Busch Gardens Christmas Town transforms this awesome theme park in Tampa into a holiday wonderland. There’s millions of sparkling Christmas lights, iconic holiday displays, festive shows, seasonal tasty treats, Santa and Rudolph meet and greets and a booming fireworks spectacular.
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa runs on select dates from November 14 2025 through January 5 2026.
Plus, you’ll get to enjoy all the usual thrills of rides, attractions and animal encounters that Busch Gardens Tampa always offers.
Christmas Town regular events are included in your regular park ticket.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town 2025 Dates:
- November: 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
- December: Daily from 4 through 31
- January: Daily through January 5
Busch Gardens Christmas Town
Shows & Entertainment
There’s a host of live shows for the whole family to enjoy during the Busch Gardens Christmas Town events. All are included in your regular park ticket.
Christmas on Ice
November 14th through January 5th
This dazzling Christmas ice show is performed by world class skaters in the Moroccan Palace Theater.
Enjoy enthralling acts of skating athleticism with classic holiday tunes. Fun for all ages. The show is held several times a day, starting early afternoon.
Check the event calendar on your scheduled day for exact times.
Serengeti Light Show
November 14th through January 5th
Brand new for the 2025 holiday season, the Serengeti Light Show celebrates the colors of the season with an enchanting light show. As the holiday themed rendition of “Carol of the Bells” begins, tens of thousands of choreographed lights jump into action.
Holiday Skies Spectacular
December 19 – December 31
Another brand new offering for the 2025 season, choreographed drones take to the skies in synchronized harmony to an array of classic holiday tunes.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town Storytime with Mrs Claus
November 14th Through December 24th
Located along Festival Walkway, Mrs. Claus shares traditional holiday tales and a joyful song.
The show is on several times a day. Check the daily schedule on the dates you visit for exact times.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town Elmo’s Christmas Wish
November 6 through January 5th
Elmo and furry friends from Sesame Street, including Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover and Zoe help Elmo find his Christmas wish. Fun family entertainment that creates lots of fun and merriment in the outdoor Sunny Day Theater.
The show is on several times a day.
Holiday Magic
Select Dates
Head over to the Stanleyville Theatre for mind bending illusions and choreography, along with festive music.
The Three Kings Journey Show
November 21st through January 5th
This show tells the story of their trek to Bethlehem in beautiful harmony that will get your hearts soaring in the Dragonfire Grill. Shown a few times a day.
Check the Busch Gardens Christmas Town show schedule for exact dates.
Check the daily event calendar for exact times on the day you visit.
Menorah Lighting
December 14 through December 22
Celebrate Hanukkah every night at 6:00pm from December 14 – December 22, with the lighting of the menorah, located between the Moroccan Palace and cheetah habitat.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town Holly Jolly Express
November 14th through January 5th
All aboard for a sing-a-long on wheels to family favorites like Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. This beautiful old-fashioned steam locomotive circles the Serengeti while you sit back and soak up the atmosphere.
Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan
December 6
The Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan will be rolling into Busch Gardens Christmas Town on December 6 2025. You’l find it at Festival Field between 5pm – 7:30pm where you’ll be able to grab a free sample.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town
Eats & Treats
Take a magical stroll through Christmas Town Village under millions of twinkling lights as you listen to Yuletide carols and enjoy seasonal treats. Christmas Cabins, open from 4pm, are bursting with sweet and savory seasonal treats.
Enjoy a seasonal hot chocolate, warm cookies or savory treats. There are multiple cabins in Christmas Town Village and throughout the park, offering a whole range of festive goodies. Think Cranberry Glazed Turkey Meatballs, Roasted Pumpkin Squash Soup, Ham Brie Tart with Cranberry, Christmas Eggnog Bread Pudding, Mistletoe Margarita, Gingerbread Mule and lots more.
Photo credit: Busch Gardens
2025 Busch Gardens Christmas Town Food Cabins
- Christmas Tavern
- Holiday Spice
- Evergreen Eats
- Candy Cane Cottage
- Frosted Delights
- Caroler’s Table
- The Holiday Hearth
- Springs Taproom
- Holiday Cravings
- Savory Sleigh
- The Yule Hearth
- Clove & Carving
- Fireside Favorites
- The Gingerbread Nook
- Twinkle Tree Cafe
- Cookies & Cocoa
Plus, popular Busch Gardens restaurants will be featuring festive favorites from 4pm:
- Dragon Fire Grill: Sweet Honey Glazed Ham Plate
Oven glazed ham, candied yams, baked mac and cheese and collard greens. - Zambia Smokehouse: Holiday Turkey Platter
Smoked turkey, red bliss mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry cornbread stuffing, herb turkey gravy. The entree includes a non-alcoholic beverage. - Smokehouse Express: Holiday Turkey Leg
Cranberry chipotle–rubbed turkey leg
Busch Gardens Christmas Town Samplers
Can’t decide which treat to munch on? Chow down on a selection of festive flavors with the Busch Gardens Christmas Town Festive Punch Card. You’ll get to sample either 5 items or 10 items (mix and match food or beverages).
The 5 Sampler costs $45. The 10 sampler is $65.
Annual pass holders can purchase a 12-item punch card for the price of a 10-item punch card.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town Shopping
You’ll find an array of seasonal gifts and ideas during Busch Gardens Christmas Town, featuring local artisans displaying a selection of handcrafted items in Christmas Village, plus Santa’s Christmas Workshop in Marrakesh Market.
Busch Gardens
Christmas Town
Character Meet & Greets
Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland
November 14th Through December 24th
Meet Rudolph and other characters at Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland. Get your festive photo taken and play holiday games. Watch as the famous story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer comes to life.
Upgrades: You can buy an upgraded ticket to both Santa’s North Pole Experience and Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland that gives priority access and two photo’s from $39.99 for up to 6 people.
Santa’s North Pole Experience at Busch Gardens Christmas Town
November 14th Through December 24th
Meet Santa in his workshop as he and the elves are busy making preparations for the Holidays.
Upgrades: You can buy an upgraded ticket to both Santa’s North Pole Experience and Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland that gives priority access and two photo’s from $39.99 for up to 6 people.
Meet the Princesses at Busch Gardens Christmas Town
November 14th through January 5th
The Poinsettia Princess, Sugar Plum Princess, Ice Princess, jolly snowmen and a range of holiday characters make appearances throughout Busch Gardens Christmas Town.
Holiday Photos with Sesame Street Friends
November 6th through January 5th
Your favorite furry friends will be in festive attire for holiday snaps. Find them at 123 Smile.
Busch Gardens
Christmas Town
Upgrades
Busch Gardens Christmas Town VIP Tour
This tour is available from on select dates from November 14 through December 21 2025, starting at 5pm and lasting around 4 hours.
2025 VIP Tour Dates are:
November: 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 24, 28, 29, 30
December: 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21
The VIP Tour includes:
- Front-of-the-line access to Santa’s house and Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland
- An Opportunity to feed Flamingos at Animal Connections
- Reserved seating for the Christmas on Ice show
- Complimentary photo
- Complimentary Souvenir mug with hot cocoa and a cookie ( One free refill )
- One complimentary Christmas Town menu item
The cost is $139.99 per person (does not include park admission) and is available for a minimum of 2 people. Annual Passholders get up to 20% discount.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town Elite VIP Tour
The Elite VIP Tours run daily at Busch Gardens, along with an additional Christmas Town Tour on select dates. You’ll get up to seven-hour private tour of Busch Gardens with customized itinerary, plus:
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Assigned private VIP tour guide
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Animal encounter and photo op with giant Aldabra tortoises
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Up to seven hour customizable itinerary
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Up close encounters and feeding opportunities with kangaroos
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Preferred Parking (subject to availability)
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Reserved seating at popular shows
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Front-of-the-line access on all major roller coasters
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Complimentary beverages
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Serengeti Safari Tour and hand-feeding giraffes
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Lunch at your restaurant of choice
Tickets ranges from $359.99 to $599.99, which does not include admission to the park and is required.
Priority Access:
Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland & Santa’s North Pole Experience
Skip the lines with Priority Access and meet Santa, Rudolph and friends. You’ll get one 6×8 photo at each attraction.
The cost is $39.99 for one-time use from 3pm and covers up to 6 people in one group.
Busch Gardens
Christmas Town
Lights & Decorations
There’s unique decor and holiday lights in abundance during the Holidays at Buech Gardens.
Luminosity Lane is a stroll through tunnel from Congo to Stanleyville. Other displays of sparkling lights can be found at Morocco, Cheetah Walkway and Plaza, Flamingo Way and Bird Gardens.
Check Out More Holiday Happenings:
Orlando Accommodation
If you are visiting Busch Gardens, check out these cozy Orlando Vacation Homes. An awesome alternative to hotels for comfort, space and privacy!
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