Christmas at Biltmore in Asheville - Timed Entry

Christmas at Biltmore in Asheville - Timed Entry -- Come share in the tradition of Christmas at the Biltmore Estate! The largest privately owned home in America, with a priceless collection of arts and antiques original to the Vanderbilt home....find yourself stepping back into America's history.

The magnificent estate first welcomed family and friends with joyful celebrations and decorations on Christmas Eve 1895. Today, in keeping with the Vanderbilts' hospitable tradition, Biltmore celebrates the season with lavish decorations inspired by the grandeur of the house and its surroundings.

Tour this incredible 8,000-acre mansion with its 250-room Biltmore House, 75 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, and the nation's most visited winery.

These admissions are for the very busiest days during the holiday season and require Timed Entry tickets that must be picked up by 9:00 am on the day of the tour.

Timed Entry Admissions

Special events, such as Christmas at Biltmore, usually result in higher attendance than usual. We have created a timed entry system for such days, allowing you time in Biltmore House without the distraction of large crowds. Here's how the timed entry system works:

~ You must arrive by 9:00 am to ensure entrance to the estate.
~ Pick up your timed entry pass at the Reception & Ticket Center or at the Timed Entry Booth (white tent) in front of Biltmore House to reserve a specific time to tour Biltmore House. Times are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
~ Guests must have a Timed Entry pass for each member of their party, including children 5 years and younger.
~ Your assigned timed entry may result in a wait for entrance to tour the Biltmore House. While you wait, we invite you to shop, enjoy a snack in the Stable area, or visit the Conservatory and gardens while waiting for your assigned entry time.
~ Guests MUST keep their Timed entry pass to be allowed re-entry.
~ During Christmas at Biltmore Estate, Timed Entry will be accompanied by early opening times. Biltmore House will open at 8:30 am on Timed Entry Days in November and December.
~ Please note that advanced-purchase tickets do not guarantee entry on timed entry days. You must arrive by 9:00 am to pick up your timed entry pass.

Non-Timed Entry Dates

To order for all other dates in December (not Timed Entry dates) please click Christmas at Biltmore in Asheville North Carolina.

Biltmore Estate

Fresh natural greenery, berries, and Frasier firs decorate the house in the spirit of the season. The dramatic 35-foot-tall Banquet Hall tree twinkles with white lights and oversize ornaments and is centered beneath the restored 1916 Skinner pipe organ, just as in Vanderbilt's day.

Spectacular decorations are throughout the mansion, while traditional carols from the Banquet Hall organ can be heard throughout the house day or night. A variety of other activities at Biltmore Estate Winery includes self-guided tours, seminars, cooking demonstrations and complimentary wine tastings that all serve to supply visitors with holiday entertaining ideas.

After touring more than 60 rooms in the house, the Stable Courtyard is a great place to recharge with refreshments or a visit to several quaint shops. Tour the house and then have the rest of the day to discover the spectacular gardens and woodlands. The huge estate of thousands of acres was planned by Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed New York's Central Park.

There are lovely and inspiring reflecting ponds with statuary around the Italian Gardens which offer a unique walk into the world of the Biltmore garden and its paths. Visit the Walled Garden and it's four acres of beauty and the nearby Conservatory. Continue on to the Bass Pond for a quiet and peaceful break before more exploration of this majestic estate.

Please book early as this tour requires 72 hours minimum advance reservations.

Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate:
What is the single most important tip for estate visitors? Take your time. Guests continually tell us that they are amazed by the size of the estate and all the things to see and do. So allow enough time to take it all in.

Plan to arrive as early in the morning as possible. With so much to do on the estate every day, if you start bright and early, you should have enough time to visit Biltmore House, gardens, winery, and Historic Horse Barn. Allow time for rests, refreshments, meals, and shopping.

When you come, wear your most comfortable walking shoes, and dress in layers so you can adapt to our changeable mountain weather. Remember, the estate is enormous, and some of the venues several miles apart, so you will definitely need a car to get around. Parking is plentiful and free.

Above all, have a great time. Our guests always do.

Daytime guests can enjoy their self-guided walking visit that takes them through three floors and the basement. This will require maneuvering approximately 350 stairs throughout the visit.

There is an elevator that will access the first and second floors of the House that are wheelchair accessible, but the third floor and basement will require maneuvering approximately 60 stairs (30 up and 30 down).

Duration: At own pace, average visit is 90-minutes.

~ No photography or video allowed inside of Biltmore House
~ Guests will need to be physically able to walk four stories involving 350 stairs to see all open areas of Biltmore House.
~ No coat check available at Biltmore House (limited number of small lockers are available at restroom facility building)
~ Biltmore House will close one hour after the Front Door closes

Tickets are non-refundable / non-exchangeable. MUST ORDER MORE THAN 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE. This tour does not offer hotel pick-up or drop-off. Child rate applies to ages 10 to 16. Children 9 and under are free but all children must have Timed Entry tickets. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-804-9479.