Best holiday lights

Posted by Press Release on December 21, 2018

More than 500,000 lights grace more than 150 trees throughout Longwood's outdoor holiday display. Photo courtesy Longwood Gardens.

America voted and Longwood Gardens has been named the winner of the Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights by USA TODAY’s 2018 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards! With over 500,000 outdoor lights, and fountains that dance to holiday classics, Longwood won the contest sponsored by USA Today and 10Best.com, topping a list of 20 botanical gardens from across the U.S. Norfolk Botanical Garden, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, and Atlanta Botanical Garden rounded out the top five.

Guests can experience the award-winning display now through January 6, 2019. Admission to the Christmas display is by Timed Admission Ticket, with tickets purchased in advance for a specific date and time. Sell out likely. Tickets and reservations are available now at longwoodgardens.org.

This is not the first time Longwood Gardens has won a USA Today contest. In 2014, 2016, and 2018, Longwood was named Best Botanical Garden in North America. For more about the contest and the complete list of Botanical Garden winners, visit 10best.com/awards/travel/best-botanical-garden-holiday-lights.

About Longwood Gardens
In 1906, industrialist Pierre S. du Pont (1870–1954) purchased a small farm near Kennett Square, PA, to save a collection of historic trees from being sold for lumber. Today, Longwood Gardens is one of the world’s great horticultural displays, encompassing more than 1,000 acres of dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, and fountains, and home to a10,010-pipe Aeolian organ and 4.5-acre Conservatory. Longwood continues the mission set forth by Mr. du Pont to inspire people through excellence in garden design, horticulture, education, and the performing arts, through programming that includes exhibitions, musical performances by leading artists, renowned horticulture education programs, horticulture research, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

Longwood Gardens is open daily (including holidays) and is located on US Route 1 near Kennett Square, PA. Admission is $23 for adults; $20 for seniors (age 62+); $20 for college students (with valid ID) $12 for youth (ages 5–18 or with valid student ID) and free ages 4 and under. Group rates available.