Gaylord 'ice!' Adds Harry Potter, Home Alone Themes

Gaylord Hotels has announced new themes and locations for its signature "ice!" holiday attraction, which transforms its properties into winter wonderlands each year. This year's "ice!" event will feature walkthroughs carved entirely from ice, themed around "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Harry Potter," and "Home Alone." For the first time, the "ice!" attraction will be available at two new locations: Gaylord Pacific Resort in Chula Vista, California, and JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Arizona. These additions expand the reach of the popular holiday tradition, which typically begins in early November and runs through early January.

Johann Krieger, regional vice president of Marriott International, expressed excitement about bringing the "ice!" attraction to Arizona and California. He noted that the event has welcomed tens of millions of guests over the years and continues to capture the holiday spirit. Krieger highlighted that the expanded footprint this year will allow more families to experience the unique holiday memories created at Gaylord resorts. The "ice!" attraction is known for its immersive ice sculptures, which are kept at nine-degree Fahrenheit temperatures, requiring guests to wear provided blue jackets to stay warm.

Past themes for the "ice!" event have included "Elf," "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and "The Polar Express." Guests at the Gaylord properties also typically engage in other holiday activities such as decorating gingerbread houses, ice skating, and writing letters to Santa Claus. The specific dates for the "ice!" event at the new locations and existing properties vary, but generally span from mid-November to early January. For instance, the Gaylord Pacific Resort in Chula Vista will feature "A Charlie Brown Christmas" from November 20, 2026, to January 3, 2027. The JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge will also host an "ice!" attraction, with details on its specific theme and dates to be released.

The expansion into California and Arizona signifies a strategic move by Marriott International to broaden the appeal and accessibility of its holiday offerings. The "ice!" event is a significant draw for families and a key component of the seasonal programming at Gaylord Hotels, which are known for their elaborate holiday transformations. The introduction of popular franchises like "Harry Potter" and "Home Alone" is expected to attract a wider audience and further solidify "ice!" as a premier holiday destination. The commitment to creating large-scale, intricate ice carvings underscores the significant investment and logistical effort involved in producing these annual attractions.