Don’t let the cold weather stop you from visiting your favorite family theme parks. Each winter, you can create memories at Busch Gardens Christmas Town. It’s a holiday tradition for many families!
**Updated for 2023
We’ve attended in the past, so my main tip is to dress warm so you can so you can walk the whole park and take in the millions of lights and decorations. Thankfully, some of the shows are indoor, if you are visiting on a cold evening.
My kids loved riding their favorite rides in the dark, and the entire park is decorated beautifully. There are so many opportunities for family photos along with making Christmas memories together.
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What is Busch Gardens Christmas Town?
Busch Gardens is always a fantastic visit, but it’s especially cool at Christmastime. They transform the park with over 10 million twinkling lights, one of the largest light displays in North America. It is really impressive to see!
For 2023, there aretwo all-new light experiences: Polar Pathway: Spectacle of Lights and Celebration of Lights at O’Tannenbaum.
Celebrate Christmas at Busch Gardens Williamsburg by riding the Christmas Town Express train, visiting Santa’s Workshop, and enjoying special seasonal entertainment. Visit the traditional Father Christmas in England’s Kidsington Palace, who is available for photo ops.
You’ll find something for everyone, like family-friendly rides, thrill rides, festive treats and holiday shopping.
Tickets to Christmas Town Busch Gardens
If you have a Busch Gardens Membership, then admission to Christmas Town is already included. Otherwise, it is a separate ticketed event. Tickets are available for multiple visits as well as a Fun Card that allows unlimited visits during the event dates.
If you do not have a current membership, then the best value is to purchase Christmas Town admission as part of a new 12-month membership. Then you’ll get unlimited admission and its benefits all year long, including free parking, free guest tickets, monthly rewards, savings on merchandise and more.
When is Christmas Town open?
Busch Gardens Christmas Town opens Friday, November 10, 2023, and runs through January 7, 2024. Check the detailed park hours.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg changes its operating hours for this wintertime event. In November, they’re open weekends and the full week of Thanksgiving, probably because so many kids are off school and families are traveling.
In December, they’re open every single day beginning Friday, December 1, 2023. Then they’re open on New Year’s Day and Monday, January 1st. The final weekend is January 5-7, 2024.
Is Busch Gardens open on Christmas?
Yes, Busch Gardens is open on Christmas Day, Monday, December 25th, 2023. The park hours are 3:00pm-10:00pm.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town show schedule
You’ll find old favorites and some new shows this year:
- New for 2023! Wisem*n – Featuring three talented musicians sharing their favorite holiday traditions, memories and ballads
- Elmo’s Christmas Wish – Little ones will love this cute show starring Elmo and his friends.
- Gloria! – A joyful retelling of the first Christmas
- Celebration of Lights at O’ Tannenbaum – At the end of the night, enjoy this multi-colored spectacular light show featuring a majestic 50-foot Christmas tree. Updated for 2023!
- New for 2023! Polar Pathway: Spectacle of Lights – For the first time ever, this iconic winter wonderland comes alive with an all-new dynamic light spectacular choreographed to music.
- Scrooge No More! – This musical is a fantastic way to introduce kids to this classic Christmas story.
- ‘Twas That Night – A spectacular ice skating show that reimagines The Night Before Christmas.
- Up on the Haustop – Hear modern-day Christmas classics at this indoor concert.
Plus, throughout the day, you’ll hear carolers in England, Country Christmas in New France and the Killarney Village Band in Ireland.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town rides
Over 25 rides are open at Busch Gardens for Christmas, including the brand new coaster, DarKoaster! Some of the fastest rides–like Griffon, Finnegan’s Flyer, InvadR, and Verbolten–do close on evenings when the temperature is below 40°F.
There are plenty of little-kid rides available in the Sesame Street Forest of Fun as well as around the park. Enjoy Kinder Karussel, Peppermint Twist, and Snowman Summit, just to name a few. See the full list of open rides during Christmas Town in Busch Gardens.
Busch Gardens Christmas Village
Of course, it’s not Christmas without seeing Santa Claus! Visit Santa’s Workshop in the North Pole (Wilkommenhaus), or make reservations to dine with Santa and Mrs. Claus at their Fireside Feast, an all-you-can-eat buffet.
There are many decadent options for dining this year, including seasonal brews and festive beverages for adults. Restaurants are decorated and offering hand-carved turkey, hearty soups, and signature hot chocolate.
Looking for Busch Gardens Christmas Town ornaments? There are special holiday shops throughout the park, like Mistletoe Marketplace in Oktoberfest.
Plan your trip with our November Free Printable Calendar and December Free Printable Calendar.
More holiday fun
- Free and Low Cost Christmas Bucket List Ideas
- 10 Winter Family Fun Nights to Cure Cabin Fever
- 10 Completely Free Winter Activities for Kids
- Free Printable Christmas Coloring Pages
