Biltmore Estate Christmas a holiday extravaganza

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: Nov 30, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Always magical, Christmas at the Biltmore in Asheville, N.C., is one of America’s premier holiday events. In keeping with traditions that started when George W. Vanderbilt first welcomed friends and family to his estate on Christmas Eve 1895, the Biltmore continues its lavish presentations now through Jan. 4, 2009.

Cathy Barnhardt, floral displays manager, said the Biltmore draws on archival information and Biltmore’s history in choosing a different theme each year. This year’s theme is “Christmas Decorations from Around the World,” focusing on countries Vanderbilt visited in his lifetime.

Across the estate there are more than 100 decorated trees, 1,000 wreaths and bows, 1,800 poinsettias, miles of evergreen garland and thousands of ornaments and lights. Inside Biltmore House, a 35-foot Fraser fir will spend the holidays in the 72-foot high Banquet Hall, adorned with lights and surrounded by gifts. Each room will be decorated to feature traditions from the country represented. Hanging stars, a snowy white forest and glittered Eiffel towers are just a few of the details that visitors can enjoy throughout the house.

Christmas Candlelight Evenings will be special this year with a forest of evergreens and softly lit tulip poplars on the front lawn. Inside Biltmore House, guests will be treated to entertainment including choirs, ballet dancers, traditional caroling, pantomime, marionettes and stories of Vanderbilt holiday traditions.

Biltmore Winery is offering self-guided tours, cooking demonstrations and wine tasting throughout the holidays. To complete a tour, visitors can enjoy a meal at the Bistro, Deer Park Restaurant, Stable Cafe or The Dining Room. And for those looking to extend their stay, the four-star Inn on the estate is offering several packages for the holidays.

Tickets for admission vary based on date and time. Visit the Web site for details. In addition to Biltmore House, admission includes the grounds, Biltmore Winery, River Bend Farm, specialty gift shops and restaurants. Special online rates are available. Tickets can be printed at home. Contact http://www.biltmore.com or (877) BILTMORE.

View Japanese screens
The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston will unveil a pair of 17th-century six-paneled screens beginning Jan. 17, 2009, in Art Unfolded: The Gift of Conservation from Japan. Part of the museum’s permanent collection, the screens are among only nine objects selected last year from prestigious Asian collections around the world for a competitive conservation program overseen by Japan’s National Research Institute for Cultural Properties.

On display in the Caroline Wiess Law Building, 1001 Bissonnet St., the exhibition will describe the conservation process, including materials used and a video of the Hie Sanno festival depicted on the screens. The screens describe the village and Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine complex set against the landscape around Lake Biwa.

The screens will eventually be the centerpiece of a new MFAH gallery devoted to Japanese art scheduled to open in winter 2009-2010. The screens will be exhibited until Feb. 22, 2009. For info, call (713) 639-7300.

Gingerbread Bash
Children’s Museum of Houston’s annual Home Sweet Home Gingerbread Bash takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6.

The family party at the museum, 1500 Binz Ave., will feature entertainment by the Allen Oldies Band, hands-on activities, gingerbread house decorating and a gingerbread house auction of 23 creations by the city’s leading chefs. Family packages are $225 and include two adults and two children along with a gingerbread house kit. Individual tickets cost $100, per adult, and $50 per child. For info, contact (713) 535-7233.

Grand Hotel Yuletide
The Grand Hotel Marriott in Port Clear, Ala., will offer a lavish Christmas Day Buffet Thursday, Dec. 25. The meal will be served from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Grand Dining Room and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom. Both options will feature entertainment from the Jim Armstrong Band. The menu includes everything from ambrosia fruit salad parfaits and smoked salmon petite plates to crown roast of lamb rack with dried fruit stuffing, local flounder stuffed with crawfish and kobe beef medallions with a cranberry pinot noir sauce. Desserts include yule logs, mini pastries and cherries jubilee. Cost is $44.95, adults; and $22.50, children. Call (251) 928-9201.

The Grand Hotel, one of the South’s most charming resort hotels situated on Mobile Bay, features a delightful Gingerbread Village and an 18-foot Christmas tree during the holiday season. A number of holiday packages are available.