Busch Gardens Christmas Town 2018: Celebrating 10 Magical Years

Busch Gardens is celebrating 10 years of Christmas Town with its most festive event ever. The Williamsburg park’s wildly popular family-friendly event will feature more than 10 million lights, an all-new Christmas Town Express train ride, festive food and beverage options, shopping and heart-warming shows. The event begins November 17, 2018 and runs on select days through January 5, 2019.

“This is one of the most special times of the year for our team to present the park in a whole new light for our guests. Ten million lights to be exact. Christmas Town is truly a place to believe.” – Kevin Lembke, park president for Busch Gardens and Water Country USA

Christmas Town 2018 Highlights

Christmas Town Express (NEW) – The familiar and favorite Busch Gardens Railway will get decked out in holiday splendor. Park guests can sing along to holiday songs while enjoying lighted decorations along the train route. Along with festive caroling, there will be two million Christmas lights and themed holiday scenes placed around the 1.5-mile loop.

Wilkommenhaus (NEW) – The Wilkommenhaus, located in the Germany village, will transform into a visual spectacle through projection mapping. The sweet smell of Christmas treats from the Cookies & Cocoa Shop dance through the air as virtual gingerbread men make the festive village come to life nightly (every 15 minutes) during Christmas Town.

Sesame Street Holiday Show: Elmo’s Christmas Wish (NEW) – Elmo’s Christmas Wish debuts on the stage at Sesame Street Forest of Fun. Guests will enjoy this holiday musical show with Rosita, Grover, Zoe and Cookie Monster as they help Elmo find his Christmas wish.

Santa’s Workshop – Children can meet St. Nick at his workshop in the NewKastle (formerly DarKastle) building.

Festive Holiday Shows – The a cappella show Gift of Harmony™ is back for its second year. Popular shows Twas That Night, headlined by former Olympic skater Elvis Stojko, Deck the Halls, Scrooge No More!™ and Gloria! also return, along with the popular 50-foot Christmas tree light show O’Tannenbaum in front of the stunning Das Festhaus.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ – The classic Christmas character is back and joined by friends Clarice, Yukon Cornelius, Bumble and Sam the Snowman. Guests can meet and have their pictures taken with the characters at Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland in Holiday Hills™. They can also enjoy the multisensory presentation of the timeless Rudolph story at Rudolph’s Movie Experience.

Sesame Street® Forest of Fun™ – Visitors can meet their favorite Sesame Street characters – including Elmo and Cookie Monster – and capture a special holiday photo. Families can ride Grover’s Alpine Express and take time for some Christmas shopping at Abby Cadabby’s Treasure Trove.

Santa’s Fireside Feast – Christmas Town offers an assortment of special dining experiences, including Santa’s Fireside Feast, where Santa recounts a classic Christmas story while elves prepare a delicious all-you-can eat buffet and Mrs. Claus dazzles the dining room with holiday cheer. Children are able to visit Santa and get that all-important photograph as part of the experience.

Along with other rides, Battle for Eire, InvadR and Verbolten will be open, weather permitting, during Christmas Town 2018.

Christmas Town 2018 Sweet Treats

Along with holiday shopping, magical shows and thrilling coasters, there’s always room for a sweet treat or two. Busch Gardens’ Chef Justin has created some culinary items especially for Christmas Town.

• Christmas Town Signature Hot Chocolate – Rich and creamy hot chocolate will warm you from the inside out. It’s featured in an all new souvenir travel mug and is available throughout the park.
• Roasted Sirloin Sandwich – Slow roasted beef sirloin is carved thin and served with fried onion strings on house-made sourdough sub rolls. Available at Das Festhaus.
• Beignet Sundae – Fresh and hot New Orleans-style friend doughnut served with hand-dipped ice cream and your favorite toppings. Available at Josephine’s Creamery de Chocolat.
• Peppermint Freak Shake – Freakishly large peppermint chocolate milkshake topped with crushed peppermint candy, chocolate drizzle and an oversized mint chocolate chip cookie. Available at Josephine’s Creamery de Chocolat.
• Christmas Town Club – Prepared on fresh baked cranberry apple and raisn bread with thin sliced smoked ham, turkey and bacon. Available at Trapper’s Smokehouse and Das Festhaus.
• Mulled Wine – Warm spiced wine with apple cider and orange. Available in England at Cobblestone Bar, in the France Village and at Vin Brule in Italy.

Christmas Town 2018 Tickets

Enjoy unlimited Christmas Town visits by purchasing a Christmas Town Fun Card for $54, which is the price of a one-day general admission ticket. If you’re a current Annual Pass Member, Christmas Town is included in your membership.

Single-day tickets are now available. Please visit buschgardens.com for complete details, ticket purchasing and operating schedules.

Busch Gardens 2018 Christmas Town event is open from 2-10 p.m. on most operating days (and from 12-10 on Saturdays) from Nov. 17 through Jan. 5, 2019.