Busch Gardens: One-day event is scary (Howl-O-Scream house), merry (Santa alert)
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay theme park is slipping into holiday mode, but only briefly, while mixing up Halloween and Christmas into a one-day event called Scary and Merry.
Park visitors on July 25 will have the option of doing a lights-on walkthrough of a returning haunted house that’s destined to be a part of Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream event and a deck-the-halls chance to visit with Santa Claus. Folks may choose to do both.
The Halloween experience will be inside the Residence: Home of the Holidays haunted house, which is set up in the Pantopia section of the theme park. Visitors wanting time with St. Nick will find him in the pass member lounge that’s upstairs in the Serengeti Overlook.
Both holiday sneak peeks will be available from noon to 4 p.m. on Scary and Merry day. They are included with regular park admission.
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Busch Gardens’ full-blown Howl-O-Scream begins Oct. 8. The park is currently running a “sinister sale” that offers up to 70% off ticket prices. This year’s event will include a new haunted house called D.H. Baggum’s Circus of Fear (“The most terrifying show you’ll ever see,” a promo video says). There also will be new scare zones called Sin City Zombies and Big Ed’s Demolition Derby.
Busch Gardens also will hold a family-friendly Halloween event called Spooktacular on Saturdays and Sundays between Sept. 8 and Oct. 29, plus Oct. 30-31. Its Christmas Town festivities will be held daily between Nov. 13 and Jan. 7.
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