Busch Gardens Christmas Town 2019: New Experiences and Old Favorites

Santa Claus is coming to town. Christmas Town, that is! Festive food, Christmas carols, bah humbug-busting shows and more than 10 million lights will spark a holiday mood in even the grinchiest scrooge in the crowd. The event begins November 16, 2019 and runs on select days through January 5, 2020.

An inspirational holiday music show and a dazzling Christmas tree maze allow guests to experience new delights for 2019. Returning favorites include the Christmas Town Express train ride, Santa’s Workshop, Rudolph photo ops and unique holiday shopping.

From the press release …

“Christmas Town is one of our favorite times of the year, when all of Busch Gardens transforms into a magical holiday landscape. With endless bright lights, magnificent shows and thrilling new rides, our park is the place to be this holiday season,” said Jeff Thomas, interim park president for Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA.

Christmas Town 2019 Highlights

Traditions Tree Maze presented by Coca-Cola (NEW) – Nearly 500 fresh-cut Christmas trees create a dazzling maze where park guests can stroll around the globe and explore the cultural and winter holiday traditions such as Mexico’s Día de los Reyes (Feast of the Three Kings), Japan’s Sogetsu (Japanese New Year), India’s Diwali (Festival of Lights), South Africa’s Umkhosi Wokweshwama (First Fruits Festival) and Israel’s Hanukkah (Festival of Lights). Experiences include craft-making stations, photo ops, music and lights.

Believe (NEW) – Guests can dine while enjoying inspirational holiday music performed by a solo pianist in Italy’s San Marco Theatre.

Christmas Town Express – A returning favorite, the Busch Gardens Railway gets 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 – Another returning favorite, the Wilkommenhaus, located in the Germany village, transforms 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.

Returning Favorites for Christmas Town 2019

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.

Christmas Town 2019 Shows

• Believe (New)
• Deck the Halls
• Elmo’s Christmas Wish
• Gloria
• O’ Tannenbaum
• Scrooge No More
• ‘Twas that Night – Ice skating show featuring Olympic figure skater Elvis Stojko

Several rides and roller coasters will be open during Christmas Town, weather permitting, including Battle for Eire, Finnegan’s Flyer, InvadR and Verbolten. A lot of the kid-friendly rides will be open.

Christmas Town 2019 Tickets

Enjoy unlimited Christmas Town visits by purchasing a Christmas Town Fun Card for $61.99. If you’re a current Annual Pass Member, Christmas Town is included in your membership.

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

Busch Gardens 2019 Christmas Town event is open from 2-10 p.m. on most operating days (and from 12-10 on Saturdays) from Nov. 16 through Jan. 5, 2020.