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, splashing good fun and seasonal food and drink to the aquatic theme park. The same goes for the safari-themed Busch Gardens. Plus, after terrifying guests at Busch Gardens for over 20 years, Howl-O-Scream brought its inaugural haunts to SeaWorld Orlando! With that said, let's look ahead at the SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa events for 2021!

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!)

Hop over to our SeaWorld Orlando reopening post for all of the important details you'll need to know before safely visiting the SeaWorld Florida parks. Let's dive in!

The Full Lineup of SeaWorld Orlando Events in 2021 and 2022

We are hoppy that there's confirmation of the return of Frog Family-favorite events. Keep in mind that there may be modifications to these events compared to past years. That means the SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa events in 2021 may be a little different from what we've experienced in the past. It’s frogciting to see SeaWorld continue these events, keeping the entertainment, experiences and food fresh and new.

Craft Beer Festival — Aug. 13 to Oct. 31, 2021

Get hopped up on hops with over 100 craft beers. Taste beers from breweries across Florida, as well as a few domestic craft favorites. Flora and I loved the ciders at Vermont Cider Co. at Café de Mar whereas the tadpoles devoured the deliciously sweet cheesecake cones! With 20 booths scattered across the park, there's truly something for every type of tastebud.

(NEW) Howl-O-Scream — Select Nights from Sept. 10 to Oct. 31, 2021

Something evil is rising from the lake at SeaWorld Orlando. Howl-O-Scream is haunting guests for the first time in Orlando over 27 nights! If you dare, experience the chills and thrills of haunted houses, scare zones and roaming haunts. Need a break? Watch a raucous, high-energy musical show, let loose at a dance party or ride SeaWorld's popular coaster, Mako, at night.

SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular — Sept. 18 to Oct. 31, 2021

At SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular, your tadpoles can wear costumes, boogie at special dance parties, enjoy a spooky story, meet characters and trick or treat for candy. It's our tadpoles' favorite SeaWorld Orlando event of the year!

Guy Harvey Weekend — Nov. 6 to 7, 2021

Join marine artist and conservationist Guy Harvey for meet-and-greets, autographs and more.

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration — Nov.13, 2021, to Jan. 2, 2022

Get in the holiday spirit with a warm-weather winter wonderland at SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration. The park is merrily decorated with a sea of trees that light up to music on the water and over 3 million sparkling lights around the park.

Catch holiday entertainment at this SeaWorld Orlando event. Sesame Street friends sing and dance as they celebrate the sunny days of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Last year, the new nativity story show, It’s A Wonderful Night: A New Story to Tell, featured over 30 Christmas carols, along with clever surprises and laughs. For the holidays, our favorite sea lions go at it again in Sea Lion High: The Christmas Special. Plus there are opportunities to meet Santa, as well as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Clarice and Bumble!

How can we froget the food?! You can feast on many scrumptious holiday dishes and Christmas treats from food booths around the park. Sip flavored hot cocoa, Jingle Juice, adult beverages and a frozen candy cane or hot chocolate mug. Discover culinary delights such as lobster mac and cheese bowls, Christmas dinner stacks, cheesecake cones and so much more.

New Year's Eve — Dec. 31, 2021

Ring in 2022 at SeaWorld Orlando’s New Year’s Eve Celebration. Festive music and entertainment fill the park while fireworks light up the sky to ring in the new year.

Three Kings Celebration — January 2022

This one-day event commemorated the arrival of the Three Wise Men in honor of the traditions from Latin cultures.

SeaWorld Inside Look — January 2022

We were able to meet the SeaWorld team and hear their personal stories, including what it's like to care for the animals and save lives, during this special event. Tad shot a super cool video of the behind-the-scenes Shark Encounter experience. We learned about the water filtration system, took a peek at the shark handling equipment and viewed the exhibit from above!

Sesame Street Kids' Weekend — January 2022

We're so excited to bring the tadpoles to SeaWorld Orlando for this family-friendly celebration to enjoy fun activities, have photo opportunities with characters and ride our favorite Sesame Street land rides.

Elmo's Birthday Celebration — January to February 2022

Celebrate with the one-and-only Elmo! There will be meet-and-greets, a DJ dance party and more surprises in store for his birthday.

Ice Breaker — Launches February 2022

We're hoppin' excited about this new roller coaster opening in 2022. It's SeaWorld's first multi-directional launch coaster that has a 93-foot tall spike with a 100-degree angle drop. You can discover this chilling coaster across from Wild Arctic.

Seven Seas Food Festival — Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from February to May 2022

We were able to sample street food and delicacies inspired by flavors from across the Seven Seas, sip local and international craft beers and enjoy live performances during this lively festival. Hop over for our post on the many reasons to visit SeaWorld Seven Seas Food Festival if you're thinking about attending next year.

Mardi Gras — February to March 2022

Let the good times roll during Mardi Gras at SeaWorld! Enjoy limited-time food, cocktails, entertainment and live music.

St. Patrick's Day Celebration — March 2022

Wear your best green and enjoy a taste of St. Paddy's Day.

Cinco de Mayo — April to May 2022

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with delicious food, lively music and festive entertainment!

Viva La Musica — May 2022

This family-friendly event was a celebration of Latin culture through musical entertainment and authentic cuisine.

Electric Ocean — May to September 2022

As the summer sun sets, the night comes to life with colorful lights. The ocean comes to life with bioluminescent lighting, dancing and musical entertainment, putting guests all aglow. Find out about the special shows, fireworks and other entertainment in our glowing guide to SeaWorld Orlando’s Electric Ocean.

Fourth of July — July 4, 2022

Join SeaWorld for a one-night-only special event celebrating America’s Independence Day. We celebrated the 4th of July at SeaWorld in 2020 and did so again in 2021. Watch SeaWorld light up the sky with fireworks in Tad’s video from 2020 on our YouTube Channel.

The Full Lineup of Busch Gardens Tampa Events in 2021 and 2022

From Mardi Gras to the holidays, Busch Gardens Tampa has an exciting year filled with festive and fun events planned out. Likewise, some events may be modified to adhere to health and safety measures, but we're glad they can hoppen safely! Here's a full list of this year's events.

Bier Fest — Weekends from Aug. 13 to Oct. 31, 2021

Now, this is my kind of festival! Similar to SeaWorld Orlando's Craft Beer Festival, Bier Fest features seasonal brew offerings and beer-inspired recipes. Mommy Frog loved the refreshing tropical mimosa and the gourmet fresh-baked, whiskey-infused cupcakes at Xcursions. I enjoyed the mix of flavors in the Impossible burger slider from Brews & Chews and the deliciously all-American homemade apple pie cider at the Jack Daniels Whiskey Hut. Our festival favorite, though, had to be the spice-less version of the Mangonada Cocktail Explosion at Barley & Cream for its presentation and booze-filled bottom.

We highly recommend purchasing a sampler lanyard! Each lanyard allows you to sample either eight or 12 different items, depending on which one you buy. While the drink portions may be smaller, you end up saving not just a bunch of money, but some room in your stomach as well. There are 20 different booths scattered around the park and each one of them has something worth trying. We can't wait to see what Busch Gardens cooks up next year!

Howl-O-Scream — Select Nights from Sept. 10 to Oct. 31, 2021

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 the signature stage show, Fiends, filled with adult humor. 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 this year's event in our Howl-O-Scream guide.

Sesame Street Kids' Weekends — Weekends from Oct. 2 to 31, 2021

While all of the scary stuff happens at night, tadpoles can celebrate Halloween with all of the Sesame Street friends on the weekend. Be sure to bring a candy bag, as trick-or-treating is available!

Christmas Town — Nov. 12, 2021, to Jan. 2, 2022

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 — January to February 2022

Busch Gardens Tampa's Mardi Gras features live music, a mini-parade and, of course, food and drinks. Between the colorful performers, lively band, refreshing hurricanes and delicious jambalaya, we can't wait to return to this frogtastic celebration next year!

Sesame Street Kids' Weekends — January to February 2022

Enjoy family-friendly fun with all of the Sesame Street pals!

Food and Wine Festival — March to May 2022

Busch Gardens Tampa's annual Food and Wine Festival returned with a delicious menu of food and drinks. We sipped and munched on our sweet and savory samples and enjoyed local musical talent throughout the open-air festival.

Busch Gardens Summer Nights — May to August 2022

The fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down. Summer Nights features extended hours, seasonal food and fireworks every night throughout the entire summer season. Find out about the special shows, fireworks and other entertainment in our sensational guide to Busch Gardens' Summer Nights.

Busch Gardens Spooktacular — September to October 2022

Celebrate Halloween during an all-new, family-friendly event at Busch Gardens.

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 experience? Let us know in the comments section below.

Related: All of the ~Splashin'~ Details on SeaWorld Orlando's Reopening Procedures

Keep hopping!