ICE is Back at The Gaylord Texan

Holiday Classic ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas™’ Told Through Hand-Carved Ice Sculptures

ICE!, the annual holiday tradition at Gaylord Hotels is open now through December 31, 2023.

Using more than two million pounds – or 1,000 tons – of ice, the beloved holiday classic, ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas™,’ will be brought to life in ice sculpture form by 40 world-class ice artisans from Harbin, China.

The chilly walk-through attraction will feature ten scenes from the iconic Dr. Seuss story, with characters like The Grinch, of course, as well as his dog Max, Cindy-Lou, and many festive Whos from Who-ville.

The environment will be kept frozen by a state-of-the-art chilling system, keeping the attraction at a wintery nine degrees Fahrenheit to keep the ice intact. You and your family will sport Gaylord’s complimentary signature blue parkas to stay warm and are encouraged to dress in cold-weather clothing.

“ICE! has been a tradition at Gaylord Hotels for two decades now,” said Chuck Pacioni, general manager of Gaylord Texan Resort. “We look forward to welcoming families who make it a tradition to come every year, as well as those visitors coming for the very first time, to enjoy our magical holiday experiences.“

Starting with more than 6,000 massive ice blocks, the carvers work approximately six weeks – more than 12,000 man-hours – to create the nearly 17,000-square-foot frozen attraction. Using skills passed down through generations; the artisans follow a 300-page design book to create the ice spectacle. Ice carvings range in size from details as tiny as a coin to soaring scenes over 30 feet tall.

The carvers will travel nearly 6,000 miles from their homes in Harbin, China, to Grapevine, TX. Known as “Ice City,” Harbin is home to the world’s largest annual ice and snow sculpting festival in the world. At Gaylord Texan, some of the same artisans who create the Harbin festival will carve 300-pound blocks of ice into the larger-than-life, whimsical scenes. Carvers will use chisels, chippers, tongs, handsaws, grinders, and even chainsaws to bring “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” to life.

In addition to the amazing ice sculptures from the fan-favorite Christmas book, you can also take rides down the two-story-tall ice slides and traverse through ice tunnels and arches. The ICE! experience concludes in a separate area dedicated to the Nativity scene, meticulously carved and shaped in a display of crystal-clear ice.

Advance online reservations are required for ICE! and all ticketed holiday events at the Gaylord Texan.
Order your tickets for ICE!

ICE! is just one of the festive holiday events happening during Gaylord Texan’s Lone Star Christmas. Additional activities will include:

Feast with The Grinch Character Breakfast: Join everyone’s favorite green and grouchy Grinch from the famous Dr. Seuss book and animated featurette, How The Grinch Stole Christmas! ™️, for a special character dining experience at Texan Station. And while the Grinch usually avoids the residents of Who-ville, he’ll make a very special appearance at the breakfast, accompanied by his canine companion, Max.

On The Blocks: Chill out at On the Blocks, the exclusive bar inside ICEd! Adults 21+ can upgrade their ICE! Experience to enjoy one select beverage sampling. Ambient lighting, music, and fun photo opportunities set the mood for this unique VIP experience.

Snow Flow Mountain: Experience our eight-lane tubing hill, covered in real snow and designed to bring thrilling fun for all ages. Zoom down the lanes, race to the bottom, and enjoy unlimited runs on your ticket date.

Build-A-Bear Workshop: 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!

Cirque: Spirit of Christmas: 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, her family is visited by spirits who bring back the season’s true meaning in energetic, dreamlike chapters.

Gingerbread Decorating Corner: Make a date to decorate! Let your Christmas creativity run wild when you adorn tasty gingerbread. After you’ve reached confection perfection with your edible art, head over for a sweet meet and greet with Nutmeg, our very own gingerbread man.

Photos with Santa: 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.

Also being unwrapped this year are Christmas at Gaylord Texan packages that include special room rates and admission to select events.

Book your holiday experiences early, because advance online reservations are required for all ticketed events. Tickets are limited to many of the experiences.

For tickets, more information, or to book an overnight stay, visit ChristmasatGaylordTexan.com.