Holidays In NC

Christmas at Biltmore

Known as one of the Southeast's most beloved and storied holiday travel destinations, Christmas at Biltmore begins in early November and runs through New Year's Day. Candlelight Christmas Evenings, offering evening candlelight tours of Biltmore House, begin in mid-November and run through late December.

photo courtesy of Biltmore

This year's Christmas displays throughout Biltmore House, the gardens and grounds follow an art motif, with inspiration coming from various art forms found in and around Biltmore House. Each decorated tree and its complementing display pieces are designed to accent a particular piece of art found in a room, or composed around an expression of art such as the literary arts or music.

On Christmas Eve 1895, the Vanderbilts opened Biltmore House for the first time to friends and family. In subsequent years, the couple welcomed family, friends and the estate's employees into the Banquet Hall for the annual Christmas party. Each child who lived on the estate at that time received a gift from the Vanderbilt family.

Biltmore's modern-day Christmas celebration is modeled on that first Christmas, with an elaborately decorated, 35-foot tall Fraser fir dominating the Banquet Hall. Guests see 68 trees throughout Biltmore House each intricately designed and decorated by members of Biltmore's floral team. Miles of fresh garland and wreaths create a yuletide scent throughout the House, with approximately 1,000 red and white poinsettias in the Winter Garden and other areas.

photo courtesy of Biltmore

Guests can pick up Biltmore decorating secrets during free holiday craft seminars offered at A Gardener's Place in the lower part of the Conservatory, near the Walled Garden. Classes are offered four times daily: "Wreath-Making" (11 a.m. and 2 p.m.) and "Tabletop Inspirations" (1 and 3 p.m.).

In Antler Hill Village, Santa visits with children and families from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 10 through Dec. 23, 2012. Antler Hill Village links to the Winery, where visitors can take guided tours, enjoy free wine tastings and purchase wines from Biltmore's diverse portfolio, including the limited edition 2012 Christmas at Biltmore Wine. Special wine seminars are also available.

Candlelight Christmas Evenings
Nov. 9 – Dec. 31, 2012
Biltmore House takes on a warm glow during Candlelight Christmas Evenings, even an air of mystery, creating a unique holiday experience for guests. Local choirs and small musical ensembles stationed in the Winter Garden perform music of the season as guests enter Biltmore House. Soloists perform traditional Christmas music throughout the house as guests wander among the decorated rooms. The front lawn glows with a 55-foot Norway spruce, lit by approximately 40,000 tiny white lights.

Candlelight evening tours are not offered Dec. 24 or 25. Guests may also visit Antler Hill Village when they attend Candlelight Christmas Evenings.

Holiday Dining & Lodging
Guests can enjoy a festive meal at Bistro, Deerpark Restaurant, Stable Café, Cedric's Tavern or The Dining Room at Inn on Biltmore Estate. For guests looking to extend their stay at Biltmore, the four-star Inn offers several packages for holidays, including special New Year's Eve packages. Biltmore boasts retail shops, all perfect for holiday gift shopping. Other activities include horse and carriage rides (blankets provided) and exploring acres of landscaped gardens.

article courtesy of Biltmore

added: December 3, 2012
updated: December 3, 2012

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