Christmas at Gaylord Palms in Orlando 2026: ICE! Polar Express Tickets, Packages & Holiday Guide

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2026: ICE! Featuring The Polar Express™, Holiday Shows, Packages and Family Fun in Orlando

Christmas at Gaylord Palms returns to the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida, from November 13, 2026, through January 3, 2027. This annual holiday celebration transforms the 65-acre Orlando-area resort into a winter wonderland filled with more than 3 million Christmas lights, immersive attractions, live entertainment, shopping, dining and festive activities for the whole family. Whether you visit for a day or stay overnight, Christmas at Gaylord Palms delivers one of Central Florida’s most popular holiday experiences, centered on the signature ICE! attraction featuring The Polar Express™.

The Polar Express Returns to ICE! at Gaylord Palms

The centerpiece of Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2026 is ICE! featuring The Polar Express™. This critically acclaimed, story-driven attraction brings the beloved Warner Bros. holiday film to life through more than 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice. Nearly 40 master artisans from Harbin, China, known as the Ice City, spend weeks creating the 19,000- to 20,000-square-foot exhibit using chisels, grinders, chainsaws and other specialized tools. The result is approximately 11 larger-than-life scenes that follow Hero Boy’s magical Christmas Eve journey.

Guests walk through captivating ice tunnels and colorful sculptures depicting iconic moments such as the train’s arrival at Hero Boy’s house, the lively hot chocolate scene with dancing waiters, the thrilling race through Glacier Gulch, and the grand arrival at the North Pole. An 11-foot ice Santa and crystal-clear Nativity display add to the wonder. Five two-story ice slides, including a kid-sized option themed to Glacier Gulch, let visitors zoom downhill beneath a towering Polar Express train sculpture complete with fog and dramatic lighting effects.

The entire exhibit is maintained at a chilly 9 degrees Fahrenheit to preserve the ice. Complimentary calf-length winter parkas (available in sizes from infant to adult 4XL) are provided for every guest. Closed-toe shoes are required for the slides, and hats or gloves are recommended. The self-guided experience typically takes 20 to 40 minutes with no strict time limit once inside, though timed-entry tickets are required. Artisans remain on site for live sculpting demonstrations and preservation work. ICE! has been a Gaylord Palms tradition since 2003 and previously featured The Polar Express in 2019; strong guest demand brought the theme back for 2026.

POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance and Other Live Shows

Back by popular demand is the award-winning POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, a 35-minute Broadway-style cirque holiday show created by director Neil Goldberg. Based on the acclaimed storybook and TV special, the production follows three friends—POMP the master of melody, SNOW the magician who makes wishes float through the air, and CIRQUEumstance the skilled acrobat—as they share Christmas joy. An international cast of 24 artists delivers gravity-defying circus acts, magic illusions, original music, elaborate sets and more than 50 showstopping costumes. Children three and under are free with a paid adult ticket (ticket still required).

Additional atrium entertainment includes The Greatest Story, a musical celebration retelling the nativity through multiple storytellers, and the #LIT multimedia light show featuring thousands of dancing lights synchronized to holiday music that culminates in the lighting of the resort’s towering Christmas tree.

Snow Factory Thrills and Interactive Family Activities

Adjacent to Alpine Village, the Snow Factory offers real snow and ice adventures. Snow Flow Mountain provides unlimited ice tubing on real frozen lanes (minimum height 42 inches). Snowball Build & Blast lets guests form real snowballs and launch them at targets. A new Christmas Carousel for 2026 features hand-painted seasonal figures for festive rides.

Other popular ticketed experiences include:

• Gingerbread Decorating Corner, where families frost and decorate edible houses
• Photos with Santa (available through December 24)
• Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions with storytelling, sing-alongs and cookies
• Elf Training Academy
• Snowman Scramble Scavenger Hunt
• Naughty or Nice Escape Room

Wintertime Animal Encounters introduce guests to Florida wildlife adapted for the season. Many activities take place inside Alpine Village, a Bavarian-style holiday hamlet with live characters, shows and Snowy’s Snack Shack serving hot chocolate and treats.

Holiday Shopping, Dining and Resort Atmosphere

Market Square, one of Florida’s largest seasonal Christmas stores, overflows with ornaments, décor, apparel, toys, ICE!-branded souvenirs and gifts. The resort’s 4.5-acre indoor garden atriums shimmer with millions of lights, a 60-foot Christmas tree, suspended trees, floating docks and animated light curtains. Overnight guests enjoy atrium-view or stage-view rooms overlooking the festivities, plus exclusive Chill Pass privileges for front-of-the-line access to ICE!.

Dining options span more than 10 restaurants offering everything from casual snacks and festive sips to fine dining, steakhouse fare and holiday pop-up specials. Reservations are recommended, especially on peak dates when priority often goes to overnight guests. The resort’s 3-acre water park with temperature-controlled pools and slides remains available for warmer play, and a full-service spa provides seasonal treatments.

Tickets, Activity Passes and Overnight Packages

All tickets for ICE!, shows and activities must be purchased in advance online at GaylordPalmsTickets.com; there is no on-site box office. Tickets are electronic and timed for many attractions. Day guests and overnight visitors are both welcome.

Activity passes bundle popular experiences and can save up to 40 percent or more. Options range from basic combinations of ice! and tubing to Ultimate Passes covering ICE!, tubing, scavenger hunt, snowball blast, gingerbread, the cirque show, Mrs. Claus and the carousel.

Overnight packages pair room stays with ICE! tickets and deliver extra value. Early-bird savings of up to 20-30 percent on rooms and packages are available for booking by early August using specific codes. Marriott Bonvoy members can access up to 15 percent off packages plus bonus points (2-night minimums often apply). AAA, senior, military, teacher and other special discounts are frequently offered on rooms and tickets. Group rates for 10 or more are available by inquiry.

Parking is $38 self-park or $55 valet daily (in-and-out privileges for overnight guests only). The free Gaylord Hotels app helps with navigation, dining reservations and directions.

Practical Tips for Visiting Christmas at Gaylord Palms

• Arrive at least 15 minutes early for timed tickets; entry is not guaranteed if more than five minutes late.
• Day-guest tickets are generally non-refundable, though exchanges may be possible based on availability.
• Overnight guests receive more flexible change options up to five days prior.
• Dress in layers under the provided parka, wear closed-toe shoes, and consider bringing gloves.
• The attraction is accessible for most elements, though slides require unassisted stair climbing and meet height guidelines.
• Personal photos and video are allowed (no professional equipment).
• Check GaylordPalmsTickets.com for daily hours, height restrictions and exact availability, as schedules vary.

Plan early to secure preferred dates, especially weekends and peak holiday periods, and unlock the best early-bird ticket and package deals. Whether you come for the frozen magic of The Polar Express, the high-flying cirque show, real snow play or simply the dazzling lights and festive atmosphere, Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2026 offers so much Christmas for families, couples and groups of all ages.

Book tickets, passes or overnight packages today at ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com and create lasting holiday memories near Orlando.