Busch Gardens Christmas Town features millions of lights, a fireworks show and more

Christmas Town is coming back to Busch Gardens beginning November 11 and running through January 7. Celebrating its 11th anniversary, Busch Gardens Christmas Town returns as the longest-running holiday celebration in the Tampa Bay area. Christmas Town joyfully bundles millions of twinkling lights, uplifting shows, iconic holiday light displays, culinary delights, and award-winning attractions such as Iron Gwazi every day from Nov. 11 through Jan. 7. This event is included with park admission.

All new this year, guests can celebrate the season with new light displays that will take over the Jungala area, extending all the way through Pantopia featuring a light-up walkthrough dragon. Located in the Bird Gardens area of the park, guests are sure to step into wonder through a marvelous light tunnel, presented by Coca-Cola and composed of thousands of glimmering LED lights seamlessly synchronized to a symphony of holiday tunes.  Also, a brand-new 40-foot pixelated tree will deck the halls at Cheetah Plaza.

• “Holiday in the Sky, a Nighttime Spectacular,” presented by Bad Boy Mowers: The evening sky comes to life with a colorful display of festive fireworks choreographed to a soundtrack of classic holiday tunes. This fireworks display will take place on the Festival Field on select event nights.
• Christmas on Ice: Back by popular demand,this energetic and mesmerizing seasonal show returns to the Moroccan Palace. See amazing thrills on ice and moments of wonder as talented skaters perform to traditional and popular Christmas songs. Multiple showtimes throughout the day.
• Holly Jolly Express: The jolliest and brightest train will transport guests into the celebration as it loops around the park. While on their journey, guests are encouraged to sing along to their favorite songs of the season. All aboard for Christmas Cheer!
• Elmo’s Christmas Wish: Families are sure to have a jolly good time as they help Elmo realize his Christmas wish! Sing-along, during this festive show featuring appearances by Elmo, Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover, and Zoe. This show takes place in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area of the park.
• Giant Christmas Tree: 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.  

Christmas Town is a Tampa tradition

Returning guest 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 while 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.

New must-try food items at Busch Gardens

Delicious eats and specialty cocktails await all guests at this year’s Christmas Town. Some of the heartwarming entrees and dessert cabins featured in this year’s all-new menu are:  

• New! Chicken coq-au-vin served with red bliss mashed potatoes
• New! Holiday Poutine, served with gravy, cheese curds and cranberry relish
• New! Smoked turkey, stuffing, cranberry relish, gravy and Texas toast
• New! Seared scallop, ruby red couscous and goat cheese crumbles
• Returning Fan-Favorite! Red curry shrimp and jasmine rice
• Returning Fan-Favorite! Wild mushroom tart with boursin crema
• Reinvented! Festive Cheese & Berries – Brie tart with blackberry jam and sliced almonds
• Reinvented! Not-So-Traditional Holiday Ham – Pork shank braised with spiced pineapple & brown sugar with green beans

There are also a variety of holiday cocktails to enjoy at the award-winning amusement park:

• Mistletoe Margarita – Tequila, Monin pomegranate and a splash of lime
• South for the Winter – Jack Daniels, Jack Daniels Honey, Monin cranberry, ginger and lime
• Jack Frost – Coconut rum, blue curacao, mint and a splash of lime
• Ginger Snap Mule – Spiced rum, Amaretto, ginger and a splash of lime
• Candy Cane Lane – Vodka, Monin Peppermint, grenadine and a splash of lime

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. 

‘Tis the season for festive fun at Busch Gardens, and the Christmas Town Sampler Lanyard is your golden ticket! Priced from just $45, these handy lanyards can be used at the many cabins dotted across the park. It’s a holiday hack that gives you the best bang for your buck, available in sets of five or ten. Plus, Pass Members get an exclusive deal: a 12-item Sampler for the price of ten! Just a heads up, you need to be 21 or older to savor the boozy beverages.

Keep up with the latest park news by following Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok.

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