One of the things we toadally love about SeaWorld Orlando is that there is always something to celebrate! Its sister park, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, also hosts a variety of fun events year-round. Whether you visit SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens Tampa, chances are there is a fun event hoppening at the parks! The SeaWorld Orlando events bring special entertainment, splashin' good fun and seasonal food and drink to the aquatic theme park. The same goes for the safari-themed Busch Gardens. With that said, let's look at all the SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa events for 2023!
Most of the events are included in the cost of admission, although some activities (and food and beverage) cost extra. The only exception is Howl-O-Scream, which is a separately ticketed event at Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando. Single-day tickets are date-specific and can be purchased online in advance. If you happen to have a Fun Card or annual pass, most of these special events are included with your pass. (Psst ... you can save money when you purchase discount SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay tickets through Undercover Tourist!) Now, let's dive in!
The Full Lineup of SeaWorld Orlando Events in 2023
Three Kings Celebration — Jan. 6, 2023
Commemorate the arrival of the Three Wise Men and enjoy festive cuisine and extended opportunities to enjoy Tale of the Three Kings, O Wondrous Night, Sea of Trees and SeaWorld's colorful holiday lights! Frogs can also sing and dance the day away as live musical street acts perform a variety of Latin holiday favorites.
Inside Look — Weekends, Jan. 7 - 15, 2023
Meet the SeaWorld Orlando team and hear their personal stories about caring for their animals, as well as learn more about their life-saving work.
Sesame Street Kids' Weekend — Jan. 21 - 22, 2023
During Sesame Street Kids' Weekend, enjoy hands-on activities, dance parties, photo opportunities with characters and much more throughout this family-friendly celebration.
Elmo's Birthday Weekend — Jan. 28 to Feb. 3, 2023
Celebrate Elmo's Birthday with meet-and-greets, an interactive DJ dance party and even more surprises.
Seven Seas Food Festival — Thursdays through Sundays, Feb. 3 to May 7, 2023
Sip and sample your way around the world with exciting flavors and local craft beers, plus live performances. Learn all about this mouthwatering event in our Seven Seas Food Festival guide.
Mardi Gras — Feb. to March 2023
Let the good times roll with limited-time food, cocktails, entertainment and live music — all inspired by the Big Easy-style — at SeaWorld's Seven Seas Food Festival.
St. Patrick's Day Celebration — March 2023
Enjoy a taste of St. Patrick's Day as part of SeaWorld's Seven Seas Food Festival.
Cinco de Mayo — April to May 2023
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with authentic music, delicious Mexican cuisine, and festive entertainment as part of their Seven Seas Food Festival.
The Full Lineup of Busch Gardens Tampa Events in 2023
From Mardi Gras to the holidays, Busch Gardens Tampa has an exciting year filled with festive and fun events planned out. Here's a full list of this year's events.
Busch Gardens Christmas Town — Nov. 14, 2022, to Jan. 9, 2023
Christmas lights? Check. Festive food? Check. Lots of fun holiday entertainment? Check! Celebrate the holidays at Busch Gardens Tampa's Christmas Town event. The park is decorated with dazzling Christmas lights in every land, including an entire tunnel's worth of flashing lights. Special guests, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus, spread holiday cheer. Find hot chocolate, warm chocolate chip cookies and all of the seasonal flavors at Christmas Town Village. Tune into the special entertainment, ranging from carolers in the Three Kings Journey show to ice skaters starring in Christmas on Ice. Top off a jolly good night with a special fireworks show! Find out more details in our ho-ho-hoppin' Christmas Town guide.
Mardi Gras — Select Dates, Jan. 14 to March 5, 2023
Let the good times roll with Mardi Gras-style live music, New Orleans-inspired entertainment, classic Cajun cuisine and strolling performances throughout the day. Get caught up in the fun and catch some festival beads as Busch Gardens brings the Big Easy to Tampa Bay!
Real Music Series — Tuesdays through Sundays, Jan. 17 to Feb. 26, 2023
Busch Gardens' longest running concert series returns with nostalgic acts, including world-class tributes and performances from the greatest musical eras.
Sesame Street Kids' Weekends — Fridays through Sundays, Jan. 27 to Feb. 12, 2023
Join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and all of your favorite Sesame Street friends for fun-filled weekends featuring story time, interactive dance parties, arts and crafts and much more! Head to the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area and enjoy pirate treasure hunts, a party for Elmo's birthday and a very fuzzy Valentine celebration.
Food & Wine Festival — Select Dates, March 10 to May 21, 2023
Sip and savor your way through flavorful eats, mouthwatering treats, tasty brews and delicious cocktails as you enjoy a diverse concert line-up, featuring acts for all tastes.
Sesame Street Kids' Weekends — Fridays through Sundays, April 28 to May 21, 2023
Join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and all of your favorite Sesame Street friends for fun-filled weekends featuring story time, interactive dance parties, arts and crafts and much more!
Cinco de Mayo — May 5 - 7, 2023
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a party zone, festive dancing, food and beverages.
Viva La Música — Select Dates, May 12 - 21, 2023
Dance to the hottest music, sample fiery flavors and more during at Busch Gardens' newest Latin celebration.
Summer Nights — May 26 to Aug. 6, 2023
Celebrate summer throughout the day and night with electrifying entertainment. Learn all about this dazzling celebration in our Summer Nights guide.
4th of July Celebration — June 30 to July 4, 2023
Enjoy dazzling entertainment, seasonal eats and some of the best fireworks in Tampa.
Bier Fest — Fridays through Sundays and Labor Day, July 21 to Sept. 4, 2023
Sip and savor seasonal brew offerings and new beer-inspired recipes at Bier Fest.
Howl-O-Scream — Select Dates, Sept. 8 to Oct. 31, 2023
If you prefer the thrills and tricks over the treats of the spooky season, you'll love Busch Gardens Tampa's Halloween event, Howl-O-Scream. The bravest of frogs face a number of specially themed haunted houses and scare zones scattered throughout the park on select nights. Additionally, you can hop on any of the thrilling roller coasters at night, or catch one of Busch Gardens' signature stage shows. For these reasons, Howl-O-Scream is not recommended for young tadpoles. Catch a glimpse at all of the frightful fun that Flora and I had during the event in our Howl-O-Scream guide.
Spooktacular — Fridays through Sundays, Sept. 8 to Oct. 29, 2023
Celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating and more during this family-friendly event. Join a witch-in-training as she shares her journey into becoming a real witch, purchase a reusable bag to score some candy at the trick-or-treating stations, take part in a colorful costume parade and pop a squat for a spooky storytime!
Christmas Town — Nov. 11 to Dec. 31, 2023
Celebrate the holidays with millions of twinkling lights, festive shows, and holiday-inspired culinary delights.
We are so frogcited about the upcoming Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando events. Fun is hoppening all year long! Keep hopping back for specific dates, details and updates as these events approach.
Don't froget that all of this fun is included with general park admission, so buy our discounted SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa tickets for your frog squad now and hop on down to experience some events! Which event are you hopping to? Let us know in the comments section below.
Related: Our Top SeaWorld Orlando Tips for Your Next Visit
Keep hopping!
