View the official press release from Busch Gardens Williamsburg:
BUSCH GARDENS READIES NEW CHRISTMAS TRADITION
Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration opens Nov. 27
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Nov. 2, 2009) – For the first time in Busch Gardens’ 34-year history, guests will experience the park in a whole new light this holiday season. Christmas Town: A Busch Gardens Celebration is creating a new family tradition by combining an immersive holiday experience with one-of-a-kind shopping and dining opportunities, all-new holiday shows and a spectacular light-dancing Christmas tree.
“The world’s most beautiful park will transform into a Christmas wonderland in just a few weeks,” said John Reilly, Busch Gardens’ executive vice president and general manager. “We’ll create Virginia’s newest holiday tradition while our guests create memories that will last a lifetime.”
Starting Nov. 27, park guests will stroll under a canopy of more than a million twinkling lights while the aroma of hearty soups, smoked meats, fresh-baked holiday cookies and peppermint hot chocolate waft through the air.
Christmas Town begins in a bustling English town square complete with carolers straight out of Victorian England and set amid traditional greenery, classic red bows, holiday lights and candles glowing in every shop and restaurant window.
Leave the city lights behind with a quiet stroll through the Scottish countryside where horses roam and life slows down enough to contemplate this special time of the year.
While in Ireland, visit the Abbey Stone Theatre for an all-new Christmas show that will fill the audiences’ hearts with Christmas spirit through moving imagery, choral harmonies, and a full live orchestra. The little ones can dine with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and even have their picture taken with the jolly old elf.
France offers new twists on holiday traditions with contemporary takes on Christmas traditions. Guests can explore an ice-themed world with dazzling lights, falling snow and an up-close encounter with live penguins at the Royal Palace Theatre. Then join a down-home Christmas in New France where the sights and smells of country Christmas will fill the air.
Make sure to visit Santa’s workshop at the North Pole to meet St. Nick himself before heading to Oktoberfest to view Virginia’s tallest lighted Christmas tree. This 45-foot LED tree stands taller than Das Festhaus and features computerized lights that dance and change color during special evening light shows that will fill everyone with Christmas cheer.
Christmas Town opens at Busch Gardens on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 4 – 9 p.m. beginning Nov. 27. The park will open each evening Dec. 18-27, excluding Christmas Day. Some sections of the park will remain closed for the season, and some rides and attractions are weather dependent.
Christmas Town admission tickets are available for $19.95. Guests with active Busch Gardens passes save 50 percent on Christmas Town tickets as well as free parking and in-park discounts.
Event details are available on the new Christmas Town Web site at www.christmastown.com.
Busch Gardens is a Worlds of Discovery®. Other Worlds of Discovery® include Water Country USA in Williamsburg; Busch Gardens in Tampa, Fl.; the SeaWorld parks in San Diego, San Antonio and Orlando, Fl.; Sesame Place near Philadelphia; Discovery Cove in Orlando; Adventure Island in Tampa; and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park, in Orlando.
