The time-honored, immersive holiday attraction, ice!™, returns to Gaylord Opryland with an all-new theme as part of the resort’s 43rd Annual A Country Christmas, running November 6, 2026, through January 2, 2027. More Local Living News
Guests can now book special early bird packages or tickets to receive their limited-time discount. Terms, conditions, and blackout dates apply. The resort is offering an ice!️ Signature Package that includes room accommodations and ice! tickets (plus a Chill & Thrill package option to also include SoundWaves). All overnight guests who are Ice! ticketholders will enjoy the additional perk of a complimentary “Chill Pass” to ice! offering front-of-line access and shorter wait times. To reserve an overnight stay and event tickets or for more information, visit ChristmasAtGaylordOpryland.com.
This year, Gaylord Opryland proudly unveils ice! featuring Home Alone™, where the beloved holiday classic comes to life in more than two million pounds of brilliantly sculpted ice. Centered around the iconic McCallister home, the experience unfolds across 11 interactive walk-through scenes, beginning with a striking exterior that draws guests into the story before inviting them inside. From sledding down the grand staircase and joining the lively mannequin party to recreating the unforgettable aftershave moment, each vignette captures the heart, humor and nostalgia of the film.
The artisans behind this extraordinary masterpiece travel more than 6,400 miles from Harbin, China, known as the “Ice City” and home to the world’s largest ice and snow festival, to bring their craft to Nashville. The team uses more than 6,000 massive blocks of ice and dedicates approximately six weeks and more than 12,000 hours to create the 17,000-square-foot frozen attraction. Following a detailed 300-page design plan, they use chisels, grinders and chainsaws to transform ice into a breathtaking holiday wonderland.
Back by popular demand, the resort’s 43rd Annual A Country Christmas will once again feature POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, a dazzling holiday stage production where the brilliance of Broadway meets the magic and wonder of cirque. This year’s reimagined show introduces new gravity-defying acts, even more mind-blowing illusions, breathtaking costumes, and enchanting storytelling. POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance captivated Nashville audiences last season and won the Telly Award for “Best Immersive Family Holiday Show.”
The reimagined show returns for an exclusive Nashville residency in the resort’s Tennessee Ballroom Theater, November 24 through December 31, 2026. Created by acclaimed Broadway director and Cirque Dreams founder Neil Goldberg, this one-of-a-kind immersive experience is inspired by the popular POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance storybook series and television special. Guests of all ages are transported into a whimsical world where three best friends study music, magic, and circus arts at a secret university.
Endless holiday experiences await during the 43rd Annual A Country Christmas. Other events and activities include:
• Families can partake in an all-new Secret Santa Scavenger Hunt where they can work together to solve the puzzle, celebrate each discovery, and earn a prize for completing the hunt.
• Also debuting this year is Nutmeg’s Holiday Kitchen Character Breakfast where families can meet Nutmeg, the life-sized gingerbread cookie, and The Baker as they share cheer through stories, laughter, and festive fun. This interactive dining experience features photo opportunities and playful moments designed to make every family feel part of the Christmas magic.
• Guests can hop aboard Nashville’s famous 300-foot paddlewheel riverboat, the General Jackson Showboat, for the Tennessee Christmas lunch cruise or the Music City Christmas dinner cruise while enjoying scenic views of the Cumberland River and Nashville Skyline. Guests can look forward to a delightful Southern meal and world-class live musical performances. Visit GeneralJackson.com for more information.
• Thrilling activities await outside at Pinetop, including ice tubing down a 15-foot-high, four-lane ice tubing hill, a classic bumper car experience, and ice skating on a 9,000-square-foot skating rink made with real ice, while listening to holiday tunes.
• The resort’s upscale signature steakhouse, Old Hickory, as well as Gaylord Springs Golf Links, will host special Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day dining experiences.
• Christmas creativity runs wild in the Gingerbread Decorating Corner. Decorate your very own Gingerbread cookies or house and enjoy a sweet meet and greet with Cinnamon, the resort’s very own life-sized gingerbread cookie.
• 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. Guests can capture the moment with a keepsake photo during the Photos with Santa experience.
• Hop aboard the Delta Riverboat Christmas Cruise to explore the Twelve Days of A Country Christmas while cruising down a quarter mile-long river inside of the Delta Atrium.
• Visit the Build-A-Bear Workshop® to experience the fun of personalizing furry friends and taking part in a one-of-a-kind Heart Ceremony.
• Additional activities include Letters to Santa, Holiday Selfie Spots, and a Holiday Horticulture Trek.
• Take in a breathtaking synchronization of light, water, and holiday music during a free light & fountain show inside of the Delta Atrium.
• Other outdoor activities include the resort’s millions of Christmas lights displayed on the Magnolia lawn, a nightly tree lighting, Dickens Carolers, cozy carriage rides, and a stunning Nativity display featuring special lighting effects and an audio rendition of the beloved biblical story.
• The resort’s upscale water attraction, SoundWaves, has an 84-degree, 110,000 square-foot indoor area which is open year-round. Float down the lazy river, zip along the rapid river, jump aboard a mega raft ride, or take a stab at surfing on Nashville’s only double FlowRider®. The attraction also features a restaurant, cabana rentals, multi-level play structures for kids, and an adult-only pool and adult-only bar. Downstairs, all hotel visitors can visit the Bass-ment, a full arcade room with a rock-climbing wall. SoundWaves is only available to guests who pre-purchase a SoundWaves package. Visit SoundWavesGO.com for more information.
• Relâche Spa inside the resort offers luxurious, seasonal massages, body treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures, salon services and more.
For capacity management and to ensure an enjoyable environment, resort access will be guaranteed after 3:00 p.m. CT for overnight guests as well as indoor or outdoor ticket reservation holders only every Friday and Saturday beginning November 20 plus daily November 23-26 and December 18-31, 2026. The resort welcomes visitors without room reservation or ticketed event reservations to arrive on site prior to 3:00 p.m. CT on the aforementioned dates and enjoy the rest of the afternoon into the evening, or to visit anytime November 6-19, Nov. 22, Nov. 29 – Dec. 3, Dec. 6-10, Dec. 13-17, 2026; or Jan. 1-2, 2027. Additional restrictions may apply without advance notice.
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter
