Busch Gardens Tampa’s annual holiday event, Christmas Town, returns again this year, in modified form, featuring open-air festivities, millions of twinkling lights, physically distant character meet and greets, delicious holiday treats, fireworks, and more!
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.
This year, Christmas Town is kicking off earlier than ever with a preview weekend November 14 and 15, then the event will run daily November 20 through January 3, 2021. Christmas Town is included with regular admission, and as previously mentioned, advance reservations are required. The park will be open until 8:00pm the preview weekend and until 8:00pm or 9:00pm during the rest of the event, depending on the day (be sure to check the park’s hours on their website or app for the day you plan on visiting). I know that seems early closing times, but it does get dark in Florida around 6:00pm at this time of year.
Holiday Entertainment
A warm-weather winter wonderland awaits park guests with a variety of holiday programs offered throughout Christmas Town. 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.
Many of the park’s world-famous roller coasters and other rides and attractions will also be available to experience during Christmas Town. Riding roller coasters in the dark, surrounded by millions of festive lights? Sounds like holiday magic to me!
Contact-Free Meet & Greets
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 (we hope the popular Bumble is there too).
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.
And lets not forget the yummy holiday treats!
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 $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. We HIGHLY recommend purchasing a sampler lanyard as you can get a lot of bang for your buck.
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.
Save On Future Theme Park Travel
Our travel partners at Get Away Today are here to help you with your theme park booking and rescheduling plans. Whether you are ready to travel again or not, there is no better time to LOCK IN LOW RATES on future theme park travel to places like Walt Disney World, Disney’s Aulani in Hawaii, or family destinations like San Diego. Right now is a great time for you to speak with Get Away Today. Give your family something to look forward to and put a vacation on the calendar. Snap up those deals while you can, with your MiceChat partners at Get Away Today- HERE
Let’s Hear From You
How does this festival sound to you. Do you and your family feel safe doing outdoor activities in a controlled environment with masks and social distancing? Could this be a good holiday activity for your household? Let us know how this resonates with you . . .