In a world that’s constantly changing, there’s something to be said about the comfort of tradition. And during the holiday season, no place exudes Christmas cheer quite like the Biltmore in Asheville, which has celebrated the holidays each year for more than a century. 2020 marked the 125th anniversary of when George Vanderbilt first opened Biltmore House to his friends and family.
“He built the house, moved in in October 1895 and December was the first time people came to visit,” explains LeeAnn Donnelly, Biltmore’s senior public relations manager. “You could think of it as a housewarming party.”
The modern-day celebration, which began in 1976, typically attracts some 400,000 guests between November and January. Despite many changes to keep visitors and staff safe this year due to COVID-19 (including mask requirements indoors), the Biltmore still plans to glorify the festive season this year with a theme of an 1895 Christmas.
“Biltmore and the holidays are a match made in heaven – it’s so lovely and beautiful and peaceful here, and I think that people who visit would agree that it’s just a wonderful tradition,” Donnelly says.
See more: Behind the Biltmore Estate: 7 Things You Didn't Know About America's Largest Home
– Kelsey Ogletree
Visit Antler Hill Village
Near Biltmore House, the village where the winery is located also includes shops, restaurants, a farmyard, a bandstand and Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate. During the holidays, the Village is decked out in lights – including waterfall lights “dripping” from surrounding trees. Bundle up and stop by The Creamery ice cream shop to pick up a s’mores kit and roast marshmallows at the bonfire. A sign of the times, Kris Kringle will be wearing a mask, yet visiting with children nonetheless in the bandstand on weekends.
