Outdoor Holiday Lighting 101
Outdoor Holiday Lighting 101 is an in-person horticulture and gardening class about creating a home lighting display inspired by Longwood Gardens’ A Longwood Christmas season. The program combines an introduction to Longwood’s lighting approach, demonstrations of display techniques, a guided walk through illuminated garden areas, and hands-on practice wrapping cone trees, topiary forms, and other trees.
Horticulturists Militca Denee and Dylan Drake lead the class. Participants should be prepared to spend part or all of the program outdoors, walking on uneven and potentially wet paths.
When: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Showtimes: 5:30–8:30 pm
Venue: Longwood Gardens
Location: Grove Studio 108 and various areas throughout the Gardens, including the West Conservatory Overlook, Main Fountain Garden, and East Conservatory Plaza
Tickets: $95; $85 for Longwood members and Innovators
Discount: Members and Innovators receive a 10% discount on continuing education classes, applied automatically at checkout.
Registration deadline: November 12, 2026
Ages: Intended as an adult learning experience.
Program: The class begins with an overview of Longwood’s holiday lighting program. Instructors then demonstrate lighting options used throughout the Gardens before leading a walk to view examples in operation. The session concludes with a practical activity in which participants help wrap cone trees, topiary forms, and other trees.
Instructors: Militca Denee and Dylan Drake
Militca Denee: Denee is a Longwood Gardens horticulturist responsible for the front gate entrance and part of the Hillside. Her work includes maintaining the lighting used for A Longwood Christmas, including inventory, mapping displays, and installation beginning in October.
Dylan Drake: Drake is a senior arborist who joined Longwood Gardens in 2020. He previously worked at the Hagley Museum and Bartlett Tree Experts. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geography from West Chester University and is an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist with a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.
Outdoor guidance: Dress appropriately for the weather and wear footwear suitable for walking across uneven paths and wet areas.
Cancellation policy: Registrations may be cancelled up to two weeks before the class for a refund of the registration fee minus a $30 processing fee. Cancellations can be requested by email or by calling 610-388-5454.