Biltmore Estate Festival of Flowers 2011

April 2 –May 15, 2011
Are you ready for Spring? Gorgeous blooms will be in full glory as 100,000 tulips welcome springtime during Biltmore’s 26th annual Festival of Flowers. The estate-wide event celebrates the beauty of George Vanderbilt’s 8,000-acre property and its original design by Frederick Law Olmsted, father of American landscape architecture. Biltmore’s gardens.

Tulips – over 100,000 of them – will mark the beginning of the festival greeting visitors at Biltmore’s main entrance and continuing to the stunning colors in the Walled Garden and elsewhere around the estate. Guests won’t want to miss the vibrant colors in the 20-acre azalea garden and cascades of native and exotic blooms in the natural gardens and along the walking trails.

Festivities across the estate will include music in Biltmore House and other locations, tips from Biltmore gardeners and innovative displays in the conservatory. Biltmore Winery will host live music, wine tastings, seminars and children’s activities. Seasonal Festival of Flowers wines are crafted each year to mark the occasion. In addition, Biltmore’s restaurants will feature special silver anniversary menus, drinks and desserts. See below for the full schedule of events.

For more information & to purchase discounted tickets online, go to the Biltmore Estate Web site.

2010 Biltmore Festival of Flowers Events (2011 Schedule coming soon!)

Activities–In the Gardens
“Ask a Biltmore Gardener” station under the Arbor – Guests may ask Biltmore gardeners their gardening questions, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays

Conservatory, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., daily

Live music and innovative container garden displays created by Biltmore gardeners

Activities–Antler Hill Village
The Bandstand on the Village Green
Listen to live music, beginning at 2 p.m. daily

Enjoy live music and farm-life demonstrations at The Barn, Saturdays and Sundays

Activities–At the Winery
Red Wine and Chocolate Seminars, daily: Learn how these divine treats complement each other.

Wine Bar, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays: Featuring music at 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on select dates: Enjoy a glass or bottle of your favorite Biltmore wine while listening to music. Add a cheese or tapas plate for an afternoon snack.

Grape Stomp and Children’s Activities, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays: Children of all ages who stomp grapes can take home their grape juice hand and footprints as a keepsake.

Behind-the-Scenes Production Tour, 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., daily: Explore the winery’s production areas and learn how Biltmore wines are crafted.

Activities–Across the Estate
A Gardener’s Place, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., daily
Let Biltmore gardeners reveal helpful hints for decorating your home with fresh flowers, tips for crafting a stunning wreath and more.

Special seminars each day:
• 11 a.m.: Bulbs for Summer Blooms
• 1 p.m.: Spring Baskets
• 2 p.m.: Five-Minute Centerpieces
• 3 p.m.: Wreaths

Deerpark Restaurant
Art Show featuring works by members of the Blue Ridge Watermedia Society, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

April 4th Easter Sunday Egg Hunt
Front Lawn: Visits with the Easter Rabbit from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Children’s Music and Stories – Special songs and stories for our littlest guests. Thirty-minute sets beginning at 9:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Magic Shows at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Easter Egg Hunts at 11a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Registration begins at 9 a.m. and will close 15 minutes before each hunt
• Designed for children ages 2 to 9 years old
• Children will need to bring their own basket

Activity Area from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Crafts, coloring pages and word find games

In addition to Biltmore House and Gardens, estate admission includes entry to Biltmore Winery, Antler Hill Village, specialty gift shops and restaurants. Spring is the perfect time to take advantage of Biltmore’s unique surroundings by taking part in the Explore Biltmore program. Outdoor activities include hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking, horseback riding, carriage rides, Segway tours, a sporting clays program and a Land Rover Driving School.

For more information & to purchase discounted tickets online, go to the Biltmore Estate Web site.

Download and print a PDF guide of Biltmore House. | Download and print a PDF overview of Biltmore Estate.