Seasonal Highlights: Autumn 2023

AU TU M N

Chrysanthemum Festival

September 30–

November 12, 2023

Read more about Chrysanthemum Festival and find a schedule of events inside.

Chrysanthemum Festival

On View

September 30–November 12, 2023

Celebrate fall’s favorite flower—in its many forms, hues, and varieties—during our captivating Chrysanthemum Festival.

Cherished for their exquisite beauty and delightfully distinct variations, chrysanthemums take center stage this season—and for very good reason. Complex by nature, chrysanthemums feature many flower forms, from the tiny pompon to the great irregular incurve— all on full, radiant display.

When that complexity meets the artistry of our specialty forms in our grand Conservatory, the result is simply spectacular.

Fall in love with fall’s favorite flower.

Fall Calendar

NEW Family Nature Walks

Discover the sights, sounds, and scents of the season with a fun, 30-minute nature walk designed for the whole family. Explore nature near and far with tools like magnifying glasses and binoculars while using your senses to experience the Gardens through a new lens. Recommended for adults and children (5–12 years old).

September 30 and October 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, and 28 at 10:30 and 11:30 am

Meet at the Topiary Garden entrance

Free with Gardens Admission

Please note: Capacity is limited and dates are subject to change.

Spotlight Walks

Discover more about Longwood during our engaging 30-minute Spotlight Walks in the Conservatory. Explore different facets of our history and gardens with one of our expert staff.

September 30-November 12: Daily at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2 pm

Free with Gardens Admission

Please note: Capacity is limited.

Chimes Tower Hours

Climb to the top of the Chimes

Tower for a unique look at Longwood’s 62-bell carillon and a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape.

October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 1–3 pm

Free with Gardens Admission

Please note: Chimes Tower Hours are weather dependent and require climbing steps.

September 30 Chrysanthemum Festival On View Now–November 12

Garden Railway On View Now–January 7, 2024

Picnic Area Available Now–October 9

Late Season Gardening for Pollinators Fully Online 10–11 am1

Family Nature Walks 10:30 and 11:30 am

Live Music in the Beer Garden: Poor Man’s Gambit

5–7:45 pm

Please note: This Beer Garden event is for Drones & Fountains Show ticketholders only.

Drones & Fountains Show: Put Me In, Coach (Sold Out) 8:15 pm2

Bring your own chair. Gardens close at 6 pm to everyone but Drones & Fountains Show ticketholders; last entry for Members at 3 pm.

October

1

3

Chimes Tower Hours 1–3 pm

Seeing Double: Compositing Double Exposures

4-part class

Begins October 31

4 Brandywine Bonsai Society Exhibit On View

Botanical Art: Orchid Study

3-part class

Begins October 41

People, Plants, & Landscape Design

5-part class

Begins October 41

5 Brandywine Bonsai Society Exhibit On View

Live Music in the Beer Garden: Stevie and the Bluecasters

5–7:45 pm

Floral Lecture: Transformative Design

Lecture: 6–8:15 pm

Reception: 8:15–9 pm1

Illuminated Fountain

Performance: Where the Heart Is

8:15 pm

Planting Design

Fully Online

7-part class

Begins October 51

6 Pumpkin Playground On View Now–October 30

Brandywine Bonsai Society Exhibit On View

Floral Design 1

Fully Online

Begins October 61

Masterclass Workshop: Elegant Canopy Design

8 am–12 pm1

Family Nature Walks

10:30 and 11:30 am

Intermediate Workshop: Asymmetric Compote Design

2–5 pm1

Live Music in the Beer Garden: Ensemble Novo

5–7:45 pm

Illuminated Fountain Performance: Come As You Are: 90s 8:15 pm

7 Brandywine Bonsai Society Exhibit On View

Family Nature Walks

10:30 and 11:30 am

Live Music in the Beer Garden: the [mma] project

5–7:45 pm

Illuminated Fountain Performance: Starman: David Bowie

8:15 pm

8 Brandywine Bonsai Society Exhibit On View

Chimes Tower Hours 1–3 pm

9 Brandywine Bonsai Society Exhibit On View

11 Painting Fall Colors En Plein Air

2-part class

Begins October 111

12 Live Music in the Beer Garden: Rob Curto Trio

5–7:45 pm

Plaster Cast Flowers At The Creamery of Kennett Square

6–9 pm1

Illuminated Fountain

Performance: Rachmaninov: Power and Passion

8:15 pm

13 Introduction to Ikebana

2-part class

Begins October 131

Family Nature Walks

10:30 and 11:30 am

Festive Friday: Bailando

5–9 pm3

Live Music in the Beer Garden: Bronson Tennis

5–7:45 pm

Illuminated Fountain Performance: Bailando: Latin Rhythms

8:15 pm

14 Scouts Program 10:30 am–12 pm4

Family Nature Walks 10:30 and 11:30 am

Espalier Workshop 1–4 pm1

Live Music in the Beer Garden: Marc Silver

5–7:45 pm

Illuminated Fountain

Performance: Be Our Guest 8:15 pm

15 Scouts Program 10:30 am–12 pm4

Chimes Tower Hours 1–3 pm

Kennett Symphony 7:30 pm5

19 Live Music in the Beer Garden: Saving de Grace

5–7:45 pm

Plantology on Tap: Keeping Your Houseplants Happy The Creamery of Kennett Square Doors open at 5 pm, talk at 6 pm1

20

Perennial Plant Conference at the Scott Arboretum of Swarthmore College

9 am–3:45 pm2

Member Appreciation Day

10 am–6 pm

Enjoy 20% discounts at The GardenShop (onsite and online) and on dining.

Family Nature Walks

10:30 and 11:30 am

Member Orientation

5 pm6

Meet Longwood staff for an introduction to our Gardens and discover all your Membership has to offer.

Live Music in the Beer Garden: The Rockdale Boys

5–7:45 pm

Illuminated Fountain Performance: Put Me In, Coach

8:15 pm

21 Orchids 2

8 am–12 pm1

Family Nature Walks

10:30 and 11:30 am

Open Organ Console Day

10:30 am–1:30 pm7

Live Music in the Beer Garden: Conjunto Philadelphia

5–7:45 pm

Illuminated Fountain Performance: Here You Come Again

8:15 pm

Chimes Tower Hours

1–3 pm

Thomas Gaynor

3 pm

Learning Together: Magnificent Mossariums Fully Online

6:30–7:30 pm4

26 Fall Foliage in Black and White

3-part class Begins October 261

Live Music in the Beer Garden: The Rockdale Boys

5–7:45 pm

Flower of the Month: Chrysanthemum

6–8 pm1

Illuminated Fountain Performance: The Magic of Mozart

8:15 pm

27 Family Nature Walks

10:30 and 11:30 am

Live Music in the Beer Garden: Polkadelphia

5–7:45 pm

Meet the Brewer and Cicerone

6 pm Join Victory Brewing Company

Senior Manager of Education & Training Max Finnance—one of only 22 Master Cicerones in the world—and Director of Brewing Operations Joe Slavick in the Terracotta Room in The Terrace Restaurant as they delve into the nuances of the beers that Victory Brewing Company brews exclusively for Longwood.

Illuminated Fountain Performance: Shake It Off: Taylor Swift

8:15 pm

28 Falling into Winter

9–12 pm4

Family Nature Walks

10:30 and 11:30 am

Scouts Program

10:30 am–12 pm4

Cutting-Edge Pot-et-Fleur

2–6 pm1

Youth Workshop: Stylish Houseplants TBD Time4

Live Music in the Beer Garden: Polkadelphia

5–7:45 pm

Illuminated Fountain Performance: Halloween Magic

8:15 pm

29 Scouts Program

10:30 am–12 pm4

Chimes Tower Hours 1–3 pm

November

Putting Your Garden to Bed

9 am–12 pm1

Scouts Program

am–12 pm4

Designing Regenerative

15 Conservatory Closed for A Longwood Christmas installation

Outdoor gardens open

10 am–5 pm

Member reservations not required

The Garden Shop Closed

16 Conservatory Closed for A Longwood Christmas installation

Outdoor gardens open

10 am–5 pm

Member reservations not required

The Garden Shop Closed

17 A Longwood Christmas On View

Now–January 7, 2024

Calendar Key

Horticulture

Education

Performance

Members/Innovators

Beer Garden

Longwood

Illuminated Fountain Performance

The Garden Shop

1 Advanced registration and fee required: longwoodgardens.org/enroll or 610.388.5454. For a complete list of our Continuing Education opportunities, visit us online.

2 Special ticket required: longwoodgardens.org or 610.388.1000.

3 Learn more at longwoodgardens.org/ festive-fridays

4 Advanced registration & fee required: longwoodgardens.org or 610.388.5377

5 Special ticket required: kennettsymphony.org or 610.444.6363

6 Advanced registration required: longwoodgardens.org/member-orientation or 610.388.1000.

7 Advanced registration required by email: performingarts@longwoodgardens.org Time slots are limited.

Is the class you want sold out?

E-mail help-ce@longwoodgardens.org or call 610.388.5454 to be put on our waitlist.

Please note:

All ticketed events are limited. Sell out likely.

Beer Garden, Illuminated Fountain Performances, and Festive Friday events are free with Gardens Admission or Member reservation.

Fall is Full of Fun

From dancing fountains to our festive Pumpkin Playground to our whimsical Garden Railway, fall fun takes many forms this season.

Fountain Finale

Illuminated Fountain Performances

Thursday–Saturdays through October 28

8:15 pm

Soak up the last Illuminated Fountain Performances of the year. Our Main Fountain Garden shines with fan-favorite and new performances through October 28.

Daytime Fountain Performances

Now–October 29

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Sundays: 11:15 am, 3:15 pm, 5:15 pm

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: 11:15 am, 3:15 pm, 5:15 pm, 7:15 pm

Enjoy the thrill of what 1,719 jets can do, from spinning and dancing to music, to soaring as high as 175 feet.

Fall Activity Fun

NEW Family Nature Walks

September 30 and October 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, and 28 at 10:30 and 11:30 am

Discover the sights, sounds, and scents of the season with a fun, 30-minute nature walk designed for the whole family. Explore nature near and far with tools like magnifying glasses and binoculars while using your senses to experience the Gardens through a new lens. Recommended for adults and children (5–12 years old).

Pumpkin Playground

October 6–30

Looking for the perfect fall photo opportunity? Visit the Children’s Corner in the Idea Garden and find a festive seasonal display of pumpkins, gourds, and more fall favorites.

Garden Railway

September 30, 2023–

January 7, 2024

Our Garden Railway is back on track! Celebrate the 20+-year tradition of this fanciful display of miniature trains chugging along through a beautiful plant palette, located outdoors near The Terrace Restaurant. The Garden Railway operates during regular Gardens hours, weather permitting.

Announcing:

Transformative Design with Black Girl Florists

Register at longwoodgardens.org/transformative-design

Floral Lecture: Transformative Design

October 5

Lecture: 6–8:15 pm

Reception: 8:15–9 pm

Conservatory Ballroom or Online via Livestream

During this special event, Black Girl Florists President & CEO Valerie Crisostomo explores the transformative power of design, joined by Tasha Flowers Florist Owner Tasha Flowers and O Luxe Design, Inc. Creative Director Erica Jones—two acclaimed designers who bring their singular voices and more than 20 years of combined experience to their spectacular designs. Crisostomo, Flowers, and Jones use their favorite flowers and showcase their artistry and passion as they work together to create a stunning, installation-scale design of striking autumn jewel tones and boundless creativity.

Guests may join us in the Ballroom for this live event or watch the session online via livestream. For those who join us at Longwood, the evening includes a complimentary reception immediately following the lecture.

This event fulfills the Floral Design Lecture requirement of the Floral Design Certificate.

Masterclass Workshop: Elegant Canopy Design

October 6

8 am–12 pm

Conservatory Ballroom

Working with expert event designers

Tasha Flowers and Erica Jones, create a striking canopy arrangement of fall jeweltoned flowers over a staged table, paired with individual runners that mirror the canopy’s design.

This workshop counts as an elective toward the Certificate of Merit in Floral Design.

Intermediate Workshop: Asymmetric Compote Design

October 26, 2–5 pm

Conservatory Ballroom

Craft a dynamic centerpiece of beautiful autumn jewel tones with an asymmetric twist alongside acclaimed event designers Tasha Flowers and Erica Jones.

This workshop counts as an elective toward the Certificate of Merit in Floral Design.

Enjoy a fun evening of floral design and engage in two very special hands-on workshops with our amazing guest designers.

Autumn Classes

From

Register for these autumn classes, among many others:

Botanical Art: Orchid Study

Begins October 4

Register by October 1

Using orchids from Longwood’s famed orchid collection as inspiration, study this plant’s vibrant colors and eye-catching shapes while creating a detailed piece showcasing the orchid’s form and function.

Espalier Workshop

October 14, 1–4 pm

Register by October 4

In this hands-on workshop, learn the art of espalier—the horticultural practice of training plant growth against a flat plane—while working in Longwood’s behind-the-scenes nursery.

Flower of the Month:

Chrysanthemum

October 26, 6–8 pm

Register by October 15

Our 2023–24 Floral Fun Series invites you to explore a different iconic flower each month and create a floral design showcasing the unique elements of that flower. During the first class of this series, celebrate the vibrant colors and dazzling variety of the chrysanthemum, creating your own lush arrangement featuring chrysanthemums to take home.

Fall Foliage in Black and White

Begins October 26

Register by October 22

See autumn leaves through a new lens: in black and white. Capture the striking contrasts, unique shapes, and crisp lines of the season by photographing a variety of fall foliage at Longwood.

Explore other offerings, as listed in the calendar within this brochure, and at longwoodgardens.org/enroll

designing with fall’s iconic flower to painting fall colors in plein air, fall into new opportunities for learning and fun with our autumn classes.

Gardens Information

Gardens Hours

September 30–October 28

Sunday, Monday, Wednesday: 10 am–6 pm

Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10 am–9 pm

Tuesday: Closed

Timed Admission Tickets required. Timed reservations required for Members Thursday through Saturday from 3 pm to close. Reservations not required for Gardens Premium Members and Innovators.

October 29–November 12

Wednesday–Monday: 10 am–6 pm

Tuesday: Closed

Timed Admission Tickets required. Reservations not required for Members and Innovators.

The Garden Shop Hours

September 30–October 28

Sunday, Monday, Wednesday: 10 am–6 pm

Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10 am–9 pm

Tuesday: Closed

October 29–November 12

Wednesday–Monday: 10 am–6 pm

Tuesday: Closed

The Garden Shop will be closed November 13–16 as we prepare for A Longwood Christmas

Dining at the Terrace

The Terrace is a Certified Green Restaurant through the Green Restaurant Association and offers these dining experiences. Visit longwoodgardens.org/ dine for more details and hours.

The Café

Enjoy casual fare made from fresh seasonal ingredients.

1906

Savor this artful, fullservice dining experience. Reservations can be made via longwoodgardens.org/dine or by calling 610.388.1000.

Beer Garden

Through October 28, dine under the stars while enjoying Victory Brewing Company selections.

Phone: 610.388.1000

Website: longwoodgardens.org

Free WiFi available: Connect to FreeGardenWIFI

Our Gardens are smoke-free.

Photography credits: Hank Davis, Becca Mathias and Daniel Traub

© 2023 Longwood Gardens