Every year for the holidays, Gaylord Opryland celebrates with elaborate decorations and Christmas-themed events. This year’s holiday extravaganza opens Nov. 7 and runs through Jan. 3. You don’t have to be a hotel guest to check out the decorations and go to the activities! Here’s my guide.
🚗 Where To Park
- Park for free at Opry Mills Mall, at the very end of the Regal Cinemas parking lot. Then cross the street and walk over. It’s a bit of a hike, but not too bad. I’ve done it with a toddler in tow!
- Parking at the official Gaylord Opryland lot is $37, and valet parking is $55.
💵 How To Go for Free or Cheap
- See the holiday decorations for free on these dates: Nov. 7-20, 23, and 30; Dec. 1-4, 7-11, and 14-18; Jan. 1-3. Activities still require a ticket.
- On all other dates you can arrive before 3 p.m. to see the holiday lights for free, and can stick around until evening for the outdoor lights.
- You only need to buy a ticket to one activity to come any other time.
- Do you have an MNPS student? Grab a Cool Reader bookmark at any Nashville Public Library branch, read five books, and turn it in by Jan. 2 for a free child’s ticket to ICE! featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and discounted adult tickets. Good for Sunday-Friday from Nov. 7-Dec. 31, then daily Jan. 1-3.
- Use the code MERRYDEALS25 now through Nov. 16 for 25% off tickets to ICE! featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and the “POMP, SNOW, & CIRQUEumstance” show.
Kids love ICE!, but it does get cold! (Courtesy of Gaylord Opryland)
🎄 More Tips
- You have to buy tickets for the activities online.
- ICE! is kept at a frigid 9 degrees Fahrenheit, but they provide parkas for all sizes up to 4XL. Wear close-toed shoes and pants, and a hat and gloves. It takes 20-40 minutes to go through.
- Make a day of it by dining at one of the many restaurants inside, though they can get pricey. Several restaurants are also nearby at the mall.
- If you’re going with kids, set expectations before you leave about which activities they can participate in. In the past, favorites have been the gingerbread decorating corner and bumper cars. There are plenty of places to get free pictures with Santa, so skip that. ICE! is a bit steep for the amount of time it takes to walk through, but worth doing at least once.
- This year Gaylord Opryland also has a Build-a-Bear Workshop.
🌲 Where To Buy Christmas Trees
