Christmas is still months away, but Gaylord Opryland is already gearing up for the holidays with a fresh twist on one of its most popular traditions. The resort has announced that its signature ice! attraction is returning for the 2026 season with a Home Alone theme, giving Nashville families a new reason to bundle up and step inside a frozen version of one of the most quotable holiday movies ever made.
The Home Alone edition of ice! runs from Nov. 6 through Jan. 2 as part of Gaylord Opryland’s 43rd Annual A Country Christmas celebration. It’s the latest chapter in a tradition that dates back to 2001, when the resort first began bringing in master ice carvers to turn massive blocks of ice into walk-through winter wonderlands.
This year’s version is built around the McCallister family home and features more than two million pounds of hand-carved ice spread across 11 interactive scenes. Visitors can slide down a recreation of the grand staircase, walk through the mannequin party scene, and relive the aftershave moment that made the original film so memorable. The experience also leans into Kevin’s booby-trap-filled showdown with the Wet Bandits, wrapping up with his triumphant victory and a family reunion scene set beneath a towering Christmas tree.
Along the way, guests will pass through five ice slides, several crawl-through tunnels, and a Nativity scene carved entirely from crystal-clear ice. Live carving demonstrations give visitors a chance to watch the artistry happen in real time.
Because the attraction is kept at a chilly 9 degrees, everyone who walks through gets a signature blue parka to wear for the trip. The ice itself doesn’t come easy. Artisans travel roughly 6,400 miles from Harbin, China, to carve the display by hand, using more than 6,000 blocks of ice and logging over 12,000 hours of work across about six weeks to build the 17,000-square-foot attraction.
Ice! isn’t the only holiday offering at Opryland this year. The resort’s 43rd Annual A Country Christmas will also bring back POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance, its holiday stage show, with new acrobatic acts, illusions, costumes, and storytelling elements added for 2026.
Resort officials are also outlining how they’ll manage crowds during the busiest stretches. Starting Nov. 20, resort access will be guaranteed after 3 p.m. Central time only for overnight guests and those holding indoor or outdoor ticket reservations, a policy that applies every Friday and Saturday, plus daily from Nov. 23-26 and Dec. 18-31. Visitors without a room or event reservation can still stop by before 3 p.m. on those dates, or visit freely anytime between Nov. 6-19, Nov. 22, Nov. 29-Dec. 3, Dec. 6-10, Dec. 13-17, or Jan. 1-2.
Early bird ticket packages go on sale Thursday with limited-time discounts. Overnight guests who purchase ice! tickets will also receive a complimentary “Chill Pass,” which offers front-of-line access and shorter wait times.
Between ice!, the Delta Riverboat Christmas Cruise, and the new stage show, Gaylord Opryland is once again positioning itself as one of Nashville’s biggest holiday destinations. Tickets for ice! and other Christmas events are available through the resort’s website.