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Visit itinerary: Biltmore’s Luminere evening experience

Written By Heather Angel

Posted 2/23/26

Updated 2/9/26

Exhibitions & Activities

As day turns to dusk, Biltmore’s Blue Ridge Mountain views and stunning landscapes set the stage for romantic strolls, playful family time in the Italian Garden, and deeper exploration of our remarkable history. 

Since any time of day is beautiful at Biltmore, we’ve curated a Luminere itinerary that you can customize for a perfect visit with your loved ones. 

Let’s go!

Select Luminere admission tickets and overnight stay bundles include a daytime Biltmore House visit!

🏰 Morning through afternoon: Explore Biltmore House and Gardens  

Long before the sun sets, historic Biltmore House reveals architectural delights, fine art and furnishings, and meaningful personal stories of the family who made this Gilded Age masterpiece their home. 

For daytime Biltmore House access (and the best value), either a Luminere, House & Grounds ticket or special overnight package will provide an enlightening audio-guided experience of an epic American landmark. Or, if you prefer, simply awaken your senses wandering Biltmore’s historic gardens and discovering exotic flora in the Conservatory. 

Tip: Select Luminere evening tickets offer access (same or next day) to explore the estate grounds, including our gardens, grounds, Antler Hill Village & Winery, shops, and restaurants.  For details on complimentary same or next-day access, visit our FAQs here 

Throughout the estate, you’ll find Luminere-inspired field to table dining options.

🍨 Afternoon: Unwind in Antler Hill Village  

A perfect way to immerse yourself in the Biltmore experience is to spend an afternoon in our charming, European-inspired village—savoring estate-crafted wines at the Winery or Wine Bar, discovering Luminere-inspired menus and estate-grown delicacies at our restaurants, strolling curated boutique shops, or enjoying live music on select dates in the village center.  

Families will find plenty of things to do with the Outdoor Adventure Center, Pisgah Playground, Farmyard, and Antler Hill Barn. Make it even more memorable with tasty treats from The Creamery!  
 
When it is time to head to the Luminere event, allow ample time to travel to the Biltmore House & Gardens area. It can take 30–45 minutes to drive from Antler Hill Village, The Inn, or the main estate entrance to the event location—but it’s worth it to take in the enthralling historic and natural sites along our beautiful, expansive, and still thriving estate. 

Tip: Daytime guests can bypass event check-in at the Biltmore House area by stopping at the Guest Services station in Antler Hill Village to pick up required Luminere wristbands. Overnight guests will receive wristbands from your front desk concierge and enjoy complimentary transportation to and from the event. 

During Luminere, take advantage of our complimentary shuttles from Park & Ride lots, and from the Gardens to Biltmore House.

🎫 Early evening: A warm Luminere welcome and exclusive Artistic Legacies tour  

To ease into your evening, our “Park & Ride” lots offer complimentary shuttles to and from the event. After check-in, you’ll enjoy a scenic ride featuring exclusive melodies that welcome you to Luminere. If you prefer to walk, choose our “Park & Walk” lots and stroll toward Biltmore House, where you will check in for the evening’s event at the North Gate. Guests who stay with us at The Inn, Village Hotel, or one of our premium Cottages on the estate enjoy complimentary transportation to and from the event, melting into the estate’s expansive scenic views and Luminere’s signature sounds along the way! 

Special evening access to Biltmore House is available only with a Luminere, Exclusive Tour & Grounds ticket for our all-new Artistic Legacies guided tour.  At your reserved time, expert guides greet your party at the entrance of Biltmore House for an experience that uncovers untold family stories through Vanderbilt art collections, a never-before-seen display of Cornelia Vanderbilt’s original artwork, and a view into how the family’s lasting love of the arts continues today. 

Tip: After 5 p.m. on Luminere evenings, the House & Gardens area (including the Conservatory, shops, and restaurants) will only be accessible to guests with Luminere admission. Pick up your required Luminere wristband for smooth access to the full experience! Available at the Park & Ride building, Park & Walk North Gate entrance, hotel front desks, or Guest Services locations at Biltmore House and Antler Hill Village.

As the sun begins to set, settle into your evening with a pre-ordered Chef picnic, games, or a glass of Biltmore wine!

🍷Evening to sunset: Wine, dine, unwind (and even family playtime!) 

Arrive well before nightfall for an evening to remember. Biltmore’s gardens and grounds are open for you to enjoy with loved ones, as originally designed (but with contemporary delights)! 

For a romantic night out, you can pre-order a Chef-prepared artisanal picnic, enjoy estate-grown delicacies from the evening menu at Stable Café, and browse for mementos in boutique shops. As the sun sets, enjoy a leisurely stroll in the softening light through the historic gardens or share a toast with handcrafted Biltmore wines and specialty cocktails while admiring panoramic Blue Ridge Mountain views from the South Terrace. 

Biltmore has always been a magical place for little ones, so we created a family-friendly zone with both Gilded Age-era lawn games and modern activities in the Italian Garden. Grab kid- and adult-friendly light bites in the Stable Courtyard, then spread a blanket and play into the evening.   

Look around and remember, these are the spectacular views that inspired George Vanderbilt to create this special place 130 years ago, and what his descendants continue to preserve today.

Tip: Some areas have stairs or uneven, unpaved paths due to the historic design. All guests can ride the complimentary Garden Shuttle for an easy trip from the Walled Garden to the Biltmore House level, as well as to the Parking Lot locations. Lodging guests have dedicated shuttles that return to the hotel locations. All shuttles are wheelchair-accessible and stroller-friendly. For more information, click here. 

You’ll experience Biltmore like never before with the lights, sounds, and stories of Luminere.

✨ After dark: Biltmore’s story comes alive

As night falls, Biltmore House & Gardens transform into an enchanting nightscape of light, sound, and story!  

Under starlit skies, the Biltmore House façade becomes a canvas for an animated reflection of the lives upstairs and downstairs inside this grand home. Today’s generation of family members welcomes you to discover its unique 130-year history and appreciation for the community that has sustained it.

Wandering throughout Biltmore’s gardens, you will discover dream-like scenes with colorful lightscapes and custom musical scores that illuminate the night. As you meander, seamless transitions between gardens allow you to pause, ponder, and play at your own pace. Each element of the Luminere light and sound experience has been thoughtfully designed by a compilation of artists.  

As evening draws to a close and you lean into your unforgettable memories, we hope that you feel the warm embrace of our family and the appreciation of the community that built this cherished place together. Inspired by the Vanderbilts’ love and patronage of the art, design, and architecture reflected throughout the estate, Luminere continues the family’s commitment to preserving the beauty of the past while creating new artistic experiences for future generations to explore. 

Tip: The brief show on the Biltmore House façade replays throughout the evening, so that you can catch an optimal view any time. A designated Accessible Viewing Area near Biltmore House will ensure clear, comfortable sightlines for everyone. A map will be available to help you navigate this experience.

Not only does Biltmore House come alive at night during Luminere… so do the gardens!

How to make the most of your Luminere evening: 

To prepare for your Biltmore Estate visit, we recommend exploring our Visitor Information section. 

You won’t want to miss taking advantage of golden hour views and special activities included with your Luminere admission!

Ready for an evening at Biltmore’s new Luminere experience? 

Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, we invite you to slow down, savor the moment, take in the scenery, and discover Biltmore in a whole new light! 

Explore our tickets and overnight stay packages to book your Luminere visit today. 

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