It’s the most beautiful time of the year and holidays in the Mile High City just got better with the Gaylord Rockies Christmas. Even with the pandemic, families can experience the holiday spirit at Gaylord Rockies in 2021 with social distancing and COVID protocol in place. While the experience in 2020 was different, 2021 is already offering many reasons to visit Gaylord Rockies Christmas Denver this year — and to make it a family tradition every year.
Read More-> 2022 Review of Gaylord Rockies Denver
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Take the Family: Gaylord Rockies Christmas
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The winter holidays are hands-down our family favs, especially in Denver as there is so much to do and see in the winter, from the downtown holiday lights to the Broadway shows. With the addition of the new Gaylord Rockies just 8.5 miles from DIA, families now have another holiday tradition to add to their list: Gaylord Rockies Christmas events. Here are all the reasons why you should take the family — and continue the holiday tradition.
I Love Christmas Movies Experience 2020
While not the grand hand-sculpted 2 million pounds of holiday-themed ice sculptures (returning in 2021), the Gaylord Rockies Christmas 2020 is still a magical place. This year, it’s an immersive “I 
Christmas Movies” experience through January 3, 20201. If you’re a fan of Christmas movies, then you’re going to love strolling through movie scenes from favorite holiday movies: The Polar Express, A Christmas Story, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Elf, and The Year Without a Santa Claus.
This year, I brought three of my eight grandchildren, ages 16, 14, 6 — and my adult daughter. After the shenanigans of 2020, this experience was soothing, exciting, and really put us into the holiday spirit. From Christmas lights to holiday-themed songs and celebrations, we may have entered in a ho-hum holiday mod, but we exited ready to greet the holiday festivities with gusto!
Gaylord Rockies Christmas 2020 – Favorite activities for our multigenerational family:
- Mrs. Claus Christmas Traditions: we all loved the classic, “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and Mrs. Claus and her helper were entertaining and funny. Our multigenerational family all laughed and joined in the fun.
- Shopping at Mistletoe Village really put us in the holiday spirit!
- Build-A-Bear-Workshop, seriously all three grandkids were all in getting their stuffed animal ready to take home.
- Outdoor snow tubing and ice bumper cars were a hit with the grandkids!
- Last year, my granddaughter and I loved the Rudolph brunch, and although we didn’t experience it this year, Brunch with Charlie Brown & Friends looks just as yummy.
Next year, we’re definitely booking a stay at Gaylord Rockies to really enjoy all the holiday activities, as just a few hours isn’t enough time.
With social distancing in place, this guided, multi-sensory, pop-up exhibition celebrates all those fun Christmas movies, with 15 scenes replicating the film props, audio clips, and more. When we left, we planned a family night to re-watch some of these Christmas movie classics.
Fun at Mistletoe Village Continues
Once you exit the Christmas feature (this year I Love Christmas Movies), get ready for fun shopping in Mistletoe Village. So many tree decorations and themed gifts featuring the Christmas at Gaylord Rockies theme. Free to browse, but you’ll be oh-so-tempted to buy!
Get your photos with Santa at the Father Christmas Library. Use your phone for free photos or purchase photos available.
At another soon-to-be family favorite, Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions offers cozy and warm fun with your jolly host, Mrs. Claus. She reads holiday classics and sings Christmas carols with her elf partner – inviting the audience to join in! This was my youngest granddaughter (age 6) favorite, and bonus was the photo opp after the show!
Your kids can even choose the always popular Build-A-Bear Workshop. Last year, my oldest granddaughter and I added an interactive experience by decorating a gingerbread house or together – so fun!
Outdoor Fun at Gaylord Rockies
Take your fun outdoors on the front range lawn with more winter-themed things to do including Ice Bumper Cars, Ice Skating, Snow Tubing, and for the littles, the Snow Merry Go Round. Also when the sun goes down, enjoy LIGHT! — a walking experience following an illuminated path with color-changing trees, a field of glowing orbs (Valley of Light), supersized musical wind chimes, and a giant 12 foot Christmas package. LOCATION: Front Range Lawn
TIP: Consider saving money with combo tickets and special passes here.
A Look Back at 2019-20 Gaylord Christmas
ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 2019-2020
Last year, Gaylord Rockies hosted their ICE! holiday event with Rudolph.
The debut of Gaylord Rockies Christmas celebrations in 2019 includes bundling up in a winter coat and entering the frosty 9 degrees tent. Pose for a photo, and then walk through the winter wonderland of ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Scenes from this holiday classic are ice-sculptures carved out of 2 million pounds of ice by artisans from China. My 15-year-old granddaughter and I wandered through the scenes and reading the signs — and believe us, it is COLD! In addition, we took turns zipping down the colorful ice slide (although my landing wasn’t as graceful as hers). Be sure to situate your parka underneath your seat to get the most slide out of your ride.
ICE! Cost: From $13.99 child / $24.99 Adult Buy 1 get 1 FREE with CODE: BOGO19 Purchase online at GaylordRockiesChristmas.com
LOCATION: Mistletoe Village
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
My first Cirque du Soleil experience was in Las Vegas years ago, and I’ve been a fan since then. The Gaylord Rockies Christmas cirque was my granddaughter’s first, and we both loved this exciting and reimagined live family holiday spectacular.
Even though our seats were in the last row, the in-the-round theatre allowed us to see the entire show with its fun (and sometimes scary!) acts and dazzling costumes. the 75-minute Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a Broadway musical with cirque-style adventures. The stage is constantly moving with performances and delightful costumes including toy soldiers, snowmen, penguins, reindeer, gingerbread, Santa, and other holiday characters. Don’t miss it!
Cirque Dreams Holidaze Cost: $29.99 Buy 1 get 1 FREE with CODE: BOGO19 Purchase online at GaylordRockiesChristmas.com
LOCATION: bubly Theater
Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Breakfast
I’m a fan of breakfast, and this buffet breakfast did not disappoint. Build your own omelet, fresh eggs, bread, pastries — and more. More food than you can imagine and this character breakfast included visits (and photos) from Rudolph, Clarice, and Bumble.
Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Breakfast Cost: $19.99 child / $35.99 adult
LOCATION: Monte Jade
Other Fun Games
Although we ran out of time (even though we did overnight at the Gaylord Rockies), the resort also offered two additional fun games. Naughty or Nice Escape Room ($15.99 in Grand Lodge) invites your family to solve festive puzzles, while the Reindeer Games Scavenger Hunt ($9.99 per booklet and prize) sends you to find the lost Misfit Toys.
Stay & Play at Gaylord Rockies
Are you ready to experience all the fun things to do at Gaylord Rockies during Christmas? Make a reservation to stay and play. You can take your time, enjoy the festivities, take in the holiday celebrations without the stress of driving.
Book your Gaylord Rockies Resort now and add the most unforgettable Christmas celebrations to your reservation. The Gaylord Rockies lobby is decked out for the holidays, so take some time to explore.
Gaylord Rockies Christmas celebrations also continue into the New Year including New Year’s Eve.
This looks so fun! And to still have options for entertainment during Christmas 2020 is amazing!!
Wow! This place looks wild!!! I hadn’t heard of it before this, but now am intrigued.
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