Twilight in the Garden

Photographs of previous Twilight in the Gardens courtesy Conrad Erb Photography (Photos 1 & 2); Noise Soul Cinema (Photos 3, 4 & 6); and Wright Eye Photography (Photo 5).

A joyous evening under the stars

Friday, October 3, 2025

Twilight in the Garden is the annual gala to benefit Bartram’s Garden and the year’s largest fundraiser. Join us to celebrate this beloved public space and ensure its continued growth.

Expect a festive night of great company, an unparalleled setting, and deep gratitude as we gather in honor of this legendary landscape. You and your guests will enjoy:

  • A magical choose-your-own adventure evening, with options for everything from sunset garden tours to cozy riverfront fire pits
  • Silent auction featuring travel, artwork, private experiences, and more!
  • Autumnal cocktails and seasonal treats

A portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible. All proceeds from Twilight in the Garden support Bartram’s Garden, a public park welcoming more than 125,000 visitors annually.

 

2024 Honorary Event Co-chairs

Ivy Berry, Southwest Tree Coalition Co-Founder

Chanticleer

Greater Philadelphia Health Action

Haverford Trust Company

Robert Katz, Managing Director, Eisner Advisory Group LLC

Laurel Hill

Charles Lomax, President and CEO, Lomax Real Estate

Longwood Gardens

Kathryn Ott Lovell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation

Sharon Neilson, NESTT Project Manager & Support Staff, Greater Philadelphia Health Action

William F. Ryan and Dr. Joan T. Richtsmeier

Phil and Jocelyn Scribano

University of Pennsylvania

Regina G. Young, State Representative in the PA State Assembly, 185th District

Many Thanks to Our 2024 Sponsors!

We gratefully acknowledge the following leadership support for the 2024 event:

Presenting Sponsor

Laurel Hill

Steward

Chanticleer

Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc.

William F. Ryan and Dr. Joan T. Richtsmeier

Collector

Haverford Trust Company

Longwood Gardens

Phil and Jocelyn Scribano

University of Pennsylvania

Botanist

Robert Allen

Bellevue Strategies

The Bellwether District

Paul Buttner and Larry Scharf

Crescent Designed Metals

DIGSAU

Kathleen Grady

Ann and Steven Hutton

The Lomax Companies

Jane G. Pepper

Philadelphia Housing Authority

Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation

Stephanie and Bill Stabert

 Eric and Susan Swanson

The Tuttleman Family Foundation

Urban Engineers

WRT

With special thanks to Jamie Hollander Gourmet Foods & Catering, Kennedy Printing, John & Kira’s Chocolates, and Philly Wedding Light for their generous support of Twilight in the Garden.

List current as of October 2.

Previous Honorees

Twilight in the Garden has previously honored the following pillars of Philadelphia green space:

  • Nancy A. Goldenberg, President and CEO of Laurel Hill
  • Greater Philadelphia Health Action and Woodland Academy
  • Ivy Berry, co-founder of the Southwest Tree Coalition
  • Edward M. D’Alba, former President and CEO of Urban Engineers
  • Michael DiBerardinis and Joan Reilly, civic leaders and green space advocates
  • City Councilmember Jamie R. Gauthier, 3rd District
  • Terrence L. Gore, artist
  • The Lomax Family Foundation, dedicated to the health and wellness of African-American communities
  • Kathryn Ott Lovell, former Commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Parks & Recreation
  • State Representative Joanna E. McClinton
  • Elizabeth P. McLean, garden historian
  • Paul W. Meyer, former F. Otto Haas Executive Director of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
  • Mural Arts Philadelphia
  • Michael Nutter, former Mayor of Philadelphia
  • Jane G. Pepper, former President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
  • Paul B. Redman, President and CEO of Longwood Gardens
  • The Richard Allen Preparatory Charter School
  • The Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden
  • Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05)
  • Virginia Smith, green space advocate and Philadelphia Inquirer writer
  • Sidney B. Spahr, civic leader and horticulturist
  • James B. Straw, civic leader
  • Bill Thomas, Executive Director of Chanticleer
  • State Senator Anthony H. Williams

You may also be interested in:

Mark Your Calendar

Twilight in the Garden is the first Friday in October.

2026: Friday, October 2

2027: Friday, October 1

Support Bartram’s Garden

Your tax-deductible donation keeps us growing.

I'm interested in:

Biking & Walking

Birds

Boating & Fishing

Flowers, Plants & Trees

Gardening

History

Kids' Activities

Sankofa Community Farm

Southwest Philadelphia

Water Quality

Workshops, Wellness & Culture

Youth Internships

I'm interested in:

Biking & Walking

Birds

Look up! More than 100 species of birds rely on this ecosystem.

Boating & Fishing

Enjoy all that the Tidal Schuylkill River has to offer.

Flowers, Plants & Trees

See what’s blooming, find a favorite tree, and stroll the gardens and natural lands.

Gardening

Bring the Garden home! Shop for plants or grow food, trees, and more.

History

Uncover the interconnected stories of this historic site.

Kids' Activities

Join us year-round to learn, make, share, and wonder.

Sankofa Community Farm

“Go back and get it!” Growing food sovereignty with an African Diaspora focus.

Southwest Philadelphia

Resources and opportunities especially for neighbors in Southwest Philly.

Water Quality

View our latest data on current river conditions.

Workshops, Wellness & Culture

Enjoy upcoming workshops, self-care, and events. Are you a Southwest artist? Let’s partner!

Youth Internships

Calling Southwest students: paid internships available with the river, the farm, and the trees.