Biltmore Estate is once again the setting for a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie — and this time, the story spans more than a century. A Grand Biltmore Christmas is set to premiere during Hallmark’s 2026 Countdown to Christmas, and fans of 2023’s A Biltmore Christmas have plenty to look forward to.
What’s the Story?
The film opens on Christmas Eve, 1895, the night Biltmore House first opened its doors to holiday guests. Thirteen-year-old Elizabeth notices Michael, a fellow teenager caught trespassing on the grounds, and covers for him by claiming to know him. The two share an instant connection while exploring the estate together, but Michael disappears just as quickly as he appeared.
Twenty years later, in 1915, Elizabeth returns to Biltmore for the holidays, this time accompanied by James, a suitor her Aunt Maysilee is eager for her to marry. At the estate’s Christmas gala, a stranger asks her to dance — and she’s stunned to discover it’s Michael. It turns out Michael is actually a present-day visitor who traveled back to 1895 using a magical hourglass tucked away in Biltmore’s library. Their reunion pulls Elizabeth forward into the present day with him, and the two must find a way to send her home again without raising suspicion among Michael’s modern-day family — all while Elizabeth decides whether her heart belongs to the life chosen for her in 1915, or to a new one in the present.
Who’s In It?
The film stars Holland Roden as Elizabeth and Niall Matter as Michael, with Andie MacDowell as her aunt, Maysilee, and James Trevena as James, the suitor. Hallmark favorite Jonathan Frakes returns as Winston, the Biltmore staff member he played in the original film, and Rachel Boston and Wes Brown — who both appeared in cameo roles in A Biltmore Christmas — are back as well, giving the new film a strong sense of continuity with the original.
Is It a Sequel to A Biltmore Christmas?
Not exactly. A Grand Biltmore Christmas tells its own story with a new leading couple, but it comes from the same production team behind the original, was filmed on the same grounds, and shares the same time-travel magic that made the first film such a hit. Hallmark has described it less as a direct sequel and more as a return to the same magical Biltmore universe.
Where Was It Filmed?
Production took place on location at Biltmore House in January 2026, with scenes shot throughout the home — including rooms guests can tour today, like the Conservatory, the Winter Garden, the Tapestry Gallery, and the Library, where the film’s hourglass is kept. Additional filming took place at The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Antler Hill Village, and Biltmore Winery — all spots guests can visit in person during a stay in Asheville.
When Does It Premiere?
A Grand Biltmore Christmas will premiere on December 5, 2026 as part of the network’s 17th annual Countdown to Christmas event in late 2026, with next-day streaming available on Hallmark+.
Watching From Asheville
There’s something special about watching a movie set just up the road — walking the same halls, strolling the same gardens, and settling in by the fire only three miles from where it was filmed. Dan and Diane, innkeepers at Pinecrest Bed & Breakfast, have welcomed Biltmore-bound guests for years, and they’re looking forward to seeing the estate back on the small screen this Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Grand Biltmore Christmas about?
It’s a Hallmark Channel time-travel romance that follows Elizabeth, who first meets a mysterious visitor named Michael at Biltmore House in 1895, then reunites with him twenty years later — only to discover he’s actually from the present day, and to be pulled forward in time with him.
Who stars in A Grand Biltmore Christmas?
Holland Roden and Niall Matter lead the cast as Elizabeth and Michael, alongside Andie MacDowell, James Trevena, Jonathan Frakes, Rachel Boston, and Wes Brown.
Is A Grand Biltmore Christmas a sequel to A Biltmore Christmas?
Not directly. It’s a new story with a new couple, set in the same time-traveling Biltmore universe as the 2023 original.
Where was A Grand Biltmore Christmas filmed?
Filming took place at Biltmore House, The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Antler Hill Village, and Biltmore Winery in Asheville, North Carolina.
When does A Grand Biltmore Christmas premiere?
An exact date hasn’t been announced. It’s expected to air during Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas in late 2026, with streaming on Hallmark+ the next day.
How far is Pinecrest Bed & Breakfast from Biltmore Estate?
Pinecrest is about three miles from Biltmore Estate, making it an easy home base for a Biltmore Christmas visit.
Can I visit the places where A Grand Biltmore Christmas was filmed?
Yes — Biltmore House, The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Antler Hill Village, and Biltmore Winery are all open to guests year-round, so it’s possible to walk through many of the same spaces featured in the film.
How does Pinecrest partner with the Biltmore Estate?
We love sending our guests to Biltmore — it’s one of the crown jewels of Asheville, and it’s especially magical during the holidays. As a local partner, we’re able to offer our guests a promo code for Biltmore tickets, so you can plan your visit to the Estate right alongside your stay with us. Just ask us when you book, or find the details on our Biltmore offer page. It’s one more way we help you make the most of your time in Asheville.