Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Christmas Town 2026: dates, hours and what it costs
Christmas Town brings lights, entertainment, shopping and seasonal food to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on 41 select dates from Nov. 13 to Jan. 4. Here's every date with hours, what comes with park admission, and what the park hasn't posted yet, like shows and rides.
The short version
Dates and hours
Christmas Town 2026 dates and hours
Friday to Sunday to start, every day from Nov. 20 to 29 (Thanksgiving included), one more Friday to Sunday weekend, then every day from Dec. 11 to Jan. 4. The event page lists Christmas Town hours as park open to park close, so these are the park's hours on event days.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| Nov. 13 to 15 (Fri to Sun) | Fri and Sun 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Nov. 20 to 22 (Fri to Sun) | Fri and Sun 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Nov. 23 to 26 (Mon to Thu) | Mon to Wed 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thanksgiving (Thu) 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Nov. 27 to 29 (Fri to Sun) | Fri and Sat 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Dec. 4 to 6 (Fri to Sun) | Fri and Sun 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Dec. 11 to 13 (Fri to Sun) | Fri and Sun 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Dec. 14 to 18 (Mon to Fri) | Mon to Thu 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Dec. 19 to 23 (Sat to Wed) | 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) | 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Dec. 25 to 30 (Fri to Wed) | 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Christmas Day included |
| Dec. 31 (New Year's Eve) | 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. |
| Jan. 1 to 4 (Fri to Mon) | Fri and Sun 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mon 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
Nov. 16 to 19, Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 and Dec. 7 to 10 aren't Christmas Town days. The park is open on those days without the event, so check its hours page for the times.
Rides
Which rides are open during Christmas Town
Christmas Town runs during a regular park day, open to close, and the park hasn't published a separate list of rides for it or named its shows. If one ride matters to you, check the park's app or Ride Ready the day you go.
Tickets and costs
Admission and upgrades
Christmas Town is included with park admission, and the park's event page lists no extra charges. Its upgrades page also offers a Christmas Town Vacation Package and an Elite VIP Tour; check that page for what they include and cost.
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Any Day Ticket (price shown Oct. 11) | $114.99 |
The ticket price is what the park's site showed on Oct. 11 and can change.
Plan your visit
How to plan a Christmas Town day
- Christmas Town comes with park admission and runs from park open to park close. The park is also open on days it isn't running, so check the table for your date.
- Christmas Eve closes at 8 p.m. and Christmas Day at 10 p.m.
- The park opens at 9 a.m. instead of 10 a.m. from Dec. 19 to 31. New Year's Eve is the only day that runs past 10 p.m., until 1 a.m.
- Look at the crowd calendar before you pick a date, and check the park's hours page the week you go.
Waits at Christmas Town
When Busch Gardens Tampa Bay posts waits for the rides that are running, Ride Ready shows them live, free, and pings you when a line drops.
Get the free appFAQ
Christmas Town 2026 FAQ
When does Christmas Town 2026 start at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?
Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. It runs on 41 select dates through Monday, Jan. 4, 2027: Friday to Sunday on Nov. 13 to 15 and Dec. 4 to 6, and every day on Nov. 20 to 29 and Dec. 11 to Jan. 4. The park is open on the other days without the event.
What are the Christmas Town hours at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?
The event page lists Christmas Town hours as park open to park close. On event days the park opens at 10 a.m. (9 a.m. from Dec. 19 to 31) and closes between 7 and 10 p.m., except New Year's Eve, which runs until 1 a.m.
Is Christmas Town included with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay admission?
Yes. The park's event page says Christmas Town is included with park admission and lists no extra charges.
What rides are open during Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?
Christmas Town is part of a regular park day, and the park hasn't published a separate ride list for it. Check the park's app or Ride Ready the day you go to see which rides are open.
Is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
Yes. Christmas Town runs both days: Dec. 24 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Dec. 25 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
How much does Christmas Town cost at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?
It's included with park admission. On Oct. 11 the park's site showed an Any Day Ticket at $114.99.
Sources
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Christmas Town
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: park hours calendar
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Christmas Town upgrades
Checked against Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's official pages on Oct. 11, 2026. Parks change hours and details during the season, so check their calendar the week you go.