It’s time for Christmas at Gaylord Palms. The Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center is once again hosting the chilliest event in Orlando, complete with 2 million twinkling Christmas lights and larger-than-life decorations. The event starts today and runs through Jan. 7.
This year, ICE! featuring Christmas around the World two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures and two-story ice slides that are themed to represent Christmastime for many different cultures. At the annual ICE! event, guests can explore these holiday scenes in a chilly 9-degree atmosphere before ending up in the North Pole to see Santa and his elves. The Frostbite Factory features live ice carving by artisans from China. While you’re there, you can slide down five ice slides, view the nativity scene and so much more.
But that’s not all. This is what Christmas at Gaylord Palms has in store for visitors:
Cirque Dreams Unwrapped Stage Show
Now in its third year, Cirque Dreams Unwrapped is Gaylord Palms’ signature show and it takes place at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays in the St. Augustine Atrium. Artists from seven countries, including Ethiopia, Italy, Russia and the United States, bring all-new acts to the Emerald Bay Plaza stage as well as high above it. Three casts will be on rotation throughout the holiday season, so each show will be unique. There are no shows scheduled for Nov. 23 (Thanksgiving Day) and there will be no 8 p.m. show on Jan. 6. Admission is free and seating is on a first come, first served basis, although guaranteed seating is available for a small fee.
Snow Tubing in the Alpine Village
The whole family will enjoy the opportunity to zoom down an eight-lane tubing hill covered in real snow. Tickets start at $18.99 and include unlimited runs for the date that they are purchased. Adults can race down the hill on their own, and there are double riding tubes available for parents with small children.
JOYFUL Atrium Light Show
This new multi-sensory experience showcases the joy of Christmas, as experienced in cultures around the world. The show features an exclusive holiday musical score and millions of dancing, choreographed lights. This brand new show will run nightly at the resort’s six-story Christmas tree above the Emerald Plaza. Viewings are free and show times vary.
Kiss-Story in the Making
On Dec. 7, Gaylord Palm’s will attempt to set the Guinness World Records title for most couples kissing under mistletoe in one location. So grab your love and join the resort in creating a lifelong memory this holiday season. After the record attempt, all participants will experience an exclusive visit to ICE! featuring Christmas Around the World. Space is limited. The event begins at 8:15 p.m., and the cost to participate is $34.99 per couple, which includes admission for two to Kiss-Story in the Making, admission for two to the event-exclusive ICE! experience, and one voucher for self parking.
Sounds of the Season Concert Series
Gaylord Palms will present five fun and festive performances on the St. Augustine Atrium stage. On Dec. 6 and Dec. 12, eight of Central Florida’s most talented and diverse vocalists will present a multicultural musical celebration of Christmas titled “Christmas in Every Language.” Then on Dec. 13, Orlando Gay Chorus will perform, followed by a special presentation of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” by Opera Orlando, Orlando Philharmonic and the Orlando Ballet on Dec. 20. The series will close with a performance by Central Florida a capella group, Voctave, on Dec. 21. Tickets start at $29.99 and include one of the performances as well as admission to ICE! featuring Christmas Around the World.
Throughout the event, guests can take photos with Santa Claus in the Alpine Village, stroll through the Christmas Tree Trail with trees decorated to represent nine different countries on the Everglades Walk, track down all of Santa’s hardworking bears in the Build-A-Bear Workshop Scavenger Hunt, enjoy cookies and milk as Mrs. Claus reads a story in Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions, decorate gingerbread houses and cookies in the Gingerbread Decorating Corner, and have breakfast with Charlie Brown and the gang. Most of these special events include an additional fee.