Does Busch Gardens In Florida Still Celebrate Oktoberfest

For the first time ever, Busch Gardens Williamsburg brings "Halloween Harvest" fun to the park, featuring sweet treats during the day and ghoulish trickery once the sun goes down.

Halloween Harvest takes over Busch Gardens Williamsburg on select days from Oct. 1 – Nov. 1, featuring the kid-friendly fun of trick-or-treating, photos with Sesame Street pals, and a pumpkin scavenger hunt by day, but beware: ghouls and goblins lurk in the shadows after dark, waiting to give night-time visitors a scare!

Although some of the park's regular offerings will be closed during the event, guests will also have access to 15 roller coasters and rides, plus the themed "villages" of Italy, Fest Italia, Oktoberfest, Ireland, Scotland, and Sesame Street Forest of Fun.

While visiting autumnally-decorated Italy, Fest Italia, Ireland, and Oktoberfest, watch for seasonal food and drink, international beers, and specialty Halloween cocktails, including seven new samplings:

Best of Food & Wine Festival – Offerings include Shrimp Po'boy, Fish and Chips, Cheddar Hush Puppies, Frozen Dirty Shirley, and Ginger Limeade
The Brew Bar – A variety of beers, including Spaten Oktoberfest and pretzel bites with beer cheese
Vesuvius Grill – Items here include Ruben Sliders, Meatballs, frozen lemonade, and frosty draft beer
Marco Polo's Marketplace – Enjoy a set menu featuring favorites such as Italian and Asian entrees, Greek salads, roast beef sandwiches, and beverages
Jack's Night Cap – Choose from themed Halloween beverages such as the Bloody Sangria, Green Demons, wine, and syringe and test tube shots
Frost Bar – Thrilling and chilling drinks on tap at this location include the Vampire Bite, Bahummy Mummy, Bloody Daiquiris, Creepy Coladas, and Boozy Pineapple Float
Dessert Offerings – Indulge in a fan-favorite Pineapple Whip, or pick up an ice cream cone, caramel apple, or cheesecake with spice sauce

Kevin Lembke, president of Busch Gardens Williamsburg, sums up this exciting new event, saying, "Fall is a perfect time to visit the park and we're thrilled to offer another limited-capacity special event that will showcase new villages and attraction we have not offered yet this year, along with the greatest of Halloween experiences for all ages. We will continue operating with enhanced health and safety measures, and have created an event that will safely deliver a compelling combination of exciting coasters and rides, seasonal food and drinks, and Halloween experiences for kids and adults."

Tickets for Halloween Harvest are date and time specific. Choose from Thursday, Friday, or Sunday, offering family-friendly daytime tickets (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.) or spooky nighttime admission (5-9 p.m.), or select a Saturday ticket, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., 3-7 p.m. (both kid-friendly), or 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. (scary!).

Take note, contactless trick-or-treating (kids are encouraged to dress up!) is only available on Fridays, Sundays, and Columbus Day from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 3-7 p.m., so be sure to purchase the appropriate tickets.

Temperature screenings and facial coverings are required, and capacity will be significantly limited to allow for social distancing and distanced night-time scares. Reservations can be made online at BuschGardensWilliamsburg.com