The grounds at Opryland Resort are dazzled with more than two-million Christmas lights that draw visitors from all over the world. Get in the spirit of the season as you discover our unique and festive décor around every bend of the entire resort. Image courtesy of Gaylord Hotels.

Gaylord Hotels offers elaborate holiday experiences at its four giant resorts from mid-November through early January.

Each resort hotel will collectively display 6 million Christmas lights, nearly 30,000 poinsettias and 8 million pounds of colorful ice sculptures at its signature ICE! attraction.

Christmas packages are now on sale at www.ChristmasAtGaylordHotels.com for stays at Gaylord Opryland in the popular Music City of Nashville, Tennessee; Gaylord Texan deep in the heart of Grapevine, Texas; Gaylord Palms in the family vacation oasis of Kissimmee, Florida; and Gaylord National on the banks of the Potomac near Washington, D.C.

"Though it's only July, teams have been planning for many months to create magical settings for families to create holiday memories," said Warren Lyng, director of special events for Gaylord Hotels. "Our resorts have become synonymous with Christmas over the years, and we are honored that millions have chosen to include us as part of their holiday traditions."

An outdoor nativity display features special lighting effects and an audio rendition of the biblical story of the birth of Christ. Image courtesy of Gaylord Hotels.

All four resorts feature soaring, multi-acre atriums with breathtaking indoor gardens and waterfalls accented with towering Christmas trees, oversized wreaths and ornaments and dazzling details around every bend. Each is a destination unto itself with diverse restaurants, spas, pools, recreation, shopping, exciting entertainment and more—all under one roof.

"Our most popular holiday attraction is ICE!, an interactive frozen fantasy world that is kept at nine degrees," said Lyng. "We partner with master ice artisans from Harbin, China, to produce brilliantly colored panoramas of hand-carved ice sculptures. There are multi-story ice slides for visitors to enjoy."

More than 2 million pounds of ice are used at each resort. ICE! themes will include Frosty the Snowman™ at Gaylord National and Gaylord Texan; The Nutcracker at Gaylord Palms; and 'Twas the Night Before Christmas at Gaylord Opryland. All new for 2014 is bonus area where visitors can watch a master ice carver in action creating intricate ice sculptures.

Opryland Atrium Hanging Lights. Image courtesy of Gaylord Hotels.

In addition to visits with Santa and dozens of other family-friendly events, Gaylord Hotels offers interactive adventures with beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation franchises including Shrek and Madagascar. Guests can dig into a character-themed feast and even have some sticky fun at Gingy's Gingerbread Decorating.

A few of the special events during Christmas at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville include:

RESTLESS HEART: A SEASON OF HARMONY DINNER SHOW
November 20 – December 25, 2014

Country music powerhouse group Restless Heart is bringing its rich, soaring harmonies to Gaylord Opryland’s A Country Christmas with the all-new A Season of Harmony Dinner Show.

Known for chart-toppers like "The Bluest Eyes in Texas,” “I'll Still Be Loving You," "Why Does It Have to Be (Wrong or Right)" and "When She Cries,” the band—celebrating 30 years with its five original members—will perform holiday classics and original songs from their new Christmas album as well as favorite hits.

ICE!: ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
November 14, 2014 – January 3, 2015

See Ma in her kerchief, Pa in his cap and more as the classic holiday poem, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, is brought to life in 2 million pounds of colorful ice sculptures. Take a ride down a two-story-tall ice slide. Watch artisans from Harbin, China carve amazing ice sculptures before your eyes at the Frostbite Factory - our NEW live carving zone. This awe-inspiring experience concludes with the wonder and majesty of a full Nativity in stunning, crystal clear ice. It is all part of A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland.

DREAMWORKS CHARACTER HOLIDAY MEET & GREETS
November 14 - December 30, 2013

Meet the DreamWorks gang. Stroll through Shrek's swamp for a face-to-face encounter with the green ogre himself; explore the island of Madagascar; discover China's ancient Valley of Peace where Po, The Kung Fu Panda, has become a true kung fu master; and greet Gingy in a giant gingerbread house.


SHREKFEAST INTERACTIVE BREAKFAST
November 15 - December 31, 2013

Become an honorary Ogre and join Shrek, Princess Fiona and Puss in Boots for a fairytale feast fit for a king with tableside hugs and photos. Discover a Magic Fountain bubbling over with delicious chocolate potions and Shrek-shaped waffles with syrup, whilst solving riddles and puzzles on your quest to become an honorary Ogre or Ogress.

Experience a magical horse-drawn carriage ride and enjoy the hotel ground's decorations and lights. Image courtesy of Gaylord Hotels.

Experience a Christmas of your dreams at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. The grounds are decorated with more than two-million twinkling lights, acres of stunning decorations, and exclusive holiday events and attractions for you and your entire family.. Image courtesy of Gaylord Hotels.

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center is located at 2800 Opryland Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37214

Marriott International, Inc. has more than 4,000 properties, and more than 690,000 rooms in 78 countries and territories. For more information or reservations, please visit www.marriott.com.

Detailed information on the array of holiday activities at each property may be found at:
Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville, TN - www.ChristmasAtGaylordOpryland.com
Gaylord National Resort, National Harbor, Maryland – www.ChristmasOnThePotomac.com
Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee, Florida – www.ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com
Gaylord Texan Resort (Grapevine, Texas) – www.ChristmasAtGaylordTexan.com