Thousands of twinkling lights make for instant magic at America’s largest private residence. But beyond the glow, the Biltmore festivities get even brighter with live music, seasonal food and drink, and special evening experiences.
Welcome the holiday season in style with Christmas at Biltmore—a two-month celebration featuring incredible decorations, live music, and special candlelight evening experiences at Asheville’s most famous attraction. The estate transforms each holiday season for an awe-inspiring Asheville tradition dating back more than 120 years.
Biltmore Estate reopened its doors on Nov. 2 in a display of community resolve as Asheville and Western North Carolina continue their healing journey after Hurricane Helene. As with the entire region, conditions vary by location across the 8,000-acre property. Biltmore House and the Conservatory, Winery, Gardens, and overnight properties received minimal or no damage from the storm, and significant efforts have been made to welcome back visitors in time for the holiday season.
At-a-Glance: 2024-2025 Christmas at Biltmore
- Christmas at Biltmore Daytime Celebration: November 2, 2024 - January 5, 2025
- Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore: November 2, 2024 - January 4, 2025
- Candlelight Christmas Evenings require a separate ticket for entry from daytime admission and are available by reservation only. The ticket includes an evening self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, same day or next day visit to the gardens, Antler Hill Village and Biltmore Estate Winery.
- For ticket information, please visit Biltmore's website.
Photo taken November 2024
Exploring the Estate
Across the grounds of Biltmore, you’ll find over 100 hand-decorated Christmas trees. The centerpiece, a 30+-foot-fall Fraser fir located in the Banquet Hall, requires about 50 staff members to carry in, raise, and secure. The more than 25,000 ornaments and 100,000 holiday lights twinkling throughout the Estate provide a magical ambiance, while the 1,960 live poinsettias and over 1,000 feet of fresh evergreen garland give off an aroma that completes this feast for the senses.
The Christmas at Biltmore celebration is spread across the estate with everything from holiday blooms in the gardens to an illumination display at Antler Hill Village to commemorative Christmas wine at the Winery.
Each year, Christmas at Biltmore has a different theme and different color scheme, ensuring that every holiday season at Biltmore is unique. This year's design highlights include a special focus on the Banquet Hall, drawing inspiration from questions like "What drew George Vanderbilt to this place?" The decor will highlight mountain beauty with natural yet formal elements. In the Tapestry Gallery, designer Don Holloway's approach will reflect the tapestries themselves, with weeping trees and wing-shaped leaves, and the wreaths or swags will represent the virtues depicted on the tapestries — Prudence, Hope and Charity. In the Library, designer Joslyn Petrofske is pulling inspiration from the Ming Dynasty fish bowls in the room as a nod to 2024 being the Chinese Year of the Dragon.
The finishing touch on Biltmore's holiday décor happens just before the official festivities begin: A locally grown, 35-foot Fraser Fir Christmas tree is put into place and decorated in the 7-story grand Banquet Hall.
This year, Christmas at Biltmore coincides with Chihuly at Biltmore—a new, specially curated experience of the world-renowned artist’s iconic works. Dale Chihuly's awe-inspiring creations have captivated audiences worldwide, featured in museums including the stunning Chihuly at Biltmore exhibition. Discover these mesmerizing pieces up close in the intimate gallery setting of Amherst at Deerpark. Select ticket options for Christmas at Biltmore include Chihuly at Biltmore and free next-day grounds access.
How to Experience Christmas at Biltmore
Photo taken November 2024
Enjoy the Christmas at Biltmore celebration during the day as part of your admission to the Estate. Make sure to plan ahead and book your date and time in advance. Your self-guided experience comes with a complimentary audio guide, which was recently revamped to include new stories about the Vanderbilts and their guests and is available in a variety of languages. An American Sign Language tour is available as well.
During the day, in addition to exploring Biltmore House, you can also discover the gardens and trails. Seasonal blooms and an array of tropical plants offer a warm and bright holiday stop inside the Conservatory in the Walled Garden. Displays of poinsettias in multiple colors, amaryllis, Christmas cactus, bromeliads, orchids, and peace lilies fill the historic greenhouse building.
Don’t forget to stop at Antler Hill Village where you can enjoy a free wine tasting at the Winery. During the holidays, there will be appearances from Santa on weekends and select weekdays.
Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore
Photo taken November 2024
Biltmore glows in the evening with candlelight and firelight, giving you the opportunity to experience Christmas at Biltmore in a different light. Candlelight Christmas Evenings give you the chance to experience Christmas at the Estate much the way the Vanderbilt’s did on Christmas Eve 1895 when Biltmore welcomed its first guests.
Musicians throughout the house will perform seasonal favorites as you stroll on a self-guided tour of the rooms of Biltmore House. Feel the warmth and glow of the dozens of lighted fireplaces. Before you even enter the House, you’ll be greeted by a 55-foot Norway spruce tree sparkling in the center of the front lawn, surrounded by 36 illuminated evergreens and shrubs.
At night in Antler Hill Village and the Winery, a constellation of holiday lights illuminates trees, buildings and paths. These gorgeous, draping fairy tale lights here have quickly become a must-see.
Note: Candlelight Christmas Evenings do require a separate admission and are by reservation only.
Taste Holiday Flavors at Biltmore
Throughout the Christmas at Biltmore Celebration, savor a festive meal at one of the Estate’s many restaurants including: The Bistro, Deerpark Restaurant, Stable Café, Cedric’s Tavern or The Dining Room at The Inn on Biltmore Estate. These restaurants offer favorite seasonal dishes and craft cocktails.
For a special treat, the Inn on Biltmore offers an afternoon tea. Modeled after the English high tea tradition, Biltmore’s tea includes an assortment of savory sandwiches, delicate scones served with whipped cream and lemon curd and hand-made pastries and sweets. Reservations are required.
Looking for the perfect wine to complement your meal or gift to friends? Biltmore Estate Winery has you covered. From food pairing to sampling the delicious combination of red wine and dark chocolates, the staff at Biltmore Winery can help you find just the right wine for your holiday celebrations.
How the Christmas at Biltmore Tradition Began
On Christmas Eve 1895, George Vanderbilt opened Biltmore House to family and friends for the first time. Estate records show no detail was overlooked to ensure the holiday would be a memorable experience for guests. Vanderbilt also had a special grand celebration with gifts just for the Estate's employees, a tradition family descendants still carry on today.
