Hallmark returns to Biltmore for movie magic

Hallmark Channel travels back in time, once again, to create Gilded Age movie magic with A Grand Biltmore Christmas premiering Saturday, December 5, at 8/7c, on Hallmark Channel and streaming next day on Hallmark+!

Here are a few of our favorite “by the numbers” fun facts about making this new holiday classic.

About A Grand Biltmore Christmas

Filmed at Biltmore in January 2026, this Hallmark original movie features locations across the historic estate. Biltmore’s long history as a film location dates back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, but this is only the second time that Biltmore Estate has a central role in the storyline: The first was in Hallmark’s A Biltmore Christmas filmed here in 2023.

The movie begins as Biltmore House opens for the first time on Christmas Eve 1895. Holiday guests include 13-year-old Elizabeth and her family. She notices Michael, a fellow teen caught trespassing by the staff, and comes to his rescue by claiming to know him, much to his relief. The two share an instant connection and set out to explore the estate, but Michael inexplicably vanishes.

Twenty years later, Elizabeth (Holland Roden) returns to Biltmore accompanied by her Aunt Maysilee (Andie MacDowell) and a suitor (James Trevena). When a stranger asks Elizabeth to dance at the Christmas gala she’s shocked to discover it’s Michael (Niall Matter). Thrilled to reunite with her friend, she throws herself into his arms. But the world around her changes in an instant when Elizabeth is transported into the modern world with Michael, a tourist from the present day who had traveled to the past 20 years prior with the help of a magical hourglass in Biltmore’s Library. 

As Elizabeth experiences life and Christmas in the 21^st century, she and Michael become close. When the time comes for her to return to 1915, Elizabeth must decide whether she’ll resume the life that’s been chosen for her or if her heart will lead her down a new path in the present. 

Fun facts: Locations and effects by the numbers

• 14 days of filming took place at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
• 26 different locations were used for filming inside Biltmore House, including rooms and hallways.
• 9 or more locations were filmed outside the house, including the roof, Front Entrance, Stable Courtyard, Conservatory, Esplanade, Statue of Diana, Walled Garden, and Bass Pond, plus various areas of the grounds overlooking the estate.
  • 8 locations at and around Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate.
  • 5 locations at The Inn on Biltmore Estate.
• 6 vintage cars and 3 horse-drawn carriages were used during the filming of A Grand Biltmore Christmas. 
• 500 visual effects shots to help reproduce Biltmore during the 1895 and 1915 portions of the movie, including removal of anything modern on the grounds and augmenting the real snow that fell during filming.

Fun facts: Wardrobe “wows” by the numbers

• 6 costume houses from all over the country, including local Flatrock Playhouse, were used to achieve the types of costumes needed for the different time periods. 
• 9 costumes were worn by star Holland Roden in A Grand Biltmore Christmas. Four of them were Gilded Age-era costumes. Keith Nielsen, costume designer, created the custom ballgown worn by Elizabeth (Roden), building it onsite at Biltmore prior to filming. Elizabeth’s ballgown features a lace piece under a vest over layer with a tie accentuated by glimmering strands of embellishment. This costume will be on display at Biltmore throughout the holidays.
• 6 period costumes were worn by Aunt Maysilee (Andie MacDowell), including a lace ballgown featuring bold sleeves, empire waist, and dramatic alternating layers of black and white. This costume will be on display at Biltmore throughout the holidays.
• 150 costumes were worn by background artists for period scenes.
• One of a kind:
  • 1 diamond necklace worn with Elizabeth’s ballgown by Avermore jewelry, designed by George and Edith Vanderbilt’s great-great granddaughter Aubrey Vanderbilt Cecil Baliles.
  • 1 pair of gloves worn by Elizabeth are the same gloves Bethany Joy Lenz wore in the first movie (A Biltmore Christmas, 2023).
  • 1 of Elizabeth’s coats features an embroidery motif of Biltmore’s front gates on the sleeves.
  • 1 sweater was custom designed by Biltmore for this movie.
  • 1 hourglass is once again used as a plot point in the movie.

A Grand Biltmore Christmas movie magic

During the 2026 Christmas season, Biltmore guests can enjoy a look at the mysterious hourglass in the Library of Biltmore House, several costumes worn by stars Holland Roden and Andie MacDowell that are on display at The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate, and Traditions in Antler Hill Village.

For extra holiday-movie-magic, look for actor Jonathan Frakes reprising his 2023 role from A Biltmore Christmas as Winston, the estate’s enigmatic caretaker, who helps everyone find their way, just in time for a happy ending.

Now that you’ve enjoyed a first look at the making of A Grand Biltmore Christmas, book your tickets or special overnight stay packages on Biltmore Estate so you can experience iconic Hallmark movie magic for yourself this Christmas at Biltmore™!