A new Hallmark Christmas movie is set to begin filming at the Biltmore Estate in January 2026, bringing another time-travel holiday love story to one of North Carolina’s most iconic landmarks.

Holland Roden and Niall Matter will star in the sequel to A Biltmore Christmas, which became a fan favorite during Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas.

The new film expands on the original’s magical premise while showcasing even more of the estate. Along with familiar locations such as the Winter Garden, Banquet Hall and Library, the sequel will feature Biltmore’s Rooftop, Pergola, Swimming Pool, Bowling Alley, Breakfast Room, Oak Sitting Room, Main Kitchen, Music Room, plus scenes at The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Antler Hill Village and Biltmore Winery.

Hallmark describes the story as a sweeping romance that begins on Christmas Eve 1895. Young Elizabeth befriends Michael after he is caught trespassing in the newly opened Biltmore House. Michael disappears suddenly, only to reappear 20 years later at a Christmas gala—triggering a reunion that bends time itself. A magical hourglass sends Elizabeth into the present day, where she and Michael grow close while hiding her true identity from his family.

As Elizabeth experiences a modern Christmas and their bond deepens, she must choose between returning to her expected life in 1915 or embracing a future in the present.

Filming at Biltmore continues to cement the estate as one of Hallmark’s most beloved holiday backdrops—bringing national attention and renewed tourism to western North Carolina each Christmas season.

The new “A Biltmore Chirstmas” is described by Hallmark:

As Biltmore House opens for the first time on Christmas Eve 1895, 13-year-old Elizabeth and her family are holiday guests. When she notices Michael, a fellow teen caught trespassing by the staff, Elizabeth comes to his rescue by claiming to know him, much to his relief. The two share an instant connection and set out to explore Biltmore but Michael inexplicably vanishes. Twenty years later, Elizabeth is spending Christmas at Biltmore and this time, is accompanied by James, a suitor her Aunt Maysilee is keen for her to wed. When a stranger asks Elizabeth to dance at the Christmas gala, she’s shocked to discover it’s Michael. Thrilled to reunite with her friend, she throws herself into his arms. But the world around her changes in an instant when Elizabeth is transported into the modern world with Michael, a tourist from the present day who had traveled to the past 20 years prior with the help of a magical hourglass in Biltmore’s library. Now, Elizabeth and Michael must find a way to send her back to her time, while not arousing the suspicion of Michael’s mother and sister during their family vacation. As Elizabeth experiences life and Christmas in the 21st century, she and Michael become close. When the time comes for her to return to 1915, Elizabeth must decide whether she’ll resume the life that’s been chosen for her or if her heart will lead her down a new path in the present.

One of the best things about Christmas, especially when you’re a child, is receiving gifts. Particularly when you’ve carefully crafted your wishlist beforehand. You may not always get everything you want, but by and large, you grow up getting what you asked for.

Often as adults, that slowly stops happening happen. Even if the gifter means well, the end result can be the desire to give it away to someone else, as soon as possible (or — if it’s worth a dollar or three — to sell it instead). Indeed, even if inflation has cooled recently, prices have remained stubbornly high in 2024, offering the average American a financial incentive to regift or resell an unwanted gift — known as the ‘regifting economy.’

To figure out the value of America’s regifting economy, BadCredit.org surveyed 3,000 people to estimate the value of America’s regifting economy*. It turns out it’s pretty significant: the regifting economy is worth a staggering $11 billion for the whole country, with 43% of Americans (over 110 million people) admitting to regifting or reselling unwanted presents. California generates the biggest regifting economy, at $1,377,846,471.

North Carolina’s regifting economy also turns out to be substantial – when interviewed, 42% of North Carolinians say they plan on profiting from gifts received this festive season, equating to 3,521,535 regifters in the state. This means that North Carolina’s regifting/reselling economy is worth $368,000,363.

The Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $1.7 billion ahead of Wednesday night’s Christmas Eve drawing — one of the largest jackpots in the game’s history. No one matched all numbers in Monday’s drawing, fueling a surge in ticket sales across the Carolinas.

Despite years of heavy participation, North Carolina and South Carolina have never claimed a historic top-tier Powerball jackpot. With recent billion-dollar wins landing in California, Missouri, Texas, and Oregon, many locals are asking whether the odds — however long at 1 in 292.2 million — might finally tilt our way.

The last jackpot was won in September, when two tickets split $1.787 billion. Now, with the fourth-largest prize ever up for grabs, optimism is growing as holiday travelers and last-minute shoppers crowd ticket lines across our region.

Winners can choose a lump-sum payout or a 30-year annuity that increases annually. Tickets cost $2 and are available in 45 states, plus D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Charlotte-area players will be watching closely when the numbers drop Wednesday at 10:59 pm, hoping the season brings more than holiday cheer.

Top Powerball Jackpots

1. $2.04B — California (2022)

2. $1.787B — Missouri, Texas (2025)

3. $1.765B — California (2023)

4. $1.7B — Current

5. $1.586B — CA, FL, TN (2016)*