Biltmore has many exciting events scheduled in the coming year! Below you'll find a schedule of what you can uncover at Biltmore in 2008. You can also visit www.biltmore.com for updated calendar information.
2008 Biltmore Calendar of Events
Sunday, March 23
Easter Egg Hunt
Celebrate spring at Biltmore with extraordinary Easter egg hunts on the grounds of the estate. Held on the front lawn of Biltmore House, children ages 2-9 can participate in one of several hunts throughout the day complete with prizes, magic shows and visits from the Easter Rabbit. Children 5 years old and younger may attend the egg hunt for free when accompanied by an estate pass holder or a ticketed adult.
April 5-May 18
23rd Annual Festival of Flowers
Discover the beauty of the estate during Biltmore's Festival of Flowers, when our stunning floral displays usher in spring. Explore the gardens, including such fragrant and colorful exhibitions as cheerful tulips in the Walled Garden, cascades of native and exotic blooms in surrounding gardens and along walking trails, as well as delicate arrangements inside Biltmore House. On the weekends, Biltmore provides family festivities, including dancing, music and whimsical skits. The Biltmore Winery joins the celebration with a commemorative Festival of Flowers wine, music, wine programs and children's activities on Saturday and Sunday. River Bend Farm offers crafters, bluegrass music and storytelling along with the chance to visit the Farmyard and Kitchen Garden.
May 24-26, July 4-6, Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Winery Summer Holiday Weekends
The Biltmore Winery welcomes summer with festivities beginning the last weekend in May. Enjoy live music, complimentary wine programs, cooking demonstrations, barrel tastings, guided production tours and children's activities. Round out the visit with a self-guided tour and complimentary tasting of the winery's award-winning wines.
May 30
Louis XV Exhibition Opens
The estate always offers something new to discover. This summer, the Biltmore House will feature a new exhibit, sure to entice a deeper exploration of Biltmore history.
Aug. 1-16
Summer Evening Concerts*
Biltmore House and the Blue Ridge Mountains serve as the backdrop for an amazing musical experience. Held on the South Terrace of George W. Vanderbilt's 250-room chateau, the 12th Annual Summer Evening Concert Series offers guests an incomparable setting for enjoying an eclectic variety of music under a canopy of stars. Past performers for these weekend events include Alison Krauss, the B-52's, Clay Aiken, the Indigo Girls, Bruce Hornsby, Tony Bennett and the Doobie Brothers. Reservations are required for this event.
Aug. 29-Sept. 14
Floral Carpet
Fredrick Law Olmstead, of Central Park fame, began the tradition of beautiful landscaped gardens and natural forests on the estate. This year, Biltmore continues to expand this legacy with an imaginative twist, creating a lush floral carpet to blanket the South Terrace, sure to delight all those who explore Biltmore's grounds. A large arrangement of colorful summer blooms will cover the ground in a design inspired by one of many historic treasures within Biltmore House.
Nov. 7, 2008-Jan. 4, 2009
Christmas at Biltmore
More than a century ago, George Vanderbilt chose this magical season as the time to unveil his new home to family and friends. On Christmas Eve 1895, he opened Biltmore House's doors for a regal yuletide celebration. This year's Christmas at Biltmore promises another extravagant celebration, complete with Christmas trees, wreaths and bows, poinsettias, evergreen garlands and ornaments. The Biltmore House decorations wouldn't be complete without the 35-foot Fraser fir in the Banquet Hall, where the organ plays festive music to fill the halls with holiday cheer.
Nov. 7, 2008-Jan. 1, 2009
Candlelight Christmas Evenings*
An enchanted spell falls over Biltmore House as day darkens into dusk. Illuminated by candlelight, firelight and twinkling Christmas trees, Biltmore House glows with holiday spirit, appearing much as it would have at the turn of the 19th century. Priceless treasures, from richly woven tapestries to antiques and rare artwork, glisten in the gentle light. Tunes from the Banquet Hall's 1916 Skinner pipe organ and carols from choirs and ensembles fill the halls with festive sounds.
Candlelight Christmas Evenings tickets are available by reservation only, and include an evening self-guided candlelight tour of Biltmore House, next-day visit to the gardens and Biltmore Estate Winery.
*Evening events available by reservation only. Events and dates are subject to change; for the most up-to-date details, visit biltmore.com.
For more information, visit www.biltmore.com.
(Images provided by the Biltmore Estate.)
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