Busch Gardens Tampa Bay brings back Summer Nights fireworks show

Busch Gardens is currently using a reservation system to manage visitors at the park.

click to enlarge Busch Gardens Tampa Bay brings back Summer Nights fireworks show
Photo via Busch Gardens


Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced the return of its annual Summer Nights events, with a new laser and fireworks show.

Starting this Friday, July 17, guests can take advantage of extended park hours on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until August 16. The nighttime event will feature a fireworks finale show in a physically distant setting and a variety of specialty summer menu items, according to a press release. 

The limited-time menu will feature Kung Pao ribs, loaded mac and cheese, specialty cupcakes, frozen cocktail creations and more.

The theme park says its taking additional safety and sanitation measures to ensure the safety of staff and guests upon the park’s reopening. 

“The park has worked diligently with state and local health officials, outside consultants and attraction industry leaders to enhance our already strict health, safety and cleanliness standards,” the release said. “These protocols and guidelines will be modified based on evolving industry standards and methodologies, public health, and governmental directives, and advancing scientific knowledge on the transmissibility of COVID-19.”

Guests and employees entering the park must undergo and pass a temperature screening using the CDC temperature recommendation of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the park website. All employees and guests over the age of two are also required to wear a face mask unless eating or in one of the designated “relaxation areas.”

Busch Gardens is currently using a reservation system to manage visitors at the park. Guests are required to make a reservation for the day they wish to visit the park. 

After temporarily closing in March due to the pandemic, the park’s June 11 opening date and reopening plan were approved by Hillsborough County, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Gov. Ron DeSantis.

You can find more information on the park’s safety guidelines and operational changes here.

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