KENNETT SQUARE, PA — Longwood Gardens announced the return of its Festival of Fountains summer season, featuring fountain performances, concerts, fireworks shows, drone displays, horticultural exhibits, and educational programming through September 27.
The seasonal program includes illuminated fountain shows, performances by national and regional artists, themed weekend events, and expanded displays throughout the gardens and conservatories.
A centerpiece of the summer season is the Waterlily Court, which features nearly 100 varieties of hardy and tropical waterlilies alongside lotus plants and South American water platters. Longwood said the Victoria “Longwood Hybrid,” known for its large leaves and pineapple-scented blooms, is expected to return in late May.
The conservatories will feature rotating seasonal plantings, including Mediterranean-inspired displays in the West Conservatory and tropical installations in the East and Main Conservatories.
Longwood also announced its inaugural Bonsai Festival, scheduled for June 24-28. The event will feature regional bonsai clubs, demonstrations, lectures, vendors, and juried exhibits.
The gardens’ Fireworks & Fountains Shows will return for six evenings this summer, pairing fireworks with choreographed fountain performances and themed music.
Scheduled performances include:
- Great American Composers — July 2
- Journey to Oz — July 18
- Everlasting Love — August 8
- Blue Tango—The Magic of Leroy Anderson — August 22
- The Final Frontier — September 6
- Electric 80s — September 26
Special admission tickets for the fireworks events range from $68 to $84, with discounted pricing available for members.
Longwood also introduced two drone show performances scheduled for August 26 and 27 featuring synchronized aerial choreography set to Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.” The performances will take place in the Orchard overlooking the Meadow Garden.
The summer performance series includes concerts and performances by Musiq Soulchild, BalletX, Philadelphia Dance Company, and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
The Brandywiners theater group is also scheduled to perform “Brigadoon” from July 22-25.
Additional seasonal programming includes gardening workshops, floral design classes, science lectures, yoga sessions, and horticultural tours. Topics include edible flowers, bird habitat gardening, compost science, and founding-era Philadelphia gardens.
Festival of Fountains hours run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through August 23. From August 24 through October 25, Friday through Sunday evening hours will run until 9 p.m. The gardens are closed Tuesdays.
Timed admission tickets are required and should be purchased in advance, according to Longwood Gardens.
More information and tickets are available at Longwood Gardens.
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