Busch Gardens Food & Wine Fest features Loch Ness Libation
The annual Food & Wine Festival is now underway at Busch Gardens Williamsburg with 150 limited-time menu items.
The theme park in Williamsburg, Vir. hosts unique dining and entertainment options as part of the festival, which coincides with the May 10, 2024, re-opening of the park’s Loch Ness Monster roller coaster.
Dates for Food & Wine Festival 2024
The Busch Gardens Williamsburg Food & Wine Festival happens Thursdays through Sundays (plus the Monday of Memorial Day), now through June 9, 2024:
- April 25-28, 2024
- May 2-5, 9-12, 16-19, 23-27, and 30-31, 2024
- June 1-2 and 6-9, 2024
On event days, food booths are open 11:30 a.m. until 30 minutes before park closing.
Menu Items for Food & Wine Festival 2024
150 food and drink items (including 85 new selections) populate the 18 menus participating in the Busch Gardens Williamsburg Food & Wine Festival.
This year’s festival features four new booths:
- Africa (near Finnegan’s Flyer), hosting selections from Egypt, Mozambique, and South Africa
- BarKastle Spirits (near DarKoaster), featuring the Loch Ness Libation (granny smith apple & Juarez silver tequila) in honor of the Loch Ness Monster coaster
- Highland Spirits (near the Scotland train station), home of local brews
- Turkey (near The Battering Ram), featuring a beef and lamb kebab
Guests will find new and familiar items at the festival’s returning dining locations, as well. These include geographically-focused spots (Brazil, French Quarter, Hawaii, Italy, Jamaica, South Korea, Virginia), booths named after a specific menu focus (Herbal Infusion, Island Freeze, Margaritas, Oktobertaps, Sangria Garden), and the park’s La Belle Wine Bar.
See the full menus here.
Live Music for Food & Wine Festival 2024
Each Saturday and Sunday during the Busch Gardens Williamsburg Food & Wine Festival, guests can enjoy live entertainment from local musicians at France Plaza and Prost.
See the full entertainment lineup here.
Loch Ness Monster Coaster
Guests visiting the Food & Wine Festival during its second half can be among the first to welcome back the Loch Ness Monster roller coaster.
Loch Ness Monster will awaken from its slumber May 10, 2024, following an extensive restoration. Crews replaced 900 feet of track and installed new theming elements to the nearly 50-year-old attraction. Busch Gardens pass members can ride first from May 2-5, 2024.
We got a peek at Loch Ness Monster’s construction progress earlier this month.
Take a virtual ride on Loch Ness Monster in this 2019 video from our Attractions Magazine YouTube channel:
Tickets and Sampler Lanyards
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is hosting a Spring Spectacular Sale now through April 28, 2024. During this time, visitors can purchase single-day admission for $90 (usually $112), the summer-long Fun Card for $105 (usually $135), or a 12-month Basic Membership for $156 (usually $174), among other deals on many ticket types. Learn more here.
Guests who plan on partaking in the Food & Wine Festival can save up to 20% on the event’s food and drinks by purchasing a sampler lanyard, as opposed to buying menu items individually. A 10-item sample lanyard is available for $70, and a 15-item sampler lanyard is available for $85. Purchase here.
