The holiday season is a time for magic, wonder, and creating cherished memories with loved ones. Few places embody the spirit of the holidays quite like Christmas at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. This iconic destination transforms into a winter wonderland each year, offering a dazzling array of festive experiences that captivate guests of all ages.
From millions of twinkling lights and elaborate decorations to captivating shows, unique attractions, and heartwarming encounters with Santa Claus, Gaylord Opryland at Christmas provides an unforgettable holiday escape.
Gaylord Opryland is more than just a resort; it’s a destination that embodies the magic of the holiday season. From the moment you step into the grand atriums, you’ll be transported to a world of wonder and enchantment. Whether you’re exploring the dazzling light displays, embarking on a festive boat ride, meeting Santa Claus, or braving the icy wonders of ICE!, you’re sure to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland is a truly special experience, a place where the spirit of the season comes alive in all its glory. It’s a place where families can come together, celebrate the holidays, and create traditions that will be cherished for generations to come.
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland Resort: A Grand and Festive Setting
Gaylord Opryland is renowned for its sheer size and grandeur. Boasting an impressive 2,888 guest rooms, the resort features nine acres of stunning indoor gardens, cascading waterfalls, and winding pathways, all housed within climate-controlled glass atriums.
During the holidays, these already breathtaking spaces are transformed into a Christmas dreamscape. Millions of twinkling lights adorn every corner, illuminating towering Christmas trees, festive floral displays, and life-sized Nativity scenes. The sheer scale of the decorations is awe-inspiring, creating a sense of wonder and enchantment that permeates the entire resort.
By the Numbers: Gaylord Opryland Holiday Highlights
If you love numbers, here are some fun numerical facts about Gaylord Opryland at Christmas:
- 2,888: The number of guest rooms at Gaylord Opryland.
- 9: The number of acres of indoor gardens within the resort’s atriums.
- Millions: The number of twinkling lights that adorn the resort during the holidays.
- Two million: The number of pounds of ice used to create the ICE! exhibit.
- Countless: The number of memories created each year during the holiday season.
A Journey Through Beautifully-Festive Atriums
Exploring the resort’s atriums is an adventure in itself. Each atrium boasts a unique theme and atmosphere, offering a diverse range of holiday experiences. During my recent visit, I loved waking up early in the morning to explore the atriums without many people around.
The Delta Atrium, the resort’s largest (and where I stayed for two nights), offers a nightly water show filled with lights on the dome and pretty music. I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out on my inside balcony to watch several times a night. Additionally, it features a quarter-mile-long indoor river, where guests can embark on a festive boat ride.
The Delta Riverboat Christmas Cruise offers a whimsical journey through the heart of the resort, with holiday-themed decorations and music adding to the festive ambiance. As you glide along the water, you’ll be treated to enchanting views of the surrounding gardens and dazzling light displays. As the boat ride is a ticketed attraction, there’s a fee of $21.99 per person to enjoy.
Culinary Christmas Feasts
Gaylord Opryland offers a diverse range of dining options and restaurants to satisfy every palate, even the pickiest of kiddos. During the holidays, the resort’s restaurants offer special menus and festive treats, adding to the culinary delights of the season. If you want a Christmas-themed meal for the kids, make a reservation for breakfast with Mrs. Claus.
From casual eateries to fine dining establishments, there’s something for everyone, and really no need to go on a gastro-quest away from the resort. Guests can enjoy a traditional holiday feast, indulge in seasonal desserts, or sip on warm beverages while taking in the festive atmosphere.
Christmas at Gaylord Opryland Resort: A Visit with Santa Claus
No holiday celebration is complete without a visit from Santa Claus. At Gaylord Opryland, children can meet the jolly old elf himself and share their Christmas wishes and wants. Santa’s workshop is a magical place filled with toys, decorations, and holiday cheer. Children can have their photos taken with Santa and create memories that will last a lifetime as well.
ICE! Featuring Frosty the Snowman: A Chillingly Thrilling Experience
One of the highlights of the holiday season at Gaylord Opryland is ICE!, a walk-through attraction featuring elaborate ice sculptures carved from two million pounds of ice. Each year, ICE! showcases a different theme, bringing beloved holiday stories and characters to life in stunning detail. This year’s theme, Frosty the Snowman, is a magical experience for guests of all ages, myself included. with the nine-degree temperature, each ticket holder is provided a special long coat to wear. My advice? Don’t forget hats and gloves – it’s cold, cold, cold!-
As you enter the exhibit, you’ll be transported to a winter wonderland, where you’ll encounter life-sized ice sculptures of Frosty, his friends, and other iconic characters from the beloved story. The intricate details of the sculptures are truly remarkable, showcasing the incredible talent of the artisans who create them.
The exhibit also features thrilling ice slides, where guests race down in a flurry of excitement. The combination of artistry, storytelling, and interactive elements makes ICE! a truly unforgettable experience. I loved the ice slides, personally, and tried my hand at them several times.
More Holiday Magic to Explore
In addition to ICE!, Gaylord Opryland offers a variety of other holiday activities and entertainment. Guests can enjoy live performances, holiday-themed shows, and festive activities throughout the resort. There’s also an outdoor ice-skating rink, where guests can glide across the ice under the twinkling lights.
For those looking for a more relaxed experience, the resort’s spa offers special holiday-themed treatments. I didn’t have the pleasure of test-driving the spa, but it’s on my bucket list for next time.
Planning Your Holiday Escape
With so much to see and do, planning your holiday visit to Gaylord Opryland requires some forethought. The resort offers a variety of packages and special offers, making it easier to customize your experience.
While the resort definitely caters to families at Christmastime, I’d happily go for a romantic getaway or a fun-filled weekend with friends; there’s a package to suit your needs. Keep in mind that this Nashville resort is the busiest of all, so if you do plan on staying overnight, book well in advance.