News Release

Christmas tree-raising kicks off Biltmore’s 130th holiday season

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 29, 2025)

The holidays are underway at Biltmore as estate employees gathered this morning to place the finishing decoration in Biltmore House. A majestic 35-foot-tall Fraser fir weighing 2,500 pounds took its place in the Banquet Hall as the centerpiece of Christmas at Biltmore.

The tree-raising tradition signals that the estate is ready to welcome guests when Christmas at Biltmore begins Nov. 1, and runs through Jan. 4, 2026.

Christmas at Biltmore draws more than 300,000 visitors from around the country to experience the grandeur of America’s Largest Home and the charm of Asheville during the holidays. This year has special significance: it marks the 130th anniversary of the first Christmas in Biltmore House, celebrated in 1895 by George Vanderbilt.

“It’s deeply meaningful to see how the spirit of hospitality and wonder that my great-great-grandfather envisioned continues to thrive after 130 years,” said Chase Pickering, Biltmore’s vice president of guest experience and great-great-grandson of George Vanderbilt. “Christmas at Biltmore has always been about creating joy, connection, and memories that last a lifetime, and it’s an honor to see that legacy carried forward each year.”

130 years of holiday heritage

In celebration of this milestone year, Biltmore’s design team delved deep into the estate’s archives to recreate the spirit of that first Vanderbilt Christmas, drawing inspiration from letters, estate records, and even century-old grocery lists.

The Christmas décor in each room in Biltmore House tells its own story (here are a few):

• The Banquet Hall features décor inspired by the Vanderbilt family’s love of the outdoors, including rich greens, burnished coppers, feathers, antlers, and traditional plaids that reflect the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• Kitchens capture the bustle of holiday preparations, inspired by grocery lists for the estate’s first Christmas feast.
• Mrs. Vanderbilt’s Bedroom takes a fashion-forward interpretation of the Gilded Age, drawing from Edith Vanderbilt’s wardrobe collection now housed at the Rhode Island School of Design.

Visit planning

There are two ticket options for touring Biltmore House during the Christmas season:

• Christmas at Biltmore daytime experience runs Nov. 1 through Jan. 4, 2026. Experience Christmas on a grand scale with dozens of trees decorated with miles of ribbon, garlands, and lights.
• Candlelight Christmas Evenings runs Nov. 1 through Jan. 3, 2026. Candlelight, firelight, and live music bring warmth to the extravagant holiday décor of Biltmore House, creating an evening to remember.

Christmas at Biltmore’s celebration extends across the 8,000-acre estate:

• In the Conservatory, a greenhouse completed in 1895 to showcase Vanderbilt’s collection of exotic plants, each season is transformed into a living work of art. Highlights this Christmas include an eight-foot living wall of bromeliads, a sleigh filled with white poinsettias, a seven-foot poinsettia tree, and winter-blooming orchids.
• At Antler Hill Village, illumination displays feature over 75,000 lights, and Santa makes appearances on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m., as well as additional dates around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• Guests can also explore the limited-time exhibition Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures.

The visit continues with Christmas wine at the Winery and festive menus in restaurants. For the ultimate getaway, Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate, The Inn on Biltmore Estate, and private cottages offer special holiday packages, including the opportunity to wake up on George Vanderbilt’s estate on Christmas morning. Guests are encouraged to plan their visits early and make reservations for estate dining and overnight stays.

Holiday savings

Seasonal savings are at Biltmore.com:

• Up to $30 off select midweek tickets
• Free next-day access to the estate with select ticket purchases
• Kids ages 9 and under receive free admission

Media resources

• Photography
• B-Roll
• Fact Sheet | Christmas at Biltmore by the Numbers

About Biltmore

Established in 1895 in Asheville, North Carolina, Biltmore was created by George Vanderbilt as a restorative mountain getaway on a thoughtfully planned, self-sustaining estate. The property is still privately owned by his descendants and welcomes guests year-round for cultural experiences within its 8,000-acre grounds. Centered around Biltmore House, the 250-room château known as America’s Largest Home, this beloved National Historic Landmark is comprised of renowned gardens, conserved forests and farmland, more than 20 miles of nature trails, Antler Hill Village, and an award-winning Winery. The estate also features a collection of restaurants, retail shops, and overnight accommodations, including a four-star luxury Inn, a charming hotel, and carefully restored private cottages. To learn more, visit Biltmore.com or call 877-BILTMORE.