Busch Gardens Tampa is putting the finishing touches on this year’s Christmas Town event. Let’s take a look at the holiday trimmings and check in on the critters who call this delightful little park home.
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa will be returning for a third year, with the event running select dates November 28 through December 31, 2014. This year, the park has decided to include Christmas Town with day admission into the park.
At this year’s event, guests can look forward once again to live entertainment, the chance to visit Santa at his house, savor special treats and marvel at over 1 million lights that will cover the park’s 300 acre span.
Two new themed light areas will be added this year:
NEW! – Three Kings Oasis
Egypt transforms into the all-new Three Kings Oasis, where guests discover the famed journey to the humble town of Bethlehem.
NEW! – Celestial Crossing
Dazzling lantern stars enchant the jewel-toned Celestial Crossing in this all-new land that is home to Mrs. Claus’ Family Feast and the Christmas Celebration show.
The returning themed light areas are:
North Pole
Bright, colorful lights line the pathway and trees surrounding the North Pole. Savor holiday treats and sights on the way to Welcome to Santa’s House.
Holiday Hills
Celebrate Christmas in the good ‘ole days in Holiday Hills with a live brass band, vintage billboards and classic décor.
Mistletoe Memories
Sneak a kiss with your sweetheart as romantic flowers fill the trees overhead, all while twinkling lights create sweet moments in Mistletoe Memories.
Ice Wonder Way
Ice Wonder Way sparkles and shimmers in the night as brilliant white garland wraps the front of the Moroccan Palace, welcoming guests for the Christmas on Ice show.
Celebration Village
Celebration Village brings together the rich, warm colors of Christmas and heartfelt voices filling the air to welcome guests as they enter Christmas Town.
Jungle Jubilee
Larger-than-life nutcrackers, exotic decorations and intricate animal patterns in Jungle Jubilee create the kind of Christmas found only in nature!
Miracle Way
Experience the real “reason for the season” along Miracle Way, and marvel at the life-sized representation of the Holy Nativity made purely of plants.
Sesame Street A Very Furry Christmas
Meet the Sesame characters for photos, plenty of hugs and an all-new show in Sesame Street A Very Furry Christmas at Busch Gardens.
Enchanted Flamingo Valley
Guests will be tickled pink in the Enchanted Flamingo Valley as they encounter a flock of festive Florida flamingos created from thousands of twinkling pink lights.
One of the best things about Christmas Town (besides the lights), is there are a LOT of entertainment options. You need to visit more than once to be able to see it all (which is a reason why we’re happy the event is included with park admission this year)! Here’s a rundown of this year’s shows:
Elmo’s Christmas Wish
Join Elmo and his Sesame Street friends as they make their Christmas wishes.
Christmas Time Terrace Tree Show
Dancing lights bring to life a 50-foot tree every ten minutes in Christmas Time Terrace.
Madagascar Live! Operation: Christmas Vacation
Join the adventure with King Julien and his friends in this show with a Christmas twist.
(NOTE: This is pretty much the normal Madagascar Live! show with just a Christmas tag at the end. Still a fun show to catch if you have the time.)
Christmas on Ice
Join world-class ice skaters as they celebrate the many wonders of Christmas in Christmas on Ice.
Carol of the Bells
See thousands of dancing Christmas lights blanketing the Crown Colony in Carol of the Bells.
Hallelujah Showcase
Local choirs from around Florida perform in Hallelujah Showcase in the Marrakesh Theater.
Christmas Celebration
Christmas Celebration fills the stage with holiday cheer alongside singers, dancers and Santa himself. This show is already playing at the park several times daily.
(NOTE: This is my personal favorite of all the Christmas shows at the park)
Christmas from the Heart
Rejoice in the glory in a contemporary Christian gospel celebration, Christmas from the Heart.
In addition to the lights, shows and other entertainment offerings, the park offers special food, drink and merchandise options. We can’t wait to see what goodies will be offered this year!
We’ll have a full review of this year’s Christmas Town in our next Busch Gardens Tampa update, so stay tuned!
Santa’s Workshop
The main Christmas shop at the park, Santa’s Workshop, is already open and has a great variety of holiday merchandise available for purchase.
Run For Wildlife 5K Race
On Saturday, November 22, Busch Gardens held their inaugural Run For Wildlife 5K race. Approximately 1200 runners participated and all proceeds went to benefit the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Wildlife Conservation fund. After the race was finished, runners received free admission to the park for the day. A friend of mine participated in the race and let me take a photo of the beautiful medal runners received after crossing the finish line.
Around the Park
And let’s wrap things up with some photos from around the park.
Will you be checking out Busch Gardens Tampa Christmas Town this year now that it’s included with regular park admission? Impressed with the expanded offerings? Let us know in the comments below.
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