Where to Experience Christmas Magic in Colorado: Inside Gaylord Rockies' 2026 Celebration
2 Million Pounds of Ice. 3 Million Christmas Lights. One Iconic Holiday Story.
About ice!
This holiday season, Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center is transforming into a festive winter wonderland with its annual Christmas celebration, running November 20, 2026, through January 3, 2027. From larger-than-life ice sculptures and indoor snow tubing to life-sized gingerbread creations and holiday entertainment, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate the season.
At the center of it all is ice! featuring Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, Gaylord Hotels' signature frozen attraction. Whether you're planning a family outing, a festive getaway, or a new holiday tradition, Christmas at Gaylord Rockies offers something for everyone.
About ice! Featuring Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas
Get ready to step into a frozen version of Halloween Town! This year's ice! attraction brings the beloved Disney film Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas to life through more than 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice.
Master ice artisans from Harbin, China, transform the massive ice collection into colorful, towering sculptures featuring familiar characters and scenes from the movie. This is the first Gaylord resort to have this as a theme, so the ice artisans have spent time creating new, never-before-seen creations. Guests can explore 17,000 square feet of immersive ice displays, encounter Jack Skellington and Sally, and even spot Santa Claus among the frozen creations.
The experience also features two-story ice slides, intricate ice tunnels, and dazzling lighting that brings every detail to life. It's a one-of-a-kind opportunity to walk through a frozen holiday story and experience the artistry behind one of Gaylord Rockies' most popular seasonal attractions.
Listen to the podcast below to learn what you can expect at ice! this year.
More Than Just Ice: A Full-On Holiday Wonderland
ice! is just the beginning. Christmas at Gaylord Rockies transforms the entire resort into a holiday destination, complete with more than 3 million Christmas lights, festive entertainment, seasonal dining, and activities for all ages.
Explore the Yuletide Street Market, a charming holiday village filled with Dickensian-style storefronts, live entertainment, characters, and festive treats. Stop by Bits & Bobs for a cup of hot chocolate, browse the Christmas Treasures shops for unique ornaments and gifts, or take in the elaborate holiday decorations throughout the resort.
Families can also enjoy indoor snow tubing, a Christmas carousel, the Ice Puck Challenge, gingerbread decorating, and more. With more than 10 themed experiences throughout the property, there's plenty to fill an entire day or a holiday getaway.
2026 Holiday Highlights at Gaylord Rockies
- Ice! Featuring Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Explore 17,000 square feet of colorful, hand-carved ice sculptures featuring Jack Skellington, Sally, Santa Claus, and other familiar characters. Don't miss the two-story ice slides and immersive frozen scenes.
- Indoor Snow Tubing: Race down exhilarating indoor tubing lanes for a little extra winter adventure, without having to bundle up for the outdoors.
- Christmas Carousel: Take a festive spin on the holiday carousel, a fun addition to the resort's seasonal attractions.
- Ice Puck Challenge: Put your skills to the test with this holiday-themed ice game. Note: Indoor tubing, the Christmas Carousel, and the Ice Puck Challenge are available November 26 through December 28, 2026.
- Nutmeg's Holiday Kitchen Character Breakfast: Start the morning with a festive breakfast alongside Nutmeg, Gaylord Rockies' life-sized gingerbread cookie, and The Merry Baker. Enjoy themed breakfast offerings, photo opportunities, stories, and interactive holiday fun.
- Gingerbread Decorating Corner: Get creative with a festive gingerbread cookie before meeting Nutmeg the Gingerbread Man for a sweet photo opportunity.
- Gingerbread Mountain Cabin: One of Gaylord Rockies' most beloved holiday traditions returns with an entirely reimagined design. This life-sized gingerbread creation is made with more than 2,000 pounds of ingredients, including 500 pounds of gingerbread dough, 1,000 gumballs, and more than 50 pounds of coconut flakes. More than 23 pastry cooks contributed to the project, which represents approximately four and a half months of work. Find the finished masterpiece in the resort's Grand Lodge Atrium from November 20, 2026, through January 3, 2027.
- The Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan: A brand-new collaboration with The Coca-Cola Company brings the iconic red Holiday Caravan to Gaylord Rockies December 28–31, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests can enjoy complimentary interactive activities, product samples, giveaways, and photo opportunities with the Coca-Cola Polar Bear.
- The Coca-Cola Christmas Suite: Extend your holiday getaway with an exclusive Coca-Cola-themed overnight experience. The limited-time connecting suite features festive decorations, a themed Christmas tree, seasonal treats, a Coca-Cola keepsake, and four tickets to ICE! It's available November 20, 2026, through January 3, 2027.
More Holiday Favorites
- Yuletide Street Market with festive shops, live entertainment, and seasonal treats
- Christmas Treasures gift shops featuring ornaments, apparel, toys, and holiday décor
- More than 3 million Christmas lights throughout the resort
- Seasonal dining, specialty cocktails, and holiday treats
- Holiday shows, entertainment, and character experiences
Plan Your Visit
Whether you're visiting for the day or making a weekend of it, Christmas at Gaylord Rockies is a festive way to celebrate the holiday season in Aurora, Colorado. Make the most of your visit with special overnight packages, activity passes, and discounted ice! tickets.
Guests can also explore exclusive offers for AAA members, military personnel, teachers, and more. With millions of pounds of ice, spectacular holiday decorations, and activities for the whole family, Gaylord Rockies is bringing So Much Christmas to Colorado this holiday season.
Christmas at Gaylord Rockies:
- Dates: November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027
- Location: Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, Aurora, Colorado
- Tickets and information: ChristmasatGaylordRockies.com
Start planning your holiday visit and experience one of Colorado's most elaborate Christmas celebrations!
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