Busch Gardens Tampa Bay transforms into a holiday wonderland of entertainment and attractions with twinkling lights, holiday shows, characters from the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer television special and Santa's North Pole Experience sponsored by GEICO®. Christmas Town is open through January 5, 2026. Please note: Santa's North Pole Experience, sponsored by GEICO®, and Rudolph's Winter Wonderland will only be available through December 24.

Every night through January 5th Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is dressed up for the holiday season. Guests can visit Santa's North Pole Experience, sponsored by GEICO®, travel to Rudolph's Winter Wonderland and experience a holiday wonderland featuring twinkling Christmas lights displays, special Christmas treats, holiday shopping, and entertainment in Christmas Town Village and all through the park. Check the show schedule for details. Please note: Santa's North Pole Experience, sponsored by GEICO®, and Rudolph's Winter Wonderland will only be available through December 24.

To ensure the safety of our guests and ambassadors, costumes are not permitted in the park during Christmas Town.

Entry into Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Christmas Town is included with park admission. Anyone with a ticket to Busch Gardens, a valid Fun Card or an Annual Pass can enjoy this festive holiday event.

Our regular rides, attractions, and thrilling roller coasters will be open during the event. Be sure to get front-of-line access to our most popular rides. Santa's North Pole Experience, sponsored by GEICO® and Rudolph's Winter Wonderland, will only be available through December 24.

Santa Claus will be at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for select nights from November 14 through December 24 in the Nairobi section of the park. The big man himself will take a break from his busy holiday schedule to meet and take photos with your family at Santa's North Pole Experience sponsored by GEICO®. 

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is open on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will open* at 9:00 a.m., and close at 8:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 10:00 p.m. on Christmas Day. *Times may change, so check our park hours page for the latest information.

All Pass Member benefits apply during Christmas Town, including discounts on food, merchandise, and select VIP experiences. Pass Members can also get a 12-item Christmas Town Food & Beverage Sampler for the price of a 10-item Sampler. View our Monthly Reward Calendar for additional discounts and offers.

Christmas Town is open on select nights from November 14, through January 5, 2026. Please check out our operating calendar for park hours.

You can rent wheelchairs and ECVs at the park’s entry or save time by reserving a wheelchair or stroller rental before you arrive. All you have to do is show your receipt, pick up and go!

Rain or shine – Christmas Town remains open. With Weather-or-Not Assurance, guests are eligible for a return visit at no additional cost if inclement weather affects park hours. 

The event is included with regular park admission; therefore, if you received a ticket through “Waves of Honor,” you can use it to come to the park on those select days, subject to the ticket’s validity period.

Anyone coming to the park with 15 or more guests can qualify for group ticket pricing. Group tickets can be purchased online or by calling (813) 987-5523. You cannot purchase group tickets at the gate.

Christmas Town is included with any park admission, but the best way to save and enjoy additional discounts is by becoming an Annual Pass Member. Christmas Town is included with an Annual Pass. Choose from benefits, including unlimited admission, free parking, free guest tickets, and more.

Our standard Food and Beverage policy applies during Christmas Town. Outside food and drinks may not be taken into the park, but you can bring water bottles. Guests who have special dietary needs should contact Guest Relations for more information.

Located in Marrakesh Market, Santa’s Christmas Workshop is filled with wonderful Christmas-time offerings, including a wide selection of nutcrackers, nature-inspired Christmas décor, or Yuletide treasures for the entire family. 

Explore Christmas Town® Village’s quaint holiday cabins and indulge in delicious seasonal treats available throughout the village.

The best way to enjoy all the treats and sweets at Christmas Town is with a Food & Beverage Sampler punch card. Three options are available, 5 punch, 10 punch and an Exclusive 12 punch for Pass Members. The sampler punch card may be purchased at Guest Relations, the Christmas Town Welcome Center near the Festival Walkway and on the Busch Gardens Tampa website.

Yes. Christmas Town photo locations are included in PhotoKey. Santa's North Pole Experience, presented by GEICO®, and Rudolph's Winter Wonderland will only be available through December 24. Photos from these experiences will be available for download up to 14 days from date taken.

Christmas Town is open select night from November 14, through January 5, 2026. Please check out our operating calendar for park hours. 

Christmas Town is open select nights from November 14, through January 5, 2026. 

General parking at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay starts at $35.00 per vehicle, motorcycle, or RV/camper, or starting at $40.00 for preferred parking per day.* Purchase your parking in advance >

Silver, Gold, and Platinum Members enjoy FREE parking.* Learn more about Pass Member benefits >

*Parking rates are subject to change daily. Preferred parking is subject to availability. Annual Pass Members must be present with their Annual Pass and show valid matching Photo I.D. to receive free or discounted parking.

Food and beverage cabins along with the Christmas Town Welcome Center, open at 4:00pm each day of Christmas Town. At the Welcome Center you may purchase a Food & Beverage Sampler punch card. You can also redeem your online sampler purchase at this location.

All cabins and the Welcome Center will open at 4:00pm each day of the event and close when the park closes. Check park hours HERE.

Yes, PhotoKey is still active, but pardon our dust as we upgrade our photo system. You might encounter different photo technologies being used at our locations as we navigate this upgrade. Thank you for your patience.