Evoking the style, atmosphere, décor and cuisine of Christmases Past has been a Biltmore Village tradition for 24 years. Charles Dickens, the late 19th and early 20th century Victorian writer, wrote the famous book, A Christmas Carol which was later made into a movie. Taking its cue from Dickens’s masterpiece, Biltmore Village’s restaurants, cafes and retail shops come alive with vintage clothing, entertainment and food from the Dickens era on the first weekend of December each year.

Live performances during A Dickensian Christmas

This year the celebration begins on November 30 (5-7 pm), continues on December 1 (11 am-7 pm) and concludes on December 2 (1-5 pm). The main stage will provide continuous entertainment with musicians, choral groups, singers and dancers. Actors and actresses from the Montford Park Players will perform scenes from A Christmas Carol. Once their stage performances are complete, many musicians and singers will appear on the streets and in the Biltmore Village restaurants and cafes and continue to entertain.

This is a wonderful way to put you and your loved ones in that festive mood and explore the art and delicious food in South Asheville. Vanderbilt envisioned Biltmore Village as a traditional English village, and it retains these architectural and design features today.

A Brief History of Biltmore Village

Biltmore Village is at the foot of the mountain where the gateway to the Biltmore Estate is located. During the early days of the Estate’s history, the area provided homes, churches, public spaces, restaurants, markets and cafes to the artisans, workers and their families who came to Asheville to build America’s largest home. Today, Biltmore Village is a thriving business district with some of Asheville’s best kitchens and cafes.

Decorate the Halls

Christmas decorations at Biltmore Village are traditional and emphasize simplicity. See 250,000 white lights and a tree lit up for this festival. Walk the brick-lined streets and explore some of the turn-of-the-century cottages and buildings. Christmas trees and wreaths are dressed in the style of the late 19th century. Shopkeepers, musicians, and others celebrate Dickens Christmas by dressing up in late-Victorian vintage clothing, adding to the ambiance.

Visitors can sample roasted chestnuts, take a horse-drawn carriage ride through this historic district, and shop until 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Visit BiltmoreVillage.com to download a schedule of performances for the event.

Stroll through Biltmore Village with family and friends and catch the spirit of A Christmas Carol. Listen to carols by singing traditional Christmas songs and take time to shop for unique gifts for family, friends and business associates. Then, stop at a Biltmore Village restaurant such as Corner Kitchen, Rezaz, or Fig Bistro for something hot to eat and drink.