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  • Gaylord National ICE! Display to Feature ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’
ice sculpture of rudolph flying next to santa and other reindeer
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Gaylord National ICE! Display to Feature ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’

The resort’s annual ICE! display will bring Rudolph, Yukon Cornelius, the Abominable Snow Monster, and more to life.

By Michele Kettner August 7, 2023 at 10:44 am

It may still be summer, but Gaylord National is in the holiday spirit. Halfway to Christmas, the Maryland resort announced the theme of its annual ICE! display will be based on the 1964 TV special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. 

From November 19 to December 31, guests will be able to make their way through the life-size sculptures at Gaylord National, which keeps its ICE! venue at 9 degrees fahrenheit.

Each October, the ice sculptors from Harbin, China, make their way to Gaylord National to start creating the magical displays in time for the holiday season. It takes about 10,000 hours over a six-week period for the sculptors to carve 2 million pounds of ice into the various holiday scenes. 

ice sculpture of rudolph pulling santa's sleigh
Courtesy Gaylord National

As guests make their way through the attraction, they’ll notice a variety of iconic scenes from the beloved show in ice form, including Rudolph flying, characters from the Island of Misfit Toys, Rudolph pulling Santa’s sleigh, and an interactive scene where you can make his nose glow. 

Once guests make their way through the festive scenery, there are plenty of other holiday attractions to try. This season, the original production of Cirque: Spirit of Christmas will be back on the stage. Guests can also try Snow Flow Mountain — the indoor snow tubing run, ice skating, gingerbread decorating, and Reindeer Games Scavenger Hunt. 

Tickets for the DMV holiday tradition are now on sale. Prices range from $35.99–$49.99 for guests 12 and older, $25.99–$38.99 for kids ages 4 to 11, $34.99–$41.99 for military adults (12 and older), and $24.99–$34.99 for military children ages 4 to 11. Children 3 and under are free. Discounted tickets are available through the end of August.

Feature image courtesy Gaylord National

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Michele Kettner

Michele Kettner

Audience Engagement Editor

Michele Kettner joined Northern Virginia Magazine in 2020 after spending two semesters as an editorial intern at the magazine. The University of Maryland graduate is currently the audience engagement editor and covers everything from can’t-miss things to do and holiday events to new restaurant and store openings throughout Northern Virginia.

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