Busch Gardens' Summer Nights has been an annual tradition at the Tampa Bay theme park since 2003. This year, however, frogs are invited to party all day long, as well. With shows, fireworks and more, Busch Gardens' all-new Summer Celebration is a not-to-be-missed event and one this Frog Fam can't wait to return to next year! Festivities are hoppening on select days until Aug. 7, 2022, and — the best part — it's included with the price of admission! Hop along with us as we discuss all of the excitement Summer Celebration has to offer.
Busch Gardens Summer Nights Entertainment
Summer Celebration Fireworks Spectacular
End your day of adventure and entertainment with this colorful pyrotechnic display filled with fireworks, fountains and special effects. This show takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at 9:15 p.m. through Aug. 7, weather permitting. (The day we went, our performance was rained out due to a thunderstorm that started at 9 p.m.) There's no bad seat in the house (err ... on the Festival Field) but the closer you are to the front, the easier it is to see the incredibly choreographed fountains, flames and lasers that dance along to songs such as "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" by Eiffel 65 and "Yellow" by Coldplay.
Gates to the Festival Field open at 8:45 p.m. where illuminated dancers are waiting to celebrate the night with you! Also open at the Festival Field is a concession stand with bites, such as popcorn and cotton candy, and sips, such as lemonades, wine and beer, as well as a merchandise stand with glow and bubble wands galore.
Cirque Electric
Back by popular demand, Cirque Electric has returned to light up Stanleyville Theater. Extraordinarily talented world-class acrobats perform daring displays of balance and strength to an electrifying soundtrack with songs including "Born for This" by The Score and "Where We Come Alive" by Ruelle. Every act elicited multiple gasps from crowd as these performers quite literally put their lives on the line. Tad and Lily were on the edge of their seats from start to finish!
Turn It Up!
Returning to the Moroccan Palace Theater is fan-favorite "Turn It Up!," an award-winning show that vibrantly celebrates skating with contemporary performances, aerial moments and dance-in-your-seat tunes, including "Something Bad" by Carrie Underwood & Miranda Lambert and "Me Too" by Meghan Trainor. No need to bring a jacket to this ice show. Even sitting third row, we didn't feel the cold (although all indoor venues are nicely air-conditioned in the Florida summer heat)!
Summer Celebration Celebrity Talent Showcase
This brand-new show at the Pantopia Theater features incredible performers from NBC's America's Got Talent and runs Wednesdays through Sundays at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. through Aug. 7. We saw the the stellar stunts of the Chicago Boyz, the mesmerizing magic of Smoothini, the jaw-dropping juggling of Charles Peachock and the dazzling dancing of iLuminate. From now until the end of the event, you can witness the gravity-defying feats of Acrodunk, the impressive impressions of Greg Morton, the amazing artistry of The Silhouttes and the stunning singing of Thomas Stringfellow.
Finish the Phrase & The Kings of Neon
Enjoy a relaxing meal at Dragon Fire Grill where you'll be treated to performances throughout the day from Finish the Phrase on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and the Kings of Neon on Thursdays and Fridays. Mommy Frog and I loved jamming out to classic rock covers such as "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John and "Hooked on a Feeling" by Blue Swede during lunch at the Kings of Neon concert!
Gwazi Beats
Once the sun begins to set, head on over to Gwazi Plaza for an all-new atmosphere show featuring drums, dancers and stilt walkers rocking out to songs such as "Run Boy Run" by Woodkid and "Welcome To The Jungle" by Guns N' Roses!
3 DJ Party Plazas
Get your groove on at any of three open-air dance parties hoppening in the shadow of Busch Gardens' thrilling coasters. The fun starts in Gwazi Plaza in the afternoon but you'll also find great music at SheiKra Plaza after 5 p.m. and an even more tadpole-friendly celebration in Cheetah Hunt Plaza. Tad and Lily loved getting their "Cupid Shuffle" on!
Summer Celebration is a roaring good time! What new experiences are you most excited to check out? Already been? Let us know your favorite part of the event in the comments below!
Related: Full Lineup of SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Events in 2022
Keep hopping!
