ICE! GAYLORD NATIONAL: 2025 PLAYFUL PARENT GUIDE

Step into a wonderland of ICE!… You will be dazzled by sculptures carved out of two million pounds of colorful ice by expert artists. This year’s theme is the iconic “The Polar Express™.”  Walk through a frozen extravaganza filled with larger-than-life sculptures, and even plunge down slides made entirely out of ice.  This annual holiday event runs now through January 2, 2026. I hope this guide helps your family plan and prepare for touring ICE!, the coolest attraction around town.

WHAT IS ICE!?

ICE! is a spectacular ice display that showcases colorful, larger-than-life frozen sculptures. You will walk through a self-guided tour of over two million pounds of colorful, hand-carved ice sculptures. After getting the ticket scanned, you walk through an educational section that highlights information on how the display is made and kept.  Be sure to take your time at this exhibit by watching the videos and even trying out the please-touch centers, where the kids can touch the ice to see how cold it is.

After suiting up in your blue parka, you head outside to the photo station where you can get a family photo. At the end of your walk-through of the displays, you can purchase photo packages as keepsakes.

Next, you will be directed to the tents where the magic unfolds. Inside the massive tent, temperatures are set at a chilling nine degrees. So make sure you are bundled up well in order to admire the work of art. To ensure you stay warm, wear a sweater or coat under your parka. Be sure to wear hats, gloves, and thick socks. If you really don’t like the cold, bring along some hot hand packs for extra warmth. The self-guided tour is self-paced. I recommend taking your time to enjoy each display and take pictures. Allowing 30-45 minutes to enjoy the experience is about the time needed. Little ones tend to get cold quickly and might not last as long.

This year’s ICE! The display theme is The Polar Express™. It feels like you are walking right into this classic holiday film! The carvers do a magnification job of capturing iconic scenes from the movie. I really enjoyed the interactive parts of this year’s display. The peek-a-boo walk through tunnels and immersive photo opportunities are incredibly fun. Climb aboard and have a seat in the hot chocolate scene, or even pull down on Smokey’s bread!

At the halfway point, be sure to  zip down an ice slide. There are slides for both the tiny tots and big kids, or even the kid at heart, so that everyone can participate in this activity. To go fast down the slide, be sure to lie back so the parka glides you down.

End your tour with a gorgeous view of the crystal clear nativity scene. This scene is absolutely breathtaking and really showcases traditional ice sculpting as a work of art.

ICE! INFORMATION & ACTIVITIES

Location: Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center- 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD

Hours: November through January 2, 2026

Admission: Tickets start at $35 for general admission. Children ages 3 and under are FREE! Going on a weekday earlier in the season rather than on weekends and peek season hours can be cheaper. For 25% off tickets to ICE! featuring The Polar Express use code: ICEPARTNER25.

Website: Link

Activities: Tickets to ICE! includes admission to the display. However, there are other activities available that cost additional money. You can purchase bundles to save money or add activities individually to make your experience unique.

  • Gingerbread House- This fun, sticky and interactive decorating tradition just got even sweeter. Choose from three decorating kits to put together and then meet The Gingerbread Man himself! ($)
  • Mrs. Claus Christmas Tradition- Gather around for warm and cozy fun with the jolliest hostess of all – Mrs. Claus! Delight in the reading of holiday classics and singing of Christmas carols while enjoying cookies and milk. ($)
  • Snowball Blaster- Build and toss real snowballs to boost the power of the snowmaking machines and earn points in this experience at Snow Factory, the mechanized, snowy play space.
  • Snow Flow Mountain Slide- In this mechanized, snow play space you will slide through factory conveyor belts that have frozen solid and ride tubes down a thrilling plummet slide or hilly ice coaster at Snow Factory.

To learn more about each activity see this link.

TIPS FOR ICE!

  • Check out the informative Instagram video for details about ICE! – Link
  • Ways to save- Military Discount are offered, get discount codes by following the Gaylord National Resort Facebook Page or catch a deal on Groupon. You can also purchase Gold pass that include: ICE! display, unlimited Ice Tubbing and Snoopy Scavenger Hunt. You save up to 30% by getting a platinum pass which includes: ICE! display, unlimited Ice Tubbing and Snoopy Scavenger Hunt, Snowball Blast, Gingerbread decorating, Ice Skating and the Mrs. Claus Traditions show. All there is a discount code offered to Playful Parent fans for 25% off tickets to ICE! using code: ICEPARTNER25.
  • Bundle Up- I’m sure it’s obvious that it will be cold. The ice needs to stay frozen! You will be provided with a warm blue parka with a hood. However, I highly recommend you double up by wearing your own jacket, as well as wear a hat, gloves, and scarf. Don’t forget socks, one year one of my boys who dresses himself forgot socks, and he was miserable! Be aware that the parkas do not have pockets, YOU WILL NEED GLOVES! Parkas come as small as size 2T. I recommend baby wearing your smallest baby and get a slightly bigger parka to button over the baby.
  • Dress in Bright Colors- Since every visitor is wearing the same blue parka; you will need a way to set your kids apart. I put my children in bright colored hats to make them more distinctive.
  • Don’t Rush- Over the years I have learned to take my time. If your kids have the attention span for it, visit each exhibit and admire what you see. Engage in conversations about what you see and take photos.
  • Interactive Exhibits- One of my kids favorite part of the adventure is the slide and tunnels. Take your time on these. You can go down the slide as many times as you want. Veterans tips, have one adult stays at the top and the other stay at the bottom to keep an eye on the kids. There is an attendant at the top to help as well.
  • Take Photos- Keep in mind that your camera or phone could freeze. That being said, I would take my camera out periodically to snap a few memorable shots.
  • Take advantage of parking validation. Park in the Gaylord Hotels Self Parking. Just show receipt of attending the event outside the winter village area. They will discount your ticket for three hours and under parking down to $20.
  • Three times a day 7:30PM/8:45PM/9:15PM there is a tree lighting display that is phenomenal. You can watch it up close near the village on the lobby floor. However, I recommend going up to the second level and watching it from the balcony on the ballroom level floor. The view is absolutely stunning. You can also view the Cirque show from a far here. This years evening Cirque show is at 6:30PM. Arrive a few minutes early to grab a spot, than hang around after for the grand finally tree lighting display.
  • Check out the full range of Christmas on the Potomac events at Gaylord National Resort to ensure you hit all the extra activities! Including the gingerbread house display in the lobby.
  • Play Learn & Grow- Before you go watch videos about the making of ICE! – Link Here

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE…CHRISTMAS ON THE POTOMAC

National Harbor hosts a year-round line up of amazing events and super-fun activities for families — right on the gorgeous waterfront. See the Christmas on the Potomac Calendar for more information, dates and times of weekly events. Mostly every Saturday throughout the holiday you can catch Santa on the Carousel and at the Capital Wheel. As well as, see free movies on Sunday’s, witness the spectacular tree lighting daily and view fireworks on select nights. At The Gaylord be sure to go to the atrium to watch the Christmas Tree light show and stop by the lobby to see the gorgeous gingerbread display.

There are so many scrumptious restaurants. While we were visiting Christmas on the Potomac we ate at Red Stone Grill. The ribs and rotisserie chicken are amazing. Not to mention the kids menu is great and comes with a cool activity to keep the little’s entertained. I also always enjoy the view of the Potomac. Don’t miss out on riding the Capital Wheel for breath taking views and making extra special family memories.

THANK YOU

***Thank you for taking the time to read this article; I hope that it was helpful to your family. The Playful Parent is a non-profit 501c3 that provides free resources to the community. The Playful Parent is NOT paid to promote events or attractions. Discounted or complimentary partnership is always appreciated but not a requirement. All content and photography are intellectual property of The Playful Parent.***

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