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Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2026: The Polar Express™ and More Holiday Fun
From Nov. 13, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, Christmas at Gaylord Palms transforms the resort into a holiday wonderland featuring The Polar Express™, dazzling lights, and family fun.
Written by the Experience Kissimmee Editorial Team
Can you believe it? The holidays are here, and with them comes plenty of special traditions. From Nov. 13, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2027, Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center will transform into a winter wonderland. This year’s theme, The Polar Express™, brings everyone’s favorite moments from the movie to life in unforgettable ways. From ice sculptures and light shows to acrobatic performances and family activities, here’s everything you need to know to plan your Christmas at Gaylord Palms.
ice! featuring The Polar Express™
Bundle up — it’s about to get chilly! The beloved ice! exhibit returns with scenes from The Polar Exprerss™, carved from more than 2 million pounds of colorful ice. Step inside the 9-degree attraction (yes, 9 degrees in Florida!) and marvel at life-size sculptures of Hero Boy's house, the hot chocolate scene, the journey through Glacier Gulch, and the train's arrival at the North Pole.
Before you enter, grab the iconic blue parka, then stroll through the frozen scenes where a specially trained chemist ensures the colors stay merry and bright all season long. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy some hot chocolate and whoosh down the giant ice slides, which is a frosty thrill for kids and kids-at-heart.
Christmas Carousel
New for 2026, Christmas at Gaylord Palms adds a Christmas carousel to its lineup of festive activities. The carousel features hand-painted seasonal figures, giving riders of all ages a classic, merry spin through the holiday season inside the resort.
POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime immersive Cirque Holiday Show. POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance transports audiences into an exhilarating adventure of three best friends who discover music, magic, and circus skills at a secret school.
To share their lessons with the world, the trio embark on a thrilling journey that blends live action, animation, and awe-inspiring performances. From jaw-dropping acrobatics to aerial stunts soaring above the audience, this spellbinding holiday spectacular surrounds you with artistry, wonder, and cheer.
Holly Jolly Holiday Activities For Everyone
The celebrations don’t stop at the shows and walking through ICE! Gaylord Palms is filled with holiday traditions for every age:
The Greatest Story
This musical stage show celebrates the story of Jesus Christ's birth through six storytellers.
Santa Stage
And what are the holidays without a photo with the big man himself, Santa Claus? He’ll be here to make memorable moments with you and your family. Be sure to tell him what’s on your Christmas list during your visit by Dec. 24 before he heads back to the North Pole!
Sing, Storytime, and Sweets with Mrs. Claus
Mrs. Claus is inviting everyone to join her for a cozy 30-minute celebration filled with stories, carols, and, of course, cookies and milk. Mrs. Claus’ Holiday Traditions is the perfect way to slow down, sip something sweet, and soak in the warmth of the season.
Even More Holiday Adventures
And we’re only getting started! Christmas at Gaylord Palms also features:
- Elf Training Academy – Learn the secrets of Santa’s helpers.
- The Snowball Factory – Real snow, unlimited ice tubing, and snowball activities.
- Snow Flow Mountain – Unlimited ice tubing on real ice slides — right here in Kissimmee!
- Snowman Scramble Scavenger Hunt – Solve clues and explore the resort.
- Naughty or Nice Escape Room – Solve riddles to escape Santa's office before he returns, in a race to get off the Naughty List.
If you’re looking for a place to bring the whole family together this holiday season, Christmas at Gaylord Palms is the perfect blend of festive fun and Florida sunshine. From The Polar Express™ and dazzling light shows, live performances, and snowy adventures, it’s an experience sure to land you on the nice list.
And the holiday cheer doesn’t stop here. Explore even more ways to celebrate across Kissimmee, from theme park festivities to local light displays and holiday events. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all the magic happening this season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas at Gaylord Palms
This year’s event runs from Friday, November 14, 2025, through Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
The 2025 ICE! theme is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™. Guests can walk through life-size ice sculptures, colorful scenes, and even glide down ice slides in a 9-degree wonderland.
Yes! Here We Glow A-Caroling is a free light show featuring millions of twinkling lights synchronized to festive holiday music. It’s available throughout the season.
This is Gaylord Palms’ immersive Cirque holiday show, blending acrobatics, aerial performances, live action, and animation in a story about three friends who discover music, magic, and circus skills at a secret school.
Yes! Santa is available for photos and wish-list sharing through December 24, before he heads back to the North Pole.
Absolutely! Families can join Mrs. Claus’ Holiday Traditions, learn at the Elf Training Academy, play in the Snowball Build and Blast, slide down Snow Flow Mountain, and enjoy the Reindeer Games Scavenger Hunt.
All are welcome! Tickets for ICE!, shows, and activities can be purchased whether or not you’re staying at the resort. Overnight guests, however, enjoy easy access to on-site dining and festive resort amenities.
Experience Kissimmee Editorial Team
We are destination experts and storytellers creating local travel content to help visitors plan their trips with ease. We regularly review and update content in collaboration with community partners, ensuring our recommendations are reflective of current visitor experiences.