PHOTO TOUR: Christmas at Biltmore 2019
By Jason Tarr
Biltmore shines with holiday grandeur as Christmas at Biltmore 2019 gets underway.
Red and gold trimmings provide a feast for the eyes at Biltmore, where the Christmas decorations epitomize elegance. The ornate decorations transport you back in time and showcase a tradition that dates back more than 120 years.
While Christmas at Biltmore is a long-standing tradition, every year is different featuring different themes, colors, and different decorations from the Biltmore collection.
This year, the stunning decorations inside the home and across the estate feature more than 55 hand-decorated trees, including the 35-foot Fraser Fir that anchors the grand Banquet Hall. Thousands of lights help Biltmore to sparkle. And, poinsettias brighten the rooms inside the home and in the Conservatory garden. Also, don't miss the light display in Antler Hill Village (perfect for photos!) and the 7,000 globe-shaped ornaments that adorn the ceiling of the Biltmore Winery tasting room.
Join us on this photo tour of the 2019 decorations in some of the home's most iconic rooms. These photos were taken during the daytime Christmas at Biltmore celebration. At night, Biltmore lights the dozens of fireplaces in the home and live music adds to the special ambiance for Candlelight Christmas Evenings.
While these photos provide a sneak peek, you'll find visiting the estate in person is how you'll truly feel the magic of Christmas at Biltmore.
Christmas at Biltmore runs November 1, 2019 through January 4, 2020. Plan your visit today with the help of our Christmas at Biltmore guide.
Banquet Hall
The 7-story high Banquet Hall is the centerpiece of the Christmas at Biltmore celebration. A 35-foot Fraser fir is trimmed with packages, lights and ornaments. Toys surround the bottom of the tree, which comes from Andrews Nursery in Newland, N.C. The grand fireplace, lit during the evenings for Candlelight Christmas Evenings (requires separate admission), is decked with matching-colored adornments. Pay close attention as you explore this room for all the details -- from the ornaments to the centerpieces to the carvings on the wall.
The Library
George Vanderbilt loved reading and had a personal collection of 22,000 books. Garland and bows frame the large fireplace in his library. This season, the tree is draped with garland and large crimson wreaths adorn the windows.
Winter Garden
When you enter Biltmore House, one of the first rooms you'll see is the Winter Garden. Natural light streams in from the glass ceiling to illuminate the poinsettias and fresh garland.
Tapestry Gallery
A row of sparkling Christmas Trees help illuminate the intricate tapestries. Look closely (but don't touch!) the beautiful ornaments on each tree appear to relate with the images on the tapestries. For example, you'll notice sun-shaped ornaments match a sun motif in the tapestry.
Breakfast Room
The inviting Breakfast Room is a gem during the holidays. Notice the golden pears placed on each plate on the table.
Upstairs Rooms
On the upper floors, you'll find many of the bedrooms, including Mr. Vanderbilt's bedroom.
Biltmore Winery
What a whimsical wine tasting setting! The 7,000 globe-shaped ornaments carefully hung from the ceiling will give you the feeling of being among the bubbles in a wine glass.
Photos by Jason Tarr of ExploreAsheville.com.
