Longwood Gardens’ annual holiday display takes guests back to a time of midcentury merrymaking with “A Very Retro Christmas.”
The conservatory at Longwood Gardens is a highlight of the annual holiday display.
American clergyman and best-selling author Norman Vincent Peale once said, “Christmas waves a magic wand over the world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” That metaphorical magic wand must have lingered over Longwood Gardens (longwoodgardens.org), the world-famous horticultural center founded by Pierre S. du Pont and known for its spectacular seasonal exhibit. On view through Jan. 7, 2024, this year’s theme transports guests back to a time of mid-century merrymaking with “A Very Retro Christmas.” Take a walk down memory lane inside the conservatory, where a holiday party display features trees decorated with tinsel, vintage ornaments and classic toys, and then wander into the music room to survey festive tablescapes of heirloom dinnerware and handcrafted glassware from local nonprofits Googleworks Center for the Arts and Burning Branch Studio. Outside, Longwood Gardens’ sprawling grounds are home to illuminated trees, outdoor fi re pits and popular fountain shows.
Photography by: COURTESY OF LONGWOOD GARDENS
