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
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.
Cinco de Mayo — Select Dates, April 27 to May 7, 2023
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with authentic music, delicious Mexican cuisine, and festive entertainment as part of their Seven Seas Food Festival.
Viva La Música — Weekends, May 13-21, 2023
Experience this festive, tadpole-friendly Latin celebration in a new way as you dance to the hottest music, sample fiery flavors, shop for authentic souvenirs and much more. Enjoy live performances at the Nautilus Theater from Rey Ruiz on May 13, Grupo Mania on May 14, Jon Secada on May 20 and Melina León on May 21.
Guy Harvey Weekend — May 19-20, 2023
Join Guy Harvey for meet-and-greets, autographs, photo opportunities, and more.
Summer Spectacular — Select Dates, May 27 to Sept. 4, 2023
When the sun goes down, the night comes to life with electrifying dance music, colorful lights and a fireworks spectacular! We can't wait to experience this brand new summertime celebration!
Craft Beer Festival — Select Dates, July 28 to Sept. 4, 2023
Enjoy over 100 craft beers from breweries across the state of Florida, plus a few domestic craft favorites. Read all about this boozy and bubbly celebration in our complete guide to the SeaWorld Orlando Craft Beer Festival.
Howl-O-Scream — Select Nights, Sept. 8 to Oct. 31, 2023
A new terror has surfaced ... and there's nowhere to hide. Howl-O-Scream will wash ashore once again at SeaWorld Orlando and, this time, the fear is everywhere. Read all about this spine-tingling separately ticked event in our ghoulish guide to Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando.
Halloween Spooktacular — Select Dates, Sept. 16 to Oct. 31, 2023
Trick-or-treat and meet silly Halloween characters during this family-friendly daytime event. We hop over to SeaWorld year during spooky season. Lily loves posing with pumpkin princesses and making memories with magical mermaids — not to mention all the delicious candy she fills her bag to the brim with every year! Read all about this festive celebration in our bewitching guide to SeaWorld Orlando's Halloween Spooktacular.
Christmas Celebration — Select Dates, Nov. 10 to Dec. 31, 2023
This is where holiday traditions are made, with delicious food, stunning live shows, delightful holiday shopping and joyous entertainment. Read all about the holly jolly hoppenings in our complete guide to SeaWorld Orlando's Christmas Celebration.
Guy Harvey Weekend — November 24-25, 2023
Join Guy Harvey for meet-and-greets, autographs, photo opportunities, and more.
New Year's Eve — Dec. 31, 2023
Celebrate New Year's Eve at SeaWorld with a spectacular fireworks display offering viewing areas around the park.
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.
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. Food and beverage locations are open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to park close. On our visit, we loved trying all the mouthwatering dishes Busch Gardens' culinary artists cooked up, such as the Lamb Lollipop with a Mint Demi-glaze, Mushroom Ravioli with Truffle Cream Sauce and Iron Gwazi Cupcake. The refreshing drinks, such as the Serengeti Flyer Punch and Island Grove Wine Company, Blueberry Moscato were also big hits!
Be sure to purchase a Food & Wine Festival Sampler Lanyard to make the most out of your stroll through the Gourmet Gardens. Save up to 40% with a 10-item sampler or, for the best value, save up to 50% with a 15-item sampler. As always, we recommend using your sampler lanyard on food items as those will be the same size regardless. Drinks are going to be served in smaller cups if you order with the lanyard.
Don't froget to hop into the brand new Springs Taproom where they're serving up Tuna Poke, farm-to-table wines and a variety of beers just waiting to be sampled.
Food & Wine Festival Concerts — Select Dates, March 11 to May 21, 2023
The Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Food & Wine Festival brings together the best in pop, rock, Latin, country, contemporary and classic music on select dates during the event. Concerts are free with park admission!
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 in dishes such as Ceviche Peruano and Mole Beef with Sweet Plantains and more at Busch Gardens' newest Latin celebration.
Guy Harvey Weekend — May 26-27, 2023
Meet Dr. Guy Harvey and learn about his dedication to conversation and passion for marine wildlife. While you're there, purchase some of Guy's artwork and merchandise for him to sign at the Excursions gift shop. (On Saturday, for an added fee, you can hear tales from Guy's travels around the world in a small group setting while enjoying brunch, mimosas and Bellinis — and even get a signed lithograph!)
Pin Trading Event — May 28, 2023
Trade and explore new and rare pins during a special pin trading event.
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
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.
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!
