Even though it’s still summer, it’s never too early to start making plans for your family’s holiday season, and tickets are on sale now for Gaylord Opryland’s 33rd annual A Country Christmas celebration. The festivities take place Nov. 11 – Jan. 1, and there’s something for everyone of all ages.
Returning this year are several tried-and-true family favorites, and there’s new fun in the mix, too — lots of goodies for your kids to get excited about!
The Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical theatrical show returns for its second year, Nov. 18 – Dec. 25 at the Grand Ole Opry House. This spectacular Broadway musical features songs from the beloved animated musical, and the costumes and set design are lifted straight from the pages of the book. Read our review of last year’s show.
Brand new for 2016 is Breakfast with the Grinch, a unique dining experience where your family can feast at a buffet of Who-ville inspired eats along with special touches to strike an emotional chord with kids. But the best part is getting to visit with The Grinch himself!
One of the most-anticipated attractions of A Country Christmas every year is the ICE! exhibit, and it’s brand-new this year, too! Bundle up before you head inside the chilly chamber (it’s 9 degrees inside!) to experience the Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas story in 2 million pounds of colorful, larger-than-life ice sculptures. Toward the end of the experience, zipping down the ice slides is a must!
There’s even more new Country Christmas fun for kids this year by way of a Build-A-Bear Workshop experience letting kids — and Mom & Dad! — create their own polar bear buddy, and they can add fun accessories and clothing.
Kids can test their sleuthing skills with The Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt. This fun quest will have kids searching for scout elves hidden throughout the resort and solving puzzles. The goal is revealing the elves’ names so they can get their Christmas magic, and kids who help will get a prize.
Enjoy live musical entertainment and country cookin’ with Grand Ole Opry members Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers’ Holiday Dinner Show, or head outside for Snow Tubing on 1.5 million pounds of real snow or perhaps take a few laps around the 6,000-square-foot outdoor Ice Skating rink nearby. Kids can enjoy the Santa’s Snowball Toss carnival-style game, and little ones might like a turn on Santa Spinners, a tea cup ride.
Warm back up inside at the Gingerbread Decorating Corner where kids can get creative with their own sweet work of art while visiting with a life-sized gingerbread man.
More holiday fun you can schedule during A Country Christmas includes a kids’ train, visits with Santa, General Jackson Showboat holiday cruises, the Treasures for the Holidays Craft Show, the outdoor nativity and the Parade of Trees, a self-guided tour of ornately decorated trees — each tree’s decorations and presents are up for grabs to the highest bidder; proceeds benefit favorite charities of the country stars.
To get a jump start on your family’s holiday festivities at Opryland, call 888-677-9872 or visit christmasatgaylordopryland.com.