Page 31 - Allison's Magazine ~ Issue #99

HOLIDAYS AT LONGWOOD
In 2018, a record 468,333 people visited
during Longwood Gardens’ six-week
holiday extravaganza, A Longwood
Christmas. This annual event is so
popular, in fact, that purchasing timed
tickets is required because it sells out
so quickly.

True to its ever-changing nature,
Longwood features a different theme
every year during the holidays. In
2018, it was the Tree Reimagined,
so visitors witnessed a tree made of
glass, a tree made of birdhouses, trees
made of books, and even a spectacular
floating forest of decorated trees in
the Conservatory. The 2019 event,
scheduled to run from November 22,
2019, through January 5, 2020, will
celebrate the shapes of Christmas. “ WE HAVE AROUND ONE

Implementing a theme, along with an HUNDRED PEOPLE BETWEEN
accompanying new color scheme, takes FACILITIES AND HORTICULTURE
a great deal of effort and planning, THAT WORK ON PROJECTS FOR
according to Evans. “We start working CHRISTMAS, AND THEY WORK
on it in January,” she says. “It really is ON THEM ALL YEAR ROUND.
an entire staff activity. We have around
one hundred people between facilities
and horticulture that work on projects sphere spectacle that debuted last They’ll take their picture at the same Longwood Gardens is a happy gathering
for Christmas, and they work on them year, will return again in 2019 with spot each year (in front of the big tree place to celebrate friends, family,
all year round. So, for example, we know even more glowing orbs. In addition, at the Conservatory is a popular one), and nature, and an experience to be
that if we want to get certain kinds of Longwood’s tried-and-true holiday while enjoying the many new elements treasured and talked about—exactly as
lights, we need to figure that out by staples, such as the Music Room, will to be discovered. “Of course, people Pierre S. du Pont had envisioned back
March in order to get them in on time have different trees with new ornaments, always love the half-million twinkling in the early 1900s and perhaps on an
and put them up. Once we know the decorations, and colors. The Open lights in the outdoor gardens,” Evans even grander scale. “Guests tell us about
theme, we make sure the color palettes Air Theatre, which features popular adds. “In recent years, though, firepits how they welcome the opportunity
are matching and that the theme is illuminated fountain shows for the and hot chocolate stands were added to reconnect with loved ones here as
woven throughout the gardens, both holidays—choreographed to a Christmas throughout the grounds for an even much as they bask in the wonder of the
indoors and out.” song medley—will also be tweaked. As more engaging outdoor experience. experience,” Evans shares. “People see
Evans succinctly puts it, “It’s very much Inside, you’re just gobsmacked by the us as a place of respite and beauty that
To that end, Evans says that guest a new experience every year.” beauty and attention to detail in the they can’t get anyplace else—and that’s
feedback is critical to determine what Conservatory, and the melodic, nostalgic especially true at Christmas. We’re so
returns each year. However, even the Because A Longwood Christmas is sounds of a choir or carolers singing thrilled that people want to spend part
returning displays get new twists. For both traditional and fresh, people keep is something to really soak in. All the of their holiday with us.”
example, Evans says the outdoor orbs returning year after year, with the event senses are engaged when you come to For more info, visit longwoodgardens.org
display, a color-changing, glowing- becoming part of their holiday tradition. Longwood at Christmas.”

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