Busch Gardens’ popular Summer Nights begins next week, kicking off more than 100 nights of entertainment and seasonal food and drinks at Tampa’s theme park.
For years, Summer Nights has signaled the start of the season and the chance to ride roller coasters in the dark. Last year amid the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Busch Gardens modified its summer event with it returning much later into the season in mid-July and adjusting the entertainment to adhere to social distancing.
This summer, however, Summer Nights appears to be back in full swing with a slate of new entertainment, specialty food and drink menus and extended hours through 10 p.m.
The new “Spark! A Nighttime Spectacular” show will be on the Festival Field and feature fireworks, lasers and pyrotechnics and water elements set against the backdrop of Busch Gardens’ coasters. Before the show starts at 9:15 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, there is a “pre-party” on the Festival Pathway with live music and lit up trees and decorations.
Other Summer Nights entertainment includes DJ block parties on Festival Field and throughout the park and the new “Cirque Electric” show. The show at the Stanleyville Theater features acrobats and aerialists in performances choreographed just for Busch Gardens. Fan-favorite ice-skating show “Turn It Up!” also returns to the Moroccan Palace Theater.
As for the special food and drink menus, Busch Gardens has not yet shared details. But the park promises “a walkable take on grilled classics, decadent sweet treats” and glow-in-the-dark summer cocktails.
Busch Gardens Summer Nights runs weekends and select nights May 28 through Sept. 6. There are extra fireworks shows on May 31 for Memorial Day, July 1-4 for Independence Day and Sept. 6 for Labor Day.
Summer Nights is included with park admission, but food and drink purchases are separate. Tickets and more information at buschgardens.com.
Busch Gardens is also running a Memorial Day sale on tickets and annual Fun Cards.
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This article appears in May 20-26, 2021.