June 18, 2026
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - This Fourth of July, Gaylord Palms Resort is immersing guests in a new, multi-day celebration to honor America's landmark 250th birthday. Running July 2-5, 2026, the "Star-Spangled Celebration" transforms the resort into a patriotic paradise of synchronized light shows, grand holiday buffets and high-energy, water park and pool parties. Guests can also enjoy a backyard block party on the Mangrove Lawn with a live band, food and games, all while capitalizing on a premium staycation package that includes a $250 resort credit.
Unpack and Celebrate: The Star-Spangled Celebation Package
To soak in the holiday weekend, guests can book the exclusive Star-Spangled Celebration Package. Perfect for a summer staycation, the package requires a minimum two-night stay (valid July 2-5) and rewards guests with a $250 Resort Credit per stay to use toward dining, spa treatments and upscale amenities. Guests can book this package at GaylordPalms.com.
Patriotic Lights Brighten the Night
Illuminated Atrium Skies: Inside the resort's signature, soaring 4.5-acre glass atrium, the Fourth of July holiday spirit will shine brighter than ever with a new multi-media light show. From July 2-4, the atrium's animated LED light curtains suspended from the ceiling will come alive at the end of each day's festivities with a custom-choreographed Fourth of July Light Show.
Splash into a Patriotic Pool Party
At the resort's 3-acre Cypress Springs Water Park, guests can beat the heat with a splash-tastic Fourth of July celebration. The pool party will feature a live DJ spinning summer anthems, along with family-friendly pool games. Guests can also enjoy the water park's seven water slides, two swimming pools, multi-level children's water playhouse, surf simulator, Crystal River Rapids action river, and more.
Bands, Barbecue and Backyard Games at an All-American Block Party
The celebration moves to the resort's Mangrove Lawn July 3-4, for a block party-style bash, including:
• Live Music: Central Florida favorites The Tabasco Trio will take the stage, delivering high-energy live performances on July 4 (4:30-8:30 p.m.).
• Sizzling Grills and Summer Chills: Guests can indulge in a mouthwatering All-American fare featuring summer favorites like hot dogs and brisket sliders, a pizza station, plenty of popcorn, and cool down with refreshing treats from a Kona Ice truck.
• Lawn Games & Entertainment: Friendly competition awaits with giant lawn pong, cornhole, and ping pong.
Holiday Buffet at Villa de Flora restaurant
For an upscale culinary experience, Villa de Flora restaurant, nestled inside the garden atrium, will serve a grand Fourth of July Buffet on July 3-4. The chef-crafted spread will feature the perfect feast before the evening's festivities, including charcuterie boards, an assortment of fresh-made salads, beef and barbecue chicken sliders, smoked chicken, honey-chipotle-glazed salmon, and plenty for the kids including chicken fingers and tater tots. A carving station will feature mouth-watering, Black Angus beef brisket, barbecue pork spareribs, smoked cheddar-jalapeno sausage, kielbasa, spicy andouille sausage and more. Topping it all off is a dessert bar with house-made sweet treats including classic dishes like peach cobbler, whoopie pies, New York-style cheesecake, strawberry shortcake and flourless chocolate cake.
Guests can make reservations for the Fourth of July buffet at GaylordPalmsDining.com. Schedules are subject to change; guests are invited to check the resort's Times Guide for the latest updates. For more information about the Star-Spangled Celebration and to book the limited-time Star-Spangled Celebration Package, guests can go to GaylordPalmsTickets.com.
