Festival of Fountains

Illuminated Fountain Performances

Open Wednesday–Monday. Closed Tuesdays except for special events.

“Our Illuminated Fountain Performances offer a spectacle unlike any other” isn’t marketing fluff. It’s a pretty accurate description of what happens when water, fire, music, and light all agree to show off at the same time.

A Little History Behind the Splash

Longwood Gardens traces its roots to 1906, when industrialist Pierre S. du Pont purchased the farm in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, to preserve a historic collection of trees. Du Pont wasn’t content with a quiet botanical garden. He wanted drama. He wanted scale. He wanted fountains that could rival European estates.

The original fountains debuted in 1931, inspired by du Pont’s travels to Italy and France. Think Versailles, but with American engineering muscle. The Main Fountain Garden became the crown jewel—spanning five acres and featuring hundreds of jets choreographed to music.

Fast forward to 2017, and the Main Fountain Garden underwent a $90+ million revitalization. The result:

• 1,719 fountain jets
• Water columns reaching up to 175 feet
• Advanced LED lighting systems
• Fire effects that turn the night sky into a stage

This wasn’t just a renovation. It was a glow-up worthy of the Gilded Age.

What Makes the Illuminated Performances So Unique?

During the Festival of Fountains (typically May through September), daytime shows are impressive. But when the sun sets, the real magic begins.

The Illuminated Fountain Performances combine:

• 🎵 Choreographed music ranging from classical to contemporary
• 💡 Precision lighting that shifts in color and intensity
• 💦 High-powered water jets moving in sync
• 🔥 Fire bursts integrated into select shows

Each performance feels theatrical. The fountains don’t just spray water—they “dance.” And yes, the water hits its mark with timing that would make a Broadway director proud.

European Inspiration, American Scale

Du Pont’s inspiration came from places like the fountains of Italy’s Villa d’Este and France’s Palace of Versailles. The difference? Longwood’s system was engineered using 20th-century innovations, enabling greater height, pressure, and precision.

The modern restoration introduced:

• Advanced computer-controlled choreography
• Underground infrastructure upgrades
• Expanded viewing terraces
• ADA-accessible improvements

It’s old-world elegance powered by modern tech.

The Festival of Fountains Tradition

The Festival of Fountains began as a seasonal highlight and evolved into one of the region’s most anticipated summer attractions. Families plan trips around it. Photographers stalk the golden hour. Couples claim benches early.

Many evenings conclude with fireworks—because if you’re going to do fountains, you might as well go all in.

Planning Your Visit

• 📍 Location: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
• 📅 Season: Late spring through early fall
• 🌙 Illuminated Performances: Select evenings
• 🎟️ Timed tickets required

Longwood’s fountain system circulates over 10,000 gallons of water per minute during peak shows. That’s not just a splash—it’s hydraulic choreography.

Pierre du Pont reportedly tested early fountain systems himself, sometimes getting soaked in the process. Industrialist by day, accidental water feature by night.

If you’re building out a “Things to Do” list, Longwood’s Illuminated Fountain Performances aren’t just an entry—they’re a headline act. Water, fire, music, and a century of history working together in perfect rhythm.