The weather was unseasonably warm for Christmastime in Philadelphia. I unzipped the padded liner on my coat and joined the family for an outing to Longwood Gardens. We’d procrastinated and bought our tickets the day before – grabbing a few of the last. The crush of crowds is kept to a minimum with numbers limited on the property at a time.
What makes Longwood Gardens such a hot ticket for the holidays?
The lights!
Spread out over 1,077 acres, Pierre du Pont (Yes, of the famous Dupont family) built one of the greatest gardens in the world in the 1920’s. In winter it’s especially tantalizing with thousands of light displays spread across limbs and roots, across bridges and around fountains. But I think that the vast labyrinth of Conservatory buildings are the real treasure.

Boiler room of Longwood Gardens worked to warm the Conservatories into the 1960’s
A plaque on one Conservatory entrance reads:
“Longwood Gardens is the living legacy of Pierre S. du Pont, inspiring people through excellence in garden design, horticulture, education and the arts.”
I was unprepared for the impact that walking through the dark and acres of trails would have on me. The night was chilly for a Southern Californian but mercifully still. As we strolled, children and families chattered, giggled and strode by. Some brought flashlights but I was glad we didn’t; preferring to let my eyes adjust to the dark and splashes of illuminated color.

Poinsettia display inside one of the Longwood Gardens conservatories.
At one point, four G-scale trains wound over a 17 foot steel bridge, past a 5-foot wide waterfall, and past miniature Longwood landmarks. The landmarks are built from natural materials – roof tiles are laid of magnolia leaves and there are handrails of honeysuckle vines.

Longwood lights miniature train building

Du Pont in his Banana House
AÂ Banana House for Philadelphia
Mr. du Pont had a passion for growing fruit indoors – including tropical crops. Just after the Conservatory was opened in 1921, the Banana House was one of many areas where he grew fruit for his employees, friends and family. In 1983 the space was reduced to expand the Orchid House. How times and priorities have changed. A plaque near the entrance is inscribed:
To Pierre Samuel DuPont and presented by the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for his ‘generous and unselfish service.”

Inside one Longwood Lights conservatory
The main house was closed that evening but we spent a few minutes listening to an organist as he brought the historical pipes to life. The space inside the Conservatory was warm and rows of chairs inviting. As the music lifted up to the lofty glass ceiling above us, our spirits rose in kind. It was a bittersweet moment – remembering the lyrics and mumbling along, remembering loved ones gone and missing, remembering childhood and how special this time of year was and remains. Misty eyed, hearts full of the spirit of the season, we left soon after to drive back to central Philadelphia.

If you go to Longwood Lights:
- Miss the crowds at the ticket booth and purchase tickets online. (They do sell out!) Longwood Gardens Website.
- Be prepared to walk and dress in layers.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring a little cash for hot chocolate or cider in the Gardens.
- Read a pleasant exploration of Pierre du Pont and the Longwood estate history on The Short History Blog
Wow. What an incredible place. I’ve always been a grinchy bah hum bug type but these light would definately cheer me up. I love that tree with the roots lit up as well. Awesome place.
You’d love wandering the trails in the dark and the cool variations of light displays!
Very interesting place. Banana house changed to orchid house… how times and tastes change! The lighting is indeed fantastic. The old pictures give a good idea of what it was. Thank you for including them.
I hope to see Longwood in the daytime one year. After dark it was gorgeous.
I love that Du Pont grew fruit for his employees. Imagine a CEO of a corporation doing that these days. haha. I really loved the lights in your pictures.
Would love to step back in time and talk to old Du Pont about his banana house!
What a nice walk the gardens are so nicely decorated with the Christmas lights! I would definitely love to visit.
I hope you can take that walk one day, Chrysoula. Happy New Year!
The lights are amazing! I would have preferred to go sans flashlight as well – that’s the best way to enjoy the lights. It’s great they limited the number of tickets sold to keep it from being overcrowded.
Yes, the lights were really something to experience and if it were overcrowded the effect would have been quite the opposite of wonderful.
Thousands of Beautiful lights and warm weather for Christmastime in Philadelphia in 1000+ acres garden, Amazing! Thanks for sharing!
It was a pretty special holiday excursion especially now that cold weather has returned to the Philadelphia area. Thanks for stopping by, Arvin.
What a beautifully lit up garden! I love the solitary tree with the roots that looks like they glow! And I’d have not taken a torch either, much nicer to let your eyes adjust and enjoy the light show!
There were so many trees wrapped from root to tip! I couldn’t post all the pictures. I hope you can visit one holiday night too.
Wow what a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit – the festive atmosphere sounds amazing! Longwood Gardens has been added to the list for next year – thanks for the tip on booking online – noted so we don’t miss out!
I hope you do see the gardens next year, Megan. I look forward to returning when the flowers are out.
Looks like a great experience to have one of those off the radar experiences anyway. Sounds like the gardens and estate have a wealth of history. It sounds amazing walking drinking some warm cider and taking in the whole experience
A great excursion for sure, Mark. I hope you can visit one day.
Longwood Gardens is beautiful any time of year but especially during the holidays. The lights are stunning!
I’d love to see the Gardens when everything’s in bloom one year.
Very nice. I love winter lights and try to visit as many of them as I can. The photos are super excellent.
The holiday light shows are so special for me. Each year they seem to get grander too.
Wow, those gardens are beautiful. I love the lights, specifically the picture where the background is all dark and you can only tell that a tree is there by the lights strung around it. Gorgeous.
It was a magical place to wander for sure.
These gardens looks spectacular!
Looks like a wonderful place to celebrate the holidays! Lucky you got tickets 🙂