The One-Day Guide to Christmas Town

With world-class shows, hearty holiday dining, festive shopping and over ten million lights, saying there’s a lot to see and do at Busch Gardens Christmas Town is a bit of an understatement. Naturally, we recommend coming back multiple nights so that you can see it all, but if you only have one evening to spend at Christmas Town, here is our must-see list.

Make Santa’s Workshop in the North Pole (Oktoberfest) your first stop of the afternoon. This will leave you with plenty of time to see your favorite shows and light displays.

If you’re feeling a bit peckish but don’t want to go all out just yet, grab an afternoon snack in Das Festhaus while you catch the show Deck the Halls.

Tip: You can find show times in the park on the printed map or on our Busch Gardens Discovery Guide app.

Head over to Holiday Hills to spin on a few of our rides like Peppermint Twist and Snowman Summit. Then, step back in time with the classic story of Rudolph through a series of photo opportunities in Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland. Snap a picture with Yukon Cornelius and Bumble, or maybe catch sight of the red-nosed reindeer himself.

Warm up with our signature peppermint fudge hot chocolate from Cocoa Café before you leave Holiday Hills.

Tip: The hot beverage mug has discounted refills all night. Mug only available for purchase in the park.

Head to the intersection of Holiday Hills and Italy around sunset (between 5 and 6 pm) to see one of the brightest trees in the park and a favorite among park-goers. Then, round the corner and catch more than a million lights in one place at Polar Pathway for a magical photo.

Enjoy the vividly entertaining Scrooge No More!, then visit the Clydesdale horses at Highland Stables in Scotland and snap a Christmas-card-worthy family photo in front of a carriage. Escape the winter weather and join Addie to help save the Otherworld in Battle For Eire, a 360-degree virtual reality ride in Ireland.

By this point, you’re probably feeling a little hungry. Dine on a country Christmas dinner from Trappers’ Smokehouse. Afterward, grab another cup of hot chocolate before enjoying our outdoor ice show, ‘Twas That Night.

Enter the New France train station located near InvadR to take a ride on our all-new lighted holiday train experience. The Christmas Town Express takes you on a 1.5-mile tour through themed holiday vignettes and two million Christmas lights.

Note: This is a roundtrip experience. The train will not be stopping at the other stations during Christmas Town.

Head toward Oktoberfest and see our 50-foot Christmas tree, O’ Tannenbaum, which is a popular spot to stop. The lights of O’ Tannenbaum dance to music every half hour starting at 5:30 pm.

See all 10 million lights at the top of Nacht Tower. Though it doesn’t drop quickly during Christmas Town, this ride will still take your breath away with this utterly unique view of the Christmas light displays throughout the park.

Plan to make a stop on the bridge between Oktoberfest and Italy to see the beautiful message “Peace on Earth” on the train trestle. The lights of trees lining the river banks reflect gently on the water, giving you a moment of quiet tranquility.

Finally, enjoy the symmetry of the Italy Gardens’ lights before making your way past Polar Pathway at night and heading back to your car.

It's the season for families to gather, and with heartwarming experiences under the glow of 10 million lights, Christmas Town makes for a great vacation destination for all ages.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and all related elements © & ™ under license to Character Arts, LLC. All Rights Reserved.