Christmas at Biltmore Estate in Asheville

At a Glance

Daytime Celebration
November 7, 2008–January 4, 2009
Biltmore Estate is open Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Days.

More than a century ago, George Vanderbilt chose this magical season as the time to unveil his new home to family and friends. On Christmas Eve 1895, he opened Biltmore House’s doors for a regal yuletide celebration. Get swept away in this year’s extravagant celebration that includes holiday music, miles of evergreen garland, hundreds of poinsettias, dozens of Christmas trees and a magnificent 35-foot tall Fraser Fir decked with lights, ornaments and gifts. Festive music from the Banquet Hall organ fills the halls with yuletide cheer.

Reservations are not required or available for the daytime celebration. TIP: Saturdays are the busiest day. If you can only visit on a weekend, arrive early Sunday morning. The estate welcomes about 275,000 visitors for the Christmas season.

Candlelight Christmas Evenings
November 7, 2008 –January 1, 2009
An enchanted spell falls over Biltmore House as day darkens into dusk. Illuminated by candlelight, firelight and twinkling Christmas tree lights, Biltmore House glows with holiday spirit. Priceless treasures including richly woven tapestries, antiques and rare artwork glisten in the gentle light. Tunes from the Banquet Hall’s 1916 Skinner pipe organ and carols from choirs and ensembles fill the halls with festive sounds.

New for 2008!
The Front Lawn of Biltmore House will be transformed into a majestic forest sparkling with thousands of lights. An enormous evergreen tree is the glorious centerpiece decked in holiday lights and surrounded by an array of evergreens in every size. See America’s largest home bathed in the soft glow of this spectacular holiday illumination.

Candlelight Christmas Evenings tickets ($45-$60 for adults) are available by reservation only (starting April 1), and include an evening self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens and Biltmore Estate Winery. For Christmas reservations, call 800-413-9787 or 828-255-1319 and then press 3.

Ticket Information
Ticket prices vary. The estate is open on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Days. General tours are self-guided. In addition to Biltmore House, admission includes the grounds, Biltmore Estate Winery, the Farm Village, specialty gift shops and restaurants. Reservations required for Candlelight Evenings. Daytime tickets are available when you arrive.

Money Saving Tip: Save up to $10 on Christmas daytime tickets when you buy online for visits Sunday – Friday, November 7–26. Online ticket purchase required.

For more information and to purchase advance discounted tickets, go to the Biltmore Estate Web site.

This year several new elements will be added to Biltmore’s annual holiday event Christmas at Biltmore, which runs November 7, 2008 through January 4, 2009. In keeping with the traditions that began when George W. Vanderbilt first welcomed friends and family to Biltmore on Christmas Eve 1895, the estate’s celebration continues today.
 
“We take the inspiration for our decorations from archival information and Biltmore’s history and choose a different theme each year,” said Cathy Barnhardt, floral displays manager for Biltmore. This year’s theme is “Christmas Traditions from Around the World,” focusing on the countries George Vanderbilt visited in his lifetime and on Vanderbilt family traditions.
 
Christmas at Biltmore
Across the estate there will be more than 100 decorated trees, 1,000 wreaths and bows, 1,800 poinsettias, miles of evergreen garland and thousands of ornaments and lights. Inside Biltmore House a 35-foot Fraser fir will spend the holidays in the 72-foot high Banquet Hall, adorned with lights and surrounded by gifts. Each room will be decorated to feature prominent traditions from the country represented. Hanging stars, a snowy white forest and glittered Eiffel Towers are just a few of the spectacular details that can be seen throughout the house. Holiday music from ensembles completes the experience, filling the halls with Yuletide cheer.
 
Christmas Candlelight Evenings
During Christmas Candlelight Evenings, several new additions to the experience will present America’s Largest Home in a new light. Guests will be greeted with a forest of evergreens on the Front Lawn. Softly lit tulip poplars and Biltmore House will create a glorious scene welcoming today’s visitors in a grand style just as George and Edith Vanderbilt did more than 100 years ago. Inside Biltmore House, guests will be treated to an array of entertainment including choirs, ballet dancers, traditional caroling, pantomime, marionettes and stories of Vanderbilt holiday traditions.
 
Complimentary Seminars
Special complimentary seminars for daytime guests will be held across the estate daily from Nov. 7-23, with no reservations required. At Biltmore House, hosts will share stories about Vanderbilt holiday traditions, the floral displays staff will offer festive tips for decorating your home and tree, and pastry chefs will share their secret recipe that creates the giant gingerbread house. Guests can find out how to craft a decorative wreath and centerpiece at A Gardener’s Place. At the Winery, guests can sample red wine and chocolates and learn how to pair sparkling wine with favorite foods. And, St. Nick will be making special appearances for photos at the historic River Bend Barn. Please see Web site for times and specific locations.     
 
Biltmore Activities and Packages
Biltmore Winery offers self-guided tours, cooking demonstrations and complimentary wine tastings throughout the holidays. To complete a visit to the estate, guests can enjoy a festive meal at the Bistro, Deerpark Restaurant, Stable Café or The Dining Room. And for guests looking to extend their stay at Biltmore, the four-star Inn on Biltmore Estate offers several packages for holidays.
 
Ticket Information
Tickets for admission vary based on date and time. Please see Web site for details, including information on timed-entry days. The estate is open on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Days. General tours are self-guided. In addition to Biltmore House, admission includes the grounds, Biltmore Winery, River Bend Farm, specialty gift shops and restaurants. Special online rates are available. Tickets can be printed at home.

For more information, go to the Biltmore Estate Web site, including information on timed-entry days.