Longwood intensifies its holiday glow

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on December 20, 2015

A fire pit in the Hourglass Lake Pavillion warms visitors on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at Longwood Gardens.

Longwood Gardens is offering multiple ways to warm hearts this year during “A Longwood Christmas,” including a new fire pit.

Outside at Longwood Gardens, a half million lights lend a festive air to the grounds.

Although daytime temperatures have been unseasonably high, the mercury has dipped in the evening, making the new glowing feature adjacent to the meadow at the Hourglass Lake Pavilion a popular spot on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.

Weather permitting, Longwood staffers stoke the aromatic blaze from 4:30 to 9 p.m. The pit itself is constructed from a recycled propane tank, according to Longwood staffers. Nearby, the new Meadow Garden-inspired tree, a 12-foot-tall white fir, features ornaments crafted from materials found or inspired by the Meadow Garden.

The Music Room inside the conservatory features two large trees decorated with natural materials collected or inspired by the gardens.

In addition to the half-million lights twinkling outside on 124 trees, the heated, four-acre conservatory boasts 16,000 seasonal plants, including poinsettias, cyclamen, and anthurium. Elegantly decorated trees sparkle with fountain-inspired glass ornaments, including a 24-foot Fraser fir adorned with 2,000 crystal ornaments.

This year’s Music Room décor features two 15-foot trees decorated with dried water lilies, hydrangeas, peonies, and yellow roses, all preserved from gardens at Longwood. Fountain-inspired decorations also grace the Silver Garden and the Mediterranean House.

The fountain show in the Open-Air Theater is always a favorite Christmas attraction.

The sounds of the seasons will resound in Longwood’s Ballroom, featuring free and ticketed holiday-inspired performances. Daily holiday carol sing-alongs are scheduled on Longwood’s grand 10,010-pipe organ, and additional free holiday performances, ranging from regional choirs and strolling performers, will enhance the festive atmosphere. For a complete listing of performances, visit longwoodgardens.org.

On New Year’s Eve, the gardens will offer a variety of performances for the entire family. Organ music will fill the ballroom from 3 to 9 p.m.; Rob Dickinson and the Brandywine Christmas Minstrels will perform from 2 to 8 p.m.; and Barbershop Quartet Frank the Dog will harmonize throughout the conservatory from 6 to 9 p.m. Other performances include the brass ensemble GalenaBrass from 4 to 9 p.m. and Olde Towne Carolers from 5 to 9 p.m.

Lights on the Large Lake create a vibrant array of reflections.

Longwood officials recommend checking the gardens’ website to plan visits since sell-outs are frequent. Admission to the Christmas display requires timed tickets, which should be purchased in advance to ensure admittance. Tickets can be purchased online at www.longwoodgardens.org, or in person at Longwood Gardens, which is located on Route 1 in Kennett Square.

Admission is free for all members, but if visiting after 2 p.m. on a Peak Day – Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 10 and Dec. 26 to Jan. – free, untimed reservations are required.