It is that time of year again when Busch Gardens Tampa Bay turns into Christmas Town! From November 15, 2024, to January 5, 2025, you can enjoy Busch Gardens with its holiday season overlay at the price of regular park admission - annual pass members and Fun Card holders also get to enjoy Christmas Town at no additional cost.
Imagine all the fan-favorite attractions that Busch Gardens is known for and add on Christmas lights, holiday culinary delights, and festive shows.
They even have a Christmas light tunnel in the back of the park synchronized to famous Christmas songs - it is such a spectacular sight! Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's Christmas Town is full of festive fun for the whole family. Now, let's learn more about the Christmas Town festivities!
Christmas Shopping and Seasonal Treats
Towards the entrance, some shops sell holiday décor and gifts for everyone on your list! Make sure to stop by and look at the great selection of holiday items!
At 4 pm, the Festival Walkway and other Food and Beverage Cabins around the park open up. Each cabin sells savory or sweet holiday food or drinks!
Some of the cabins include: - Gingerbread Dreams, where you can decorate your own gingerbread cookie - Elves & Evergreen, where you can try Mofongo with Pork Carnitas. This plate consists of mojo pulled pork with a sweet plantain style of mofongo, pork skin crackling, lime & chili dust. - Sleigh Bells Soiree, where you can enjoy a craft cocktail, hot chocolate, and holiday cookies - Giraffe Bar, where you can purchase Holiday Turkey with Cornbread Stuffing and Braised Short ribs with Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese - and more!
The cool thing about the Food and Beverage Cabins at Busch Gardens' Christmas Town is that you can purchase a Christmas Town Sampler Lanyard to try 5 or 10-holiday food or beverage items for one set price of $45 or $65, respectively.
If you are an annual pass member, you can purchase the exclusive 12-item sampler for the price of a 10-item sampler!
Festive Entertainment
Enjoy various live shows at Christmas Town to embrace the holiday spirit. However, check Busch Gardens' schedule on the day of your visit to learn about the different showtimes for each performance.
Christmas on Ice
It is an indoor show at the Moroccan Palace Theater near the front of the park. This show has Christmas songs, cute holiday outfits, and world-class ice skaters! It is a performance you do not want to miss - luckily, they run the show a few times a day to give everyone a chance!
Three Kings Journey
It is an indoor show located at the Dragonfire Grill on select nights. This show depicts the Three Kings' Journey to Bethlehem through a musical - it is a beautiful performance!
Elmo's Christmas Wish
It is an outdoor show at the Sunny Day Theater in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area. Join Elmo and his friends as they help Elmo figure out his Christmas Wish.
Along the way, you will sing along to popular Christmas songs and even assist Rosita in singing a song in Spanish!
It is a beloved show by all who love Elmo and is performed several times daily, so be sure to catch one of the viewings!
Storytime with Mrs. Claus
This show is outdoors in the Coke Canopy. You will join Mrs. Clause and her favorite elf in her living room as she reads a Christmas book!
The show ends with a joyful song. It was such a sweet show, and I highly recommend it if you have little ones or are a child at heart! ❤️
Holiday in the Sky Fireworks Show
This spectacular happens every Saturday night and other select nights during Christmas Town, weather permitting. During the spectacle, you will hear famous holiday songs and see holiday cheer light up the sky!
Meet and Greets with Festive Characters
Christmas Town brings a few special guests for meet and greets! You can meet the big man himself, Santa Claus, and his jolly elves at Santa's North Pole Experience and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his Friends at Rudolph's Winter Wonderland.
You could also meet the Ice Princess, the Poinsettia Princess, the Sugar Plum Princess, a jolly Snowman, and some Sesame Street characters on your visit to Christmas Town.
Holly Jolly Express
In December, the Serengeti Express Train Ride gets a holiday overhaul and becomes the Holly Jolly Express! On this train ride, you will go through the Serengeti Plain®, where you can see free-roaming African Animals.
My favorites were the giraffes and ostrich! I recommend sitting on the left side of the train as you will have a better view of the Serengeti. However, I sat on the right side and got a great look at the giraffes!
Upgrades for Christmas Town
Enhance your Christmas Town experience with exclusive upgrades, such as the VIP Tour providing front-of-the-line access to Santa’s North Pole Experience and Rudolph's Winter Wonderland.
You will also get the opportunity to feed flamingos, have reserved seating for Christmas on Ice, get a complimentary photo, and enjoy a complimentary souvenir mug and hot cocoa with cookies!
Another upgrade for this event is Christmas Town Character Dine. Join Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and his friends for a delicious holiday meal, hugs, photos, cookie decorating, and letters to Santa. This family-friendly event is held on December 15th and 22nd, 2024 at 11 am and 2 pm in the Gwazi Event Pavilion.
Regular Fun at Busch Gardens
All the rides normally open during the rest of the year, like Iron Gwazi, are open during the Christmas Town event. So, during the daytime, you can take advantage of the rides, and at night you can marvel over the whimsical and festive lights all over the park.
You could also ride at night and enjoy the breathtaking nighttime views of Busch Gardens and its dazzling winter wonderland. Either path you choose, make sure to go on Cobra's Curse! It has the neatest elevator system for its carts. Another must-ride is the all-new Phoenix Rising that opened in July 2024.
Happy Holidays!
The holidays shine bright at Busch Gardens with its beloved holiday experiences and special Christmas entertainment! It is a great place to celebrate the joy of the season and to create heartwarming moments and merry memories with your entire family.
So grab your family, get a cup of the signature Christmas Town hot chocolate, and enjoy the Busch Gardens holiday magic! Check Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's website for the most up-to-date information, prices, and schedules.
Have you been to Christmas Town at Busch Gardens? Let me know in the comments below!
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This is always one of my favorite Christmas experiences! The ice skating show is always a must see! The poinsettia princess is also a favorite of mine.