This post may contain affiliate links, please read our disclosure policy.
There are lots of fun events going on all year at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! Check out all the fun on the Busch Gardens Tampa Events Calendar.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 2018 Events Calendar
The Busch Gardens Event Calendar is jam-packed full of fun for 2018! There are returning favorites (mine is the Food & Wine Festival!) and there are some new events. Check them all out and be sure to mark your calendars for the ones you don’t want to miss.
Need passes? Right now when you pay for just ONE DAY, you get all of 2018 FREE to both Busch Gardens AND Adventure Island. Learn more HERE.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 2018 Events Calendar
NEW! Three Kings Celebration: Jan. 1 – 6
Busch Gardens unfolds the famed journey to the humble town of Bethlehem during a new Three Kings Celebration event from Jan. 1 – 6. This cultural celebration boasts authentic Latin traditions, live entertainment honoring the three wise men and Busch Gardens’ dazzling display of twinkling lights.
Real Music, Real Masters: Monday – Saturday Jan. 8 – March 3
The longest-running concert series at Busch Gardens returns in January with a new twist on its winter music series. Guests can enjoy incredible live music spanning from the 1950s to today, all-new entertainment including pop and country artists, a dazzling cirque show and a rhythmic Irish dance group. Live performances are scheduled throughout the day in the climate-controlled Stanleyville Theater. Lineup includes:
- Week of January 8 – Cirque Vertigo featuring The Wallenda Duo
- Week of January 15 – Michael Cavanaugh Performing the Music of Billy Joel and Elton John
- Week of January 22 – The Diamonds
- Week of January 29 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
- Week of February 5 – Pam Tillis
- Week of February 12 – Arrival from Sweden: The Music of ABBA
- Week of February 19 – Magic Moments featuring Leonard, Coleman & Blunt: Lead singers from The Temptations, Drifters and Platters
- Week of February 26– Rhythm in the Night, the Irish Dance Spectacular
Food & Wine Festival: Saturdays and Sundays, March 3 – April 29
Next spring, Busch Gardens’ Food & Wine Festival returns with unique culinary offerings and bigger concerts than ever! The park will be tempting guests with a variety of cuisine, wine, craft beer and live entertainment on Saturdays and Sundays from March 3 through April 29. Food and beverage is not included, but is available for an extra fee. Guests must be 21 or older to purchase alcoholic beverages. Musical acts to be announced at a later date.
Sesame Street® Safari of Fun Kids Weekends: Saturdays and Sundays, May 5 – May 20
Created just for kids, the Sesame Street® Safari of Fun events feature animal encounters, character parades, dance parties, kid-friendly crafts and even a few special guests. The party takes place at the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area with different themes each weekend led by everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends, including Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and more from May 5 through May 20.
Jack Hanna Weekend: May 26 and 27
Join “Jungle Jack” Hanna for two days of wild animal shows, autograph signings and special meet-and-greets when he visits Busch Gardens. The internationally-known animal expert will share animal facts and his travel tales during animal shows at the Stanleyville Theater.
Guy Harvey Weekend: June 2 and 3
Meet Guy Harvey, renowned artist and conservationist on June 2 and 3 at Busch Gardens for meet-and-greets, autographs with your favorite gear and exclusive Guy Harvey merchandise!
Summer Nights: June 15 – Aug. 5
Busch Gardens kicks summer fun up a notch with extended hours, eclectic entertainment and Florida’s top thrill rides in the DARK – including Cobra’s Curse®, Falcon’s Fury®, Cheetah Hunt® and SheiKra®.
NEW! Bierfest: Saturdays and Sundays, Aug. 25 – Sept. 16
More than 200 years of Oktoberfest traditions come to life at Busch Gardens in 2018. Raise your stein to toast the end of summer and enjoy a variety of beers from across the globe, including your favorite local breweries on Saturdays and Sundays from Aug. 25 through Sept. 16. This four-weekend festival will feature a great selection of worldly brews, traditional German cuisine and festive music as you immerse yourself in this one-of-a-kind Bavarian celebration.
Howl-O-Scream – Select nights from Sept. 21 through Oct. 28
This year will be a whole new nightmare at Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream®. Fear returns to Tampa Bay for 19 menacing nights with new haunted houses, including a 17 and older (recommended) experience that takes screams to the extreme. From new terrifying scare zones to creepers on coasters, an air of fear will consume the park until there is nowhere to hide.
Operating event hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Howl-O-Scream 2018 is a separately-ticketed night event. No costumes are allowed. For guest information, visit HowlOScream.com or call 1-813-884-4FUN. This year, tickets start at $39.99, plus tax; and exclusive offers are available for Busch Gardens® Pass Members.
Sesame Street® Safari of Fun Halloween Kids’ Weekends: Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 6 – Oct. 28
Celebrate Halloween with Elmo, Abby, Grover and all your favorite Sesame Street® friends every Saturday and Sunday in October during Sesame Street Safari of Fun Halloween Kids’ Weekends. Show off your family costumes during each themed weekend while you trick-or-treat, enjoy exclusive crafts, explore through a hay bale maze and play fall-inspired activities and games in our fall festival area. New this year us The Not-Too-Spooky Howl-O-Ween Radio Show. In this all-new Halloween show, Count von Count serves as the master of scare-emonies as he leads his pals through some of his favorite tunes. With help from his Sesame Street friends—Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, Zoe, Grover, Oscar and Elmo—The Count produces a not-too-spooky Halloween show that features song and dance numbers that get everyone involved! The show ends with a special finale that is sure to be a “Thriller” and entertain the whole family. The party takes place at the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area with different Halloween themes each weekend from Oct. 6 – 28.
Christmas Town: Select dates Nov. 17 – Dec. 31
Busch Gardens beams with twinkling lights, holiday shows and even a visit to Santa’s House during Christmas Town, where a beautiful family tradition awaits for select dates from Nov. 17 to Dec. 31.
Busch Gardens will offer additional events and festivals throughout 2018, so stay tuned for more details.
Need passes? Right now when you pay for just ONE DAY, you get all of 2018 FREE to both Busch Gardens AND Adventure Island. Learn more HERE.
Have kids 5 & Under? Grab your FREE PRESCHOOL Card so they can come to Busch Gardens and SeaWorld for FREE.
Be sure to check out Busch Gardens on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date with all the thrilling Florida Fun!
While you are at it make sure to check out Food Wine Sunshine on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google + and Instagram for more fun things to do in Florida, recipes, and more.
(you can browse current: Publix ad, Meijer Ad and Target Ad.)
Looking for more fun things to do in Florida?
Comment section