The Dickens Festival in Historic Biltmore Village in Asheville This Weekend

Asheville is relishing the holiday season and there's no better place to be fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the season than at the 24th annual Dickens Festival at Historic Biltmore Village. The festival runs from Friday, November 30 through Sunday, December 2.

With the Fraser fir wreaths delicately hung on each streetlight and the more than 250,000 white lights that grace the historic village buildings, the seasonal ambiance is unmatched. The streets, shops, restaurants, and galleries of the Historic Biltmore Village await your presence, offering a little something for everyone in the family. 

The main stage features musicians, choral groups, singers, dancers, and the Montford Park Players in a full lineup of nonstop performances. With more than 300 performers making their way on stage throughout the festival, the entertainment abounds. The performers roam the village as well, entertaining on the streets, in the restaurants, and in the shops. 

As the sun sets, the village is beautifully outlined by the white lights and and the street lamps give off a warm glow. The shops stay open until 7p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings for your shopping pleasure. Bring your camera and capture the shopkeepers dressed in Victorian-era apparel. Leave time to take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets on either Saturday or Sunday. Stop by the main stage for chestnuts roasting on an open fire by chestnut roaster Sakshhi Gentenbein.

Photo Submitted by Stefani Pereira

With plenty of activities throughout the weekend, you'll want to make plans to drop by on one or more of the days. The Dickens Festival runs from 5-7p.m. on Friday, 11a.m.-7p.m. on Saturday, and from 1-5p.m. on Sunday and offers free admission.

We'll leave you with a few final thoughts.

First, remember to make the most of your time in Asheville by taking advantage of our convenient downtown Asheville vacation rentals. Or, if you're looking for something a bit further out of town, check out the wide selection of cabin rentals throughout Western North Carolina.

Second, what better way to end this week's blog than with a quote by Charles Dickens:

"Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead," said Scrooge. "But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with what you show me!"  ~ A Christmas Carol

Photo Submitted by Daniel Walker Cole

If you've been to Asheville or the mountains of Western NC during the holiday season, tell us about your adventures. What were your favorite things about this time of year? What did you do? 

Our comment section welcomes you. Happy December!