This article is a part of the 2023 Winter Travel Guide, a sponsored collection brought to you by our travel advertising partners. You can find more winter travel destinations and events here.

Perry Como may have crooned, “(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays,” but a trip to Gaylord Texan Resort – with its festive decor, seasonal dining, and original holiday experiences — may be even better than staying home.  

This year, let someone else do the cooking and cleaning. Gather the family, pack your bags, and head out of town for a Christmastime vacation everyone will enjoy. 

Close to Home, but Worlds Apart   

Standing on the shores of the majestic Lake Grapevine, Gaylord Texan is a perfect choice for families looking for a fun holiday getaway close to home.  

From Nov. 10 through Dec. 31, 2023, the resort transforms into a wondrous holiday haven with acres of décor, live entertainment, and immersive activities for all ages.     

And while Gaylord Texan itself can’t be wrapped and placed under the tree, event and attraction tickets make great stocking stuffers. The gift of an overnight stay would certainly spread Christmas cheer!   

ICE! Featuring Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” 

The coolest attraction of all is ICE! featuring Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” This holiday spectacle, kept at 9 degrees and hand carved by artisans out of 2 million pounds of brightly colored ice, is back again this season.    

In this one-of-a-kind retelling of the beloved children’s book, guests will see familiar characters, including the Grinch, Max, and Cindy-Lou Who, come to life in more than 10 scenes from the movie. See the Grinch as he steals the Who’s gifts, as he sings with the Whos down in Who-ville, as he slices roast beast, and more, all carved from ice. 

Gaylord Texan even provides parkas to keep you toasty while marveling at larger-than-life displays, taking cherished photos, and wandering through the one-of-a-kind, arctic attraction.   

Entertainment for the Whole Family 

Love a Broadway-style spectacle? An original Gaylord Hotels production, Cirque: Spirit of Christmas features amazing acrobatics and feats of flexibility. Designed for the entire family to enjoy, the story centers around Noel, a child dismayed by the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Trying to recapture her lost love of the season, she is visited by spirits who bring back the true meaning of the season in energetic, dreamlike chapters. 

A heartwarming story that soars through the air and sparkles with imagination, this show will delight and dazzle with a riveting score, world-class contortionists, jugglers, trapeze artists, and more.  

Festive Fun for All    

With signature events like ICE! and the popular Cirque: Spirit of Christmas show, classic holiday activities including photos with Santa, and thrilling experiences like snow tubing, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during So. Much. Christmas. at Gaylord Texan Resort.   

For the thrill seekers:    

  • Hop on a tube and race friends down a snow-covered hill.   
  • Put those sleuthing skills to the test in one of three festive escape rooms.  
  • Enjoy a yuletide glide on the indoor ice-skating rink.   
  • Build and toss real snowballs at Snowball Build & Blast.  

For the chill seekers:   

  • Let your Christmas creativity run wild at the Gingerbread Decorating Corner.   
  • Search high and low at the resort-wide The Grinch’s™ Wonderful Awful Idea Scavenger Hunt.  
  • Take a spin on the Christmas Carousel.  
  • At Elf Training Academy, create a keepsake craft and learn how to become one of Santa’s helpers. 

Many of these arctic adventures take place inside Gaylord Texan’s Christmas Village. This whimsical winter wonderland features festive attractions including Snow Flow Mountain, Snowball Build & Blast, a classic Christmas carousel, and more. Afterwards, enjoy warm beverages, delicious treats, and holiday shopping at Emporium in the Village. 

Winter Wellness at Relâche Spa 

For those looking to chill out in a different way, there’s Relâche Spa. Relax and unwind at Grapevine’s premier spa and drift into a state of tranquility with their seasonal, Winter Wellness treatments.

So. Much. Christmas.   

After a festive day of memory making, unwind with a meal at Old Hickory Steakhouse, Riverwalk Cantina, Texas Station, or Zeppole before seeing the holidays light up the night at the #LIT Light Show. This dynamic, celebratory light show brings the fun of decorating the tree to life through thousands of dancing lights, culminating in a delightful and memorable tree lighting experience. 

There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than by gathering at Gaylord Texan Resort.  Visit ChristmasAtGaylordTexan.com to book your stay and use the promo code TEXAS for 50% off general admission ICE! tickets on select dates (restrictions apply).


Visit ChristmasAtGaylordTexan.com for more information.