Tampa, FL — Christmas Town returns to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on select dates from Nov. 13 to Jan. 4, with lights across the park, holiday shows, Santa and Rudolph, and holiday food cabins, all included with park admission. New this year are Lights of Wonder, a drone show on select dates through Dec. 31, and A Very Merry Cirque, an acrobatic show. Below is my guide to the event to help you plan.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg runs its own Christmas Town, in my Christmas Town Williamsburg guide, and SeaWorld Orlando’s holiday event is in my Christmas Celebration guide.
What’s new for 2026 vs. the park’s 2025 pages
- NewLights of Wonder: a drone show on Festival Field on select dates between Nov. 13 and Dec. 31. Last year’s drone show ran only Dec. 19 to 31.
- NewA Very Merry Cirque: an acrobatic show the park labels all-new, at the Stanleyville Theater according to the 12 Gifts page.
- NewExtras: the Christmas Town Market, a $35 Dessert Sampler and two holiday VIP tours.
- ChangedFood: most cabin dishes aren’t on last year’s menu, and the Gwazi Field Bar opens Dec. 19.
- ChangedBlockouts: Christmas Day is no longer blocked out for Bronze Pass Members and Fun Card holders.
- ReturningChristmas on Ice, the Serengeti Light Show, Ginja Ninjas, Elmo’s Christmas Wish, Three Kings Journey, Santa, Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland, the Holly Jolly Express and the tree lighting.
Holiday Shows
Lights of Wonder and A Very Merry Cirque are the shows the park labels all-new. Lights of Wonder is a drone show set to classic holiday tunes on Festival Field, with its entrance near Pass Member Landing, on select dates between Nov. 13 and Dec. 31. Last year’s drone show, Holiday Skies Spectacular, ran only Dec. 19 to 31. The park hasn’t listed which dates Lights of Wonder runs.
A Very Merry Cirque is an acrobatic show, and the park’s 12 Gifts page puts it at the Stanleyville Theater. That was home to last year’s illusion show, Holiday Magic, which isn’t on this year’s show list. Christmas on Ice is back at the Moroccan Palace Theater, where seats are first come, first served and doors can close before showtime when the theater fills. Showtimes aren’t posted yet, so check the park app on the day of your visit.
Lights of Wonder
A drone show synchronized to classic holiday tunes, presented by GEICO.
When: Select dates between Nov. 13 and Dec. 31
Where: Festival Field, entrance near Pass Member Landing
A Very Merry Cirque
An acrobatic show the park bills as all-new.
When: Select dates, November to January
Where: Stanleyville Theater, per the park’s 12 Gifts page
Christmas on Ice
World-class skaters in a holiday ice show with seasonal costumes, presented by AdventHealth. Seating is first come, first served.
When: Nov. 13 to Jan. 4
Where: Moroccan Palace Theater
Ginja Ninjas
Breakdancing ninjas hunt for Mrs. Claus’ missing Christmas cookie recipe, on select nights when the weather allows. It was new last December.
When: Select dates, November through December
Where: Jungala Plaza
Elmo’s Christmas Wish
Sesame Street friends help Elmo find his Christmas wish.
When: Nov. 6 to Jan. 4
Where: Sunny Day Theater, Sesame Street Safari of Fun
Three Kings Journey
Singers tell the story of the journey to Bethlehem.
When: Select dates through Jan. 4
Where: Dragon Fire Grill
Storytime with Mrs. Claus
A holiday story and sing-along for little ones. It moves to the Canopy this year and runs through Jan. 4, after ending Dec. 24 last year.
When: Nov. 13 to Jan. 4
Where: The Canopy
Lights and the Tree Lighting
The park counts nearly 70 miles of lights, with stilt walkers in the walkways. On opening night, Nov. 13, Mix 100.7 broadcasts live from Cheetah Hunt Plaza from 5 to 7 p.m., and then the tree is lit at 7 p.m. The Serengeti Light Show, new last year, sets thousands of lights outside the Serengeti Overlook Restaurant dancing in time to a holiday tune.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
A live Mix 100.7 broadcast from 5 to 7 p.m., then the tree lighting at 7 p.m.
When: Nov. 13
Where: Cheetah Hunt Plaza
Celebration of Lights
Nearly 70 miles of lights by the park’s count, with stilt walkers.
Where: Around the park
Serengeti Light Show
Thousands of lights choreographed to a holiday tune.
When: Nov. 13 to Jan. 4
Where: Outside the Serengeti Overlook Restaurant
Menorah Lighting
The menorah is lit every night at 6 p.m.
When: Dec. 4 to 12
Where: Between the Moroccan Palace and the cheetah habitat
Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan
The Coca-Cola truck parks on the field with free Coke samples while supplies last.
When: Dec. 17
Where: Festival Field
Santa, Rudolph and Friends
Santa’s North Pole Experience and Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland both run through Dec. 24. Santa poses for photos in his private study, and the park hasn’t posted where that is this year. Last year it was in the Nairobi section. Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland on the Festival Walkway has life-size storybook scenes from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, with Rudolph and Bumble to meet. Photo packages cost extra, and their prices aren’t posted.
Last year’s $39.99 Priority Access for Santa and Rudolph isn’t on this year’s upgrades page, though the event page still carries a Buy Priority Access button, so it may not be on sale yet.
Santa’s North Pole Experience
Meet Santa and take photos in his private study, presented by Dairy Does More.
When: Nov. 13 to Dec. 24
Where: Not posted yet. Last year, the Nairobi section
Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland
Life-size storybook scenes from the Rudolph special, with Rudolph and Bumble.
When: Nov. 13 to Dec. 24
Where: Festival Walkway
Meet the Princesses
The Ice Princess, Sugar Plum Princess and Poinsettia Princess.
When: Nov. 13 to Jan. 4
Where: Around the park
Holiday Photos with Sesame Street Friends
Sesame Street friends in holiday outfits.
When: Select dates, Nov. 13 to Jan. 4
Where: 123 Smile
Rudolph & Friends Character Dine
A holiday buffet with a message from Santa, Rudolph and Clarice, Bumble and Yukon on the patio, an animal encounter and cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus. Space is limited to 150 guests per seating. Last year it was $39.99 and $17.99.
Price: $42.99 ages 10 and up, $24.99 ages 3 to 9
When: Dec. 19 and 20 at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Gwazi Event Pavilion
The Holly Jolly Express and Shopping
The Holly Jolly Express, the park’s decorated holiday train, leaves from the Nairobi train station in the evening, with carols on board. The Congo and Stanleyville train stations are closed for construction, and the SkyRide is closed for refurbishment. The park’s rides run during Christmas Town too.
The Christmas Town Market is new this year for seasonal shopping, and the park hasn’t said where it is. Santa’s Workshop in Marrakesh is the park’s Christmas shop, and from Nov. 23 to 29 Pass Members save 10 to 25 percent there, depending on how much they spend.
Holly Jolly Express
An evening train ride through the park with holiday carols.
When: Nov. 13 to Jan. 4
Where: Nairobi train station
Christmas Town Market
Seasonal shopping the event page calls new.
Where: Not posted yet
Santa’s Workshop in Marrakesh
The park’s Christmas shop.
Where: Marrakesh
Holiday Food and Drinks
The holiday cabins, numbered 1 to 14, and the Twinkle Tree Cafe open on event nights at 4 p.m. Most of the dishes aren’t on last year’s menu, among them Braised Short Rib, Pastrami on Rye, Grouper Bites, Turkey Dinner, Chimichurri Scallops and Yule Tide Duck. Beef Wellington, Lamb Chops, Prime Rib and the Monte Cristo Bites return. The Gwazi Field Bar opens Dec. 19, and the park doesn’t post per-item prices online.
The Food & Beverage Sampler Lanyard is $45 for 5 samples or $65 for 10, at any Christmas Town cabin, and Pass Members get a 12-item sampler for the 10-item price. The Dessert Sampler, new this year, is $35 for one hot chocolate in a souvenir cup and four desserts. You can buy either at the Welcome Center or online.
See the Christmas Town food and drink menuOpens on the dishes that aren’t on last year’s menu, and you can sort by type or cabin. No per-item prices are posted online.
Cabin 1, Savory Sleigh
Braised short rib over whipped potatoes with short rib jus.
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Cabin 1, Savory Sleigh
Pumpkin puree with garlic, onions, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, topped with pepitas and creme fraiche.
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Cabin 1, Savory Sleigh
Bread pudding soaked in eggnog.
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Cabin 2, The Yule Hearth
Shaved pastrami, Swiss cheese and coleslaw on rye, with chips.
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Cabin 2, The Yule Hearth
Fried mini ham, turkey and Swiss sandwiches with powdered sugar and raspberry glaze.
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Cabin 2, The Yule Hearth
Vanilla sponge cake rolled with whipped cream filling.
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Cabin 2, The Yule Hearth
Vodka and melon liqueur with a margarita base.
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Cabin 3, The Holiday Spice
Beef in puff pastry with mushroom and red wine demi-glace.
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Cabin 3, The Holiday Spice
Crimini mushroom risotto with Parmesan, spinach and sundried tomatoes.
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Cabin 3, The Holiday Spice
Dark and milk chocolate mousse with whipped cream.
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Cabin 3, The Holiday Spice
Eggnog with spiced rum, cinnamon and nutmeg.
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Cabin 4, Merry In The Wild
Fried grouper with chipotle aioli.
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Cabin 4, Merry In The Wild
Chilled jumbo prawns with cocktail sauce.
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Cabin 4, Merry In The Wild
Vanilla custard with a caramelized sugar crust.
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Cabin 4, Merry In The Wild
Gin and apple juice topped with prosecco.
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Cabin 5, Holiday Cravings (Festival Walkway, first on the left)
Roasted turkey with dressing and giblet gravy.
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Cabin 5, Holiday Cravings
Roasted Brussels sprouts with caramelized bacon and balsamic demi-glace.
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Cabin 5, Holiday Cravings
Sweet potato cheesecake with whipped cream and maple syrup.
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Cabin 5, Holiday Cravings
Apple cider with vodka, lemon and honey.
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Cabin 6, Caroler’s Table (Festival Walkway, second on the left)
Smoked pork tenderloin over polenta with mushroom Marsala sauce.
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Cabin 6, Caroler’s Table
Seared gnocchi in butternut squash sauce with a black raisin gastrique.
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Cabin 6, Caroler’s Table
Pumpkin cheesecake with cinnamon and whipped cream.
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Cabin 6, Caroler’s Table
Tequila and pomegranate syrup with margarita mix.
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Cabin 7, Clove and Carving
Herb-crusted rack of lamb over roasted potatoes with Cabernet demi-glace.
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Cabin 7, Clove and Carving
Seared salmon over asparagus with artichoke piccata sauce.
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Cabin 7, Clove and Carving
Ladyfingers soaked in gingerbread cream.
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Cabin 7, Clove and Carving
Vodka with gingerbread syrup and mule mixer.
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Cabin 8, Cookies and Cocoa
Cookies with buttercream and sprinkles to decorate, or two holiday cookies.
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Cabin 8, Cookies and Cocoa
Mini donuts with buttercream and sprinkles to decorate.
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Cabin 9, Mistletoe Mallard
Smoked chicken in a creamy broth over a biscuit.
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Cabin 9, Mistletoe Mallard
Shredded duck over jasmine rice with cranberry-orange coulis.
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Cabin 9, Mistletoe Mallard
Orange sponge cake soaked in cranberry creme anglaise.
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Cabin 9, Mistletoe Mallard
Chocolate vodka with chocolate syrup and mojito mix, topped with whipped cream.
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Cabin 9, Mistletoe Mallard
Whiskey with cranberry syrup and mule mixer.
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Cabin 10, Christmas Tavern
Slow-roasted prime rib with mashed potatoes and horseradish demi-glace.
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Cabin 10, Christmas Tavern
Beer cheese soup with crispy onions and a stout glaze.
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Cabin 10, Christmas Tavern
Chocolate cake with cherries and whipped cream.
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Cabin 10, Christmas Tavern
Vodka with blue raspberry syrup and pink lemonade.
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Cabin 11, Winterland Warf
Seared diver scallops over sweet corn puree with chimichurri.
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Cabin 11, Winterland Warf
Green mussels, potatoes and corn on the cob in green curry sauce.
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Cabin 11, Winterland Warf
Rum with cinnamon syrup, and vodka with grenadine and peppermint.
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Cabin 12, Dessert Cabin
Chocolate mousse tart with whipped cream and raspberry drizzle.
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Cabin 12, Dessert Cabin
White chocolate peppermint fudge with crushed candy canes.
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Cabin 12, Dessert Cabin
Warm apple pie with whipped cream and caramel.
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Cabin 12, Dessert Cabin
Churros filled with dulce de leche.
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Cabin 13, Elfin’ Around (Stanleyville Train Station)
Souvenir popcorn buckets and drink cups.
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Cabins 8, 13 and 14, Gwazi Field Bar and Santa’s House Experience
Warm deep-dish cookies with gooey centers.
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Hot cocoa, souvenir-mug hot chocolate and frozen hot chocolate
most cabins, Gwazi Field Bar and Village Snacks
Milk-based hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, sponsored by Dairy Does More. Frozen hot chocolate at the Dessert Cabin and Village Snacks.
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most cabins
Add a Bailey’s floater and crushed peppermint to a drink.
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Mistletoe Margarita and Winter Mint Mojito cocktailsNew
Twinkle Tree Cafe
Tequila, lime and cranberry, and rum with peppermint and lime, each topped with Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry.
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Twinkle Tree Cafe
Lemonade, cranberry and lime with cinnamon syrup, and lemonade, cranberry, coconut milk and peppermint.
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various cabins and Gwazi Field Bar
Wine, beer and seltzer at the cabins.
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Nothing matches. Try All or All locations.
VIP Tours and Upgrades
Last year’s upgrades page had a single $139.99 Christmas Town VIP Tour, and this year it lists two holiday tours. The Holly VIP Tour is a private tour with a front-of-the-line visit to Santa and reserved Christmas on Ice seats, and the Jolly VIP Tour is a group tour for ages 18 and up, with coasters, cabin food and a giraffe feeding. Both check in at the Animal Interactions & Tours building in the Nairobi section and need at least two guests.
Holly VIP Tour
A private guide for up to 4 hours, a front-of-the-line visit to Santa, reserved Christmas on Ice seats, flamingo feeding for ages 5 and up, a meal at a signature restaurant and PhotoKey photos from the tour.
Price: $150 a person, minimum 2
When: Select Christmas Town nights, check-in 4:45 p.m.
Jolly VIP Tour, ages 18 and up
A guide for up to 4 hours, front-of-the-line access on select coasters, giraffe feeding on the Serengeti Safari and food or drink items from the holiday cabins.
Price: $125 a person, minimum 2
When: Select Christmas Town dates, check-in 3:45 p.m.
Elite VIP Tour
A private guide for up to seven hours, with front-of-the-line access, animal encounters and lunch.
Price: $500 a person, the regular price, minimum 2
Quick Queue Unlimited PLUS
Unlimited line-skipping on select coasters and rides, and one time on Phoenix Rising and Iron Gwazi.
Price: Priced by date, from a regular $59.99
Parking
Free for Silver, Gold and Platinum Pass Members.
Price: $35 General, $48 Preferred, plus tax
New Year’s Eve
The park is open from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Dec. 31, with fireworks on Festival Field that the show page calls all-new. Lights of Wonder’s select dates also run through Dec. 31. The park’s separate New Year’s Eve page still has last year’s drone-show text, so I’d check the park app that day for the night’s schedule.
Dates and Hours
Christmas Town runs Nov. 13 to 15, Nov. 19 to 29 and Dec. 3 to 6, then every day from Dec. 10 through Jan. 4. On Nov. 16 to 18, Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 and Dec. 7 to 9, the park is open by day, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., without Christmas Town. It runs from park open to park close, with the park opening at 10 a.m., or 9 a.m. from Dec. 19 to 31, and closing at 8, 9 or 10 p.m., at 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve and at 7 p.m. on Jan. 4. The park is open on Christmas Eve, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Christmas Day, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tap a date for its hours.
November 2026
December 2026
January 2027
Christmas Town date. Tap a date for its hoursBronze and Fun Card blockoutMenorah lightingCharacter Dine
Tap a date to see its hours and what’s on.
Tickets
Christmas Town is included with park admission, Annual Passes and the 2027 Fun Card. Bronze Pass Members and Fun Card holders are blocked out on Nov. 21 and Dec. 24, 26 and 27, and Silver and Gold Passes list no blockout dates. Single-day tickets are priced by date, with a regular price of $150.99, and children 2 and under don’t need a ticket.
Pass Members also get the 12 Gifts of Cheer, weekly member offers from Nov. 13 to Dec. 27, including members-only showings of Christmas on Ice on Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. and A Very Merry Cirque on Nov. 27 at 3 p.m.
Ticket and pass options
The park’s tickets page has each date’s current ticket price.
| Ticket | Price | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Single-Day Ticket | priced by date, regular $150.99 | the date chosen. Christmas Town is included |
| Single-Day Ticket + All-Day Dining | priced by date, regular $210.99 | the date chosen |
| Ultimate Ticket Bundle (ticket, All-Day Dining, Quick Queue Unlimited) | priced by date, regular $303.99 | the date chosen |
| Any Day Ticket | regular $150.99 | one visit within 6 months of purchase |
| 2027 Fun Card | regular $148.99 | the rest of 2026 and all of 2027. Blocked out Nov. 21 and Dec. 24, 26 and 27 |
| Bronze Annual Pass | regular $198 a year | 12 months. Blocked out Nov. 21 and Dec. 24, 26 and 27 |
| Silver Annual Pass (free general parking) | regular $279 a year | 12 months, no blockout dates |
| Gold Annual Pass (free preferred parking) | regular $315 a year | 12 months, no blockout dates |
| Platinum Annual Pass (11 parks) | regular $549 a year | 12 months |
Photos
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Christmas Town FAQ
When does Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay start and end in 2026?
Christmas Town opens Nov. 13, 2026, and runs on select dates through Jan. 4, 2027: Nov. 13 to 15, Nov. 19 to 29, Dec. 3 to 6, and every day from Dec. 10 to Jan. 4. On other dates the park is open by day without Christmas Town.
Is Christmas Town included with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay admission?
Yes. Christmas Town is included with any Busch Gardens Tampa Bay ticket, Annual Pass and the 2027 Fun Card. Bronze Pass Members and Fun Card holders are blocked out on Nov. 21 and Dec. 24, 26 and 27.
What are the Christmas Town hours?
Christmas Town runs from park open to park close. The park opens at 10 a.m. (9 a.m. from Dec. 19 to 31) and closes between 8 and 10 p.m. on most Christmas Town dates, at 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve and at 7 p.m. on the last night, Jan. 4. The Welcome Center and holiday food cabins open at 4 p.m.
Is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay open on Christmas Day?
Yes. The park is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 25 and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve, both Christmas Town dates.
What is new at Christmas Town in 2026?
Lights of Wonder, a drone show on select dates between Nov. 13 and Dec. 31, A Very Merry Cirque, an acrobatic show, the Christmas Town Market, a $35 Dessert Sampler and two new holiday VIP tours. The show page also calls the New Year’s Eve fireworks all-new.
When can you see Santa at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?
Santa’s North Pole Experience runs Nov. 13 to Dec. 24 and is included with admission. Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland on the Festival Walkway runs the same dates. Photo packages cost extra.
Christmas Town runs on select dates from Nov. 13, 2026, to Jan. 4, 2027, at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. For tickets and hours, visit buschgardens.com. The park’s Halloween event is in my Howl-O-Scream Tampa guide.
