Texas Gets Frozen Wizarding World
Gaylord Texan to Host First Harry Potter-Themed ICE! Exhibit for 2026 Holiday Season
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Hedwig greets guests with a towering ice sculpture at the entrance, followed by ten wizarding-world themed rooms, including Hogsmeade Station, the Forbidden Forest, The Three Broomsticks, The Great Hall, and Hogwarts Castle.
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There are hints of additional Wizarding World nods beyond the rooms, such as potential Patronus appearances or a nod to the Quidditch World Cup.
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Ticket pricing is precisely listed at a starting price of $33.32.
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Artisans from Harbin, China are expected to arrive in October to begin carving the 2 million pounds of ice.
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The project budget for the ICE Event 2026 - Harry Potter is cited as slightly over $1 million.
Texas is getting the world's first Harry Potter-themed ice! experience. Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine will open "ice! featuring Harry Potter" on November 13, 2026, according to CBS News. The walk-through attraction features 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice shaped into 10 scenes from the wizarding world.
The exhibit runs through January 3, 2027. Tickets start at $33.32, and the indoor space is kept at a frigid 9 degrees. Complimentary parkas are provided at the door, though guests are advised to bring hats, scarves, and gloves.
Ten Wizarding World Rooms Built From Ice
Guests enter beneath a towering ice sculpture of Hedwig, Harry's beloved snowy owl. From there, they walk through 10 themed rooms, according to Fort Worth CultureMap. The stops include Hogsmeade Station, the Forbidden Forest, The Three Broomsticks, The Great Hall, and Hogwarts Castle.
The Hogwarts Castle section features two-story ice slides that drop riders onto a Quidditch Pitch at the bottom. House-colored lighting effects run throughout. The exhibit also hints at extras like Patronus appearances and nods to the Quidditch World Cup, per CBS News.
Harbin Artisans Arriving in October to Start Carving
Master ice artisans from Harbin, China will travel to Grapevine in October to begin work. They will carve all 2 million pounds of ice by hand. The project budget comes in at just over $1 million, according to CBS News.
Live carving demonstrations will be part of the guest experience. Visitors can watch artisans shape massive blocks of ice into detailed scenes. The carving process takes weeks to complete before the exhibit opens.
Harry Potter Joins a Big Year for Gaylord ice! Themes
The Harry Potter experience is exclusive to Gaylord Texan. Other Gaylord properties are getting different themes for 2026. WDWNT reports that Gaylord Opryland in Nashville will feature Home Alone, while another location will host a Nightmare Before Christmas theme.
Gaylord Palms in Florida, meanwhile, brings back The Polar Express, according to Click Orlando. The ice! attraction first launched at Gaylord Opryland back in 2001. This marks the 22nd year of the holiday tradition for the Gaylord brand.
Lone Star Christmas Surrounds the Ice Exhibit
The ice! experience sits inside Gaylord Texan's larger Lone Star Christmas event. The resort decorates with millions of lights and a 54-foot Christmas tree. A festive Christmas Village is also part of the holiday setup surrounding the attraction.
Tickets for the ice! exhibit start at $33.32 and are on sale now. The resort calls this the first Harry Potter ice experience ever built for a specific location. For fans of the wizarding world, it is a reason to visit Grapevine this holiday season.
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