Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 2023 event lineup and a free fun card
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has presented theme park fans with a look at the entire 2023 line-up of events. In addition, a special buy-one-get-one-free Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Fun Card offer.
In 2023, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will offer a wide variety of events. There will be family-friendly events like Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends and Spooktacular. Guests can experience food festival-style events like Mardi Gras, Food & Wine Festival, and Bier Fest. Some traditional seasonal events will occur this year, such as Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town.
Numerous opportunities to hear live music happen as a part of your admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. For example, the Real Music Series, Food & Wine Festival, and Viva la Música offer quality musical experiences. All these concerts and musical opportunities are included with the price of admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Of course, Busch Gardens offers exciting attractions. With paid admission, guests can experience the award-winning Iron Gwazi. In addition, Serengeti Flyer, the world’s tallest and fastest attraction of its kind, is slated to open this spring.
Busch Gardens will offer a buy-one-get-one offer on the 2023 Fun Card for a limited time. Guests who purchase this offer will pay for a Busch Gardens Fun Card and get an Adventure Island water park Fun Card for free.
With this Pay for a Day, Play All Year promotion; guests enjoy unlimited visits to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island until Dec. 31, 2023. However, this does not include parking or admission to special ticketed events like Howl-O-Scream. Some blockout dates are also involved, so please consult the Busch Gardens website, https://buschgardens.com/tampa/, for more information. This promotion ends Jan. 15, 2023.
Below is a full list of the events for 2023 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay:
Mardi Gras Jan. 14 – March 5 (select dates)
Mardi Gras at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will transport guests to a festive realm of bayou-inspired fanfare featuring Cajun-inspired culinary delights, a parade with new festive characters, multicolored beads, an authentic brass band playing live, and other entertainment offerings for the entire family.
Real Music Series Jan. 17 – Feb. 26 (Tuesdays-Sundays)
Busch Gardens’ longest-running concert series returns. The Stanleyville Theater will host live performances, including artistic renditions of some of the best-known classic rock, rhythm & blues, and pop bands.
Jan. 17 – 22 The Kings of Queen
Jan. 24 – 29 Face 2 Face, Elton & Billy
Jan. 31 – Feb. 5 Foreigners Journey
Feb. 7 – 12 Steve Michaels as Elvis
Feb. 14 – 19 Direct from Sweden the Music of ABBA
Feb. 21 – 26 New! – The Purple Xperience
Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends
Jan. 27 – Feb. 12; April 28 – May 21 (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays)
This year including Fridays, families can meet and greet their favorite furry friends at the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area for story time, enjoy interactive dance parties, arts & crafts, and more.
Food & Wine Festival March 10 – May 21 (select dates)
Each weekend from March 10 through May 21, the Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival offers appetizing dishes to pair with wines, craft brews, and cocktails. While enjoying the event’s culinary options, guests can also attend concerts from famous entertainment industry names such as 38 Special, Flo Rida, and Rodney Atkins. The performers for April 1, 16, 22-23, and 30 will be announced soon.
Photo by Emily Butler Photography
March 11 Kansas
March 12 Maddie & Tae
March 18 SWV
March 19 Dustin Lynch
March 25 Rodney Atkins
March 26 Flo Rida
April 2 MacKenzie Porter
April 8 +Live+
April 9 The Fab Four (Beatles Tribute Band)
April 15 38 Special
April 29 Hoobastank
Cinco de Mayo May 5 – 7
Guests can enjoy Mexican cuisine, authentic music, and festive entertainment while celebrating Cinco de Mayo at Busch Gardens.
Viva la Música May 5 – 21 (Friday, May 5; Saturdays and Sundays)
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay hosts a Hispanic music, food, and culture celebration from May 5 – 21. Guests can dance to live musical performances from Latin artists every Saturday and Sunday, plus Cinco de Mayo. Musical performances on May 6, 13-14, and 20-21 will be announced soon.
May 5 Ultimate Selena Experience – The Como La Flor Band
May 7 El Gran Combo
Summer Nights May 26 – Aug. 6 (daily)
The thrills continue after dark at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with new shows and an updated ice-skating show. Also in the summer, fireworks will be available on select nights.
4th of July Celebration June 30 – July 4
The event features a synchronized fireworks spectacular.
Bier Fest July 21 – Sept. 4 (Friday – Sunday plus Labor Day)
Bier Fest offers a blend of food and craft beers from around the world. Some local beers will also be included.
Howl-O-Scream Sept. 8 – Oct. 31 (select nights)
Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed event. During Howl-O-Scream, Busch Gardens is transformed into a nightmare of inescapable fear. Of course, spine-chilling scares and haunted houses, devious creatures will be lurking in every dark corner. Also, pulse-pounding rides in the absence of daylight returns will be available for guests to enjoy.
Spooktacular Sept. 8 – Oct. 31 (Fridays – Sundays plus October 30-31)
At Busch Gardens Spooktacular, guests will step into a whimsical world of enchantment full of not-so-spooky Halloween fun. This family-friendly event features a costume parade, story time, and trick-or-treating.
Christmas Town Nov. 13 – Jan. 7, 2024 (daily)
A celebration of Yuletide traditions, Christmas Town is the holiday winter wonderland for guests to enjoy millions of lights, festive treats and entertainment, and the perfect setting for a family photo.
If you’re interested in any of these event offerings, please consult the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay website.
