Join us for a special week at Longwood Gardens, one of our country’s premier horticultural destinations, as it celebrates the beauty of bonsai with the inaugural Longwood Gardens Bonsai Festival from June 24-29, 2025, in Kennet Square, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. A week-long exhibition of some of their world-class bonsai plus bonsai from The Kennett Collection and juried bonsai from members of the tri-state bonsai organizations: Bonsai Society of the Lehigh Valley, Brandywine Bonsai Society, Deep Cut bonsai Society, Great Swamp Bonsai Society, New Jersey Bonsai Societies, Pennsylvania Bonsai Society and the Susquehanna Bonsai Club will be formally displayed.
Demonstrations & Lectures
For those looking to deepen their understanding of the art, the Longwood Gardens Bonsai Festival transforms into a hub of education and inspiration from Friday through Sunday. A powerhouse lineup of internationally acclaimed professional bonsai artists will host engaging demonstrations and lectures, sharing their insights on styling, wiring, and the philosophy behind the art. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to learn directly from industry icons, including: Sergio Cuan, Owen Reich, Sean Smith, William N. Valavanis, Jim Doyle, Bob Mahler, & Chase Rosade.
Vendor Showcase
The curated marketplace will include 20 vendors who will be offering, starter trees, tools, handmade bonsai containers, as well as developed bonsai and supplies to elevate or begin your journey to bonsai.
Live Auction of Outstanding Bonsai
The crown jewel of the six-day festival takes place on Saturday evening with a special, curated live auction. This is a truly unmissable event for collectors, featuring significant, specimen trees sourced from the finest collections on the East Coast—including The Kennett Collection, the permanent collection of Longwood Gardens, and the persona lcollection of legendary artist Wm. N. Valavanis.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you come for the high-stakes thrill of the Saturday night auction, the educational weekend lectures, or simply a quiet weekday stroll through the stunning conservatorydisplays, the Longwood Gardens Bonsai Festival is the ultimate celebration of harmony between humanity and nature. Mark your calendars for June 24–29, 2025 and prepare to see nature through a beautifully focused lens.
Additional information and schedule:
longwoodgardens.org/events-performances/events/bonsai-festival
A few photos of a few of the 12 bonsai from my personal collection which will be auctioned on Saturday evening are included here and in my blog:
