Find the holiday spirit this year at Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center, where one of the biggest holiday extravaganzas in the state takes place. We’re talking frozen sculptures, gingerbread house decorating, an elf academy, high-flying entertainment and so much more starting November 22, 2024. Tickets are on sale now and there are some great deals to be found through Groupon.
ICE! Polar Express train and slide / Source: Gaylord Rockies Resort
The property uses the tagline “So. Much. Christmas.” A very accurate statement in this case. Acres of lights and decorations adorn the area, and a stroll around the property is highly recommended.
Guests can chat with the jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus, to make sure they have secured a spot on his prestigious Nice List. Santa will meet guests inside Mistletoe Village from November 22 through December 24.
Come inside for a warm cookie and cup of milk while Mrs. Claus retells the Christmas classic, ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas, followed by a holiday song sing-along.
Decorate a gingerbread house. Photo by Gaylord Rockies
Creativity also abounds in the Gingerbread Decorating Corner. Make the candy house of your dreams to take home. After, snap a selfie with Nutmeg the Gingerbread Man and show off the masterpiece.
At the Mistletoe Mile Scavenger Hunt, the big man in red has misplaced pieces of the blueprints for some of his favorite toys. Search for the Christmas-themed clues hidden throughout the resort and complete your interactive guidebook to rebuild Santa’s blueprints and receive a souvenir.
Head to Elf Training Academy for an interactive art project. Here, kids can learn how to become one of Santa’s helpers by creating a special gift, which they can take home for themselves or someone else.
Yuletide Street Market in Mistletoe Village features wall-to-wall holiday gifts, collectibles, toys, plush, home décor, apparel, ornaments, branded merchandise, and more.
Often the event features a special production, and this year it’s Cirque: Frost.
Cirque: Frost / Source: Gaylord Rockies Resort
This Cirque-style show centers on young Jack who discovers his destiny as the legendary winter spirit, Jack Frost. Through a 50-minute show of high-flying stunts and breathtaking feats, witness the heartwarming tale of a dreamer who brings enchantment and wonder to the world.
Think contortion, speed juggles, aerialists, tight rope walking, dancing, singing, trapeze artists and more.
It’s a modern circus act with a holiday twist. Just make sure to reserve tickets, there are only one or two performances on select days.
Make sure to also reserve a time slot to see the ICE! exhibit, which this year features The Polar Express.
In celebration of the film’s 20th anniversary, featured scenes include the Polar Express arriving at Hero Boy’s house, passengers enjoying hot chocolate aboard the train, an exhilarating descent through Glacier Gulch, and the enchanting arrival at the North Pole.
The attraction will use colored ice, clear ice and LED lights used to create the breathtaking display.
ICE! Polar Express hot chocolate / Source: Gaylord Rockies Resort
Bring your own coat or borrow one of the show’s signature blue parkas (for free) as you explore.
After all, the whole walk-through experience takes place in a temperature-controlled area that keeps the ice sculptures crisp and firm at a cool 9-degrees Fahrenheit.
It takes around 30 to 40 minutes to see the whole show, but there’s no time limit so enjoy the still-life version of a Christmas classic. Bonus: zoom 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 dramatic display of crystal-clear ice.
Fun fact, the artists behind ICE! spent more than 12,000 carving hours to create this masterpiece.
Ticket prices are based on the day of the week. Because the resort limits capacity into the attraction so everyone has room to explore and play, tickets are valid for the day and time stamped on them.
ICE! Polar Express reindeer / Source: Gaylord Rockies Resort
Ticket Deals!
Here’s a good deal from Groupon on ICE! tickets for adults (12+), regardless of the day you want to attend. A one-day General Admission ticket is $22.70 (regularly $29.99). You save about 24% off and there are no additional taxes or fees.
When buying through Groupon be sure to see if any promo codes (such as $10 off or 20% off) pop up on your screen when you first get in. Click on the code or write it down, then apply it at checkout for additional savings.
There’s also a Groupon deal on Cirque: Frost admission. Tickets for the one-hour show start at $53. They are usually $65. So you save 18% off.
Check out the giant tree in the atrium / Photo source: Gaylord Rockies
Christmas at Gaylord Rockies runs from November 22, 2024 through January 1, 2025. Many of the events need a timed ticket, so plan before you go and reserve a spot.
Prices vary depending on what activities you want to add on, but if you buy a package you can save 20 to 30% off the overall price. Single activities start around $21 (including fees).
Room Deals
If you book an overnight stay at Gaylord Rockies the perks include the “chill pass” for shorter wait times, and an extra hour to play in ICE! and Mistletoe Village.
Keep in mind parking costs $10 a day. It can be tricky to navigate the vast parking lot, but there’s always somewhere to go. Just be prepared to hike to the front if need be. Ride shares are easy to secure to and from the hotel as well, in case you want to keep it simple.
MHOTC Tips:
- Go as soon as they open, there’s so much to see and do
- Best for kids over the age of 5
- Get tickets early to save money
- If you just want to explore ICE!, check Groupon for discounts
- Pack an easy-to-eat meal or snacks
- Wear comfortable shoes, it’s a big space and requires a lot of walking
6700 North Gaylord Rockies Blvd., Aurora, 720-452-6900