Busch Gardens Christmas Town returns early to Tampa Bay! Get ready for millions of holiday lights, a fireworks show, and a new Santa experience!

It’s beginning to look a lot like the holiday season in Tampa Bay. Busch Gardens is leading the way with the return of their legendary Christmas Town starting Friday, November 12th. Millions of lights will illuminate Busch Gardens 335 acres as you experience family-friendly shows, holiday-themed eats, and drinks, and finish off the night with a spectacular fireworks display.

One of the new shows this year is Santa’s North Pole Experience where his elves take you behind-the-scenes of the jolly bearded man’s holiday workshop. Christmas on Ice returns with world-class ice skaters performing to your favorite holiday songs.

Check out the video of what to expect:

It’s so cool to see the entire park decorated with holiday lights…especially when you see it from the top of the roller coasters. This truly is Tampa Bay’s biggest and brightest holiday event.

What’s nice about Christmas Town is that it’s already included in your regular admission ticket. This holiday extravaganza goes from November 12 thru January 2nd at Busch Gardens. Time to get festive and this looks like a great place to start!

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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.

Written by C. Harris

Get ready for Busch Gardens Christmas Town (3:08) on the Experience Tampa Bay in 10 Minutes or Less podcast. You can also hear more about “Sandlantis” coming to Treasure Island (:59) and hear about a Thanksgiving Eve Ybor City Bar Crawl (6:30). 

Produced by Micaela Figueroa 
Photos Busch Gardens