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Candlelight Christmas Evenings at the Biltmore Estate

Published by Spencer Spellman, Writer

Country: United States

The Experience

Tucked away in the Great Smokey Mountains of North Carolina, Asheville is a hidden gem of the east coast. One of the most culturally diverse, and yet scenic cities in the south, it's a cross between the culture of New York City and the scenery of Denver. Nonetheless, despite its location in the deep south, Asheville marches to its own beat. While it has much of the ambiance of a large metro, Asheville maintains a cozy mountain-town charm. The main attraction of Asheville is the Biltmore Estate, which is the largest, privately-owned mansion in the U.S. Pair this with the spirited decor and ambiance of the Biltmore at Christmas time, and you've got one of the best holiday attractions in America.

While Biltmore is beautiful anytime of year, with its grand architecture, well-groomed vineyards, and mountainous backdrop, it's unrivaled come December. You can only imagine what must go into decorating the 135,000 square foot, 250-room mansion. Following the old chateau mansions of Europe, the Biltmore Estate was built in the late 1800s for George Washington Vanderbilt, a businessman who had enjoyed wealth due to a family that had been successful in multiple business enterprises. Today, the Biltmore mansion is still owned by the family, but now one of the most popular homes in the United States.

Located on 8,000 acres of land, visitors could spend an entire day touring the home and vineyards, and still not see everything there is to see. During the holiday season, which at the Biltmore Estate runs from early November until early January, a late-afternoon visit is ideal for seeing the Biltmore Christmas decor at its fullest. This special daytime holiday celebration at the home began decades ago and continues to this day. Each room features different Christmas trees and mantles adorned with customized ornaments, wreaths, bows, and lights. Other decor found in the home includes poinsettias and evergreen garland.

While the main attraction of the holiday tour at the Biltmore Estate is the home itself, there are several other attractions included in your tour. This includes a tour of the Biltmore gardens and the winery, which culminates with a complimentary wine tasting. For family travelers, of special interest is Antler Hill Barn, which is where children can find Santa Claus on weekends in December leading up to Christmas Day. While all these things are included in the tour, there are other holiday events that take place at the estate, including holiday decorating seminars, as well as their famous Biltmore candlelight christmas dining and lodging.

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When to Go to Biltmore Christmas

Visitors to the Biltmore Estate Christmas can enjoy the daytime holiday celebration starting in early November and running through New Year's. You can expect Biltmore to be busiest on the weekends, especially the first three weekends in December when Santa Claus appears during the afternoons on Saturday and Sunday. Mid-week afternoons are typically the best time to visit to avoid crowds.

Odds n' Ends

Since this is the most popular time of year at Biltmore Estate, you can expect ticket prices that are a little higher. Biltmore Christmas ticket prices begin at $50 for adults and include access to the house, gardens, winery, and complimentary wine tasting. Since part of the tour takes place outside, it's recommended to dress in layers and wear a coat, as winter temperatures can vary significantly in Asheville during the winter.

Places to Eat

Bistro
Located on the estate grounds, admission is required for entrance to Bistro. The restaurant is more of a cafe, featuring ingredients and foods from local farmers, with entrees like salads and sandwiches. Bistro is a great spot for a lunch break while visiting the estate.

Recommended Places to Stay

Inn on Biltmore Estate
The Inn on Biltmore Estate is the only accommodations on the grounds of the national landmark. This is a luxury inn, as it features amenities like breakfast and dinner, spa packages, and valet parking.

More Experiences Nearby

Asheville's Bele Chere Outdoor Festival
Tucked deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina is the eclectic city of Asheville, host to the annual Bele Chere Outdoor Festival. Though small in size, Asheville makes up with a diverse culture that draws comparisons to the likes of New York City and San Francisco. While it offers unique cultural experiences anytime of the year, there's no better time to experience Asheville than in July when it hosts the annual Bele Chere Festival. Surrounded by rolling hills in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it may be surprising to many to find such a diverse metro situated in a ...3 miles away.

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Books and DVDs

Lady on the Hill: How Biltmore Estate Became an American Icon
Backroads of North Carolina: Your Guide to Great Day Trips & Weekend Getaways

Elsewhere on the Web

Candlelight Christmas Evenings - Biltmore.com

Media References

Immerse Yourself in Christmas Tradition at Biltmore - PR Newswire (newspaper)

Language Guides

French , Hindi , Indonesian , Italian , Japanese , Lao , Malay , Mandarin , Portugese , Russian , Spanish , Thai , Turkish , Vietnamese are some of the languages spoken in United States. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

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