The holiday season is about to shine brighter than Rudolph’s nose because ICE! at Gaylord Palms is back and this year, the classic story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer™ comes to life in over 2 million pounds of hand carved ice. This winter wonderland runs November 14, 2025 through January 7, 2026, making it the perfect family tradition to kick off the holidays.
For the first time ever, Gaylord Palms guests can walk through scenes from the iconic 1964 stop-motion classic, completely sculpted from ice by 40 master artisans from Harbin, China. These talented carvers spend more than a month working inside a frosty 9 degree walk-through attraction to recreate Rudolph’s journey of friendship, courage, and belonging.
What to Expect Inside ICE!
From crawling through icy tunnels to discovering a secret slide, this attraction blends nostalgia with hands-on fun for the whole family. Highlights include:
- A giant ice sculpture of Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster
- The famous two-story ice slides
- A walk-through Misfit Toys gift box
- A musical moment with Rudolph and Santa
Guests are given signature blue parkas, but trust me, you’ll still want hats, gloves, and warm layers for those 9 degree temperatures!
Snow Much More: Holiday Activities Beyond ICE!
Christmas at Gaylord Palms is a full scale holiday festival covering 65 acres of lights, shows, characters, and interactive experiences. Here are the standout offerings for 2025:
POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance (NEW for 2025)
A brand new cirque show brings high-flying acrobatics, stunning costumes, and theatrical storytelling to the atrium. It’s colorful, whimsical, and perfect for families who want an elevated holiday show experience.
Here We Glow A Caroling Light Show
Enjoy a dazzling light spectacle featuring giant LED curtains, classic Christmas carols, and the towering 60 foot atrium tree.
Meet Santa in Alpine Village
Santa is available from Nov. 14–Dec. 24, making this the perfect chance for photos and wish lists before he heads back to the North Pole.
Hands-On Holiday Adventures for Kids
Snow Factory Ice Tubing
Unlimited tubing on real ice? YES, please. Climb Snow Flow Mountain and glide down on an innertube — as many times as you want.
Gingerbread Decorating Corner
Design your own gingerbread treat before meeting Nutmeg, the adorable gingerbread cookie character.
Jack Frost Chocolate Factory (NEW!)
Create two chocolate snowflakes, one to keep and one to gift. Perfect for little chocolatiers.
Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions
Families can cozy up for storytelling, sing-alongs, and cookies with Mrs. Claus.
Elf Training Academy
Led by one of Santa’s top elves, this hands-on workshop lets guests create a special holiday keepsake to take home.
Snowball Build & Blast
Kids can pack snowballs and launch them at moving targets in an icy play space.
Reindeer Games Scavenger Hunt
Help find the lost Misfit Toys by following clues around the resort, with a special prize at the end.
Tips for Visiting Ice! This Holiday Season:
- Stay overnight to elevate your Holiday experience.
- Book a room with an atrium view rooms overlooking the Christmas décor and shows.
- I personally recommend booking in the Emerald Bay A or B part of the atrium.
- “Chill Pass” perks giving overnight guests shorter wait times for ICE!
Holiday packages and advance tickets are available now at ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com Booking early is highly recommended, as many shows and activities have limited capacity.
