Experience Thrills and Festive Chills at Busch Gardens’ Scary and Merry Event on July 25!

Stranglewood Estate - Scary & Merry at Busch Gardens Tampa BayPhoto byBusch Gardens

Halloween might still be a few months away, and the holiday season is just starting to glitter on the horizon, but Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is bridging the gap in a unique and thrilling way. On Thursday, July 25, from 12-4pm, the park invites guests to dive into an exclusive, one-day-only experience: the Scary and Merry event. This immersive adventure is included with park admission and promises a day of both spine-chilling frights and heartwarming holiday cheer.

For those who crave a taste of terror, the event features a special lights-on tour of the Stranglewood Estate, a haunted house from the park’s ever-popular Howl-O-Scream event. This behind-the-scenes look offers a rare glimpse into the eerie ambiance and intricate details that make this haunted house a fan favorite.

Prefer a jollier experience? Head over to the Serengeti Overlook to celebrate Christmas in July with a visit from Santa himself. It’s the perfect opportunity to get a festive photo and share some early holiday wishes with the man in red.

Santa Meet & Greet - Scary & Merry at Busch Gardens Tampa BayPhoto byBusch Gardens

This year also marks a milestone for Busch Gardens as they celebrate 25 years of Howl-O-Scream, Tampa Bay’s most terrifying Halloween event. With this anniversary comes the debut of new attractions, including the all-new Shadows of Wonderland haunted house and the reimagined Witch of The Woods – Rise of The Coven haunted house. Plus, five new scare zones are sure to keep even the bravest guests on edge.

Don’t miss out on the Sinister Sale, where you can save up to 70% on single-night tickets to Howl-O-Scream. Tickets start at just $32.99, making it a frightfully good deal. The Howl-O-Scream event runs on select nights from September 6 through November 2. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit HowlOScreamTampa.com.

Mark your calendars for July 25 and join Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for a day that promises to be both scary and merry! Whether you're looking for chills or thrills, this event has something for everyone.

Scary and Merry will take place on Thursday, July 25 from 12-4 p.m.

Howl-O-Scream runs select nights from Sept. 6 through Nov. 2. Tickets can be purchased online at HowlOScreamTampa.com