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 an ice rink, Santa, frozen sculptures, games, gingerbread house decorating and so much more. The property uses the tagline “So. Much. Christmas.” A very accurate statement in this case.
Start the fun outside at Glacier Point, a winter wonderland complete with snow tubing, ice skating and snow bumper cars.
Acres of lights and decorations adorn the area, and a stroll around the property is highly recommended.
Ice skate at Gaylord Rockies/ Photo source: Gaylord Rockies
Make sure to also get some energy out at the Snowball Build and Blast, an outdoor game for kids where they can build and toss real snowballs.
The idea is to boost the power of the snowmaking machines in order to earn points at the Snow Factory, a mechanized, snowy play space.
Find snowy fun at Glacier Point / Photo source: Linnea Covington
Then come inside for a warm cookie and cup of milk while Mrs. Clause retells the Christmas classic, ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas, followed by a holiday song sing-along.
Next, test your skills against Jack Frost in the Naughty or Nice Escape Room. Turns out that trickster has added your name to the naughty list, but, if you can sneak into Santa’s office and solve some riddles, you’re back on the nice side.
Take a snack break at the Mistletoe Sweet Shop.
Then, for the adults, grab a holiday-themed cocktail at Queen Victoria’s Pub. Sip it there or take it to go and wander the Yuletide Street Market.
Check out the lights all around the property / Photo source: Gaylord Rockies
Here you can stock up on ornaments, decorations, cute seasonal toys, stocking stuffers and Christmas-themed apparel.
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.
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.
Decorate a gingerbread house. Photo by Gaylord Rockies
Often the event features a special production, and this year it’s Cirque: Spirit of Christmas.
The 75-minute production has 14 scenes showcasing performers from around 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 put together by Broadway director Neil Goldberg. Just make sure to reserve tickets, there are only one or two performances on select days.
“ICE! Featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas” / Photo source: Gaylord Rockies
Make sure to also reserve a time slot to see the ICE! exhibit, which this year features your favorite Peanuts characters.
Based on the 1965 film A Charlie Brown Christmas, the 17,500-square-foot event space showcases 14 scenes from the classic movie, all done in ice.
In fact, the team of 40 ice artisans used over two-million pounds of ice blocks to make the larger-than-life sculptures of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang.
Each is carefully colored, lit with LED lights, and positioned in a timeline straight from the film.
You won’t want to miss Snoopy at “ICE! Featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas” / Photo source: Gaylord Rockies
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, there are also ice slides and tunnels to explore while looking through the exhibit.
Fun fact, the artists behind ICE! spent over 12,000-man hour 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.
Ticket Deals!
Here’s a good deal on ICE! tickets for adults (12+). A one-day Value Ticket is $22 (regularly $29.99) and a General Admission ticket is $27 (regularly $35.99). You save about 25% off and there are no additional taxes or fees.
Buy 2 Get 2 tickets FREE to see Cirque: Spirit of Christmas tickets. You can buy Cirque tickets here.
Check out the giant tree in the atrium / Photo source: Gaylord Rockies
Continue the Peanuts fun with a Snoopy-themed, resort-wide scavenger hunt. Everyone’s favorite beagle needs a hand decorating his dog house, and you can help. Best part, when you’re done you can win a special souvenir.
Christmas at Gaylord Rockies runs from November 18 through January 1, 2023. 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 $16, and packages start at $59.77 for adults.
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.
Plus, when staying at the hotel you can take advantage of the water wonderland that’s Arapahoe Springs Water Park, complete with a lazy river and water slides.
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
This sounds like amazing fun. Family has to go this year.
Thanks for this article. Do you think the adult Groupon would work for kids between the ages of 6 & 9?
There isn’t an option to buy kids’ tickets on Groupon.
Julie, That’s a good question. Not sure. You can always try it and see what happens. If the price you pay for the adult ticket with the Groupon is cheaper than a regular child’s ticket you can go for it. I can’t see the Gaylord turning away a child with an adult ticket. You could also call the Gaylord to inquire about their policy. – Laura
I found the answer. The tickets are for all ages. It states on the Groupon it arrives in your inbox. And there aren’t additional taxes and fees so it was a better deal than the website, for the date I wanted,
Awesome! Glad it worked out.