The joyful spirit of the holidays combines with the nostalgia of the past to create Christmas at Biltmore, which runs through Jan. 10, 2021. Grand décor of more than 100 hand-decorated and styled Christmas trees, 25,000 ornaments, 100,000 holiday lights, nearly 6,000 feet of garland, 1,200 traditional poinsettias and additional favorite holiday plants grace Biltmore House and the estate combined.
Four Christmas trees decorate the Tapestry Gallery on Biltmore Estate.
It was Christmas Eve 1895 when Biltmore’s founder George Vanderbilt first opened the doors of Biltmore House to family and friends. Just as the first guests slipped away from daily life to delight in the grandeur of the estate, those who visit 125 years later this holiday season are invited to find comfort, joy, and peace of mind in Biltmore’s Christmas traditions. Biltmore’s design team has interpreted the theme of “An 1895 Christmas” into this year’s holiday décor, taking inspiration from the estate’s archives with a focus on a traditional and classic Christmas.
Two experiences are available to enjoy Biltmore during the holiday season — the Christmas at Biltmore daytime house tour experience, and the Candlelight Christmas Evenings nighttime house tour experience. The entire estate is open to guests as part of admission to either Christmas experience. For tickets, reservations, and more information, visit Biltmore.com/visit.
Christmas at Biltmore, through Jan. 10, 2021
This beloved tradition includes a daytime tour of Biltmore House while the estate is adorned with holiday decorations that number in the thousands. A daytime visit to Biltmore is a feast for the senses, featuring wreaths, garlands, and the sparkle of ornaments. From Biltmore House to the Winery and Antler Hill Village, guests will want to linger on the estate to experience all that Christmas at Biltmore has to offer.
Candlelight Christmas Evenings, through Jan. 9, 2021
Biltmore House glows with candlelight and firelight during this nighttime tour, changing the daytime visit’s mood and experience. Candlelight Christmas Evenings in Biltmore House allows guests to step back in time with an experience reminiscent of the Vanderbilt’s first Christmas spent in Biltmore House in 1895. Musicians stationed throughout the house perform seasonal favorites. Setting the scene is a 55-foot Norway spruce encircled by 36 illuminated evergreens and shrubs sparkling in the center of the front lawn. Hand-lit luminaries line the walkway to Biltmore House.
Holiday highlights on the estate’s grounds
In addition to touring Biltmore House, holiday activities abound throughout the season. Guests can stroll through seasonal blooms and an array of tropical plants inside the Conservatory in the Walled Garden. Holiday plants and flowers will be on display including poinsettias, amaryllis, Christmas cactus, bromeliads, orchids, peace lilies, and more. The Conservatory will also feature Christmas tree-shaped planters with potted plants and natural materials. The estate’s winter gardens and miles of peaceful trails are also available for exploring.
