Winter Wonder & Garden Glow at Longwood Gardens

Looking for a winter activity near Wilmington, Delaware or Kennett Square, Pennsylvania? Be sure to check out Winter Wonder at Longwood Gardens through March 22, 2026, transforming the iconic Conservatories into a vibrant oasis of color, fragrance, and warmth. 

Each year, Winter Wonder invites guests to escape the cold and step into acres of blooming gardens under glass. This season introduces an exciting new after-hours experience, Garden Glow, blending horticulture and light in an immersive nighttime event unlike anything else in the region. 

Whether you're planning a romantic evening, a family outing, or a winter weekend getaway, Longwood Gardens delivers one of the most memorable seasonal experiences in the Brandywine Valley. Winter Wonder is Longwood Gardens’ annual winter display featuring colorful blooms, Mediterranean-inspired plantings, and lush indoor landscapes designed to brighten the coldest months of the year. 

Winter Wonder is Longwood Gardens’ annual winter display featuring colorful blooms, Mediterranean-inspired plantings, and lush indoor landscapes designed to brighten the coldest months of the year. 

Inside the Conservatories, guests will find: 

• South African bulbs like Cat’s Tail (Bulbinella latifolia ssp. doleritica) 
• Chasmanthe and Ixia in bold, fiery hues 
• Cascading jasmine and cape-primrose overhead 
• Kangaroo paws and rare botanical treasures 

Outside, the Hillside Garden and 86-acre Meadow Garden offer peaceful winter landscapes filled with copper and umber tones, a quiet contrast to the indoor vibrancy. 

Garden Glow is a NEW special after-hours light experience at Longwood Gardens, held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from February 13 through March 8, 2026 (5–10 pm). This limited-time event features immersive installations that explore the intersection of nature and light. 

In the Main Conservatory, ancient Shimpaku junipers aged 200 to 1,000 years glow under blacklight, revealing dramatic contrasts between living veins and sculpted deadwood. Created by Longwood’s bonsai curator, Kevin Bielicki, the installation is a striking meditation on balance and renewal. Award-winning designer Jennifer Reed transforms the West Conservatory into an ethereal canopy of 500 yards of voile fabric and dried botanicals, illuminated by theatrical lighting that shifts throughout the evening. Outdoors, thousands of biodegradable sparks float skyward in SPARK, an installation inspired by fireflies and star systems. The wind shapes each moment, ensuring no two evenings are the same. 

Make it a full evening affair with dining at Longwood’s fine dining restaurant, 1906, led by Executive Chef George Murkowicz. 

The seasonal prix-fixe menu highlights: 

• Winter citrus 
• Root vegetables 
• Fresh seafood 
• Warm spices 
• Optional shaved black truffles 

During Garden Glow evenings, guests can also enjoy concessions in The Fountain Room and The Café. 

Winter often feels like a quiet season in the Brandywine Valley, but at Longwood Gardens, it’s anything but. With colorful blooms under glass, immersive light installations, live organ performances, and seasonal dining, Winter Wonder and Garden Glow transform the colder months into something extraordinary. 

If you’re searching for: 

• Things to do in winter near Wilmington 
• Romantic winter date ideas in the Brandywine Valley 
• Family-friendly winter activities in Kennett Square 
• Unique light displays in Pennsylvania 

Winter Wonder at Longwood Gardens belongs at the top of your list.