Buddy the Elf is making his way to the Valley. JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa will debut ice!™ featuring Elf™ on November 18, 2026, as the signature attraction of its Jingle at JW Desert Ridge holiday lineup. The experience will run through January 3, 2027.
The 17,500-square-foot attraction will feature more than two million pounds of hand-carved ice sculptures depicting characters and memorable scenes from New Line Cinema’s Elf. Kept at a brisk nine degrees Fahrenheit, the immersive experience will provide guests with signature blue parkas to stay warm as they explore Buddy’s frozen world.
Guests can wander through more than a dozen scenes from the film, including the North Pole, Candy Cane Forest, Lincoln Tunnel, the “World’s Best Coffee” shop, Gimbel’s toy store, the mailroom and Santa’s workshop.
Highlights include a 16-foot-tall Buddy in Central Park, six ice slides, including four two-story slides for guests 40 inches and taller, and a live carving station where master carvers transform solid blocks of ice into sculptures. The experience also features photo-worthy passageways, a life-size Nativity scene and an ice! retail shop stocked with exclusive holiday gifts. Learn more at jwdesertridgechristmas.com.
