Biltmore Estate Reopens for the Holidays After Closure Prompted by Hurricane Helene

The Vanderbilt family opened the doors of Biltmore House for the first time on Christmas Eve in 1895. Christmas at Biltmore displays more than 100 hand-decorated Christmas trees, 25,000 ornaments, 100,000 holiday lights, nearly 6,000 feet of garland, and 1,200 poinsettias throughout the house and estate. ExploreAsheville.com

The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, announced it will be reopening for the holiday season in November after Hurricane Helene left a path of destruction throughout the western part of the state.

“Thanks to the incredible work of so many generous people, recovery is happening all around us,” the Biltmore Company said on its website. “Biltmore plans to reopen and celebrate the joy of the holiday season together during Christmas at Biltmore, beginning November 2.”

The Biltmore has witnessed community resilience for over 125 years, the company said.

“The compassion and resolve of our region have been rising every day from beneath the weight of this storm’s impact,” the company said.

Throughout its 8,000-acre property, the storm damage has been minimal to no damage.

The construction of the 250-room French chateau—commonly called America’s largest home—took place from 1889 to 1895 and is still owned by descendants of the Vanderbilts.

In 1963, the Biltmore Estate was designated a National Historic Landmark.

The House itself remained undamaged after Helene, a Category 4 hurricane, dropped 40 trillion gallons of water on multiple Southern states between Sept. 24 and 29, generating floodwaters that destroyed infrastructure throughout the mountain region.

As of Oct. 21, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ death count is at 95.

The company closed the estate due to minor storm damage and the absence of water and power. While closed, it has participated in recovery efforts within the Asheville community, including its employees.

“Western North Carolina has been our family’s home for more than 125 years, and we are devastated to see Helene’s impact on our region,” said Biltmore President and CEO, Bill Cecil in a statement. “We remain committed to supporting our employees and neighbors in the aftermath of this unprecedented storm and the long-term recovery efforts. Now more than ever, we must work together to stabilize and rebuild this community.”

The company donated $2 million through the newly established Biltmore Relief Fund for WNC, which it said was inspired by the philanthropic efforts of George and Edith Vanderbilt.

Those funds will be distributed to community organizations such as the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County, and the Mountain Strong Fund for Business Recovery.

“We are heartbroken for our friends, family, and neighbors across this region who have been devastated by this storm,” the company said. “To our first responders, utility workers, and community volunteers, we are deeply grateful for your endless compassion, care, and courage. We will all work together to recover from this unprecedented event.”