In a rush? Read about Christmas at Biltmore here.

Good Morning Reader,

As I write this, we are getting a gorgeous dusting of snow here in Asheville. It feels a bit early but mostly because we lost a large chunk of our fall to Helene. Some of our trees still have foliage. ☃️🍁

Christmas at Biltmore this 2025

A big question I get: Is spending Christmas at Biltmore Estate worth it? We think so, and we go every year. However, we prefer Candlelight Christmas Evenings over Daytime Celebrations. The blazing fireplaces at night and sunset over the estate are magical.

Just a few of the photos I took this year of Candlelight Christmas Evenings and dinner at Stable Cafe:

A few tips for Biltmore's Christmas this 2025:

• Their Christmas events run through January 5, 2025.
• Tickets start at $125; order them online: see all of their ticket options here.
• Passholders receive $20 off tickets.
• Due to Helene, Biltmore is offering $20 off Candlelight Christmas Evenings for WNC residents with the promo code “wncstrong” Monday through Thursday evenings, Nov. 19 - Dec. 19.
• Stable Cafe offers a 3-course dinner; Tom and I are always able to eat there with our food intolerances with modifications (DF/GF). Dessert for us was a sorbet not on the menu. Be sure to make advanced online reservations on OpenTable and check the menu. It's beautiful, cozy, and romantic.
• This year, the special exhibit is Chihuly at Biltmore. If you've been to the Chihuly Collection in St. Pete, FL, you could probably pass (it's pretty much the same). However, if you love hand blown glass and haven't seen much of his work, it's well worth it. The exhibit is small, but we still enjoyed it when we visited earlier this year. You'll also find outdoor Chihuly pieces in front of Biltmore House and Antler Hill Village.
• You can still see the water/flood line on Biltmore's entrance - which looks completely different post-Helene - and along the remaining trees at the front of the property.
• Highlights of Christmas at Biltmore: the gorgeous trees, library, live music including harp music in sitting rooms and choirs in the Winter Garden, the replica Biltmore gingerbread house in the kitchen, and all of the lights, garlands, candles, and lit fireplaces.
• Before or after, be sure to watch Hallmark's A Biltmore Christmas.

Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food (food truck) is BACK! Find them at Hi-Wire Biltmore Village

As you know, Helene devastated parts of the River Arts District, one of our favorite and closest Asheville neighborhoods. I felt sick to my stomach when I saw what Guajiro’s food truck and new restaurant space, El Patio, looked like.

However, these guys are inspirational. Not even two months after Helene, they are back with a new food truck (currently, it's blue) in a new location, Hi-Wire Biltmore Village. Guajiro will be open 7 days a week from 10 am to 9 pm. Hi-Wire Biltmore Village is open 12 pm to 9 pm. Check hours for holiday closures, though.

Tom and I met with friends - and saw many of you - for their "official" opening day. Their menu is just a bit smaller as they get back into the groove, but it's delicious as always. Cuban sandwich for me and pork for Tom.

Notably, Hi-Wire has partnered with breweries devastated by Helene, which means you'll find beer from Zillicoah and Whaley Farms on tap.

Lady Whistledown Of Asheville

I receive plenty of media releases, which I *think* I'm going to start sharing in our private FB group.

In Asheville news:

• Some of you jokingly came for me when I shared a photo of Asheville's upcoming public restroom to my stories. Personally, I think this was well overdue. The little restroom is open 24/7 on the corner of College and Rankin Ave.
• Did you hear all of Asheville clap and cheer when the boil water advisory was lifted (11/18)? We officially flushed our water heater and ran our ice cube tray (a few times). We are thrilled, especially for Thanksgiving clean-up.
• I recently saw a Facebook ad for the Asheville Yoga Center: "Enjoy 30 Days of Unlimited Yoga for Just $33! Try out as many classes & teachers as you wish for a month! For local residents who are new to the studio or who haven't practiced with us since 2022." Tom and I might sign up since we've never attended a class there and love yoga. The link to the deal is here.
• Second Gear, another RAD business that was utterly devastated by Helene, announced across social media that they found a new home: the Westgate Plaza in the former Frugal Backpacker. Soon (no set date yet), you can grab lunch at Gemelli and shop at both EarthFare and Second Gear. We've bought hiking clothes, fanny packs, and more from them. Second Gear is getting their Second Chance. I love it!
• Holy Reddit... If you want to see the dark underbelly of Asheville (and maybe humanity), follow the Asheville threads. I went down a deep, dark tunnel last night as people wrote about terrible businesses to work for. I don't think anything is left...
• The Omni Grove Park Inn isn't hosting their traditional Gingerbread House Competition this year. However, you can still see gingerbread creations around Asheville. This is their downloadable map for where to find them.

Upcoming

Along with attending Winter Lights, I want to build a terrarium at The Green Room in Downtown Asheville (45 Rankin Ave). It's a gorgeous, new shop filled with plants, art, jewelry, a terrarium bar, and more.

If there's any information you'd like to see before we wrap up 2024 in Asheville, please drop me an email.

I don't even know where to start for updating the website post-Helene.