Celebrating its tenth anniversary, Busch Gardens Christmas Town returns as the longest holiday celebration in the Tampa Bay area offering brand new experiences to celebrate the holidays and create memories to cherish for a lifetime. Christmas Town joyfully bundles millions of twinkling lights, uplifting shows, iconic holiday light displays, culinary delights and award-winning attractions such Iron Gwazi every day from Nov. 14 through Jan. 9. Running for 57 consecutive days, the beloved event is included with park admission.

New Activities

• New! Holiday in the Sky – The evening sky comes to life with a colorful display of festive fireworks while an added spectacular water fountain show dances to the rhythm of a reimagined soundtrack with classic holiday tunes. Holiday in the Sky will take place on the Festival Field on select event nights.   
• New! A mesmerizing and enchanting musical light and projection show will adorn the Serengeti Overlook building. Guests will not want to miss this spectacle, which will run daily every 15 minutes starting at 6 p.m.  
• Christmas with the Celts – A wonderful combination of Christmas Carols and Irish dance will captivate guests with the spirited and energetic entertainment of Christmas with the Celts. The renowned group of vocalists, musicians and dancers will perform live at Stanleyville Theater’s stage Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Dec. 16 through Dec. 25. 
• New! Land of the Sweets – At this sweet winter wonderland, guests will findthe Sugar Plum ballerina stilt walker and her Cavalier soldier, the newest characters to join the Sugar Plum Princess in her magnificent new realm.  
• New! Right in the heart of Jungala, guests will be in awe with a new 32-foot-tall Christmas tree surrounded by a red and white winter wonderland.  

Returning fan-favorites include:

• Santa’s North Pole Experience, presented by Coca-Cola, a unique experience where jolly elves guide guests to interact with Santa in his workshop as he prepares for the holiday season. Parked outside, guests will see Santa’s sleigh for the merriest photo opportunity.
• Joyful songs fill the air and holiday tales come to life for Storytime with Mrs. Claus.
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is joined by Clarice and Bumble at Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland, where guests get to meet and greet to find the most famous reindeer of all.
• “Christmas on Ice” – The Moroccan Palace Theater is the home of Busch Gardens’ longest running holiday show, a winter-wonderland on ice and an unmissable skating show set to classic holiday tunes.  
• Elmo’s Christmas Wish – Guests can join Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover, and Zoe in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area of the park as they help Elmo find his Christmas wish! Families are sure to be singing and dancing along while watching this fun holiday show. 
• Three Kings Journey – The musical tale of the three wise men famed journey to Bethlehem is celebrated at Dragonfire Grill. Only during select nights from Nov. 18 through Jan. 8. 
• Holly Jolly Express – All aboard for Christmas Cheer! The merriest train will transport guests into the celebration as they loop around the park aboard this sing-along journey playing the favorite songs of the season.  

There are lots of new and returning entertainment options but I was really hoping that “Christmas Is..”, “The Most Wonderful Time”, or “Christmas from the Heart” music spectaculars would be returning. I don’t ride many rides at Busch Gardens so the shows are what make me happy.

Of course we will be riding the Holly Jolly Express, that is a family must-do as is singing at the top of our lungs the entire ride. We are a family of musicians so its a lot of fun!

New Seasonal Menu Items

• New! Red Curry Shrimp and Jasmine Rice  
• New! Wild Mushroom Tart with Boursin Cheese Crema 
• New! Braised Beef and Roasted Garlic Smashed Potato  
• New! Unique cabin serving Wine and Chocolate Truffles  
• New! A “Decorate Your Own Cookie” Cabin for kids 

And because the holidays are all about tradition, guests will also enjoy the signature Christmas Town Hot Chocolate located in various locations throughout the park. YUM! Christmas Town Hot Cocoa is a requirement on our visit! Hopefully having additional locations will make it easier to get. We have often waited in 30+ minute lines to get hot cocoa on a warm Florida night.

The absolute best way to experience the jolliest of all seasons at Busch Gardens is with a Christmas Town Sampler Lanyard. Starting at $40 and redeemable at the numerous cabins located throughout the entire park, Samplers offer the best value for guests and will be available in quantities of five and 10. An exclusive 12-item Sampler for the same price as a 10-item is available for all Pass Members. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.   

For as low as $14 per month and with exclusive benefits valued at more than $400, a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Annual Pass will allow guests to get a sneak preview of this year’s Christmas Town. Also, pass members get to be the first to ride Serengeti Flyer, the park’s all-new 2023 ride opening in 2023, and have unlimited visits to the park’s seasonal events that are included with admission. 

For a limited-time, guests looking for not just the best gift but also great savings can pay for a day with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Fun Card which provides unlimited access to the park’s world-class attractions, award-winning entertainment, up-close animal encounters, and vibrant seasonal events through 2023 with the rest of 2022 free.  

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I have a friend who has been bugging me for over 2 years to take him to the media event, if there is one, so he can ride this coaster for me. Coaster enthusiasts are so excited to ride the world’s fastest and steepest hybrid coaster, right here in Tampa, Florida.

About Iron Gwazi

Being North America’s tallest hybrid coaster, this ride takes thrills to new heights, plunging riders from a 206-foot-tall peak down a 91-degree drop and reaching top speeds of 76 miles per hour. Iron Gwazi is Busch Gardens’ tenth coaster and an exhilarating addition to the park’s collection of thrill rides. Riders will experience a dozen airtime moments, including three inversions, while racing along more than 4,000 feet of steel track. With a 48” height requirement, this invigorating attraction is a ride the whole family can conquer together.

“The incredible anticipation for Iron Gwazi is shared by both our guests and Ambassadors, and we are beyond excited to open this amazing coaster,” said Neal Thurman, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Park President. “Iron Gwazi diversifies our thrill ride portfolio and is an impressive addition to the Tampa skyline. Combining classic elements of a wooden coaster with a smooth, steel track will provide thrill seekers with an unforgettable experience.”

Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, the newest addition at Busch Gardens is a wood and steel hybrid coaster design, combining the innovation of a steel coaster and the nostalgia of a wooden coaster. While elements of Gwazi, the classic wooden coaster, are integrated into the new ride, all-new thrill components and a reimagined track layout take Iron Gwazi to another level.

Busch Gardens Tickets

Buy a Busch Gardens Annual Pass and be among the first to ride the most anticipated hybrid coaster in the world!  For even more fun, guests can add Adventure Island to enjoythree new attractions across the two Tampa parks.  Along with priority access to Iron Gwazi and Adventure Island’s new attractions, Annual Pass Members also receive 12 months of visits with special benefits including exclusive ride opportunities, FREE parking, up to six free guest tickets, savings on merchandise, and more!

In addition to the unbeatable benefits of a Busch Gardens’ Annual Pass, guests can also take advantage of these all-new thrills with a 2022 Fun Card. Right now, guests can visit both parks again and again for just $120.99. Plus, thrill seekers can receive a complimentary one-time Quick Queue for Iron Gwazi when they purchase a Fun Card by January 30 and visit by February 20. Get your Busch Gardens tickets here.

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Tampa’s biggest and brightest holiday event opens earlier this year with millions of twinkling holiday lights throughout the park’s 335 acres, spectacular fireworks, and a brand-new experience with Santa that will create merry memories for guests of all ages. Included in park admission, the award-winning holiday event features all-new activities for the whole family, including:

• New! Holiday in the Sky Fireworks Show: Enjoy classic holiday tunes and watch festive bursts of Christmas colors as they cover the sky in a dazzling fireworks display. Holiday in the Sky is offered on the Festival Field every Saturday and select event nights, beginning November 13
•  New! Storytime with Mrs. Claus: Located in the Coke Canopy near the Christmas Town Village, Mrs. Claus will share traditional holiday tales and a joyful song. 
• New! Santa’s North Pole Experience, presented by Coca-Cola: Jolly elves guide guests to see Santa in his workshop as he prepares for the holiday season.

Other fan favorite holiday entertainment returning to this year’s Florida-style winter wonderland includes:

•  “Christmas on Ice”: Busch Gardens’ longest running holiday show returns to the Moroccan Palace Theater. This inspiring skating production transforms the stage with incredible feats of skating athleticism for a truly unmissable show set to holiday classic songs.
• Elmo’s Christmas Wish: Join Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover, and Zoe as they help Elmo find his Christmas wish! Families are sure to be singing and dancing along while watching this fun holiday show.
• Three Kings Journey: The musical tale of the famed journey to Bethlehem is celebrated in the round at the Stanleyville Theater.
• Holly Jolly Express: All aboard for Christmas Cheer! This locomotive is on track to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with the favorite songs of the season as guests venture through the park.
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Journey to Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland to find the most famous reindeer of all.

As guests dash through the night between iconic rollercoasters, they can explore the Christmas Town Village: a delicious destination filled with drinks and dishes from an indulgent holiday menu. These unique, limited time options include NEW specialty cocktails like the “Mistletoe Margarita” and the “Apple Brandy Hot Toddy”. Complete the night with a signature Christmas Town Hot Chocolate featuring festive flavors like peppermint or gingerbread. Feel the spirit of the season in each bite with the new maple bourbon pecan pie or feast on holiday favorites like the smoked brisket “totchos.” The best way for guests to savor and save during the holidays is with a Christmas Town Sampler Lanyard, starting at ONLY $44.99 for an 8-punch lanyard.

We can’t wait to nibble on treats and drink Christmas Town Hot Chocolate while we wander through Christmas Town Village. We are excited for a new fireworks show and to see “Christmas on Ice” back in the Moroccan Palace Theater. We hope we get to meet Rudolph and Santa this year as well. I am sad to see the “The Most Wonderful Time” show isn’t listed this year. It’s a family tradition to watch that while we eat dinner. Hopefully it is still there, just not listed on the program…yet.

It’s time to send out the family text and choose a date to visit Christmas Town! I’m ready to get my Christmas on!

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Sizzling Summer Nights Experiences

Spark! A Nighttime Spectacular

Long before the first burst of “Spark!” covers the night sky, guests can join in the evening excitement with NEW entertainment, music, food and drinks for the park’s biggest and brightest summer celebration:

For an epic finale to a coaster-filled day of adventure, guests will be drawn to the vibrant energy radiating from a unique new production on the Festival Field. As the most stunning show ever to light the park’s sky, “Spark!” will feature an explosive array of fireworks and exciting effects from dazzling lasers to graceful water elements and dramatic pyrotechnics.  “Spark!” is offered every evening!

NEW! Pre-Party on the Festival Pathway: Greeted by glowing lights strung among the trees, live music and more, the stunning visual journey on the Festival Pathway will spark the spirit of summer in everyone.

NEW! Seasonal Summer Menu: Senses will ignite with delicious bursts of flavor from a special menu inspired by backyard summer cookouts with a Busch Gardens twist. Guests will discover a walkable take on grilled classics, decadent sweet treats and more along the festival pathway and new locations throughout the park. Adults 21+ can indulge in NEW glow-in-the-dark summer cocktails or refreshing non-alcoholic drinks that are equally beautiful and satisfying for the perfect end to a summer night.

NEW! DJ Block Parties: As the sun goes down, electric summer vibes amp up on the Festival Field. It’s an open-air dance party with DJs, dancing, and endless energy to build the excitement before “Spark!” ignites the sky.

NEW! Giraffe Bar: Combining a perfect Serengeti sunset, delicious cocktails and savory snacks is the best way to fuel a night of summer fun at the NEW Giraffe Bar located on the second floor of Serengeti Overlook.

ALL NEW! “Cirque Electric” show opens: For awe-inspiring feats that spark the imagination, the dynamic performance of “Cirque Electric”, an ALL-NEW acrobatic stunt show exclusively produced for Busch Gardens, opening May 28 at the Stanleyville Theater. From the daring airborne aerialist to stunning displays of balance and strength and a fascinating act on wheels that cannot be missed, guests will be dazzled by world-class performers during select dates for Summer Nights.

Returning Fan Favorites

Award-winning “Turn It Up!” ice skating show returns: Starting May 28, the Moroccan Palace Theater will once again be home to “Turn It Up!” the award-winning ice-skating show, including late shows on select dates for Summer Nights.  

Back by popular demand! Open-air block parties throughout the park: Complete with seasonal eats and electric beats, guests will encounter sizzling summer entertainment throughout the spacious 300-acre park, including:

• Cheetah Hunt Plaza: Between dashing through the night sky on Cheetah Hunt and Cobra’s Curse, guests can dance to DJ beats throughout the evening.
• Stanleyville Plaza: After taking on the daring launches of Tigris, guests will find refreshing tunes and classic summer flavors with a twist in the shadow of SheiKra.

Party All Summer with a Busch Gardens Annual Pass or Fun Card!

Celebrate all summer long and visit again and again with a Busch Gardens Fun Card, where guests can pay for a day and play all year!* For the price of a single-day ticket to Busch Gardens, the Fun Card allows access throughout the year, so you can visit again and again, and experience great events like Summer Nights, Bier Fest, Christmas Town,  and more! For the best value and benefits, guests can upgrade to a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum Annual Pass to enjoy the perks they want most throughout 2021. Annual Pass Members* receive 12 months of visits with the best benefits ever, including FREE parking, up to 6 free guest tickets, and up to 50-percent savings on merchandise, Quick Queue, and more!

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is committed to the health and safety of our guests, employees, and the animals in our care.  We have enhanced our already strict health, safety, and cleanliness standards to keep our guests safe. To learn more about our health and safety guidelines visit buschgardens.com/tampa/safety.

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The Show Will Safely Go On

Beginning Friday, May 28. “Turn It Up!”, the park’s award-winning ice-skating production and an all-NEW acrobatic show, “Cirque Electric,” modified operations in the park’s theaters will make it possible for guests to once again enjoy incredible shows as they explore Busch Gardens’ 300 acres of exhilarating rollercoasters and fascinating animal habitats. In addition to the park’s already strict health and safety measures, which include enhanced cleaning and sanitization, and **face covering requirements, many modifications will be in place at Busch Gardens’ theaters upon reopening, including:

• Significantly limited capacity inside the parks’ expansive theaters to accommodate plenty of space between parties.
• Staggered entering and exiting procedures to keep guests physically distant.
• Protective Face Coverings required by all guests (who have not been fully vaccinated-see below), ambassadors and performers at all times, covering the nose and mouth.
• No eating or drinking permitted inside the theaters.
• Hand sanitizing stations available at the entrance and exit points of the theater.
• Extensive sanitation of all seats conducted between shows.

“Bringing more live entertainment safely back to the park is another huge step in returning to world class entertainment at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay,” said Neal Thurman, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Park President. “Since our reopening in June, our park teams have been incredibly innovative and adaptable with bringing our productions to life in new ways and we’re thrilled to expand our offering to include new programs in addition to fan-favorite shows.”

Turn It Up!

Thursday – Monday, multiple shows per day

The Moroccan Palace Theater will once again be home to Busch Gardens’ spectacular, year-round ice-skating shows, including “Turn It Up!” With contemporary performances, dazzling aerial moments and eclectic pop music, it’s no wonder this production has earned a spot on “USA TODAY’S 10Best” Readers’ Choice Awards.

ALL NEW: Cirque Electric

  Friday – Monday, multiple shows per day

For awe-inspiring feats that spark the imagination, the dynamic performance of “Cirque Electric,” an all-new acrobatic stunt show exclusively produced for Busch Gardens, will soon thrill guests at the Stanleyville Theater. From the daring airborne aerialist to stunning displays of balance and strength and a fascinating act on wheels that cannot be missed, guests will be dazzled by world-class performers.

Guests can visit www.BuschGardensTampa.com for more information and reservations—and to purchase tickets, Fun Cards, or Annual Passes. Fans can stay up to date with park events, attractions

**As of 5-14-21 the updated Busch Gardens Face Coverings guidelines are as follows:

Based on the recently announced guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, we are modifying our policy regarding face coverings at Busch Gardens Tampa and Adventure Island. Face coverings will no longer be required for guests at Busch Gardens Tampa and Adventure Island who are fully vaccinated in accordance with CDC guidance. We will not require proof of vaccine, but ask our guests to respectfully comply with our revised policy. All Busch Gardens, Adventure Island park employees will be required to continue to wear face coverings at this time. The safety of our guests, Ambassadors and animals in our care remains our top priority. We will continue to monitor and address this changing environment as necessary.

https://buschgardens.com/tampa/park-info/park-safety/

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Located right across the street from Busch Gardens® Tampa, Adventure Island® is 30 acres of water-drenched fun in the sun featuring the ultimate combination of high-speed thrills and tropical, tranquil surroundings for guests of all ages. Within Tampa’s island paradise, adventure awaits with a variety of slides, corkscrews, waterfalls and more, including the park’s newest attraction, Solar Vortex. As North America’s first dual tailspin waterslide, Solar Vortex combines high-banking rotations and rapid descents, sending sliders on a swirling journey through two open tailspin features. For a more relaxing escape, guests can float through a winding lazy river, chase waves in the Endless Surf wave pool, and enjoy family splash areas or upgrade their day with a private cabana. 

“We are thrilled to offer a limited-capacity environment where Florida families can enjoy an outdoor, open air experience together, especially for the spring break season,” said Neal Thurman, President and General Manager for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island. “In addition to our waterpark reopening, our Food & Wine Festival underway across the street at Busch Gardens combined with world class coasters and fascinating animal habitats offer Florida families a spring break staycation with something exciting for everyone.”

Adventure Island Tickets

Adventure Island tickets start as low as $42.99, more than 30-percent savings with advanced online purchase. To splash again and again all season long*, guests can get the Adventure Island Fun Card for the price of a regular ticket, starting at $63.99! For a limited time, guests who purchase the Busch Gardens Fun Card for $113.99 will receive an Adventure Island Fun Card for FREE! For the price of a single-day ticket to Busch Gardens, the Fun Card allows access to both parks throughout the year.

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With more weekends to celebrate safely, Busch Gardens is getting jazzed up with music, beads and more for open-air festivities with French-Quarter flair. Guests will have the opportunity to catch some beads from physically distant New Orleans street performers periodically strolling throughout the day. There will be plenty of room to dance through spacious walkways while enjoying festive tunes from live musicians while flavorful dishes and cocktails tempt the senses.

Busch Gardens Mardi Gras Dates and Times

The Mardi Gras celebration will be held select dates and run from noon to closing time. Most of those dates are Friday, Saturday, Sunday, with a few Mondays, and of course Fat Tuesday as well.

• January 16 noon-9pm
• January 17 noon-9pm
• January 18 noon-7pm
• January 22 noon-6pm
• January 23 noon-8pm
• January 24 noon-6pm
• January 29 noon-6pm
• January 30 noon-8pm
• January 31 noon-6pm
• February 5 noon-6pm
• February 6 noon-8pm
• February 7 noon-6 pm
• February 12 noon-6pm
• February 13 noon-8pm
• February 14 noon-8pm
• February 15 noon-8pm
• February 16 noon-5pm

Feast like Kings and Queens on Classic Cajun Cuisine at Busch Garden Mardi Gras

Busch Gardens has brought the “Big Easy” to Tampa Bay with Mardi Gras-inspired food including a signature shrimp po’ boy, hearty jambalaya, and hot and fresh beignets. Handcrafted cocktail classics like Hurricanes join new signature drinks for a perfect pairing with the park’s carefully crafted culinary offering, which can be best enjoyed with a Mardi Gras Sampler Lanyard. Starting at $34.99 for a 5-punch lanyard with a 10-punch option and an exclusive 12-punch lanyard for Pass Members, Sampler Lanyards make it easy for guests to embrace that “Fat Tuesday” feeling!

Returning Spring Events

Sesame Street Kids Weekends, January 30 – February 14

For kids and kids-at-heart, there are more special moments with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and the rest of their Sesame Street friends coming up this season! Fans won’t want to miss new physically distant celebrations for Elmo’s birthday and Valentine’s Day this year.

Food & Wine Festival, Friday to Sunday, February 20 – April 25

Taste buds will bloom this spring with a delicious menu of dishes and drinks as dynamic and unique as the park’s thrilling roller coaster collection. Guests will also enjoy a taste of local musical talent throughout the open-air festival to accompany their sweet and savory samples.

Busch Gardens Health and Safety

The Busch Gardens team has consulted with medical experts to offer modified events with required reservations and limited capacity for safe celebrations. All seasonal events feature open-air entertainment throughout the park’s more than 300 spacious acres as well as enhanced health and safety measures including increased cleaning and sanitation, temperature checks, face covering requirements and physical distancing. Reservations are required and limited and can be made at www.BuschGardensTampa.com.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts on visiting Busch Gardens Right Now

We plan to attend Mardi Gras, not sure of which date yet. We purchased Busch Gardens Fun Passes last year on Black Friday. We attended Christmas Town in December, our favorite Busch Gardens event. I shared on my personal Facebook wall then, and I am sharing publicly here, if you have fears of crowds because of Covid, Busch Gardens isn’t the place for you.

I don’t know what percent of capacity they are at but, it was crowded, like a normal Christmas Town night. Workers were not enforcing the proper wearing of masks, as other theme parks are. There was an occasional message over the PA speakers reminding everyone to wear masks and social distance, but that was it.

There were few social distancing markers throughout the park, in ride queues, or in food areas. If you are immune compromised or living in fear, stay home. I am neither and I will be visiting again soon.

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Christmas Town,

To bring the merriment to life, Busch Gardens’ creative team has consulted with medical experts to offer a modified event with required reservations and limited capacity that celebrates the spirit of the season safely. This seasonal event features open-air entertainment and experiences as well as enhanced health, safety and sanitation measures, including temperature checks, face covering requirements and physical distancing. Included in park admission, park guests can enjoy holiday traditions with a twist, from millions of twinkling lights throughout the park’s 335 acres to physically distant holiday shows, breathtaking animal encounters and contact-free visits with Santa and Rudolph® the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Heartwarming Holiday Entertainment

A warm-weather winter wonderland awaits park guests with a variety of holiday programs offered throughout the event. Guests are encouraged to check the park’s website before visiting to learn which programs are available each date.

• NEW “Spark the Night” Fireworks Show: This year, guests will have several opportunities to enjoy festive bursts of Christmas colors as they cover the sky in a dazzling display. Fireworks are offered select nights throughout the event at the Festival field, offering plenty of space for guests to spread out and enjoy the sights.
• “Christmas on Ice”: For the first time ever, park guests can enjoy Busch Gardens’ longest-running holiday show at a NEW outdoor location on the Festival Stage. This fan-favorite skating production will perform awe-inspiring delights on real ice for physically distant audiences every Friday through Sunday and additional holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
• Elmo’s Christmas Wish: Families can sing and dance with their favorite furry friends in this fun holiday show. Celebrate the Christmas spirit with Sesame Street in the outdoor Sunny Day Theater with physically distant seating.
• Three Kings Journey: The musical tale of the famed journey to Bethlehem is now offered alongside festive eats at the spacious Dragon Fire Grill.
• Holly Jolly Express: All aboard for Christmas Cheer! With limited capacity, this locomotive is on track to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with favorite songs of the season as guests venture through the park in festive fashion. **A Schultz family favorite**

Contact-Free Photo Ops

• Santa’s Merry Meet & Greet: Jolly elves guide guests to see Santa for a physically distant photo at a spacious new outdoor location this holiday season.
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Jingle all the way to Pantopia to Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland to find the most famous reindeer of all and snap some contact-free pictures with Rudolph and Clarice.
• Original Christmas Town Characters: For moments that sparkle, guests will encounter the Poinsettia Princess, Sugar Plum Princess, Ice Princess and jolly snowmen throughout their Christmas Town journey.
• Sesame Street Friends: Enjoy physically distant photo opportunities with everyone’s favorite furry friends in their festive holiday attire.

Christmas Town Food and Shopping

As guests dash through the night between iconic rollercoasters, they can explore the Christmas Town Village: a delicious destination filled with drinks and dishes from an all-NEW chef and mixologist created holiday menu. Beyond a selection of fan-favorite seasonal beers and mulled wine, guests can also choose from a variety of NEW holiday inspired beverages rooted in classic Christmas traditions. These unique, limited time options include specialty cocktails like the “Winter Wonderland Hot Toddy” made with winter cider, honey whiskey and a chai infusion and the festive “Spiked Hot Cocoa” with gingerbread crumbles, caramel and whipped cream.

The spirit of the season is in every bite of holiday dishes throughout the park such as sliced pork tenderloin, smoked turkey legs with pumpkin cider glaze, harvest turkey and prosciutto sliders and a variety of peppermint desserts.  The best way for guests to savor and save during the holidays is with a Christmas Town Sampler Lanyard, starting at ONLY $34.99 for a 5-punch lanyard. Pass members can enjoy an extra special offer with an exclusive 12-punch lanyard for the price of a 10-punch lanyard to sip and savor throughout the event.

After fueling up for festive fun, guests can check everyone off their holiday shopping list from dazzling ornaments to charming nutcrackers with Busch Gardens exclusive 2020 holiday merchandise which is only available during this special event. 

We LOVE visiting Christmas Town to help kick off our family holiday season. We love the lights and music, food, visiting Santa, and a ride on the Holly Jolly Express is a must-do.

Give the Gift of Busch Gardens

I am all about giving experiences as gifts whenever possible. A Busch Gardens Fun Card or Annual Pass makes a great gift. If any of my friends or family are reading this….Ron and I would love Annual Passes for Christmas

For a limited time, buy a 2021 Fun Card and get the rest of 2020 FREE or upgrade to an Annual Pass starting as low as $11.50 per month with no down payment. Annual Pass Members* receive 12 months of visits, now with the best benefits ever such as FREE parking, up to 6 free guest tickets, Pass Member VIP Ride Nights, an exclusive 2020 Pass Member Ornament, and up to 50% savings on merchandise, photo prints, Quick Queue, and more.

The Fun Card gives park-goers unlimited access to the park to visit again and again for the remainder of 2020 calendar year and all of 2021¹ for one low price, but does not include the additional pass benefits!  Visit www.BuschGardensTampa.com for more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, Fun Cards or Annual Passes.

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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Summer Nights

In addition to the recently added Big Bird Weekends and upcoming debut of the Wildly Amazing! animal program, Summer Nights has been extended each Friday-Sunday now through Labor Day weekend. Park guests can enjoy extended hours on Florida’s best thrill rides and limited-time barbeque and s’more-inspired dishes before they head to physically-distant seating arranged on the park’s expansive Festival Field for the NEW laser and fireworks finale. Cooler nighttime temperatures and enhanced health and safety measures provide guests at Busch Gardens a more comfortable summer escape with their favorite thrills.

Adventure Island

Good news for water park fans! Guests can now enjoy an extra splash of summer during the week with Thursdays now on the calendar at Adventure Island through Labor Day. Adventure Island has been a Tampa Bay summer staple for 40 splash-filled years, offering guests a variety of experiences to beat the heat with lots of space to cool off: a winding lazy river, massive wave pool, exciting play areas and thrilling water slides like the NEW Solar Vortex, which just opened this season. From high-banking rotations and rapid descents, Solar Vortex sends riders on a swirling journey through two open tailspin features and three dynamic AquaLucent elements – harnessing the power of the Florida sun into colorful patterns.

SeaWorld Orlando

Good news for SeaWorld fans! Guests can now enjoy an extra day of summer fun during the week with Thursdays now offered at SeaWorld Orlando through Labor Day. All guests with existing tickets, Fun Cards, or Annual Passes must make a reservation to visit in advance in order to manage park capacity and maintain physical distancing.  Requiring reservations allows the park to limit the number of guests on property each day, further enhancing the park’s vigorous safety protocols.  Seaworld.com/orlando/tickets/reservations/ 

Special Events

Electric Ocean Remix: Fridays and Saturdays, through September 5 and Sunday, September 6

As the sun goes down, SeaWorld comes alive with the glow of Electric Ocean Remix, premiering July 24 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Guests are invited to stay late on summer weekends to enjoy electrifying dance music and a brilliant evening of energy that sparks as the sun sets, while maintaining safe physical distancing. The fun glows on with Light Up The Sky, a fireworks and pyrotechnic spectacular that brings the brilliance of the sea to the sky above for guests.

Flicks and Fireworks: Fridays and Saturdays through September 5 and Sunday, September 6

Experience the fun, nostalgia and magic of a drive-in-movie experience under the stars with SeaWorld’s park-and-view drive-in movie theatre! Start the night by enjoying locally-sourced food trucks, then sit back in the comfort of your car and watch the park’s spectacular fireworks display. Then…the main event, enjoy the movie of the evening with friends and family. This package is only available through Labor Day Weekend, and only at SeaWorld Orlando. https://seaworld.com/orlando/events/flicks-and-fireworks/

We will do our best to keep you updated on any other changes with the parks in the SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment family.

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We have attended the Food & Wine Festival a few times over the last few years and we love it! The food is delicious and the entertainment is top notch. (We don’t drink alcohol so I can’t speak to that). The festival lanyards make getting your food very convenient because you just have to pay for your lanyard and then get it punched at each kiosk, no need to keep pulling out your wallet!

World-Class Entertainment to Satisfy All Tastes!

The Food & Wine Festival line-up reflects musical genres of all tastes – from nostalgic bands to modern favorites. Concert headliners include: 

• Feb. 28: Pass Member Exclusive Preview with “Eaglemania: The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute Band!” This exclusive event is available ONLY for Pass Members to preview the all-new menu of sips and samples at the 6th Annual Food & Wine Festival. Visit buschgardenstampa.com to learn more or purchase your Annual Pass to gain access to this VIP opportunity! 

• Feb 29:                 Collective Soul
• March 1:              The Commodores
• March 7:              Chase Bryant & Danielle Bradbery
• March 8:              Rachel Platten
• March 14:            Ezra Ray Hart
• March 15:            THREE DOG NIGHT
• March 21:            LOCASH 
• March 22:            Fitz & The Tantrums
• March 28:            Home Free
• March 29:            Taking Back Sunday
• April 4:                 Third Eye Blind
• April 5:                 KC & The Sunshine Band
• April 11:               38 Special 
• April 12:               Micah Tyler & Austin French 
• April 18:               Lee Brice
• April 19:               Clint Black
• April 25:               El Gran Combo
• April 26:               Toad the Wet Sprocket & The Verve Pipe

Fans can book the ultimate festival experience with one of two exclusive VIP packages available for each act, including reserved concert seating and a 5-item Food & Wine Festival Sampler Lanyard.  NEW for 2020, upgrade to the ultimate concert-goer experience with Unlimited Food & Wine Festival VIP Seating which includes VIP seating for EVERY concert of our 2020 Festival!

All-New Menu, All-New Flavors!

Busch Gardens’ new award-winning Executive Chef, Ernie Reyes brings a fresh approach to this popular event. With 25 NEW food items in addition to fan-favorite dishes and over 80 wines, beers and cocktails to choose from, the Food & Wine Festival offers an endless variety of flavors to sip and savor! Guests can tempt their taste buds with the following NEW items:

• The ALL-NEW Chef’s Corner cabin: featuring three signature dishes carefully crafted by the park’s head chefs – arroz con pollo, pork belly taco with kimchi slaw, and pork tenderloin with champagne watercress sauce.
• NEW Iconic Coaster Cocktails: including Iron Gwazi Gimlet, Falcon’s Fury Lemon Drop, and Tigris Tea
• NEW Pick-A-Barrel tasting: create your own flight of liquors and wines from around the world

Click here to view the entire menu and pick your perfect upgrade or purchase your Food & Wine Festival Sampler Lanyard – the best way to savor and save on everything the event has to offer!

Guests can purchase a 5, 8 or 12-item sampler lanyard to use at each festival cabin to explore sample-sized dishes and drink offerings with ease, starting at just $32. Pass Members can purchase an exclusive 15-item sampler for the same price as a 12-item sampler and SAVE 20%!

The Best Way to Enjoy the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival

The best value to visit Busch Gardens Food and Wine Festival and year-round events is with an Annual Pass that includes 12 months of unlimited visits,FREE parking, FREE Serengeti Safari, merchandise and dining discounts, and special limited-time perks throughout the year. Or for a limited time, buy a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 2020 Fun Card and an Adventure Island 2020 Fun Card FREE – Florida families can take advantage of this limited time buy-one-get-one FREE offer and get unlimited year-round park admission to TWO until December 31, 2020.

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