Hallmark returns to Biltmore for movie magic

Written by

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

(L-R) Holland Roden as Elizabeth, James Travena as James, and Andie MacDowell as Aunt Maysilee in
(L-R) Holland Roden as Elizabeth, James Travena as James, and Andie MacDowell as Aunt Maysilee in “A Grand Biltmore Christmas,” by Hallmark Media. ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer David Scott Holloway.

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.

Holland Roden as Elizabeth in
Holland Roden as Elizabeth in “A Grand Biltmore Christmas” by Hallmark Media. ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer David Scott Holloway.

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 21st 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

James Travena as James dances with Holland Roden as Elizabeth in
James Travena as James dances with Holland Roden as Elizabeth in “A Grand Biltmore Christmas” by Hallmark Media. ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer David Scott Holloway.
  • 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

(L-R) Andie MacDowell as Aunt Maysilee and Holland Roden as Elizabeth in
(L-R) Andie MacDowell as Aunt Maysilee and Holland Roden as Elizabeth in “A Grand Biltmore Christmas,” by Hallmark Media. ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer David Scott Holloway.
  • 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

Christmas decor in the Library of Biltmore House.
Always a guest-favorite, the Library of Biltmore House is adorned with Christmas decorations to welcome you for the Christmas season.

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.

Couple walks into the Vestibule of Biltmore House decorated for Christmas
A warm welcome awaits you during Christmas at Biltmore

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™!

By the numbers: Making of Hallmark’s “A Biltmore Christmas” movie

Written by

Fans of the holidays, mystery, time travel, and romantic comedy were in for a treat when A Biltmore Christmas premiered on Hallmark Channel in November 2023!

Take a peek behind the scenes with some fun, “by the numbers” tidbits about the making of this festive yuletide movie.

How to watch: Check your local listings for viewing on Hallmark Channel or stream on-demand with Hallmark TV, Netflix, Peacock, Hulu + Live TV, YouTubeTV, and other subscription services.

Bethany Joy Lenz as Lucy Hardgrove in
Bethany Joy Lenz as Lucy Hardgrove in “A Biltmore Christmas,” by Hallmark Media. @2023 Hallmark Media/Photographer David Scott Holloway.

About A Biltmore Christmas

Filmed at Biltmore in January 2023, this Hallmark movie features locations across the historic estate, including the Gardens, Conservatory, and The Inn on Biltmore Estate. Biltmore’s long history as a film location dates back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, but for the first time, Biltmore House has a central role in the storyline of A Biltmore Christmas.

The film centers on the fictional story about a modern-day screenwriter Lucy Hardgrove (Bethany Joy Lenz) and Jack Huston (Kristoffer Polaha), the dashing lead of the beloved holiday movie His Merry Wife!, first filmed at Biltmore House in 1947. The classic movie is scheduled to be re-filmed at the iconic estate, but a mysterious hourglass intervenes, and Lucy is transported back in time to 1946 as the cast and crew prepare to re-make the classic movie.

Kristoffer Polaha as Jack Huston in
Kristoffer Polaha as Jack Huston in “A Biltmore Christmas,” produced by Hallmark Media. @2023 Hallmark Media/Photographer David Scott Holloway

A behind-the-scenes look by the numbers:

  • 8 vintage cars were used during the filming of A Biltmore Christmas. 
  • 200 yards of artificial snow were used.
  • 300 Asheville-area locals were hired as extras in the movie.
  • 8,000+ people submitted applications online to be cast as extras, which Hallmark producers said is the most they’ve ever received.
  • 9 rooms inside Biltmore House were used for filming: The Library, Tapestry Gallery, Main Hallway, Staircase Hall, Vestibule, Winter Garden, Banquet Hall, the corridor around the Winter Garden, and the corridor behind the Banquet Hall.
  • 4 out of the nine rooms were decorated with a 1940s theme. Some of these rooms had multiple variations: some were made to look like an everyday room in the 1940s; a 1940s movie set; or a room set for a 1940s party. Except for the Library, all of the interiors were redecorated for present-day scenes with variations made for the “one-year later” conclusion. Wow, time travel can be confusing!
  • 2 exterior locations directly attached to Biltmore House were used for filming scenes: The Loggia and the Library Terrace.
  • 4 rooms at The Inn on Biltmore Estate were used as film sets: The Lobby, the Library Lounge, and two guest rooms.
  • 11 costumes were worn by star Bethany Joy Lenz in A Biltmore Christmas. Four of them were 1940s-era costumes. Of the collection of 1940s looks costume designer Keith Nielsen created for Lenz’s character Lucy Hardgrove, Lucy’s Finale Ballgown is perhaps the most dramatic. Nielsen sourced an original Carolina Herrera design specifically for its fabric, reminiscent of men’s tie patterns of the era. Modifications included a gathered bust that drapes around the back and the addition of a tiered tulle underlayer. Lucy’s necklace is an original 1930s Czech crystal from the collection of Nielsen. This costume will be on display at The Inn on Biltmore Estate throughout the holidays.
  • 1 hourglass is used as a plot point in the movie.
  • Biltmore is mentioned 9 times in the film.
  • 15 days of filming took place at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
In 2023, the Library Christmas Tree was based on the 1940s plot line of Hallmark’s “A Biltmore Christmas”

The magic of A Biltmore Christmas

During the 2023 Christmas season, Biltmore guests enjoyed a look at the mysterious hourglass in the Library of Biltmore House, several costumes worn by stars Bethany Joy Lenz and Kristoffer Polaha, as well as props from the set were on display at The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate, Traditions in Antler Hill Village, and at the estate’s Reception and Ticketing Sales Center.

For extra holiday-movie-magic, the décor in the Library was based on the 1940s plot line of the movie, featuring classic red and green elements, with dramatic cascades of silver-sequined tinsel adorning the room’s Christmas tree.

Biltmore House aglow during
Treat yourself to the beloved estate tradition known as Christmas at Biltmore!

Now that you’ve enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at the making of A 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!