At the heart of every family tradition is a meaningful experience. The holidays are wrapped in traditions that I hope live with kids in their memory for years to come and might even be taken into the next generation. I feel like many of our traditions began once we had our son. Memories of “the first time” we did things as a family always make me smile. Now that our kids are older, I know which experiences they look forward to each year. They get so excited once they find out the date and start to reminisce about last year’s experience. Christmas at Gaylord Palms has become one of our most cherished traditions and we look forward to it each year.
This is not just one experience. There are so many things to do and see while you are there for a night or even a weekend! Here’s what you’ll need to know if you plan on attending for an evening of holiday magic! We love this tradition each year as new experiences are added and we cherish our memories of years past too!
Tip: Before you go, purchase your tickets for ICE! as they can sell out nightly.
So Much Christmas at Gaylord Palms has been a family tradition for 8 years!
3:00pm: Arrive! Check in! Welcome to Christmas at the Gaylord Palms Resort!
I recommend arriving early to enjoy the resort. Explore the resort. Each year they have a scavenger hunt that takes place in the main atrium and throughout the hotel. This year, have your eyes peeled for the Reindeer Games Scavenger Hunt placed throughout! Find them and submit your form for a special prize! This is always one of the kids’ favorite activities!
Explore the sights and sounds of Christmas at Gaylord Palms, discover a brand-new experience this year as the theme of Ruldoph the Red-Nosed Reindeer makes its first Gaylord Palms Resort debut! Set inside the Everglades & St.Augustine Atriums, this fun experience will have you exploring the beautifully decorated resort. Guests can explore at their leisure, admiring the décor while learning about international holiday celebrations.
Tip: If you are staying the weekend with a Christmas package, arrive early to swim (their pools are awesome and one of the best resorts in Orlando for families! And yes, it should be warm enough) Check into your amazing room- maybe overlooking the atrium with the Christmas tree!!
Cost: Purchase the Christmas at Gaylord Palms Packages and save money as they are customizable for the activities you might want to enjoy!
CHRISTMAS AT GAYLORD PALMS PACKAGES AVAILABLE
Valid from November 14, 2025 through January 7, 2026
Package Price varies based on occupancy and duration.
Tip: Ask about the many discounts available for AAA membership, seniors, teachers, first responders or Marriott Bonvoy discounts too.
Pro Traditions Tip: For the evening events, bring the whole family dressed in holiday clothes and use the amazing props for a beautiful family picture! So many scenes to choose from in the hotel, one is bound to be a perfect family photo opportunity for the Christmas card. Santa is also available daily for pictures in Alpine Village if you’d like to get that checked off your holiday traditions list too!
Activities Galore: Make sure to tell Santa you’ve been good this year. Picture packages available!Additionally, in Alpine Village, which opens typically opens 9am to 6pm daily (but times vary by day through out the season) stop by and decorate Gingerbread House or a cookie family (additional costs do apply)! Decorate away and don’t forget to get your picture taken with the Gingerbread Man too!
Cost: Cookie Family Kit $22.99 or Gingerbread House $29.99
Tip: Save money if you are staying overnight be booking a package! Or dine at Wreckers, Old Hickory Steakhouse and have them validate your self-parking ticket with a receipt of over $25 (for self-park).
Book Early: POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance Show Daily and Nightly
Arrive early and you’ll marvel at the decor, especially the most Majestic Christmas tree in the middle of the St. Augustine Atrium. Standing 54 feet tall, it’s a magnificent sight to see and totally gets is in the Christmas spirit as soon as we see it. Nightly, you’ll want to be in the Atrium for the lighting of the tree and take in a POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance Show as this is their debut at Gaylord Palms! With lights galore, you’ll instantly be in the spirit! Gaylord Palms’ dazzling atrium becomes even more merry and bright during the nightime. There is also a “Here We Glow A-Caroling Light Show” which will feature an exclusive holiday musical score along with millions of dancing, choreographed lights during the 12-minute nightly shows that illuminate the resort’s atrium.
Cost: RESERVED seating is recommended but can be seen throughout the resort and via balconys too.
Tip: Come just for an evening by only paying for self- parking or valet. Cone early to get a sweet holiday treat from Cold Stone Creamery or the coffee shop before you sit down. Dine at one their restaurants on property before the festivities begin. Don’t forget to get a picture with Santa to cross off that Christmas Bucket List!
Gaylord Palms & Santa
7:00pm ICE! Featuring “Ruldoph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” & Winter Wonderland awaits as Snow Flow Mountain & Snowball Build Blast in the Snow Facroty is fun for all ages! I had to see it to believe it. Think Christmas morning in Alaska. 9 degrees. A little chilly, right?! What exactly is it? The ICE! experience is two million pounds of hand-carved ice on display for all to see. A new theme is chosen for ICE! each year. This year, the theme is ” Ruldoph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Beautiful ice sculptures are inside this winter wonderland where you’ll walk through admiring their beauty. Four two-story ice slides are also inside! Typically, people walk through for 30-60 minutes. Lots of photo opportunities. My favorite scene is the last one: the Nativity scene carved from crystal clear ice at the end. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Attire: Iconic blue parkas for all ages, including children and infants, are provided. Bring hats, scarves, and mittens. Boots aren’t necessary, but closed-toed shoes are required.
Upon your exit from the ICE! experience, you’ll see the Snow Factory fun! This is a separate price (and up grading is available- see below.) This was my kids’ favorite part! Grab a tube, walk up the slide and slide down until your heart is content. It feels just like snow tubing down a real hill up north! Double-check the height requirement before purchasing tickets!
Tip: If you, the adult, won’t be riding the snow tube, just buy that ticket for your child. You can still go in and take pictures. But it is fun, so be a kid again and buy that ticket for yourself. Your kids will love it!
Now… go to bed, and STAY THE NIGHT! I can’t tell you enough how much I enjoy this hotel. Every staff member is one of the best, the rooms are beyond beautiful and it is just a lovely place to stay. The rooms are spacious and the beds are like home. Make this at least a 1 night, 2 day trip. You’ll be refreshed and excited to kick off the season with this stay. Click here to learn about their stay and play packages. Lots of deals too!
Don’t leave without a keepsake!
The Build-A-Bear Workshop® allows guests to choose from all kinds of furry friends to bring home. Find them in the Alpine Village right after you exit ICE! We always do a Christmas ornament for our tree.
Is it worth it? What’s my option for best pricing?
Yes, yes, YES! We LOVE this event and you will too! New deals pop up for BOGO tickets to ICE! too or check here to see if you qualify for a discount!
Consider staying a night! Take advantage of a one-night stay that would include tickets to ICE! + The hotel’s amenities and pool are so much fun that this would be a special weekend! Even for one night, with the whole family, we feel what we experience is well worth the cost of this tradition.
We love our tradition of Gaylord Palms Resort, especially during Christmas, because it is SO MUCH CHRISTMAS and kicks off our holiday season. We look forward to it each year!
Then… 12 years ago… our first trip. Abby couldn’t even walk!
Past memories…
Two years ago…2023:
So Much Christmas at Gaylord Palms
Read my full reviews on the Gaylord Palms on Trekaroo! Or my Tampa Mama Loves post too!
Disclosure: I was hosted with tickets for the ICEfluencer event by Gaylord Palms for 2025 for my family. All opinions are my own. However, I will be visiting again…every year… from here until eternity. It has truly become a family tradition in our house.