seating outside and in heated tents, so you can warm up while enjoying a savory meal.
The 1906
If you are looking for a calmer, more upscale meal, consider making a reservation at 1906, Longwood’s signature restaurant. The menu changes seasonally, but for the holidays, you can expect delectables like beef wellington, baked cod, and venison.
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