Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the park’s holiday festival, and the official event page lists the 2026 season as select dates from November 13, 2026, through January 4, 2027. The page lists the event hours as park open to park close and describes select nights, so the celebration is not tied to a single evening window. Because it runs on select dates only, check the park calendar before you pick a day. The park has not yet published a 2026 list of new shows or attractions, so what is new for 2026 is not announced.
Christmas Town suits families with young children, couples who want a lights-and-shows evening, and anyone who wants Florida weather for a holiday outing. The official page highlights lights, festive entertainment, holiday shopping, seasonal flavors and Christmas traditions, with an ice show, Santa meet and greets, a holiday train and a Nutcracker performance shown on the page. The park states that Christmas Town is included with Busch Gardens admission, so you do not need a separate event ticket.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Dates: Select dates, November 13, 2026 to January 4, 2027
- Event nights: Select nights (check the park calendar)
- Highlights: Ice show, Santa meet and greets, holiday train, Nutcracker performance
- New for 2026: Not announced
- Ticket: Included with park admission
What’s new for 2026
As of late September 2026, the official Christmas Town page confirms the dates and the included-with-admission ticketing, but it does not list new shows, zones or attractions for 2026. We will not guess at additions. If the park announces new entertainment this fall, it will appear on the official event page and the park’s news channels.
For context, the 2025 season (November 14, 2025 to January 5, 2026) debuted the Serengeti Light Show and the Holiday Skies Spectacular drone show, according to coverage from October 2025. Whether either returns in 2026 has not been confirmed, so treat them as possibilities and not promises until the park says so.
Lights, shows and holiday entertainment
The official page for 2026 describes dazzling lights and festive entertainment, and its imagery shows an ice show, Santa, a holiday train and a Nutcracker performance. It also carries a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer credit, which points to Rudolph-themed elements at the park.
Show titles and showtimes for 2026 are not published yet. Last season’s lineup included Christmas on Ice, Busch Gardens Holiday Magic, Three Kings Journey, Mrs. Claus’ Storytime and a Sesame Street holiday show, and a New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration on December 31. Use those as a hint of the style of programming, and look at the park’s show schedule for the real 2026 times once it is posted.
Rides and attractions open
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a coaster park, and the 2025 coverage listed rides such as Kumba and Phoenix Rising as running during Christmas Town. The 2026 official page does not publish a ride list, so the lineup can vary by day, maintenance schedules and weather. Check the park’s hours and ride status on the day you visit, especially if a specific coaster is the reason for your trip.
Holiday food and treats
The official 2026 page mentions seasonal flavors but does not name menu items. Coverage of the 2025 season described holiday-flavored drinks, baked goods, craft cocktails and a gingerbread decorating station. The park also lists a 12 Gifts of Cheer page under Christmas Town, which we could not load for details, so look there for any package or perk. Expect the 2026 menu to be posted closer to opening night.
Tickets, passes and upgrades
The park states that Christmas Town is included with park admission, with no separate event ticket. Buy tickets on the official Busch Gardens Tampa Bay site so you get the right date. The park also has a Christmas Town upgrades page for add-on experiences, but we could not confirm 2026 upgrade options or prices, so check that page before you plan a splurge.
Coverage of the 2025 season said annual passes and Fun Cards carried discounts and benefits such as free parking. Pass terms and any blackout dates for 2026 may differ, so confirm your pass level on the park site before you go.
Tips for your visit
Because the event runs on select dates, confirm your date on the park calendar before you buy tickets. Weekends and the days around Christmas are typically busier, though the park has not published crowd guidance for 2026, so plan for a full day and arrive early if a particular ride matters to you.
December evenings in Tampa are usually mild, but temperatures can drop after sunset, so bring a light jacket for the lights. Rain can pause rides and outdoor shows, so pack a poncho and keep a flexible plan. Check the park’s hours and parking details on the official site before you go.
Explore more: every theme park holiday event for 2026, by state.
Christmas Town 2026 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay FAQs
When does Christmas Town 2026 start and end?
The official Busch Gardens Tampa Bay page lists Christmas Town on select dates from November 13, 2026, through January 4, 2027. Check the park calendar for the exact days.
Is Christmas Town included with park admission?
Yes. The park states that Christmas Town is included with Busch Gardens admission, so you do not need a separate event ticket.
Do rides run during Christmas Town?
Rides operate during the season, and Kumba and Phoenix Rising were listed as open during the 2025 event. The 2026 ride lineup is not published, so check ride status on the day you visit.
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Photo: Father of JGKlein, used with permission / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.