Longwood’s holiday magic is musical this year

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'A Longwood Christmas,' which opens on Thursday, Nov. 24, will feature sparkling trees and fountain displays.

With Halloween upon us, area residents might not be ready for the next set of holidays. But tickets to “A Longwood Christmas” are now available, and those who want their preferred dates are advised to book them early.

Trees will sparkle during 'A Longwood Christmas,' which opens on Thursday, Nov. 24.
More than 100 trees will beckon throughout the gardens during 'A Longwood Christmas,' which features a musical theme this year.

The annual extravaganza of lights and activities will ring in the holiday season with a musically-inspired display that starts on Thursday, Nov. 24, and ends on Sunday, Jan. 8. Indoors and out, the gardens are offering an array of sights and sounds designed to promote seasonal awe.

Inside Longwood’s four-acre heated conservatory, 16,000 seasonal plants, including poinsettias, cyclamen, and anthurium, will delight the eye. An elegantly designed 30-foot, floral tree takes center stage formed with poinsettias, euphorbias, and white phalaenopsis orchids. The Music Room décor will feature an 18-foot Fraser fir tree rotating in a wooden music box decorated with a garland of real musical instruments. Guests entering the conservatory will encounter a 22-foot tall Concolor fir nestled next to an antique baby grand piano with flowing lights traveling up the tree lavishly decorated with red and gold ornaments.

Trees light a pathway during the 2015 version of 'A Longwood Christmas.'
Trees light a pathway during the 2015 version of 'A Longwood Christmas.'

Outside, more than 500,000 lights will adorn 124 trees, with the tallest tree topping over 90 feet. Outdoor favorites return, including the illuminated Italian Water Garden, and a 10-foot Concolor fir in the Hourglass Lake Pavilion ornamented with materials found in and around the Meadow Garden. The popular Wildlife Tree will entice furry friends to nibble on edible ornaments made from wheat, apples, and birdseed. The Gardener’s Tree will cleverly showcase Longwood gardeners’ creativity with handcrafted ornaments and garland made with angel vine and burlap draping the 26–foot Concolor Norway.

Created by Longwood craftsmen and local artisans, three fire pits will be placed throughout the gardens, allowing guests to warm up by the fire with loved ones. The fire pits will be available every night throughout the holiday season, weather permitting.

Longwood gardeners will work their magic inside as well as outdoors.
Longwood gardeners will work their magic inside as well as outdoors.

In the Open Air Theatre, fountains will dance day and night to holiday classics. Young and old will delight in Longwood’s outdoor train display located near the Birdhouse Treehouse as it travels past miniature Longwood landmarks lit for the holiday season. In Longwood’s historic Chimes Tower, the 62–bell carillon will play holiday music every half hour.

Throughout the season, Longwood’s grand ballroom will feature free and ticketed holiday-inspired performances as well as daily holiday sing-alongs performed on Longwood’s grand 10,010-pipe organ. Traditional Christmas carols will ring throughout the Silver Garden and Palm House, adding to the holiday charm. A complete listing of performances is available online. Admission to the Christmas display is only by timed ticket, which are purchased in advance for a specific date and time. Tickets are available now and can be purchased online at longwoodgardens.org.

Longwood Gardens dates back to 1906, when industrialist Pierre S. du Pont purchased a small farm near Kennett Square to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Today, it is one of the world’s great horticultural displays, encompassing 1,077 acres of gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, a 10,010-pipe Aeolian organ and 4.5-acre conservatory. Longwood is located on Route 1 near Kennett Square. For more information, visit longwoodgardens.org or call 610-388-1000.

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