The Christmas season is in full swing, so we headed back to one of DFW’s most anticipated events of the season, ICE! and Christmas at Gaylord Texan. We have always enjoyed revisiting each year, but were slightly apprehensive this year after rumors of heavy crowds and extreme wait times. Fortunately, these were not issues for us at all and we were able to enjoy a full night of holiday festivities that brought smiles to every face in the family.

We were greeted by thousands of lights and ornaments as we walked into the hotel atrium. As we neared the area hosting ICE!, we were serenaded by several Christmas carolers in Victorian era attire. We were a bit early for our time slot to the exhibit, so we decided to try our hand at the snowball throwing area. A tub of snow was provided to create your own snowballs and throw them at designated pipes that would occasionally light up and make noises if you hit your target. Since we live in Texas and snow is a rare commodity, my girls loved having the opportunity to do this activity.

One we had run out of snow, we headed over to the snow tubing area. In the past, the wait line up the stairs has been an issue. However, this year, they replaced the stairs with a ramp and mainstreamed the loading process, making it much more enjoyable. Being a competitive family, we attempted to see who could go down the hill the fastest or slide the farthest. I lost count of how many times we went down the hill and could probably have done so for hours. However, we had to stop once our time arrived to visit ICE!

Like many others, we were exceptionally excited about the theme for 2025, Elf. We didn’t have to wait in the holding area after scanning our tickets and went straight to get our parkas. As always, the sculptures were amazing and there seemed to be quite a bit more interactive displays this year, ranging from an elf classroom to a revolving door with Buddy. Of course, there was also the themed slide carved entirely of ice that people of all ages could enjoy. We were one of the last groups admitted for the night, so we were a bit rushed by staff to move on from the slide. However, it was a nice tradeoff since this meant that we also had less of a crowd throughout the exhibit and were able to take our time enjoying the details. As always, the exhibit concludes with a large nativity scene, a great reminder as to what the holiday season is all about.

We concluded our night with a light show in the hotel atrium. This is a newer attraction that we had not seen before. The trees and hanging lights corresponded with the various tunes that played over the loud speakers. We were definitely not disappointed by all Christmas at Gaylord Texan had to offer. I wish we were able to stay longer to explore the rest of the hotel and activities in better detail, but there is always next year! Those still wishing to enjoy ICE! can do so through January 5, 2026. You can also save up to 50% off of ticket prices using our discount code “CANDY” at checkout.

ICE! Tips

1. Wear layers of clothing, including your own jacket, gloves, and hat. The parka is nice but it is -9 degrees inside and you will be glad you overdressed.
2. Book a day in November, early December, or after Christmas to avoid some of the holiday crowds. Also, an early or late time slot is ideal.
3. Be aware of others, but take your time enjoying the details and scenery.
4. Use your phone sparingly and have a warm pocket to keep it in when you are not taking photos. The frigid temperatures can cause it to lock up and prevent you from capturing all of the moments you want to relive.