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The Best of the Holiday
Season
Around The South
Historic Holidays
by Renee Wright
Some of the most famous Christmas celebrations in the nation are held at historic houses and districts decked out in their holiday finery.
Biltmore and the Carolina Mountains
On Christmas, 1895, George Vanderbilt opened his magnificent home to guests for the first time, setting a standard for holiday splendor. Today, you can be one of those guests during Christmas at Biltmore Estate, from early November through New Years.
The house is decorated with Christmas trees in every room, including a 34-foot Frazier fir in the Banquet Hall. Wreaths and garlands abound. Candlelight Evening tours are most popular and reservations are essential.
For many Carolina families, this is a Christmas tradition. Make reservations early online at www.biltmore.com or by calling 800.289.1895.
While you're at it, plan to dine at one of the Biltmore's outstanding restaurants. Their mouth-watering menus can be browsed online. Special packages that include meals are available on-line.
While you're in the area, you can select your own Christmas tree, from Sugar Plum Farms. If you can't visit, Biltmore will ship you an estate-quality tree or wreath.
On the first weekend in December, Biltmore Village dresses up in Victorian garb for the annual Dickens Festival. The Village is located just outside the estate and no admission is required.
Asheville celebrates the Season with "Light Up Your Holidays."
Beginning in November with the annual Holiday Parade, Asheville's vibrant downtown turns on with a half-million twinkling decorations and a full lineup of holiday events. Highlights include plays at the Flatrock Playhouse, Santa rappelling down Chimney Rock in preparation for his Big Day, and the Annual Cataloochee Ski & Snowboard School Torchlight Parade in Maggie Valley on the day after Christmas.
Festivities conclude on New Year's Eve with Asheville's Downtown Countdown, taking place in Pack Place, Asheville Civic Center and City-County Plaza. The complete schedule of events is posted at www.exploreasheville.com where you'll also find holiday recipes and holiday decorating tips from the Biltmore, Grove Park, and other area inns.
Asheville's luxurious Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa also hosts legendary holiday celebrations. Decorations include 25 unique trees and some 200 gingerbread houses, entries in the Inn's annual National Gingerbread House Competition (early Nov.). Other events include a Wine & Food Festival (late Nov.), weekday holiday concerts, phenomenal Thanksgiving and Christmas buffets, and special parties hosted by Major Bear, the Inn's mascot. Visit www.groveparkinn.com for details.
[Tips for making your own Gingerbread House from the Grove Park Inn experts...]
Further north, the village of Blowing Rock (www.blowingrock.com) presents an Old Fashioned Christmas throughout December. Several ski areas nearby, including Sugar Mountain and Appalachian, host special New Year's celebrations complete with fireworks.
originally published in Square Dancing Today, 2003
Photo credits: Photos courtesy of Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau
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