Festival of Fountains opens at Longwood Gardens

Posted by Press Release on April 24, 2021

Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens today announced its summer Festival of Fountains season will run May 6 through September 26 featuring lively fountain performances daily, acres of blooming gardens, treehouses to explore, and shady groves lined with towering trees. As the sun sets, Longwood’s Main Fountain Garden presents its popular Illuminated Fountain Performances Thursday through Saturday evenings. The Gardens are open 9 am to 6 pm Sunday–Wednesday, and 9 am to 10 pm Thursday–Saturday May–August, and 9 am to 9 pm Thursday-Saturday September 2–October 30. Capacities are limited and visiting guidelines are in place for the safety of guests. Admission is by timed admission ticket only. To purchase tickets and see our visiting guidelines, visit longwoodgardens.org.

The beauty of summer unfolds throughout the season with lush, colorful gardens. Linger in the fragrant Rose Garden, stroll through the Meadow Garden, explore the Waterlily Display, and be inspired by the vegetables, herbs, annuals and perennials thriving in the Idea Garden.

Longwood’s three fountain gardens offer a refreshing respite with daily shows in the historic Open Air Theatre and the enchanting Italian Water Garden. Known as one of the finest performance fountains in the world, Longwood’s Main Fountain Garden delights with daily performances with more than 1,700 dancing jets soaring as high at 175 feet. At night, Illuminated Performances offer a spectacle unlike any other featuring a selection of new shows including an ode to country music legend Dolly Parton, a celebration of pop’s leading ladies Madonna and Lady Gaga, as well as a tribute to freedom, hope, and strength in Freedom. Illuminated Fountain Performances are Thursday–Saturday evenings at 9:15 pm May–August and at 8:15 pm in September. For a list of upcoming fountain performances visit: longwoodgardens.org/illuminated.

Longwood’s popular open–air Beer Garden returns offering light fare and Longwood Signature Brews created by neighboring Victory Brewing Company using ingredients grown at Longwood. Regional artists perform live instrumental music, including traditional Celtic tunes from Poor Man’s Gambit, bluegrass from regional artist Marc Silver, and Caribbean steel pan grooves by the Plenty Pepper Steel Band. Beer Garden performances take place Thursday–Saturday evenings 6–9 pm May–August, and 5–8 pm in September.

The Gardens’ full-service restaurant, 1906, offers indoor and outdoor dining and boasts an eclectic menu of fresh seasonal fare. Reservations required at OpenTable.com. For more casual dining, Longwood’s Café offers a variety of entrees, soups, sandwiches and salads, with indoor and outdoor seating.

The Garden Shop reflects the beauty seen throughout the Gardens. Inspired by all-things-horticulture, The Shop offers a diverse array of indoor and outdoor plants, hand-selected home décor products, must-have gardening essentials, and one-of-a-kind selections from local artisans. With a focus on responsibly sourced, traditional craftsmanship, The Garden Shop inspires through plants and captures the imagination of all who visit. The Garden Shop is open during Gardens’ hours.

Festival of Fountains runs May 6–September 26, 9 am to 6 pm Sunday–Wednesday, and 9 am to 10 pm Thursday–Saturdays for Illuminated Fountain Performances in May–August at 9:15 pm, and 9 am to 9 pm September 2–October 30, with Illuminated Fountain Performances at 8:15 pm. Capacities are limited and admission is by timed admission ticket only, with advanced purchase required.

About Longwood Gardens
In 1906, industrialist Pierre 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 1,100 acres of dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains, 10,010-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.