Latest news with #FestivalofFountains
Hans India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
An eventful summer getaway in the countryside of Philadelphia
Summer is one of the best times to visit the Countryside of Philadelphia with cultural events, festivals, and celebrations embracing the spirit of the season. Located just a short distance from the city of Philadelphia, a weekend in the charming countryside is the perfect summer getaway. Longwood Garden's Summer Festivities It is the Festival of Fountains season at world-renowned Longwood Gardens. Over 1,700 jets in the Main Fountain Gardens soar as high as 175 feet and dance to illuminated performances Fridays – Sundays through late October. Swifties will have a chance to see three Taylor Swift-themed fountain shows: Memorial Day Weekend, May 23 - May 25, 2025. Other themes include Shake It Off: Taylor Swift, featuring tracks for Swifties everywhere. Tickets are timed and sell out quickly. Book an overnight stay with exclusive untimed tickets to Longwood Gardens, and pair your visit with more du Pont family estates and gardens to tour. Festivals Summer is the season of festivals in the Countryside of Philadelphia. Surround yourself with fragrant blooms at the Festival of the Peony, May 17– May 26, 2025. Roam the lush peony farm and bring some countryside charm with a fresh-cut bouquet. Plan ahead for the Chester County Balloon Festival, this year coinciding with Father's Day weekend from June 13–15, 2025. Enjoy festival fun under soaring hot air balloons. Equestrian Events The celebrated Devon Horse Show & Country Fair returns May 21 – June 1, 2025 for its 129th year! Embrace fascinating Equestrian traditions in a vibrant village atmosphere with unique shops and dining. For equestrian excitement all summer long, Brandywine Polo Club hosts Starlight Polo matches every Saturday throughout the season, beginning May 25, 2025. Canoe & Dine Plan an enchanting summer evening outdoors with a Twilight Dinner Trip at Northbrook Canoe Co., select dates through September. Enjoy a 1.5-hour canoe ride down the beautiful Brandywine River before arriving at a campsite for dinner and live music by the fire. Unwind with s'mores and enjoy the tranquil sounds of the countryside.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Longwood Gardens will plant a kiss on you in summer 2025 with lush lineup
Longwood Gardens isn't just a flowery name; it's a floral paradise. When guests sneak a peek behind Longwood's veil of rose petals, they'll find a world-class horticulture destination decorated with over 1,000 acres of vibrant foliage, fountains and more. While Longwood is open year-round, the summer is naturally an attractive time for many visitors around the globe to tour the gardens. Here's a preview of what you should know before making a stop at Longwood this summer. One of the top attractions at Longwood is its annual Festival of Fountains where the Main Fountain Garden charms with daily performances. These shows offer dancing jets that can rise up to 175 feet. At night, the fountain shows intensify with Illuminated Fountain Performances that dazzle with colorful lights that groove audiences to a lineup of tunes that include music from Taylor Swift (May 23-25), Madonna and Lady Gaga (June 6 and July 11), The Beatles (Aug. 22-24) and others. These popular shows have 30-minute performances held on select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 26. Taylor Swift fever hits Delaware: Tribute shows for Swifties in summer 2025 Longwood is set to bring to life its magical Fireworks & Fountains Shows – six enchanting summer and fall events that will likely sell out fast. Tickets for the first three shows (July through August) went on sale to the public May 14. The second half of shows (August through September) go on sale to the public June 25. The Fireworks & Fountains Shows offer a symphony of sights and sounds with a diverse range of music backed by dancing fountains, accompanied by bursting fireworks. It opens with a patriotic theme on July 3, the day before Independence Day. All six performances are on July 3, July 19, Aug. 9, Aug. 31, Sept. 13 and Sept. 27. All seats for the Fireworks & Fountains Shows are reserved. Reserved seating allows guests to select their seat and then arrive without needing to bring their own chair. Ticket prices are sold under the two categories below, according to Longwood's website: Reserved Seating: $59 to $79. Gardens Preferred, Gardens Premium Members, and Innovators: $50 to 67. Tickets include all-day gardens admission. Fireworks & Fountains Shows require a special ticket; Illuminated Fountain Performances are included gardens admission, per Longwood's website. After a three-year pause, the wondrous Waterlily Court is on display through Sept. 28. The new and improved Waterlily Court comes after the completion of Longwood Gardens' ambitious "Longwood Reimagined" project. Visitors will witness over 100 varieties of tropical and tough waterlilies. Delaware Symphony Orchestra: New director is first female in DSO history There's an emphasis on the arts at Longwood Gardens and one example is their summer performance series that offers theatrical performances, national-touring musicians, comedy and more. The summer lineup includes The Savoy Company's performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera "The Mikado" (May 30 and 31). Other highlights include Ballet X (June 5), Philadelphia's premiere ballet company, Eileen Ivers (June 12), Cody Fry from "American Idol" (June 18), comedian Preacher Lawson from "America's Got Talent" (June 20), Snarky Puppy (Aug. 20), Britain's Finest: The Beatles Experience (Aug. 22-24) and The String Queens (Sept. 4). Music lovers can sit under the stars in the Beer Garden and enjoy a cold one (or two) while live tunes serenade you in the lush scenery. The concerts feature a variety of genres like bluegrass, folk, funk meets jazz, Caribbean steel pan, Latin fusion and more. Performances are held Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 26. Show times are typically from 6 to 8:45 p.m. (unless noted otherwise on Longwood's website) through Aug. 17; and hours are 5 to 7:45 p.m. from Aug. 29 to Oct. 26 (unless noted otherwise). offers fine dining during lunch and dinner with menu items such as Maine lobster, ocean trout, beef carpaccio, Rabbit porchetta and 1906 cheeseburger. Dessert items include ice cream, sorbet, beignet pastries and more. The drink menu has cocktails, beer, wine, garden-themed tonics and more. The 1906 hours through Aug. 31 are 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday; last reservation in the dining room is 3:30 p.m.) and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Friday, Saturday, Sunday; last reservation in the dining room is 7:30 p.m.). has grab-and-go items for the whole family. There are chicken tenders, fries, hotdogs, mac and cheese, sandwiches, salad, fruit cups, beverages (from soda, bottled water, etc.) and more, including vegan dishes and dessert. The Café hours through Aug. 31 are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday) and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). has Bratwurst, pizza, street tacos, Bavarian pretzels, hotdogs and a mix of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. The Beer Garden hours through Aug. 31 are the same as The Café except the Beer Garden opens from noon to 9 p.m. on the weekends. Of course, a big chunk of Longwood Gardens' charm comes from its sea of colorful plants. Longwood is renowned as one of the top gardens in the world and offers premier horticultural displays across 1,100 acres of gardens, woodlands, meadows, iconic fountains and grand conservatories. The USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards named Longwood Gardens the Best Botanical Garden in the U.S., which was announced in March. In late 2024, Longwood debuted its $250 million revitalization project named "Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience." The project transformed 17 acres of Longwood's renowned Conservatory and grounds. The famous botanical garden dominated in 2024, setting record-breaking attendance. In January, Delaware Online/The News Journal reported that Longwood attracted a record 1.63 million guests in 2024. Longwood Gardens (1001 Longwood Road, near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania) is open year-round, but its hours vary. Through Aug. 31, its garden hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. From Sept. 1 to Oct. 26, hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday. For admission and more info, visit or call (610) 388-1000. If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@ Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at (This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.) This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Longwood Gardens fills summer 2025 with music, theater, fountains, more
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Kew Gardens and more of the world's most beautiful flower displays
There's no denying that spending time surrounded by nature has a soothing effect on both mind and body. And with summer on its way in the northern hemisphere, now is the perfect time to head outdoors and take in some of the planet's most inspirational gardens in the sunshine. From sprawling countryside parks to urban nooks, you can witness some stunning seasonal displays. Previously voted the best botanical garden in America, Longwood is over 1,000 acres and mixes architecture with gardening, and a dedication to educating people about the local area. Roughly 30 miles (48km) from Philadelphia, Longwood features both indoor and outdoor gardens, a treehouse perfect for bird watching and even an open-air theatre for performances and events over summer. While crocuses and trilliums carpet the garden's forest in a riot of colour during spring, summer brings a beautiful display of vibrant pink rose ramblers that decorate the romantic Rose Arbor. The gardens also offer a picnic area, children's garden and indoor spaces to enjoy. Don't miss the Festival of Fountains, held in the Main Fountain Garden from May through October. The Historic Main Conservatory is also a stunner. Located in southwest London, Kew has one of the most diverse gardens in the world with over 50,000 living plants and plenty of spots to enjoy a picnic lunch. It's also known for its perfectly preserved and quaint Victorian buildings such as the Temperate House (pictured), the world's largest Victorian glass structure. During summer, a wander through the Victoria Gate entrance towards the iconic Palm House (a remarkable indoor rainforest), is a treat for the eyes and nose thanks to the abundance of beautiful roses. Enjoy a scenic walk through the colourful Great Broad Walk Borders with the aromas of fresh flowers, catmint and lavender wafting through the air. Under an hour by train from Paris, the palace King Louis XIV built in the 17th century is known for its Hall of Mirrors and rooms dripping with gold. But it's also home to one of the most opulent gardens in the world. Aside from the sweeping avenues, fountains the size of a lake and rolling greenery, there are must-see nooks like the little hamlet where Marie Antoinette visited when she wanted a break from the court. Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration While there are other gardens around the world that have more colourful displays, Versailles is all about grandeur. There aren't the riotous flowerbeds of Amsterdam, sure, but every weekend during summer, they hold the Grandes Eaux or musical fountains. It's almost exactly as it was in the time of Louis XIV, where the gushing water is met with classical music to put on quite a performance. Advanced booking for the musical fountain show is recommended. The location of Bodnant Garden is unbeatable: 20 minutes away from the Wales Coast Path, where you're likely to pass the beaches of Colwyn Bay and Llandudno. Set above the river Conwy overlooking Snowdonia, the gardens have something special to see in every season. Roses are the highlight in late summer, and while the Laburnum Arch, a 180-foot (55m) tunnel that blossoms into golden yellow flowers is at its best in late spring/early summer, it's still pretty to walk through year-round. The hydrangeas are another big draw during summer, with colourful bursts of blue, purple and pink blossoming all over the park. The Dell is the place for the best sightings. There's also a lovely rose garden, historic rhododendrons that bloom every season and the gardens are home to 200-year-old native trees, plus the country's tallest giant redwood. Worth a visit any time of year, this traditional Japanese garden is one of the oldest in Tokyo and was completed during the Edo period (1603-1868). There are elements of Chinese and Japanese landscape design, and it's an easy-to-reach oasis in the middle of the noise and modernity of the city. With the Tokyo Dome – a massive stadium – looming in the background, it's almost like having a foot in two different worlds. Most people visit during two periods: spring, to watch the 60-year-old cherry trees come to life with fluffy pink petals, and autumn, to watch the maples turn a burnt orange hue. In spring, there are also azaleas, wisterias and lotuses, while Japanese irises and rice grow during summer. The garden was originally designed for samurai lords to stroll about and forget their stresses, and it remains a mini oasis in the modern world. Also known as the Edward James Gardens, these gardens are hauntingly beautiful and almost dream-like. Located in Xilitla, it's off the beaten track, and one for visitors who'd like to see the lesser-known parts of Mexico. Edward James was a British writer who lived during the 1940s and built these gardens from a coffee plantation. A supporter of surrealist art, James made the sculptures as well as tended to the orchids – some of which are very rare – amid the jungle. Reflecting its name – Las Pozas means 'the pools' – there are naturally forming water pools across the property and over 30 sculptures. The orchids are a draw, but the real joy comes from just wandering through and admiring the eccentric layout of the gardens. Tampico is the nearest airport to fly into, and James' old residence, Posada El Castillo, has been converted into a guesthouse. Set in Prospect Park, the 52-acre garden allows visitors a chance to see a natural side to the Big Apple beyond Central Park. Hailed as a great 'date place', there are tours of local pond life and nature walks, plus the gardens are known to organise 'cherry watch', a map of when the blossom starts to bloom during spring. At the heart of the community in Brooklyn, an extensive education programme is designed to teach residents how to look after trees in the neighbourhood and rewards the greenest areas. Aside from the cherry blossom, there's a unique vibrant tulip display every year, and the garden also has early azaleas, primroses and violets. The Cranford Rose Garden is a great spot in summer, home to one of North America's largest collections of rose bushes. The roses dramatically climb over arches and lattices creating a stunning display. Set in West Sussex, this 11th-century castle has undergone various transformations but still retains some of its medieval features. In and around the romantic architectural elements are bursts of colour and carefully tended gardens. Inside, there's some impressive artwork too from the likes of Canaletto and Van Dyck. One of the UK's largest tulip displays is in the grounds of Arundel Castle, with 70,000 bulbs showcasing unusual varieties including one that smells like oranges and another that has white fringing. A special section to look out for is the 'stumpery', which features ancient upturned tree roots, where gardeners have chosen to place some of the most delicate and tiny tulips. Don't miss a summer stroll through the English rose collection, which is easy on the nose as well as the eyes with its heady scent. A traditional Japanese garden may be the last thing you'd expect to see in Washington Park, but this green space is considered one of the most authentic outside of Japan. It was originally designed by Takuma Tono in 1967 and was given an extension in 2017 by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, who added a new urban garden with pagoda-style roofs. There are eight garden spaces to explore, including the contemporary Natural Garden and the Strolling Pond Garden, featuring two ponds connected by a stream and the famous Moon Bridge. Hour-length tours are available four times a day on Wednesday-Monday, but you must book in advance. These are the world's most beautiful places While a desert garden sounds like an impossibility, there is something rather magical about greenery that survives harsh landscapes. The Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix is set in Papago Park and was founded in 1939 by a group of local citizens who wanted to protect and conserve the desert wildlife. Here, it's all about that rare glimpse of floral delights such as Mexican poppies and desert lupine. But there are plenty of trails set up so you don't miss any of the desert wildflowers or blooming cacti. Don't miss the Plant and People of the Sonoran Desert loop trail, which takes in some special sights. There are even bird-spotting tours with trained guides, if that's your thing. The original structure on this over 300-year-old plantation was burned down during the Civil War, but it was rebuilt in the late 1800s. Today there are magnificent green spaces, with the gardens comprised of both organised, manicured beds and wilder swampland begging to be explored. The crown jewels of the gardens are the azaleas, which are still in bloom in early summer, joined by a colourful variety of seasonal lilies and roses. Apart from the gardens, there's also a marsh boat tour and a pretty area called Cypress Lake (pictured), surrounded by cypress trees over 100 years old. With the Dallas skyline stretching into the distance, you can temporarily turn your back on the city to get lost in one of the top arboretums in the world. They're passionate about food here too, and aside from the kitchen which is all about growing and eating sustainable, locally grown food, the garden offers three free tastings made with seasonal produce and cooking demonstrations on select days. The Summer at the Arboretum, which is on from June until early August, showcases 70,000 new plantings, including monstera, elephant ears, bougainvillea and more tropical flora. Other attractions here include the Margaret Elizabeth Jonsson Color Garden, home to stunning banana and tapioca plants and Nancy's Garden, blanketed by pretty pastel-toned flowers. These Scottish gardens were designed for people to enjoy the views across Loch Carron, and the drive to get here – along the North Coast 500 route – is also stunning. Warm winds from the Gulf Stream also mean that more fragile plants than you might expect can survive the Scottish weather in this remote part of the northwestern Highlands. While the snowdrops are worth a visit in winter, in spring and summer it's all about the rhododendrons. You'll find over 100 different species here, along with a water garden with wooden bridges and sculptures, a scenic waterfall and Japanese gardens. There's also a café which gets many of its supplies from the kitchen gardens too. One of the largest flower gardens in the world, what makes Keukenhof's attractions unique – aside from the eye-popping colour and breadth of the flower displays – is that it's only open around 60 days of the year, usually from mid-March to early May. The grounds also have 10 miles (16km) of hiking trails and a children's maze. There is no tulip display in spring quite like it, having begun as a humble flower show in 1949 to present Dutch tulip hybrids to exporters. In autumn it takes three months to plant the seven million bulbs, with a staggering 800 different varieties of tulip. For the duration of the 10 days before it closes, Keukenhof, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2024, is also home to the world's largest display of lilies. There's never a bad time of year to visit this beautiful collection of five themed gardens, which started as a passion project for Robert and Jennie Butchart in 1904. The Japanese Garden, pictured here in autumn, is an acre in size and home to 500 rhododendrons and azaleas, 74 Japanese maple trees and 656 feet (200m) of gentle streams. Aside from the huge swathes of colour and blossom, great attention has been paid to the timing of the flowers, from daffodils to snowdrops, and tulips to crocuses. There are more than 900 varieties of plants grown for the summer gardens alone, with a welcome display of colourful delphiniums setting the stage for the Rose Garden. Don't miss the Summer Firework Saturdays, held throughout July and August, where aerial and ground displays choreographed to music will blow you away.
