Take a stroll through Bellevue with local experts to see what birds the park has to offer. Beginners welcome. Binoculars are available to borrow upon request. Some trails may be muddy, so dress appropriately. Meet in the parking lot by the Arts Center. This program takes place on the first Friday of each month, unless otherwise specified. Walk-ups welcome, no registration required. Free!
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Hike Thompson Island at Delaware Seashore
Go for a hike through Thompson Island Nature Preserve with a park interpreter. Learn about the island’s Native American presence and observe the abundant wildlife that calls this island home. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to program. After that, please call 302-227-6991. $6 per person
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Festival of Fountains at Longwood Gardens
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.
May 8–August 20, 2026
Gardens Open
10:00 am–6:00 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday10:00 am–10:00 pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Closed Tuesdays
August 21–September 27, 2026
Gardens Open
10:00 am–6:00 pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday10:00 am–9:00 pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Closed Tuesdays
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.
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Mansion Tour at Auburn Valley
Come explore one of the best examples of a Queen Anne-style Victorian mansion that Delaware has to offer with a one-hour tour, at 1 p.m. every Thursday and Friday. The mansion is the former home of the Marshall family whose history and legacy of industry and innovation filled the home with the antiques and furnishings you will see there today. You will get to explore two floors of Auburn Heights with a small group (maximum 10 people). A discounted joint tour to the Marshall Steam Museum and Mansion is only available by paying day of for your tour. If you pre-book you will not get the dollar off each tour discount. $8 per adult, $4 per child.
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Discover Battery 519 at Cape Henlopen
Tour the underground Battery 519 to discover how Fort Miles planned to defend the east coast from the anticipated threats of WWII. Tours meet at the Fort Miles Museum in Battery 519. Recommended for ages 7+. $6 per person. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to the program. After that, please call 302-644-5007.
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Celebrate Birds! at Brandywine Zoo
Spend World Migratory Bird Day learning about and looking for birds during this new free event! Gather in the Education Building for some bird-friendly coffee while watching an excerpt from the documentary Birders: The Central Park Effect. Following an opportunity to discuss the film, Joe Francis, President of the Delaware Ornithological Society, will lead us on a birding walk around the zoo in Brandywine Park. Bring binoculars if you have them! There will be a limited supply available for those who don’t or forget. All sightings will be reported through eBird, a global citizen science project.
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Pontoon Tour (Reserved Seat) at Alapocas Run
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the cypress swamp during this 1-hour guided tour aboard our 28-foot pontoon boat. These tickets are for individual seats on the pontoon boat. Online registration ends 48 hours prior to the pontoon tour. To make a reservation for your family/household group, please call the Baldcypress Nature Center directly at 302-875-5163. Adults $8, Children (Age 12 and under) $4.
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Intro to Surf Fishing at Delaware Seashore
Have you always wanted to try surf fishing but werenÂt sure how to get started? If so, this program is for you! Everything from fish identification to proper casting techniques will be covered in this three-hour program. Rods, reels, and bait are provided. Ages 12 and up. Those under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Online registration ends 24 hours prior to program. After that, please call 302-227-6991. $25 per person
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Mothers Day Tulip Tree Hike at Alapocas Run
This Mother’s Day morning we will be traversing the Tulip Tree Preserve Trail. This old growth forest is habitat for many species of spring ephemeral flowers some of which we hope to see. All ages welcome! Register by calling (302) 655-5740 or email DNREC_brandywinecreekprograms@delaware.gov. Free with paid park entrance fee.
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Fort Delaware Open to the Public at Fort Delaware
Come out and visit the greatest Civil War site in Delaware! We have several programs going on daily, including artillery demonstrations, tours, and interactive activities. You can also explore the fort, and interact with the various activities in each room. Fort Delaware is a great experience for visitors of all ages!
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Arsenic and Old Lace
ARSENIC and OLD LACE. This wildly popular comedic farce, written by Joseph Kesselring, revolves around two elderly sisters who are famous in their Brooklyn neighborhood for their numerous acts of charity but are as crazy as loons. Mix in a dollop of Teddy Roosevelt, a dash of Albert Einstein, and stir with an assortment of quirky characters, and you get a lethal cocktail of murder, mayhem, and laughter. Come see what the New York Times called “a play so funny you will never forget.”
Times and dates vary. See website for the latest schedule
Saturday, May 9, 2026 to Saturday, June 20, 2026
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Family Campout at Fort Delaware at Fort Delaware
Join us on May 9 for a unique overnight family camping experience on Pea Patch Island. This program is designed for the whole family to explore Fort Delaware in a special event. Participants will have the opportunity to camp on the fort’s parade ground, cook dinner over an open fire, enjoy a lantern tour of the fort and s’mores around a campfire, and more! Reservations for this one-of-a-kind experience are limited. Participants should pack lightly and backpack-type tents are recommended. S’mores will be provided, but participants will need to bring their own food otherwise. Call the park office at 302-601-6382 for details. The return trip to Delaware City will be at 10 AM on Sunday, May 10. Tickets are $30 per person, and can be purchased online.
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Birding By Kayak at Lums Pond
Join us for a special birding trip out on the water! This guided tour is for beginner birders and will look for year-round residents as well as returning migrants like the Osprey! Previous paddling experience is required. Open to participants 14 years and older (with a parent or guardian).
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Little Nature Explorers (Sunday Session) at Brandywine Zoo
Do you and your child love playing outdoors? This multi-week series allows children aged 2 to 5 and their guardians to make discoveries outdoors together. Each 45-minute class includes nature-based, child-directed activities, singing, and a storybook. Each week will learn about a different animal at the Zoo. Sign up for Sunday or Wednesday classes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Due to limited space, a maximum of 2 adults can attend class per family. Class is limited in size and will take place outdoors, so dress for the weather. Ticket Fee: $15 per child for each class.
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Fort Delaware Open to the Public at Fort Delaware
Come out and visit the greatest Civil War site in Delaware! We have several programs going on daily, including artillery demonstrations, tours, and interactive activities. You can also explore the fort, and interact with the various activities in each room. Fort Delaware is a great experience for visitors of all ages!
