From Staff Reports 

The joyful spirit of the holidays combines with the nostalgia of the past to create a holiday experience like no other at Biltmore.

 Christmas at Biltmore began Nov. 6 and runs through Jan. 10. 

Grand décor of more than 100 hand-decorated and styled Christmas trees, 25,000 ornaments, 100,000 holiday lights, nearly 6,000 feet of garland, 1,200 traditional poinsettias and additional favorite holiday plants will grace Biltmore House and the estate combined.

 On Christmas Eve 1895, Biltmore founder George Vanderbilt first opened the doors of Biltmore House to family and friends. 

Just as the first guests slipped away from daily life to delight in the grandeur of the estate, those who visit 125 years later this holiday season are invited to find comfort, joy, and peace of mind in Biltmore’s Christmas traditions. Biltmore’s design team has interpreted the theme of “An 1895 Christmas” into this year’s holiday décor, taking inspiration from the estate’s archives with a focus on a traditional and classic Christmas.

 Two experiences are available to enjoy Biltmore during the holiday season -- the Christmas at Biltmore daytime house tour experience, and the Candlelight Christmas Evenings nighttime house tour experience. The entire estate is open to guests as part of admission to either Christmas experience.

Christmas at Biltmore, Nov. 6-Jan. 10

This beloved tradition includes a daytime tour of Biltmore House while the estate is adorned with holiday decorations that number in the thousands. A daytime visit to Biltmore is a feast for the senses, featuring wreaths, garlands and the sparkle of ornaments. From Biltmore House to the Winery and Antler Hill Village, guests will want to linger on the estate to experience all that Christmas at Biltmore has to offer.

Candlelight Christmas Evenings, Nov. 6-Jan. 9

Biltmore House glows with candlelight and firelight during this nighttime tour, changing the daytime visit’s mood and experience. Candlelight Christmas Evenings in Biltmore House allows guests to step back in time with an experience reminiscent of the Vanderbilt’s first Christmas spent in Biltmore House in 1895. 

From Staff Reports 

The North Carolina Arboretum’s Winter Lights holiday light show will light up hearts and spirits this holiday season but with a safe, spectacular twist. 

This year, guests are invited to take a dreamy ride through the Arboretum’s enchanted forest and experience Asheville’s brightest holiday tradition safely within their own vehicles. 

In light of COVID-19, the Arboretum has converted its popular event into a drive-through show, allowing guests to navigate through a one-mile stretch of the Arboretum’s campus and see unique exhibits covered in thousands of holiday lights. 

As the Arboretum’s largest fundraising event of the year, proceeds generated from Winter Lights will directly support the Arboretum’s mission-driven programming. 

 Designed with an artistic aesthetic, this family-friendly event features beautifully lit displays and glowing landscapes nestled along the Arboretum’s woodland edge and garden areas. 

As part of the show’s redesign, visitors will enjoy several new nature-themed displays, including winter wildlife, colorful butterflies, a special insect lantern exhibit and a giant daisy “garden.” 

Upon arrival, guests will select a special radio station that features the sounds of their favorite holiday tunes to accompany the show from inside their vehicle.

 “By converting Winter Lights into a drive-through event, the Arboretum has created an entirely new design perspective that showcases the landscape through your vehicle windshield and allows guests to feel immersed in lights at a scale that is in tune with the great outdoors,” explained Clara Curtis, senior director for mission delivery at the N.C. Arboretum and co-designer for Winter Lights. “We are excited to introduce several new features and design elements this year, along with some fun twists, that will surely delight guests and create happy moments and memories this holiday season.”

 Beyond this year’s safety measures, the Arboretum has also extended the show’s dates and times to provide better accommodation for guests. Winter Lights will be held from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 20-Jan. 10, (incoming gate closes at 10 p.m.). 

Pre-sale admission is $25 per personal vehicle and $30 at the gate the night of the event. The Arboretum is strongly encouraging guests to purchase their tickets ahead of time online at ncwinterlights.com to save on ticket fees and reserve their space.