Picture this: Millions of pounds of ice carved into larger-than-life scenes from your favorite elf’s big city adventure. A snow factory made for building Texas-sized snowballs. A Cirque-style spectacular and scavenger hunt. Cookie decorating and all the hot cocoa you can drink. Visits with Santa and carols all around.
At Christmas, all roads lead to Gaylord Texan.
‘So Much Christmas’
Nestled on the shores of Lake Grapevine, Gaylord Texan Resort becomes the ultimate holiday destination from Nov. 14, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026. In this immersive winter wonderland, beloved holiday traditions meet extraordinary moments against the backdrop of stunning festive decor.
If smiling is your favorite
Bundle up and see your favorite elf, Buddy, and all his pals as you’ve never seen them before: carved into 2 million pounds of ice. At ICE! featuring Elf™, guests embark on an adventure like no other, exploring ice sculptures handcrafted by master artisans depicting beloved scenes and characters from the hit movie. Slip into your complimentary cozy parka and see Mr. Narwhal, Santa, Buddy and Jovie — all kept at a frosty 9 degrees by a state of the art chilling system. Afterwards, warm up at On the Bocks, an exclusive pop-up bar inside the ice attraction for adults 21 and over.
The Christmas Village experience
Christmas spirit is in the air at Gaylord Texan’s Christmas Village, where Bavarian-style storefronts house festive events and activities. Race down Snow Flow Mountain, the two-story ice tubing tracks, or hurl real snowballs at targets to power up the snowmaking machines at Snowball Build & Blast. More than 2 million Christmas lights illuminate the resort, creating an enchanting backdrop for holiday shopping, seasonal dining and unforgettable photo opportunities.
Adventures for all ages
The activity roster reads like a Christmas wish list come to life. Families can spin to the tune of beloved holiday songs on the Christmas Carousel or get creative at the gingerbread decorating station before meeting Nutmeg, the resort’s resident gingerbread man. Young aspiring elves can channel their inner toy-maker and craft keepsake gifts at the Elf Workshop or embark on an interactive scavenger hunt through the resort’s enchanting 4.5-acre indoor atriums.
And of course, no holiday visit is complete without a stop at Santa’s station for photos and Christmas wish-sharing.
Stay and play
While day visits offer plenty of festive fun, overnight guests unlock exclusive benefits, including flexible cancellation, shorter wait times and special dining reservations. The resort’s 1,814 guest rooms and 127 suites provide a cozy home base for exploring everything the property offers, from award-winning restaurants to the world-class Relâche Spa.
With its convenient location near DFW Airport and Historic Downtown Grapevine, Gaylord Texan Resort makes creating lasting holiday memories effortlessly accessible for Dallas-area families and visitors alike.
This isn’t just a holiday event — it’s a seasonal tradition waiting to be discovered, where every twinkling light, every carved ice sculpture and every joyful activity adds up to the most wonderful time of the year.
ELF and all related characters and elements © and ™ New Line Productions, Inc. For tickets, packages, and overnight reservations, visit Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, TX.