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2023 ICE! Package
Guests in masks in front of Narwhal from Elf Movie scene recreation during I Love Christmas Movies

Activities & Events

Enjoy festive holiday events like ICE! and our Christmas light show, and join in classic Christmas activities like ice tubing, gingerbread decorating, and photos with Santa at Gaylord National Resort in the D.C. area. Discover our 2023 season lineup now!

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 ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™️ Presented by Pepsi
ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™️ Presented by Pepsi
event details

ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™️ Presented by Pepsi

icon November 19 – December 31, 2023
icon Daily, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (9-10 a.m. for resort guests only). Attraction closes at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.
icon Ticketed
ICE!, our signature holiday attraction, features your favorite scenes from the beloved television classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, brought to life in magnificent sculptures hand-carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice. ICE! is presented by Pepsi.
iconIncluded in Package
Cirque: Spirit of Christmas
Cirque: Spirit of Christmas
event details

Cirque: Spirit of Christmas

icon November 19 - December 31, 2023
icon Performances at 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Sunday - Friday with an additional performance at 8 p.m. on Saturdays only.
icon Ticketed
This Cirque-styled Christmas show features dazzling acrobatics, feats of flexibility, and high-flying stunts. This Broadway-style spectacle centers around Noel, a child dismayed and distressed by the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Trying to recapture her lost love of the season, she is visited by spirits who bring back the true meaning of the season in energetic, dreamlike chapters.
iconLimited Availability
Snow Flow Mountain
Snow Flow Mountain
event details

Snow Flow Mountain

icon November 19 - December 31, 2023
icon Daily, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (9-10 a.m. resort guests only). Closes at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.
icon Ticketed
Take a thrilling ride down Snow Flow Mountain! Hop on a tube and slide down real frozen ice lanes. Race family and friends to reach the finish! Your ticket lets you enjoy unlimited tubing thrills on your ticket date.
iconLimited Availability
Ice Skating
Ice Skating
event details

Ice Skating

icon November 19 - December 31, 2023
icon Daily, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (9-10 a.m. resort guests only). Closes at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.
icon Ticketed
Enjoy a perfect day or evening under the stars by going on a yuletide glide on our outdoor ice skating rink made with real ice.
Snowball Build and Blast
Snowball Build and Blast
event details

Snowball Build and Blast

icon November 19 - December 31, 2023
icon Daily, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. in 15-minute time slots (9-10 a.m. resort guests only). Closes at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.
icon Ticketed
Build and toss real snowballs to boost the power of the snowmaking machines. Take your best aim at the targets and let the snowballs fly!
Gingerbread Decorating Corner
Gingerbread Decorating Corner
event details

Gingerbread Decorating Corner

icon November 19 - December 31, 2023
icon Daily, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (9-10 a.m. hotel guests only). Closes at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.
icon Ticketed

Let your Christmas creativity run wild when you adorn tasty gingerbread. After you've reached confection perfection with your edible art, spend time with Nutmeg or Cinnamon, our very own gingerbread friends.

#LIT Light Show
#LIT Light Show Presented by Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®️ Credit Card
event details

#LIT Light Show Presented by Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®️ Credit Card

icon November 19 – December 30, 2023
icon Daily, 7:30 p.m., 8:45 p.m., 9:15 p.m.
icon Complimentary

Our dynamic, celebratory light show brings the fun of decorating the tree to life through thousands of dancing lights, culminating in a delightful and memorable tree lighting experience. Presented by Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®️ Credit Card from Chase.

Photos with Santa
Photos with Santa
event details

Photos with Santa

icon November 19 – December 24, 2023
icon Schedule and times vary
icon Ticketed
Mailing a letter to the North Pole is great, but nothing can beat a personal visit with Santa Claus to let him know what you want for Christmas and make sure you're on his nice list. Capture the moment with a keepsake photo. 
Reindeer Games™ Scavenger Hunt featuring Rudolph and The Misfit Toys
event details

Reindeer Games™ Scavenger Hunt featuring Rudolph and The Misfit Toys

icon November 19 – December 31, 2023
icon Daily, at your leisure
icon Ticketed
The Misfit Toys are all lost, and they need you to find them! With Rudolph's help, follow the clues to find the Misfit Toys and send them on their way to their new homes.
Mrs. Claus' Christmas Traditions
Mrs. Claus' Christmas Traditions
event details

Mrs. Claus' Christmas Traditions

icon November 19 – December 31, 2023
icon Daily; showtimes vary
icon Ticketed

Join the jolliest hostess of all for a fun-filled celebration of Christmas traditions. Delight in the retelling of the Christmas classic, "'Twas The Night Before Christmas," sing along to favorite holiday songs, and share a batch of Santa's favorite snack - warm, freshly baked Christmas cookies and ice-cold milk. Presented by Keany Produce.

The Greatest Story Stage Show
The Greatest Story Stage Show
event details

The Greatest Story Stage Show

icon November 19 – December 31, 2023
icon Schedule varies
icon Ticketed
The birth of Jesus Christ has been called "the greatest story ever told." Experience it through the eyes of six international storytellers in a musical stage show and multicultural celebration of everlasting faith, hope, and love. Complimentary seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Guaranteed seating available for purchase.
Build-A-Bear Workshop®
Build-A-Bear Workshop®
event details

Build-A-Bear Workshop®

icon November 19 - December 31, 2023
icon Daily, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (9-10 a.m. hotel guests only). Closes at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.
icon Price Varies

Build-A-Bear® has been adding a little more heart to life for more than 25 years! Visit Build-A-Bear Workshop® to experience the fun of personalizing furry friends and taking part in our one-of-a-kind Heart Ceremony. Add adorable outfits, sweet scents and fun sounds to make any furry friend the perfect gift or a cuddly Christmas keepsake!  

Wildlife Rescue – An Augmented Reality Experience presented by bubly™
Wildlife Rescue
event details

Wildlife Rescue

icon November 19 – December 31, 2023
icon Daily, at your leisure
icon Complimentary
Take a virtual safari through Gaylord National! Twelve endangered animals are hidden throughout the resort and your help is needed to find them. Search for the tracking markers to find the hidden animals, learn facts about them, and see them come to life before your very eyes with the magic of augmented reality (AR)! This cool tech experience is fun for kids of all ages and affords photo opportunities with AR animals throughout the resort. A smart phone and free app download are necessary to enjoy this AR experience.
Winter Wellness at Relâche Spa
Winter Wellness at Relâche Spa
event details

Winter Wellness at Relâche Spa

icon November 20, 2022 - December 24, 2022
icon Daily, times vary
icon Price Varies
Drift into a state of tranquility while enjoying Winter Wellness spa treatments and the benefits of Eucalyptus, known to be high in antioxidants to promote relaxation and reduce pain.
Christmas Suites
Christmas Suites
event details

Don't miss your chance to stay and experience holiday cheer in our enchanting Christmas Dream Suite.. These spectacular suites are filled with Christmas decorations, a full-sized Christmas tree, and guests can enjoy a fresh plate of holiday sweets made by our resort chefs as part of the overnight experience. There is limited availability - suites are expected to sell out quickly.

Special Event: ASL Santa
event details

Special Event: ASL Santa

icon December 13, 2023
icon 12pm-8pm

Limited, one-day event only

Deaf Santa Charles visits, December 13 from 12-8 p.m., with children who communicate via American Sign Language (ASL). Families can reserve this special time with Santa Charles by booking a photo package for December 13th.

Guests who visit with Santa Charles on that day, December 13th, can also enjoy 40% off tickets to experience ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™️. Use code Santa23 to book tickets on the same day only.

 

 

#ShineBright Wall of Kindness
event details

#ShineBright Wall of Kindness

Gaylord National is so excited to feature Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™️ as this year's ICE! theme. As guests travel through this tale, carved out of 2 million pounds of colorful ice, they will be reminded of Rudolph's adventures and how he ultimately embraces what makes him different and #ShineBright. We encourage you all think about how you #ShineBright and spread kindness and love for others as we celebrate our differences.

Visit our Wall of Kindness, which will be located in the hall leading to ICE! and the Christmas Village entrance, to add your #ShineBright pledge and see how others #ShineBright in their own way. Don't forget to snap a picture and tag us @GaylordNational on social media!

Visit ICE! on Twinkle Tuesdays to Support Boys and Girls Clubs of Maryland
event details

Visit ICE! on Twinkle Tuesdays to Support Boys and Girls Clubs of Maryland

icon Twinkle Tuesdays: Nov. 21, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, and Dec. 12

Gaylord National will be donating $1 to the Boys and Girls Club of Maryland for every ticket sold to visit ICE! the first 4 Tuesdays of the season. Help us support youth, promote inclusion and help prevent bullying this holiday season.

Help spread kindness by visiting ICE! on our #TwinkleTuesdays and don't forget to stop by our Wall of Kindness to add your #ShineBright pledge this season.

Gaylord National Sensory Experience
event details

Gaylord National Sensory Experience

icon November 27, December 5, December 12, and December 13.
icon 11:45am - 12:45pm

In order to help all guests enjoy Christmas at Gaylord National, we have dedicated certain days and times where our main holiday attractions will be modified to better accommodate guests who many have sensory sensitivity.  These modifications include:
•    Slower foot traffic time 
•    Music volume reduced in the ICE! attraction by 75%
•    Reduced lighting 
•    Front of line access for ICE! attraction 

Throughout the holiday season, the resort is also implementing the following services to help support families with sensory processing differences:
•    Onsite "quiet area" that families can access if needed 
•    Complimentary ear plugs available at guest-service desk.
•    A badge that can be worn to identify to our staff that you are sensory sensitivity.
•    An overview for each Christmas activity that shares the sensory- experience so that guests can decide what attraction is best for them.