What’s the best way to spread Christmas cheer? By taking the family to JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa for the Phoenix debut of ice!™ featuring Elf™, the centerpiece of the resort’s festive Jingle at JW Desert Ridge celebration.
Running November 18 through January 3, 2027, guests are invited to celebrate the season with a full lineup of holiday experiences, including ice skating, snow tubing, gingerbread decorating, visits with Santa, and more. But the coolest new addition is ice!, a beloved holiday attraction making its first-ever appearance at the Phoenix resort.
While ice! featuring Elf™ is new to Phoenix, the immersive Christmas experience has been a holiday tradition for 24 years, first debuting at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville. This year, the world of Elf™ gets the frozen treatment, with 12 scenes bringing Buddy’s hilarious holiday hijinks to life through intricately carved ice.
Using 2 million pounds of ice, expert artisans spend 12,000 hours carving the experience, creating everything from detailed characters to larger-than-life scenes. Guests can race down 10-foot-high ice slides and keep their eyes peeled for 13 different Buddy the Elf sculptures throughout the attraction. Finding them all might be the perfect Christmas challenge for Elf™ fans.
Inside the walk-through attraction, it’s a decidedly un-Phoenix-like 9 degrees Fahrenheit, complete with warm parkas provided for guests. It’s a memorable way to trade the Valley sunshine for a little winter wonderland without leaving town.
Beyond ice! featuring Elf™, Jingle at JW Desert Ridge keeps the holiday spirit going. Families can lace up for ice skating, snow tube down the slippery slopes of Snow Flow Mountain, build and toss real snowballs, and decorate gingerbread creations. Santa will be on hand for Christmas photos, while special experiences like the Mrs. Claus & Friends Character Breakfast add even more ways to make the season feel special.
With so much to experience, Jingle at JW Desert Ridge is designed for more than a quick afternoon visit. An overnight stay gives families time to enjoy the holiday activities at their own pace, along with the resort’s year-round amenities. Guests can unwind at Revive Spa, enjoy the water park, play pickleball or golf, and explore the resort’s dining options, including Tia Carmen from chef Angelo Sosa.
It’s a holiday experience with a quintessential Arizona twist: snow and ice indoors, desert sunshine outdoors, and plenty of Christmas cheer all around. This year, JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge offers families a new way to celebrate the season, creating memories that will become a cherished tradition for years to come.
ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc.
