Asheville’s Holiday Season Shines with Biltmore’s 130th Christmas, Troll Sculptures, and Musical Milestones

In Asheville, the old and the new coexist in perfect harmony. The region’s ancient Blue Ridge Mountains provide a majestic backdrop to an ever-evolving cultural landscape of fresh flavors, creative energy, and artistic innovation. This holiday season, that blend of heritage and progress takes center stage as cherished traditions return alongside imaginative new experiences that redefine the magic of the holidays in the Asheville area.

A Season of Celebration and Creativity

This year marks several milestones in Asheville’s festive calendar. Biltmore Estate celebrates its 130th Christmas, paying tribute to its storied past through décor inspired by archival letters and estate records. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Arboretum’s Winter Lights display welcomes whimsical new residents — a dozen larger-than-life troll sculptures crafted by world-renowned recycle artist Thomas Dambo. These eco-conscious creations add a touch of fantasy and environmental reflection to the beloved holiday light spectacle.

Adding to the city’s spirit of celebration, Asheville honors the 100th anniversary of the historic Asheville Sessions — a pivotal moment in the birth of country and Americana music. The centennial will be marked by live performances from acclaimed musicians and the release of remastered recordings that bring new life to the city’s musical roots.

Biltmore’s 130th Christmas: A Legacy of Grandeur

When George Vanderbilt opened Biltmore on Christmas Eve in 1895, he began a tradition that has dazzled generations. Today, the holiday season at America’s Largest Home continues to evoke the elegance and warmth of that first Christmas. Both Christmas at Biltmore and Candlelight Christmas Evenings invite visitors into an immersive world of Yuletide splendor.

This year’s décor takes inspiration from original estate records and letters. Newspaper clippings from the 1890s described Biltmore’s early Christmases as “tastefully adorned with soft lights, garlands, and red berries of holly” — motifs that return to the Banquet Hall’s stunning 35-foot Frasier Fir. In the estate’s kitchens, guests will find a faithful recreation of the inaugural Christmas dinner menu, featuring dishes like braised rabbit and plum pudding. Edith Vanderbilt’s bedroom will also shine with décor inspired by her glamorous 1920s and 30s fashion collection, now housed at the Rhode Island School of Design.

The estate’s holiday transformation includes 106 decorated Christmas trees, 7,740 yards of ribbon, 809 poinsettias, and more than 45,000 twinkling lights — each detail carefully curated to immerse visitors in timeless wonder. Christmas at Biltmore runs from November 1, 2025, through January 4, 2026.

A Holiday Season for the Ages

Whether stepping back into the grandeur of Gilded Age Christmas traditions, exploring art among the Arboretum’s glowing trolls, or rediscovering Asheville’s musical heritage, visitors this winter will find themselves inspired and reenergized. Asheville’s blend of nostalgia and innovation ensures that every holiday traveler leaves with a renewed appreciation for the magic that happens when history and creativity meet.