It's that time of year again when Busch Gardens Tampa Bay turns into Christmas Town! From November 11, 2023, to January 7, 2024, 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 fun and thrilling roller coaster rides that Busch Gardens normally has, with so many 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 - such a spectacular sight! Christmas Town at Busch Gardens is a fun and festive way to spend the holidays with the whole family!
Christmas Shopping and Festive Food
Towards the entrance of the park, some shops sell various holiday décor and holiday 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. At each cabin, you will find savory or sweet holiday food or drinks! Some of the cabins include Wine and Truffles, Christmas Cocktails, Cookies, Hot Cocoa, and more festive treats. The cool thing about the Food and Beverage Cabins at Busch Gardens' Christmas Town is that you can purchase a Christmas Town Sampler Lanyard that allows you to try 5 or 10-holiday food or beverage items for one set price of $45 or $60. If you are an annual pass member, you can purchase the exclusive 12-item sampler for the price of a 10-item sampler!
Christmas Shows
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! The little ones will love the show, as will the "older little ones" who grew up with Elmo. The show is performed several times a day, 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
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 along with 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
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 of the giraffes!
Upgrades for Christmas Town
Enhance your Christmas Town experience with exclusive upgrades, such as the VIP Tour providing close encounters with flamingos, delightful treats like hot cocoa and warm cookies, and more. Opt for the Elite Tour, a private seven-hour evening expedition led by an expert guide. Gain Priority Access to Santa's North Pole Experience & Rudolph's Winter Wonderland, or indulge in a special brunch with Santa to make your visit even merrier.
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 Christmas display all over the park. You could also ride at night and see the Christmas light displays from above! 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 Serengeti Flyer that opened in Spring 2023.
Happy Holidays!
Busch Gardens beams with holiday lights and special Christmas entertainment! It is a great place to spend the day with the entire family, creating heartwarming moments and merry memories. Check out the dazzling fireworks shows, get a cup of their signature Christmas Town hot chocolate, and enjoy the Yuletide shows! 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? If so, let me know in the comments below - I want to know about your favorite show or experience! If you have not gone, are they on your bucket list of places to visit now? Let me know in the comments below, and share this article with the person or people you want to go with! Either way, SUBSCRIBE below to learn about other places you should add to your "To Visit" List! Ready? Okay, vamos. Time to have fun!
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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.