If there is one place that knows how to celebrate Christmas, it’s Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee! We’ve been visiting Gaylord Opryland for 10 years now, and it has become one of our favorite family traditions. No matter how many times we visit, there’s always something new to see and do, and Christmas is hands down our favorite time of year to go!
From millions of twinkling Christmas lights and gorgeous holiday decorations to ice tubing, ice skating and the incredible ICE! attraction, Gaylord Opryland goes all out for the holidays. And this year, I’m especially excited because ICE! is featuring one of my favorite Christmas movies, Home Alone! Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or just visiting for the day, here’s everything you need to know about celebrating Christmas at Gaylord Opryland in 2026.
When Is Christmas at Gaylord Opryland in 2026?
A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland runs from November 6, 2026 through January 2, 2027. During this time, the resort transforms into a beautiful Christmas wonderland with festive decorations, holiday entertainment and activities for the entire family.
One of my favorite things about visiting Gaylord Opryland during Christmas is that there is so much to do without ever leaving the resort. Between the indoor atriums, outdoor holiday activities, restaurants and seasonal attractions, you can easily fill an entire weekend with Christmas fun. We’ve been coming back year after year for a decade, and it’s still something we look forward to every holiday season.
ICE! Featuring Home Alone at Gaylord Opryland
One of the biggest highlights of Christmas at Gaylord Opryland is ICE!, and the theme changes each year! For 2026, ICE! features Home Alone, bringing Kevin McCallister, the Wet Bandits and some of the movie’s most memorable scenes to life through incredible hand-carved ice sculptures.
The attraction features more than 2 million pounds of ice, colorful sculptures, interactive scenes and two-story ice slides. Visitors can walk through the McCallister house, see familiar moments from the movie and explore the frozen displays. I love that the theme changes each year because it gives us something completely new to experience every time we return.
And when I say it’s cold inside ICE!, I mean COLD! The attraction is kept at just 9 degrees, but Gaylord Opryland provides a big blue parka for you to wear while you’re inside. I definitely recommend bringing gloves, a warm hat and comfortable closed-toe shoes too. We’ve learned over the years that the more bundled up everyone is, the longer you can enjoy walking through and looking at all the details.
Some of our favorite memories from previous visits have been inside ICE!. We’ve experienced themes like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Polar Express, and I still remember how much Grayson loved seeing all the trains during The Polar Express year. The ice slides have always been a favorite with our family too! They’re fun for both kids and adults, and it’s one of those activities everyone looks forward to doing together.
I can’t wait to see how they bring Home Alone to life this year!
Christmas Activities at Gaylord Opryland
While ICE! is definitely one of the main attractions, there’s so much more to do during A Country Christmas. One of the reasons we’ve continued visiting for so many years is that there are activities for so many different ages. Some of our favorite experiences have been ice tubing, ice bumper cars, ice skating and all the little holiday activities throughout the resort.
Ice Tubing, Ice Skating and Ice Bumper Cars
If you’re visiting with kids, I highly recommend making time for the outdoor winter activities! Ice tubing has always been one of my personal favorites. There’s something so fun about racing down the tubing lanes, and I love that it’s an activity adults can enjoy just as much as the kids.
Grayson especially loved the ice bumper cars during one of our previous visits. He giggled nonstop and could have stayed out there driving them all afternoon! We also love watching everyone ice skate, and it’s such a pretty setting during the holidays.
For 2026, the outdoor winter activities include ice tubing, ice skating and ice bumper cars. Be sure to check the current ticket options and any age or height requirements before your visit so you can plan which activities will work best for your family.
Gingerbread Decorating and Holiday Activities
If you’re looking for something indoors, Gaylord Opryland has plenty of options too! Over the years, we’ve loved decorating gingerbread houses and cookies, exploring the holiday scavenger hunts and finding all the festive displays throughout the resort.
One year, we brought a gingerbread house home for the girls to decorate while Grayson decorated cookies during our trip. Those are the little memories I love most about our holiday traditions. It’s not always about doing every single activity. Sometimes it’s just getting to spend time together doing something fun and festive.
This year’s activities include gingerbread decorating, the new Secret Santa Scavenger Hunt, Snowball Build & Blast and other holiday experiences. There’s plenty to keep everyone entertained even when you’re ready to take a break from the colder outdoor activities.
Delta Riverboat Christmas Cruise
Another activity we’ve always loved at Gaylord Opryland is the Delta Riverboat ride! The boat travels through the resort’s beautiful indoor Delta Atrium, and it’s such a fun way to see the property from a different perspective.
During Christmas, the atriums are decorated with gorgeous lights, trees and holiday displays, which makes the boat ride even more special. It’s one of those experiences we’ve enjoyed over and over again throughout the years, and I always recommend it to families visiting for the first time.
Christmas Shows and Entertainment
Gaylord Opryland also offers special holiday entertainment throughout the Christmas season. One of the featured shows for 2026 is POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, a holiday production featuring acrobatics, music and beautiful theatrical performances.
There are also opportunities for photos with Santa, holiday character experiences and plenty of festive entertainment throughout the property. I recommend checking the schedule before your trip because some shows and activities are only offered on select dates.
Christmas Lights and Decorations at Gaylord Opryland
Even if you don’t purchase tickets for every activity, simply walking through Gaylord Opryland at Christmas is such a beautiful experience! The resort is decorated with millions of lights, gorgeous Christmas trees, wreaths, poinsettias and festive displays throughout the indoor atriums and outdoor areas.
I love walking through the hotel and discovering all the little Christmas details. From the enormous Christmas trees to the beautiful lights reflecting off the water in the atriums, there are so many pretty places to stop and take pictures.
We’ve visited Gaylord Opryland during different seasons over the years, and while I love the resort year-round, there’s just something extra special about seeing it decorated for Christmas. It’s one of those places that makes you want to slow down, look around and enjoy the season a little longer.
Staying Overnight at Gaylord Opryland During Christmas
If you’re trying to decide whether to visit for the day or stay overnight, I definitely recommend staying at least one night if your schedule allows. Gaylord Opryland is a destination in itself, and there is so much to experience during the holidays that it’s nice not to rush through everything.
We love being able to spend the day enjoying the Christmas activities, head back to our room to relax and then venture back out to see the lights and decorations in the evening. It’s especially convenient when you’re traveling with kids because you can take breaks throughout the day without having to leave the property.
The resort also offers special holiday packages, including options that combine overnight accommodations with ICE! tickets. If you’re planning to stay, I recommend comparing the available packages before booking because some may offer a better value than purchasing everything separately.
Can You Visit SoundWaves During Christmas?
Yes! Another thing we love about Gaylord Opryland is SoundWaves, the resort’s upscale indoor and outdoor water attraction. We’ve visited SoundWaves many times over the years, and it’s such a fun addition to a family getaway.
During the winter, the indoor water attraction gives families another way to enjoy their stay, especially if you’re planning a longer trip. You can spend one day enjoying all the Christmas activities and another day playing at SoundWaves.
Just keep in mind that SoundWaves admission is not automatically included with every room reservation or ICE! ticket. Gaylord Opryland offers select packages that include water attraction access, so be sure to check what’s included when booking.
Tips for Visiting Gaylord Opryland at Christmas
After 10 years of visiting Gaylord Opryland, we’ve learned a few things that make planning a Christmas trip so much easier!
First, I recommend booking your room and Christmas activities in advance, especially if you’re visiting on a weekend or closer to Christmas. ICE! is one of the resort’s most popular holiday attractions, and planning ahead gives you a better chance of getting the dates and times you want.
I also recommend dressing in layers and bringing warm accessories for ICE!. Even though the resort provides parkas, gloves and hats make a big difference when you’re spending time in 9-degree temperatures. Comfortable shoes are a must too because there’s quite a bit of walking throughout the property.
If you’re planning to do several holiday activities, take a look at the Christmas activity passes. For 2026, Gaylord Opryland is offering passes that can save you up to 30% when bundling select attractions. This can be a great option for families who want to experience more than just ICE!.
Another important thing to know is that resort access can be restricted during certain busy dates and times. On select days during the holiday season, overnight guests and visitors with qualifying ticket reservations are given guaranteed access after 3:00 p.m. Be sure to check the resort’s current visitor policies before making plans to walk through the Christmas decorations.
And finally, don’t feel like you have to squeeze everything into one day! Some of our favorite memories have come from simply walking around, enjoying the lights, stopping for a treat and spending time together.
Is Gaylord Opryland Worth Visiting at Christmas?
After visiting for 10 years, I can confidently say that Gaylord Opryland is one of our favorite places to celebrate the Christmas season! I love that it has become a tradition our family looks forward to, and even as the kids get older, there are still new activities and experiences for everyone to enjoy.
What makes it so special to me is that it’s more than just one Christmas attraction. You can enjoy the lights, go ice tubing, decorate gingerbread, explore ICE!, ride the riverboat and spend an entire weekend making holiday memories together.
Whether you’re planning your first visit or returning for another year, Christmas at Gaylord Opryland is such a wonderful way to celebrate the season. And with Home Alone as this year’s ICE! theme, I think 2026 is going to be an especially fun year to visit!
You can find current dates, ticket options, activity passes and holiday packages at Christmas at Gaylord Opryland. Have you ever visited Gaylord Opryland at Christmas? What’s your favorite holiday tradition to do with your family?
