Discover the Ultimate Holiday Destination at Gaylord Hotels: ICE! Christmas with Cirque Shows, Ice Tubing, and More Across Six Resorts

Published on November 25, 2025

This holiday season, Gaylord Hotels is lighting up the nation with its extraordinary ICE! Christmas experience, taking place at six of their luxurious resorts across the country. From the festive lights of Nashville to the enchanting winter scenes in San Antonio, guests can immerse themselves in more than 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures, depicting beloved holiday classics such as A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and The Polar Express. This highly anticipated event, which is part of the Gaylord Hotels’ tradition, offers guests a unique way to celebrate the festive season through interactive displays, cirque performances, and family-friendly entertainment. With holiday cheer around every corner, these immersive experiences promise to create memorable moments for families, friends, and guests of all ages.

Key Highlights:

• ICE! Christmas features at six exclusive Gaylord Resorts across the U.S.
• More than 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice forming holiday story scenes.
• Broadway-style cirque performances, ice tubing, and Santa photo ops.
• Family-friendly activities and interactive holiday experiences.
• Resorts include locations in Nashville, Kissimmee, National Harbor, Aurora, Grapevine, and San Antonio.

A Timeless Tradition: ICE! Christmas at Gaylord Hotels

Since its inception in 2001, Gaylord Hotels’ ICE! Christmas has become a beloved holiday tradition for families across the U.S. Inspired by the world-renowned Harbin Ice Festival in China, the event has evolved into a spectacular celebration of winter magic. At every participating resort, guests will experience breathtaking ice sculptures that come to life, with scenes crafted by master artisans from Harbin, China. These sculptures create a dazzling, interactive winter wonderland perfect for photo ops and holiday memories.

Exclusive ICE! Attractions Across Six Resorts:

1. Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville, Tenn. – ICE! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas (Nov 7, 2025 – Jan 3, 2026)
2. Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee, Fla. – ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Nov 14, 2025 – Jan 7, 2026)
3. Gaylord National Resort, National Harbor, Md. – ICE! featuring The Polar Express (Nov 14, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026)
4. Gaylord Rockies Resort, Aurora, Colo. – ICE! featuring How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Nov 24, 2025 – Jan 2, 2026)
5. Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas – ICE! featuring Elf™ (Nov 14, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026)
6. JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort, San Antonio, Texas – ICE! featuring Frosty the Snowman (Nov 22, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026)

The All-Under-One-Roof Holiday Experience

In addition to the ICE! experience, each of the six Gaylord Resorts offers a variety of holiday-themed activities designed to bring out the festive spirit in visitors. From Broadway-style cirque performances to ice skating and tubing adventures, Gaylord Hotels creates an all-encompassing holiday experience that leaves guests in awe. The resorts are meticulously decorated with millions of twinkling lights, grand Christmas trees, and festive décor, ensuring every inch of the property exudes holiday charm.

Must-See Attractions and Activities:

• Cirque Shows: POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, Cirque: Spirit of Christmas, and more!
• Ice Tubing Adventures: Thrilling high-speed slides at each resort.
• Snowball Build & Blast: Real snow for an unforgettable snowball fight.
• Interactive Holiday Experiences: Elf Training Academy, Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions, and more.
• Holiday Atrium Light Shows: Stunning light displays synchronized to festive music.
• Ice Skating: Glide across real ice at Gaylord Opryland and Gaylord Texan.
• Carriage Rides: A magical journey through the glittering holiday grounds.

Craftsmanship Behind the ICE! Experience

The craftsmanship of the ICE! Christmas display is extraordinary, with master artisans from Harbin, China, dedicating nearly a month to sculpting each of the 20,000-square-foot attractions. Using more than 6,000 blocks of ice, each scene is meticulously carved by hand to ensure stunning detail and intricate designs. The finished works of art are truly remarkable, offering guests the opportunity to walk through some of their favorite holiday stories while experiencing the true magic of Christmas.

The Making of the ICE! Experience:

• More than 2 million pounds of ice used for sculptures.
• 40 artisans work for nearly a month to create the frozen masterpieces.
• Intricate designs are hand-carved into scenes from beloved Christmas stories.

Holiday Packages and Ticketing Information

Guests eager to explore the ICE! Christmas experience can take advantage of exclusive holiday packages offered by each resort. In addition to entry to the ICE! attraction, packages may include benefits like front-of-the-line access with the Chill Pass, which ensures a quicker experience for overnight guests. For those looking to enjoy additional activities, resorts offer a range of ticket options, including family packages and VIP experiences.

Booking Your Holiday Getaway:

• Visit ICE.marriott.com for ticket purchasing and information about holiday packages.
• Chill Pass grants overnight guests priority access to the ICE! attractions.
• Limited-time offers available for extended stays and group bookings.

A Winter Wonderland for All Ages

Whether you’re visiting for a family getaway or a romantic holiday retreat, the ICE! Christmas experience at Gaylord Hotels offers something for everyone. The event’s immersive displays are perfect for families with children, while couples will enjoy the enchanting atmosphere created by the glittering lights and festive performances. The experience combines both fun and tradition, providing an unforgettable way to celebrate the holiday season.

A Magical Holiday Tradition:

• Perfect for families, couples, and groups.
• A festive experience that captures the spirit of Christmas.
• Interactive displays, live performances, and holiday cheer throughout the resort.

Conclusion: Make this Holiday Season Extra Special at Gaylord Hotels

The ICE! Christmas experience at Gaylord Hotels is a one-of-a-kind event that brings together the best of holiday traditions, festive cheer, and family-friendly fun. Whether you’re gazing at intricately carved ice sculptures, experiencing a Broadway-style show, or racing down an ice tubing slide, there’s no shortage of magical moments to be had. Make this holiday season unforgettable by booking your stay at one of the six Gaylord Hotels resorts across the U.S., where the spirit of Christmas comes alive like never before.