Experience Holiday Cheer at Busch Gardens Christmas Town
From November 15, 2024–January 5, 2025, the holiday season shines the brightest during Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Christmas Town.
Updated by Chris Murphy
The 2024 Christmas Town will feature 10 million twinkling lights. Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s beautiful grounds are transformed into a winter wonderland complete with holiday décor. Laughter, joy and cheer fill the award-winning theme park during this family-friendly winter celebration.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Germany is transformed into the North Pole. The sweet smell of holiday cookies from the Cookies & Cocoa shop fills the air as you are mesmerized by eye-catching Christmas displays. Projection mapping makes virtual gingerbread men come to life in this festive village during Christmas Town.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town Rides
Christmas Town Express
Climb aboard the Christmas Town Express. View two million glimmering lights along this mile-and-a-half long ride through holiday-themed vignettes. Sing along to classic holiday songs as you tour the world’s most beautiful theme park, Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Best Rides to View the Christmas Town Lights
A ride on the Christmas Town Express isn’t the only way to see all of Busch Gardens Christmas Town’s spectacular lights. The Mäch Tower® and the Aeronaut Skyride will give you a bird’s-eye view of the Christmas Town light displays.
On the Mäch Tower, rise 240 feet above Busch Gardens then slowly rotate as you take in the mile-high views of Christmas Town. During the Christmas Town celebration, the tower will not drop you at breathtaking speeds, allowing you to fully take in the festive scenery.
With three locations around Busch Gardens, board the Skyride for a leisurely tour of the park and the Christmas Town light display from 80 feet in the air.
Family-Friendly Rides at Busch Gardens Christmas Town
Visit the Holiday Hills (formerly known as Festa Italia) to ride Busch Gardens’ holiday-themed rides. The Peppermint Twist is the winter version of the classic spinning teacup ride. Control your spin as you twist and whirl inside a decadently decorated tea cup. For something a little more thrilling, race along the Snowman Summit, an exciting bobsled ride.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town is perfect for families with kids of all ages. Enjoy a kid-safe bobsled race when you ride the Reindeer Run in the Holiday Hills. Visit the Sesame Street® Forest of Fun
for kid-siderate rides and entertainment. Even the littlest thrill seekers will love riding Grover’s Alpine Express, a kid-friendly roller coaster.
All of Busch Gardens regular rollercoasters and rides will be open throughout the park for your enjoyment as well.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town Shows
While Busch Gardens Williamsburg is best known for its wild rides, you won’t want to miss any of the sensational shows during the Christmas Town event. You’ll be able to sing and dance along during these family-friendly shows.
Musicals
Celebrate the holiday season with Christmas Town’s musical shows and performances throughout the park.
Head to the North Pole where festively dressed performers, as well as toy soldiers and Frosty the Snowman, bring the holiday spirit to life in Deck the Halls.
Over in Ireland, enjoy marvelous vocal stylings during the yuletide show, Gift of Harmony. Grab a warm cup of hot chocolate and a seat in the outdoor theater as you’re lulled in by the sounds of this ensemble performance.
The story of the first Christmas comes to life through festive song and dance during Gloria! Discover the true meaning of Christmas with traditional and contemporary songs during this performance inside the Abbey Stone Theatre.
The Globe Theatre in Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s England welcomes Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future for the musical Scrooge No More!
Kids will recognize some of their favorite characters during a performance of Elmo’s Christmas Wish. New to Christmas Town, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover and more help Elmo fulfill his Christmas wish during this musical holiday show.
Extravagant Shows
Busch Gardens Christmas Town shows are a chance to experience performances that will last a lifetime. These extravagant shows are no exception. Get your camera ready because you won’t want to miss a moment.
Busch Gardens’ Royal Palace Theatre transforms for a spectacular ice show, ‘Twas that Night. World-champion figure skater Elvis Stojko stars in the reimagining of the classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”
The centerpiece of Christmas Town is the brightly decorated 50-foot Christmas Tree at the North Pole, outside of Das Festhaus. Throughout the day, stop by and experience O’Tannenbaum, a spectacular, multi-colored Christmas light show.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town Food
While you’re exploring Christmas Town, you’re sure to work up an appetite. Indulge in holiday favorites, sweet treats and warm beverages throughout the park.
A full Christmas menu is available at the North Pole in Das Festhaus. Enjoy a full holiday-style meal in the intricately decorated dining room. Dine on a turkey dinner or a roasted sirloin sandwich as you sing along to the songs performed in Deck the Halls.
Squire’s Grille will transform into Dickens’ Tavern. You can still enjoy Squires’ authentic English cuisine, but Dickens’ Tavern will be filled with holiday joy and cheer. While you’re in England, join the Christmas Party happening at Cobblestone Ale & Spirits. Get out of the cold as you grab a pint or one of the Dickens-themed cocktails available during the Christmas Town celebration.
Your favorite Busch Gardens eateries like Trapper’s Smokehouse, Marco Polo’s Marketplace and O’Tators will be festively decorated and serving their usual fare with Christmas spirit.
There’s always room for dessert, especially during the holidays. While you’re in the park, warm up with a cup of sweet hot cocoa. Or, treat yourself to homemade fudge, an assortment of cookies, a warm brownie skillet and more available throughout the park.
Holiday Photos at Busch Gardens Christmas Town
As you explore the grounds of the park, keep your eye out for some familiar faces.
Visit the North Pole where Santa Claus and his elves are working hard in his workshop. Explore the workshop then meet Santa himself. Get the whole family’s photo taken with Mr. Claus, then let the kids personally give Santa their Christmas list.
More photo opportunities await at Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland. Everyone’s favorite red-nosed reindeer, along with his friends Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and Bumble, are around the Holiday Hills and ready to take fun pictures with you. Be sure to pick up your special, keepsake photo before you leave.
Don’t forget to stop by the Highland Stables for photos with the Clydesdale horses or a picture in front of the 50-foot Christmas Tree at Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s North Pole.
Christmas Town Souvenirs
Along with your photos, you may want some more souvenirs to remember your time at Busch Gardens Christmas Town. Shop the Mistletoe Marketplace at the North Pole for handcrafted gifts and snacks. There will also be a holiday wine tasting for the adults.
Find more souvenirs like toys, decorative mugs and personalized ornaments at the Christmas Town Shoppe in England and Ornament World at the North Pole.
This article: Experience Holiday Cheer at Busch Gardens Christmas Town has been curated from our friends at Go Williamsburg and the original in it's entirety can be found here: https://gowilliamsburg.com/experience-holiday-cheer-busch-gardens-christmas-town/