Nestled within the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, the Biltmore Estate is a praiseworthy testament to architectural grandeur and promising gracious hospitality. The estate was completed in 1895 and is regarded as America’s Largest Home, with a 250-room castle at its center. Besides its massive number of rooms, you will find yourself surrounded by over 8000 acres of grounds, home to forested trails and lush gardens. All that said, Christmas at Biltmore is truly one of the most magical times to visit.
Biltmore Estate Gardens
The estate offers a variety of onsite activities for you to enjoy, ranging from a romantic getaway for two to family-friendly expeditions. Besides the grand castle in North Carolina, Biltmore includes an onsite winery, restaurants, and nearby Antler Hill Village and Farm. If you want to experience the beauty of Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountain, you should head here this holiday season.
Exploring The Year-Round Attractions
The Biltmore Estate provides you with a wide variety of activities that allow you to enjoy the beauty of North Carolina. You will easily find something that fits your interests, including outdoor activities, workshops, tours and much much more. Many of these activities are available year-round and are a favorite among patrons.
An excellent example is the outdoor hiking and biking activities that allow you to explore the expansive grounds at your own pace. Hike the 22 miles of hiking trails that take you through the French Broad River, the lush forestry and into the open meadows of the estate.
If you are not an outdoor person, take an estate tour instead. Explore the house from within; guided tours may even allow entry into rarely accessed areas! But if you are just heading to the estate to unwind, you don’t want to miss The Spa. It has a legacy of world-class hospitality and therapeutic touch!
Other exciting activities include wine tastings that introduce you to Biltmore Winery’s most popular and award-winning vintages. This is a perfect way to spend a romantic evening with your significant other.
Holiday Activities At The Biltmore Estate
The Biltmore Estate is impressive year-round, but the holiday season makes it even more magical! Every holiday season, the Biltmore Estate is adorned with handmade decorations. Thousands of ornaments and holiday lights twinkle and light up the whole estate! This year, the Banquet Hall will also feature a stunning 30-foot-tall Fraser fir twinkling tree adorned with 500 LED lights and 500 ornaments. The theme for the Banquet Hall will be ‘A Night Before Christmas’ with classic elements in red, gold and emerald.
You can enjoy Christmas 2023 festivities and events at the estate as a part of your admission if you are staying at the Biltmore Estate Hotel as a guest and not just visiting for the celebrations. Of course, to get the best seat in the house, you will want to book ahead of time! Here are some of the most popular Biltmore Estate Christmas events and activities you can enjoy this year:
Christmas At Biltmore Estate Daytime Celebration
For a truly exceptional holiday experience, head to the Biltmore Estate for a daytime visit. The interior is fully adorned in time for Christmas, featuring fragrant wreaths, garlands and thousands of ornaments. The holiday experience will last from November 3rd, 2023 till January 7th, 2024. Guests are further provided complimentary wine tastings! In short, a Biltmore Estate Christmas experience is incomplete without this one.
You can select one of the estate overnight packages to enjoy the daily Chef’s breakfast in the dining room, access to the Biltmore Estate gardens, grounds and winery and tours around the estate. On Christmas morning, head to the Lobby at the Inn on Biltmore Estate to find a stunning tree with wrapped gifts for guests!
Candlelight Christmas Evenings
With the sun setting, the Biltmore Estate seems to become even more magical. As the day turns to dusk, the lights are switched on for the front lawn and the interior, providing you with beautiful views of the Christmas decor. The addition of flickering candlelight, cozy flames in the fireplace and live music will elevate your holiday experience.
Evening admissions to the Biltmore House will further include access to estate grounds, winery, gardens, shops and restaurants. The holiday extravaganza will last from November 3rd, 2023 till January 6th, 2024. It is a must-visit to enjoy Christmas in Carolina to its fullest.
Antler Hill Village Illumination
The Antler Hill Village is a short walk from the estate, allowing you to extend your Biltmore experience. The village will be set aglow with a glittering cascade of lights spread over the trees, buildings, shops, restaurants and pathways. The city will be entirely illuminated with these twinkling lights! Don’t miss this festive display when you are coming to visit the Biltmore estate. You can also bring your young ones to visit Santa at the Antler Hill Village!
The holiday decor will remain aglow from November 3rd, 2023, till February 19th, 2024. (Cost for visitations are included with admission)
Biltmore Estate Festive Foods
Throughout the holidays, the estate’s many restaurants will offer you the chance to savor a festive meal. The menu includes seasonal crafts and delicious combinations of wine. The Bistro, Cedric’s Tavern, Deerpark Restaurant, Stable Cafe and The Dining Room will all serve you exciting creations!
Italian Renaissance Alive Exhibition
This year’s holiday celebrations also include the Biltmore Estate’s premiere of the Italian Renaissance Alive Exhibition. During your visit, be sure to drop by for this exciting multi-sensory experience. The exhibit will take you on a spellbinding journey through Italy, showcasing the works of some of the most iconic artists in history, including the likes of Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli and Caravaggio.
The experience will be hosted in Amherst at Deer Park. This is Biltmore’s exhibition space and should take you around 45 to 75 minutes to complete. Visitors can attend the exhibition daily till January 7th, 2024.
Shop Around Biltmore
The holiday season won’t be complete without shopping for gifts to take back home. The Biltmore Estate houses several charming shops where you will find beautiful treasures, including holiday ornaments, collectibles, festive decor and unique-to-Biltmore items. Apart from these, you will also find delightful collections of toys, games, confectionaries, home goods, books and accessories.
The Biltmore House & Gardens, the Antler Hill Village, the Gate House Shop, the Cottage Door at The Inn and the Marble Lion at The Inn are all fantastic shops you can visit.
Exciting Holiday Premieres
November 26th will bring you an exciting movie for the holidays, A Biltmore Christmas, which premieres on Hallmark Channel. The movie was filmed at the Biltmore Estate in January 2023, featuring locations across the estate like the Biltmore gardens, the conservatory and the Inn. While this is not the first time the estate has been featured in a movie, it is the first for the Estate has a central role!
This season, you will find displays of stunning props and costumes used in the filming of the movie all around the estate! A free mini-documentary will also be released on YouTube and Facebook on November 2nd.
New Year’s Eve Gala
The holiday season won’t be complete without celebrating the coming New Year. The Biltmore Estate is offering an exciting New Year’s Eve Gala Package that provides you access to their exclusive black-tie gala with a 5-course dinner. Topping off the experience is a splendid fireworks display at midnight, live entertainment, an open bar, sparkling wine toasts and much more!
Christmas at Biltmore: Final Thoughts
The Christmas celebrations at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville are an ongoing tradition. It can first be traced back to 1895, when George Vanderbilt opened up the house to family and friends. The Christmas celebrations at the estate since then are a testament to their hospitality! Visit the Biltmore Estate at Christmas this year to enjoy its grand and unforgettable experience.
