It’s Here and It’s Time to Catch the Best Spectacular Holiday Event in San Antonio
It’s here and it’s time to unwrap the magic of the season at JW Marriott San Antonio: ICE! that debuts with spectacular holiday experiences in the heart of the Texas Hill Country.
Step into a Whoville Winter Wonderland, where dazzling life-sized ice sculptures and scenes from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! bring Christmas cheer to life happening now!
This holiday season, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is transforming into a winter wonderland, inviting guests of all ages to experience the magic of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! with the debut of the spectacular ICE! attraction. Opening on November 23, 2024, and running through January 5, 2025, the resort’s Hill Country Christmas celebration features a dazzling array of activities, including immersive experiences at Reindeer Ridge.
Guests will walk through a world of enchantment, where over two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures transport them to the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss’ beloved characters. Kept at a frosty nine degrees Fahrenheit, the 20,000-square-foot exhibit brings to life 10 breathtaking scenes from How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, complete with winding tunnels, archways, and two-story ice slides. Larger-than-life ice sculptures of 23 characters, including the Grinch, Max, and Cindy-Lou Who, offer guests an unforgettable experience. To keep warm while exploring, each guest is outfitted with a cozy blue parka as they marvel at the icy spectacle.
To conclude the ICE! exhibit, there is a dedicated area featuring a Nativity scene with 19 figures intricately carved from crystal-clear ice, creating a breathtaking portrayal.
The craftsmanship behind ICE! is a marvel in itself. A team of 40 master ice carvers from Harbin, China – home of the world-renowned Harbin Ice Festival – traveled nearly 7,000 miles to San Antonio to create the stunning display. Over the course of 30 days, the artisans meticulously carved 6,700 massive blocks of ice using traditional tools like chisels, tongs, chainsaws, and grinders. The result is a vivid and intricately detailed frozen world, with vibrant colors and lifelike textures that bring the heartwarming Grinch story to life.
In addition to ICE!, the festivities continue with the impressive line-up of Hill Country Christmas experiences available. The resort’s Exhibit Ballroom has completely transformed into the 40,000 square-foot “Reindeer Ridge”. Here, guests can enjoy:
- Snow Flow Mountain: A thrilling multi-lane tubing hill made of real snow, providing hours of alpine fun for all ages.
- Snowball Build & Blast: An interactive game where guests can make and throw snowballs to score points and boost the power of the snow-making machine.
- Claus’ Christmas Traditions: Gather around Mrs. Claus as she retells the beloved tale, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”, complete with a sing-along of holiday carols and Santa’s favorite cookies and milk.
- Gingerbread Decorating Corner: Guests can let their creativity run wild as they decorate gingerbread houses with sweets and treats and meet Nutmeg, the gingerbread man.
- Feast with the Grinch™ Character Breakfast: Join everyone’s favorite green grouch, the Grinch, for a special character dining experience accompanied by his canine companion Max.
- The Grinch’s™ Wonderful Awful Idea Scavenger Hunt: Find all of the Grinch’s hidden clues around the resort as part of his mischievous plan to ruin the holiday and win a special stocking stuffer when completing the quest.
- Build-A-Bear Workshop®: Experience the fun of personalizing furry friends with adorable outfits, sweet scents and fun sounds to make the perfect gift or a cuddly Christmas keepsake.
- Photos with Santa: Enjoy a personal visit with Santa Claus complete with a keepsake photo to capture the moment.
Indulge in holiday treats, like hot cocoa and sweet concoctions at the Arctic Lodge & Bar, Frost Haus and Jolly Antler Bar. There will also be festive seasonal cocktails for adults.
There are many enchanting experiences throughout the resort’s property. Wander through twinkling trees, roast s’mores over the warm campfire, and capture festive pictures with loved ones. For the adventurers that want a chilly challenge, the Polar Plunge will be available in several pools. From reindeer encounters to dazzling décor, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa offers the perfect escape to create unforgettable Christmas memories.
ICE! Stay & Play Packages:
Make the most out of your Christmas vacation by booking one of the exclusive ICE! Stay & Play Packages. These packages offer overnight accommodation and two tickets to ICE! for each night’s stay, using booking code 1GC at JWHillCountryChristmas.com. Guests can add a round of golf to the ICE! Stay & Play Package using booking code ZJ4. Overnight guests will be able to access resort-only benefits including the Extra Cool Hour and Chill Pass, which allow overnight visitors early admission into ICE! and the Christmas Village, as well as front-of-the-line access to the attraction.
Book a home away from home for the holidays by reserving one of the resort’s luxurious suites that is carefully adorned with magical Christmas-themed decor, a crackling fireplace, and fresh baked cookies.
Guests can visit JWHillCountryChristmas.com to learn more about the magical experiences, special room packages, and book tickets and room reservations for a memorable stay.
Luxury Amenities:
To experience everything the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa has to offer this holiday season, guests are encouraged to book an overnight stay and receive exclusive access to luxury amenities such as 1,002 guest rooms including 85 stylish suites, the 9-acre River Bluff Water Experience with temperature-controlled pools and hot tubs; two PGA TOUR 18-hole championship golf courses at TPC San Antonio; world-class Lantana Spa; award-winning culinary experiences with eight dining outlets; Topgolf Swing Suite; sports courts to play tennis, basketball and pickleball; walking trails with stunning hill country views; and famous Texas starry night skies.
