Gaylord Hotels is launching its most expansive summer programming to date across six resorts nationwide, headlined by the expansion of Super Hero Summer featuring DC and the debut of All-American SummerFest. The rollout runs from late May through early September 2026 across properties in Maryland, California, Florida, Colorado, Tennessee and Texas.
Gaylord’s 2026 summer lineup spans DC Super Hero character dining, resort-wide scavenger hunts, atrium light shows, fireworks displays and themed pool parties. According to the Hilton 2026 Trends Report, 84% of travelers plan to seek out opportunities to play together as a family this year, with 58% of parents and grandparents actively building no-screen-time periods into their vacations. The programming Gaylord is rolling out this summer is a direct response to that appetite.
Super heroes take over 4 Gaylord resorts this summer
Super Hero Summer featuring DC expands to two new destinations this year. Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, and Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista, California, will host the program for the first time. National Harbor runs May 22 through Sept. 6, while Chula Vista runs June 20 through Aug. 16.
The program also returns to two familiar destinations: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida, and Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado. Both events run through Sept. 7.
Built around the DC partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, the activations go well beyond character meet-and-greets. Guests can take part in the Revenge of the Riddler Scavenger Hunt, a resort-wide puzzle experience, sit down for Hall of Justice Character Dining with Justice League characters and watch the Battle for Justice Light Show, an atrium-wide production combining lighting effects and a cinematic score. Activations and availability vary by resort.
All-American Summerfest makes its debut in Nashville and Texas
With America marking its 250th anniversary in 2026, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, are tayloring their summer calendars around that cultural moment. All-American SummerFest runs May 22 through Sept. 7 at both properties.
At Gaylord Opryland, the centerpiece is America’s Birthday Party and Fireworks, a lawn event with family activities and a full fireworks display. The Sounds of America Lights and Fountain Show is a nighttime spectacular celebrating the music of America, and The Great American Road Trip Scavenger Hunt sends families across the resort’s grounds. At Gaylord Texan, America’s 250th Birthday Bash takes place every Saturday night in the Lone Star Atrium with live music and dancing, while the Aqua Glow Party offers a DJ-driven nighttime pool event for families.
The resort activity calendar is a booking factor
Tripadvisor’s 2026 Trendcast, drawn from more than a billion searches and bookings, found that experience bookings with children’s tickets are up 19% year-over-year. Families are planning trips around what they will do, and the hotel room has become the base of operations rather than the destination itself.
That has a practical implication for anyone booking a summer family trip: the activity calendar, the evening entertainment and the themed dining now carry real weight in the decision. Gaylord’s investment in IP partnerships and season-long programming across six properties puts it squarely in the conversation for families who want the trip to feel like something, not just somewhere.
Jennifer Allen is a retired chef turned traveler, cookbook author and nationally syndicated journalist; she’s also a co-founder of Food Drink Life, where she shares expert travel tips, cruise insights and luxury destination guides. A recognized cruise expert with a deep passion for high-end experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations, Jennifer explores the world with curiosity, depth and a storyteller’s perspective. Her articles are regularly featured on the Associated Press Wire, The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.