After-Hours Fun at Busch Gardens’ Summer Nights: Shows, Fireworks, and More

Ready to crank down the heat and turn up the fun? How does enjoying a theme park after dark sound? Whether you want to stick around after spending the day riding Florida’s best thrill rides and exploring animal exhibits or drop by in the evening after work, Busch Gardens' Summer Nights is a great idea!

The additional entertainment of Summer Nights happens Memorial Day Weekend, then kicks off daily from May 30 through August 10.

Ticket deal: In honor of the Fourth of July, Busch Gardens & Adventure Island is offering free tickets to U.S. Active Duty Military Members, Veterans, and their loved ones to visit now through July 6, 2025. Military Tickets must be claimed by June 22 and used by July 6. For the full details, visit the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay website.

Extended hours and fireworks are offered every Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights until August 10, 2025 as part of Summer Nights. And it's one of our favorite summer date ideas.

Equipped with delicious food and drinks, energizing entertainment, and a dazzling fireworks display, Summer Nights will leave you and your partner exhausted but fulfilled! Here's what to expect and what to know before you go.

NEW to Busch Gardens' Summer Nights

New to this year's lineup is Moto Motion: Freestyle Showdown! This is where extreme riders and breakdancers mesh with aerial daredevils for a thrilling showdown, and it's up to the audience to decide the winner.

This summer, kids can experience the all-new Wild Oasis at Jungala, a HUGE kid-friendly adventure with plenty of climbing, swinging, and splashing, opening soon! Wild Oasis is the perfect place to disconnect and play, especially for older kids who are too old for Sesame Street Safari of Fun. The new area features new animals and an all-new Tree Top Drop ride!

Also inside Wild Oasis at Jungala, visitors can stop at TOMA at Orange Café for a quick bite to eat, because who doesn't a love Latin-American inspired menu?! Oh, and did we mention that THE Sofía Vergara is behind this concept?

And, as the sun sets, the park lights up with Busch Gardens' new Wild Skies Drone Show paired with the firework finale we know and love every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! Celebrate the red, white, and blue on Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6.

Returning Favorites to Summer Nights

Returning from last summer's debut is Icons, where guests can step into the world of musical icons with a review show at Dragon Fire Grill. Featuring live performances of fan-favorite hits inspired by musical legends, this show will have guests singing and dancing in their seats. You can grab a snack and an adult beverage while you're here, too! One of our favorite stops is the Dragon's Den, where you can get delicious and refreshing cocktails with popping boba pearls! They also offer non-alcoholic Boba Chillers, perfect for kids or any adults looking for a non-alcoholic beverage.

Icons showtimes, subject to change: 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m.

Stop by Gwazi Plaza for the return of the fan favorite, Gwazi Rocks, featuring a combination of drums and dancers that had us tapping along and grinning from ear to ear.

Our Favorite Entertainment

When's the last time you danced with your sweetheart? One of our favorite parts of Busch Gardens' Summer Nights was showing off our dance moves as a couple while jamming out to the Stanleyville DJ, featuring some hits that had us singing along at the top of our lungs.

We took some time to relax in the air conditioning of the beautiful Moroccan Theater for the Rhythm of Nature ice-bound adventure. This show follows the brave young hero, Dakari, as they journey into a magical realm on a quest to uncover the wonders of the animal kingdom and embrace their destiny. Sounds pretty fantastic, right?

Showtimes, subject to change: 2 p.m., 4 p.m.

Summer Nights Fireworks

As the sun goes down, the park lights up with a dazzling display of colors and sound with the return of Summer Nights Fireworks Spectacular. From jaw-dropping colors to intricate patterns, the Summer Nights Fireworks Spectacular is awesome.

Don't miss this dazzling show at 9:15 p.m. or 9:45 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on the Festival Field, PLUS Thursday, July 4th.

Once seating starts, 30 minutes before the show, guests can rest on the provided seats. We brought the drinks we purchased along Festival Walkway, but Festival Field also has refreshments you can buy. These stands will be closed by the time the fireworks show is over, so be sure to grab your last minute snacks before then!

We loved the opportunity to play with glowing hula hoops and beach balls while waiting for the show to begin. The fireworks themselves were nothing short of amazing with their Wild Skies Drone Show. As a heads up, if it's raining, the Wild Skies Drone Show likely will not go on; however, the fireworks will continue in light rain.

Related post: 4th of July Fireworks and Events in Tampa Bay

Free Beer!

Now that we've really got your attention, free beer has returned! For a limited time during Busch Gardens' Summer Nights, guests 21+ can say “cheers” to summer. Naturally, you must be over the age of 21 to enjoy one complimentary 7 oz. beer per day.

Annual Pass Members over the age of 21 can enjoy two complimentary 7 oz. beers per day ONLY at Claw Island, located near Congo River Rapids.

The 7 oz. ice cold draft will be available at the park daily from 10 a.m. until one hour before park close.

Tickets and Details

Busch Gardens' Summer Nights runs through August 10th, and the park stays open until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. All rides and animal exhibits were open during this time as well.

Busch Gardens Summer Nights is included with regular park admission. Tickets and annual passes can be purchased here.