The holiday season is finally here, and for many families, it's a time to create unforgettable memories together. At the heart of this festive tradition is Gaylord's iconic "ice!" event, which transforms six of its U.S. hotels and select JW Marriott locations into winter wonderlands.
From early November, these magical destinations come alive with gingerbread house decorating, ice skating, and cozy blue jackets to keep visitors warm while they explore larger-than-life ice carvings featuring beloved holiday favorites like "Elf," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and "The Polar Express."
This year, Gaylord is introducing three new holiday themes and two new locations for its "ice!" event. Guests can now experience walkthroughs themed to "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Harry Potter," and "Home Alone," all carefully crafted from ice. The event is also expanding to Gaylord Pacific Resort in Chula Vista, California, and JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Arizona.
"We are excited to bring our signature Christmas attraction, 'ice!', to Arizona and California," said Johann Krieger, regional vice president of Marriott International. "Having welcomed tens of millions of guests over the years, this beloved holiday tradition continues to capture the spirit of the season, and we are proud to introduce our largest footprint to date, allowing even more families the opportunity to experience how our resorts create extraordinary holiday memories."
This year's "ice!" event will feature a full breakdown of dates, locations, and themes, including:
Hotel Location Theme Dates
Gaylord Pacific Resort Chula Vista, California "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Nov. 20, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort Phoenix, Arizona "Elf" Nov. 18, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
Gaillard Opryland Resort Nashville, Tennessee "Home Alone" Nov. 6, 2026 - Jan. 2, 2-27
Gaillard Rockies Resort Aurora, Colorado "Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas" Nov. 20, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
Gaillard Texan Resort Lake Grapevine, Texas "Harry Potter" Nov. 13, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
Gaillard National Resort National Harbor, Maryland "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" Nov. 14, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
Gaillard Palms Resort Kissimmee, Florida "The Polar Express" Nov. 13, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027
These ice carvings are truly breathtaking, with over 300 expert artisans traveling to the U.S. each year to create the floor-to-ceiling holiday-themed walkthroughs. Each location features hand-carved ice, totaling over two million pounds, to create immersive storytelling, fun photo opportunities, and two-story ice slides.
Guests can also participate in a range of activities, including scavenger hunts, ice skating, tubing, carriage rides, photos with Santa, character breakfasts, and more. It's a great excuse to stay at the resort and make a weekend of it, allowing families to squeeze in as many activities as possible.
Most activities require tickets, which can be purchased early to save up to 30% on ticket bundles that include access to "ice!" and other holiday activities. Marriott Bonvoy members can save even more, with exclusive offers including up to 25% off "ice!" tickets and up to 15% off hotel and ticket packages.
