Gaylord Texan Christmas: 15 Reasons To Visit

If you are looking for the perfect holiday retreat, then look no further than the Gaylord Texan Christmas celebration held annually at the Gaylord Texan Resort.

For the 2022 holiday season, Christmas at Gaylord Texan Resort is back in full swing, including the resort’s signature event, ICE!, featuring The Polar Express.

Of course, ICE! isn’t the only attraction at this Lone Star Christmas event. The Gaylord Texan offers up loads of fun events and activities to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

Whether you are participating in a themed escape room, a fun scavenger hunt, or just enjoying the larger than life décor, the Gaylord Texan Resort will provide endless fun to help you and your family celebrate Christmas!

There are so many memory-making moments at the resort that the whole family will get a cozy feeling for years to come when they reflect on the incredible time they had at the resort.

Let’s check out all of the reasons that we enjoy Christmas at Gaylord Texan!

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1. ICE! at the Gaylord Texan

Polar Express at ICE! — Photos Courtesy of Gaylord Resorts

ICE! at Gaylord Texas Christmas — Photos Courtesy of Gaylord Resorts

The Gaylord Hotels’ original experience of ICE! is proud to be back for the 2022 holiday season. After being away for two years, the annual event is back and better than ever, with a theme showcasing the Warner Bros Entertainment Inc. holiday movie, The Polar Express.

Visitors can surround themselves in an amazing wonderland of ice as they are surrounded by incredible ice sculptures created using over two million pounds of ice. Yes, you read that correctly, two million pounds of ice!

After borrowing your full-size parka (available in adult and kid sizes), get ready to feel like you have been transported to the North Pole, Polar Express style.

Once inside the winter wonderland of ICE!, visitors can explore the two million pounds of ice sculptures that include ice tunnels and a two-story-tall ice slide!

You will find yourself surrounded by larger-than-life exhibits celebrating the holiday season and the fun playfulness of The Polar Express. The Polar Express scenes and characters truly do come to life at the Gaylord Texan this year!

Pro Tip: There is not a box office on-site at the resort. All tickets to ICE! are electronic and have to be purchased online or over the phone. As the event often sells out, be sure to reserve yours well in advance!

2. The Merry and Light Exhibit

Head toward the Gaylord’s Convention Center, and you will run right into their Merry and Light Exhibit.

The Merry and Light Exhibit surrounds guests with twinkling lights and a sparkling array of incredible holiday décor.

The walkway through the exhibit is nice and wide, making it perfect for plenty of fun selfies!

3. Cirque Winter Wonderland

The holiday magic continues at the Gaylord Texan when you enjoy another Gaylord Hotels original experience, the Cirque Winter Wonderland show.

This action-packed show includes jaw-dropping juggling, incredible acrobatics, and more.

The live entertainment in the cirque Winter Wonderland will give you all the cozy feelings while, at the same time, leaving you on the edge of your seat!

Pro Tip: This Gaylord Hotels original experience is only available for a short time. Be sure to get your tickets early, so you don’t miss it!

4. Snow Tubing and Ice Skating

snow hill at Gaylord Texan Christmas — Photo Courtesy of Gaylord Resorts

There aren’t many places in Texas where you can enjoy a day of snow tubing and ice skating, but thanks to the Gaylord Texan Resort, this can be achieved on a festive, perfect day during your visit!

Spend the day racing down their real snow tubing hill and enjoy endless fun thanks to your unlimited ride ticket.

When you’re ready to try your hand at ice skating, you can enjoy the Gaylord Hotel’s 6,000-square-foot skating rink which is made with real ice.

5. Breakfast With Charlie Brown

For a fabulously fun family event, be sure and book an overnight stay so that you can enjoy breakfast with Charlie Brown!

One of the festive activities offered during the Christmas season, enjoying a delicious breakfast with Charlie Brown and your favorite members of the Peanuts gang, is guaranteed to be a highlight of your Lone Star Christmas.

Pro Tip: This event is limited, so be sure to make your booking well in advance!

6. Merry Snoopy Scavenger Hunt

It’s ok to get caught playing games during the holidays, right?! We think it is for sure! That’s why we have included the Merry Snoopy Scavenger Hunt on our list of reasons to enjoy Christmas at Gaylord Texan.

Snoopy is trying to win a Dog House Decorating Competition, and he needs your help! You and your family will have a blast running around the Gaylord Texan looking for clues to help Snoopy deck out his house while on this scavenger hunt.

The best part is you get to win a special souvenir upon completing the task!

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7. Gingerbread House Decorating

Head to the gingerbread decorating station and let your Christmas creativity run wild.

The Gaylord Texan provides everything you need to create a gingerbread house masterpiece. Whether you are going for a traditional look or a modern fun twist, you can create your own prized item at the gingerbread decorating station.

8. Santa Claus

If your Christmas traditions include a photo with Santa Clause, then rest assured that you can make that happen at the Gaylord Texas as well.

Not only can you grab a great holiday photo, but you also get the opportunity to personally tell Santa Claus what you want for Christmas!

In addition to photos with Santa, you can also participate in a fun game created by Santa’s elves, Santa’s Snow Throw. Santa’s snow throw allows you to throw real snowballs at interactive targets created by Santa’s elves!

9. Christmas Village

Gaylord Texan Christmas interior decorations — Photo Courtesy of Gaylord Resorts

Christmas Village at the Gaylord Texas will ensure that you and your family have the best holiday experience possible.

Christmas Village includes several of the items that we have listed above, like the Santa’s Snow Throw, ice skating, and snow tubing. It is also home to a family-friendly ride, the Christmas Carousel, shopping, and more.

The Christmas Carousel is one of my favorite things at Gaylord Texas, during the Christmas season. There is just something so pretty and nostalgic about it!

10. Holiday Pop-Up Bars and Live Entertainment

While there are plenty of family-friendly activities happening during the Christmas season at the Gaylord Texan, there are also some events for just adults.

Enjoy pop-up bars at the resort that are decked out for the holiday season. These pop-up bars serve up delicious signature cocktails with loads of holiday spirit!

Adults will also enjoy the live events offered at the Glass Cactus on Lake Grapevine. With live entertainment and great waterfront views, the Glass Cactus is the perfect place for adults to unwind during their visit to the Gaylord Texan.

Pro Tip: Book an overnight stay to enjoy all of the evening’s festivities at the Gaylord, including a sparkling array of lights and attractions, without having to worry about driving home!

11. Elf Workshop

Kids will love visiting the Elf Workshop during their time at the Gaylord Texan.

The Elf Workshop allows kids to enjoy helping Santa create fun toys and one-of-a-kind keepsake gifts and crafts while visiting the art studio.

12. Winter Wellness Spa

In my opinion, the perfect Christmas gift is a nice relaxing spa retreat. If you agree, then be sure and add a Winter Wellness Spa treatment during your visit to the Gaylord Texan.

Thanks to the relaxing smell of Eucalyptus and peppermint, unwinding at the spa is easy and well-deserved!

13. Escape Rooms

If you want to challenge your mind during your holiday at the Gaylord Texan Resort, then consider visiting one of the two escape rooms that are on the property.

The Holiday Heist Escape Room at the Gaylord Hotel Texas has you and your family solving a holiday heist. You will use clues hidden throughout the room to try and figure out who stole the precious Christmas artifact from the North Pole.

In the School’ Out for Holiday Break Escape Room, you use clues to try and find your confiscated cell phone. Apparently, you were playing games during class time, and your teacher collected your cell phone and forgot to return it to you.

You will use a hidden collection of clues to find your phone before the janitor finishes locking the school for winter break when you escape at the Gaylord Hotel Grapevine Christmas celebration.

14. Holiday Shopping

You can do some holiday shopping during your time at the Gaylord Resort as well.

Visitors can enjoy browsing the holiday-themed gifts, souvenirs, and décor when visiting the Emporium in the Village. It’s easy to find the perfect gift or Christmas ornament during your visit to the Gaylord Hotel Dallas Christmas celebration!

15. Holiday Themed Meals

Holiday-themed meals are one of the delights of visiting the Gaylord Texan during the holiday season. Luckily for you, the restaurants throughout the resort sponsor fabulous holiday-themed meals during the holiday season!

Be sure and visit the Gaylord Texan website for complete details on all of the information mentioned in this post!