Summer 2026 Shows
- Thread starter mtorange
- Start date
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WILLIAMSBURG, Va., May 20, 2026 – Summer is here, and the fun continues all season long at Busch Gardens Williamsburg! The park today unveiled its one-of-a-kind summer lineup including the return of Summer of Wonder, an immersive event with all-new entertainment, a first-ever captivating drone show, and nighttime rides on world-class thrills. Plus, the fan-favorite Food & Wine Festival continues through June 21 and the all-new Verbolten: Forbidden Turn opens May 30. The best part, access to all events and attractions is included with park admission! For a limited time, during the Memorial Day Sale, guests can get the best deals of the season with up to 50% off tickets, Fun Cards and Memberships.
Park guests can enjoy several all-new events and experiences this summer at the world’s most beautiful theme park. The offerings include:
All-New Verbolten: Forbidden Turn – The family-friendly thrill features an all-new storyline and special effects.
All-New Drone Show – An electrifying drone show celebrating the uniqueness and beauty of Busch Gardens.
All-New Across the Pond: Legends of the UK – This dynamic show features legendary sounds from British icons like The Beatles, Elton John and Queen.
All-New Kinetix: The Next Generation – A unique live experience combining powerhouse vocalists and a world-class roster of acrobats, aerialists and more.
All-New America’s 250th Celebration – Busch Gardens will honor this historic milestone with patriotic festivities throughout the park.
Free Concerts – Hoobastank and Skillet will take the stage for free, full-length concerts.
All-New Attraction: Verbolten: Forbidden Turn
Verbolten: Forbidden Turn, the mid-Atlantic's first and only drop track roller coaster, features an all-new storyline, animatronics and immersive special effects. Offering surprises at every turn, visitors travel through the Black Forest at speeds of up to 53 miles per hour, while encountering over 2,800 feet of track, a surprise drop track element and an 88-foot drop towards the Rhine River. With a 48-inch height requirement, Verbolten: Forbidden Turn is an attraction the whole family can conquer together.
Summer of Wonder Returns June 26
Visitors can immerse themselves in the wonder of electrifying entertainment, culinary delights, and world-class thrills during the return of Summer of Wonder at Busch Gardens Williamsburg nightly from June 26 – July 30. Guests can drop in for daytime thrills on 11 record-breaking coasters. Then, keep cool at award-winning indoor shows like Celtic Fyre® and the all-new Across the Pond: Legends of the UK, featuring the iconic sounds of Elton John, Adele and the Spice Girls.
During select Summer of Wonder nights, guests can take in two all-new nighttime shows, Kinetix: The Next Generation, a one-of-a-kind live experience showcasing jaw-dropping stunts; and an electrifying drone show with over 400 synchronized drones set to music lighting up the night sky and celebrating the beauty and uniqueness of Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
America’s 250th Celebration and Military Appreciation Week
Honor 250 years of the United States of America during a patriotic celebration at Busch Gardens Williamsburg from June 29 – July 5. Visitors can enjoy family-friendly fun with americana-inspired entertainment, specialty food and beverage items and limited-edition merchandise. Plus, the park will pay tribute to those who serve and have served in the United States Armed Forces with additional discounts and parkwide recognition. In addition to the drone show, visitors will enjoy a special fireworks presentation on July 4.
Say “Cheers” to Summer with the Return of FREE Beer*
Toast to the return of free beer at Busch Gardens Williamsburg! Members, Annual Pass Holders and Military Pass Holders can beat the summer heat with one complimentary ice-cold 7oz. pour per day from June 22 – July 30. Plus, the toasts continue with two 7oz. 50 cent beers available for purchase to all guests ages 21+.
Food & Wine Festival Continues
Flavors are in full bloom this summer at the World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park. Visitors can enjoy a total of over 135 international flavors at 17 themed food and beverage locations, including a new menu inspired by Puerto Rico. Virginia’s largest spring food and wine festival continues Thursdays through Sundays through June 21, plus Memorial Day.
Headlining Concerts
The Food & Wine Festival pairs live entertainment with culinary creations, offering full-length concerts, all included with park admission. This year’s lineup includes:
Hoobastank – Saturday, May 30
Skillet – Saturday, June 13
Bier Fest Brews & BBQ, Weekends from July 31 – Sept. 7
Sip and savor seasonal brew offerings and new beer-inspired recipes at Bier Fest. Additional details will be announced soon.
Membership Provides Ultimate Summer Savings
From unlimited visits and seasonal event access to exclusive freebies and savings, Members can expect:
FREE guest tickets to share the fun with friends and family
FREE parking and discounts on food, beverages and merchandise
FREE Busch Bucks to spend in park
Be among the first to ride Verbolten: Forbidden Turn on May 29 during Member-Exclusive ride time
Discounts on one-of-a-kind animal encounters, VIP Tours, and Youth Summer Camps
Member-exclusive merchandise, festival-exclusive culinary offers, and more
For more information and to see the latest offers, visit BuschGardens.com/Williamsburg and follow Busch Gardens on social media at @BuschGardensVA.
*Free beer offer is for one complimentary 7oz. beer per day for Members, Annual Pass Holders and Military Pass Holders age 21 or older and two 50 cent 7oz. beers per day to guests age 21 or older.
WILLIAMSBURG, Va., May 20, 2026 – Summer is here, and the fun continues all season long at Busch Gardens Williamsburg! The park today unveiled its one-of-a-kind summer lineup including the return of Summer of Wonder, an immersive event with all-new entertainment, a first-ever captivating drone show, and nighttime rides on world-class thrills. Plus, the fan-favorite Food & Wine Festival continues through June 21 and the all-new Verbolten: Forbidden Turn opens May 30. The best part, access to all events and attractions is included with park admission! For a limited time, during the Memorial Day Sale, guests can get the best deals of the season with up to 50% off tickets, Fun Cards and Memberships.
Park guests can enjoy several all-new events and experiences this summer at the world’s most beautiful theme park. The offerings include:
All-New Verbolten: Forbidden Turn – The family-friendly thrill features an all-new storyline and special effects.
All-New Drone Show – An electrifying drone show celebrating the uniqueness and beauty of Busch Gardens.
All-New Across the Pond: Legends of the UK – This dynamic show features legendary sounds from British icons like The Beatles, Elton John and Queen.
All-New Kinetix: The Next Generation – A unique live experience combining powerhouse vocalists and a world-class roster of acrobats, aerialists and more.
All-New America’s 250th Celebration – Busch Gardens will honor this historic milestone with patriotic festivities throughout the park.
Free Concerts – Hoobastank and Skillet will take the stage for free, full-length concerts.
All-New Attraction: Verbolten: Forbidden Turn
Verbolten: Forbidden Turn, the mid-Atlantic's first and only drop track roller coaster, features an all-new storyline, animatronics and immersive special effects. Offering surprises at every turn, visitors travel through the Black Forest at speeds of up to 53 miles per hour, while encountering over 2,800 feet of track, a surprise drop track element and an 88-foot drop towards the Rhine River. With a 48-inch height requirement, Verbolten: Forbidden Turn is an attraction the whole family can conquer together.
Summer of Wonder Returns June 26
Visitors can immerse themselves in the wonder of electrifying entertainment, culinary delights, and world-class thrills during the return of Summer of Wonder at Busch Gardens Williamsburg nightly from June 26 – July 30. Guests can drop in for daytime thrills on 11 record-breaking coasters. Then, keep cool at award-winning indoor shows like Celtic Fyre® and the all-new Across the Pond: Legends of the UK, featuring the iconic sounds of Elton John, Adele and the Spice Girls.
During select Summer of Wonder nights, guests can take in two all-new nighttime shows, Kinetix: The Next Generation, a one-of-a-kind live experience showcasing jaw-dropping stunts; and an electrifying drone show with over 400 synchronized drones set to music lighting up the night sky and celebrating the beauty and uniqueness of Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
America’s 250th Celebration and Military Appreciation Week
Honor 250 years of the United States of America during a patriotic celebration at Busch Gardens Williamsburg from June 29 – July 5. Visitors can enjoy family-friendly fun with americana-inspired entertainment, specialty food and beverage items and limited-edition merchandise. Plus, the park will pay tribute to those who serve and have served in the United States Armed Forces with additional discounts and parkwide recognition. In addition to the drone show, visitors will enjoy a special fireworks presentation on July 4.
Say “Cheers” to Summer with the Return of FREE Beer*
Toast to the return of free beer at Busch Gardens Williamsburg! Members, Annual Pass Holders and Military Pass Holders can beat the summer heat with one complimentary ice-cold 7oz. pour per day from June 22 – July 30. Plus, the toasts continue with two 7oz. 50 cent beers available for purchase to all guests ages 21+.
Food & Wine Festival Continues
Flavors are in full bloom this summer at the World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park. Visitors can enjoy a total of over 135 international flavors at 17 themed food and beverage locations, including a new menu inspired by Puerto Rico. Virginia’s largest spring food and wine festival continues Thursdays through Sundays through June 21, plus Memorial Day.
Headlining Concerts
The Food & Wine Festival pairs live entertainment with culinary creations, offering full-length concerts, all included with park admission. This year’s lineup includes:
Hoobastank – Saturday, May 30
Skillet – Saturday, June 13
Bier Fest Brews & BBQ, Weekends from July 31 – Sept. 7
Sip and savor seasonal brew offerings and new beer-inspired recipes at Bier Fest. Additional details will be announced soon.
Membership Provides Ultimate Summer Savings
From unlimited visits and seasonal event access to exclusive freebies and savings, Members can expect:
FREE guest tickets to share the fun with friends and family
FREE parking and discounts on food, beverages and merchandise
FREE Busch Bucks to spend in park
Be among the first to ride Verbolten: Forbidden Turn on May 29 during Member-Exclusive ride time
Discounts on one-of-a-kind animal encounters, VIP Tours, and Youth Summer Camps
Member-exclusive merchandise, festival-exclusive culinary offers, and more
For more information and to see the latest offers, visit BuschGardens.com/Williamsburg and follow Busch Gardens on social media at @BuschGardensVA.
*Free beer offer is for one complimentary 7oz. beer per day for Members, Annual Pass Holders and Military Pass Holders age 21 or older and two 50 cent 7oz. beers per day to guests age 21 or older.
TheCoasterNerd
HAPPY PRIDE! Have I told y'all I'm nonbinary?
So no fireworks this year... that's disappointing. They're always a great show. I'm excited to see the new perspectives of seeing drones from the rides
Didn't realize it was a stunt show, that's exciting.
400 seems like a lot! Exciting.
ONLY the 4th is insane. Even the 6F parks do at least two days in a row of fireworks for the 4th
Given the history of fire with BGW and Verbolten reboot. I’m fine with one day of fireworks
No mention of This is Oktoberfest coming back, should that be a concern even with the set back up?
Which would be odd considering how surprisingly good We Are Oktoberfest turned out last year. I'm certain it's coming back; it hasn't announced the dates just yet.
my bad
My post from earlier is a direct copy-and-paste of the press release from this morning.
Summer of Wonder | Events | Busch Gardens Williamsburg
There are more reasons than ever to make Busch Gardens Williamsburg the place for summer fun. Lasers, pyrotechnics, a popular neon dance troupe, cool zones plus other exciting offerings will make it a summer to remember. Join us this summer for thrill rides, entertainment and more during Summer...
buschgardens.com
I just hope the park continues to play the regular Hamlet music in the evenings rather than switch it to pop music.
They solved that disaster when they switched to Summer of Wonder. They need to focus on fixing the music in Banbury, San Marco, and Aquitaine. The worst part is the park literally plays the correct San Marco music for Food and Wine.
Highly agreed, those are the three hamlets in the park that desperately need to get their original soundtracks back.
Kevin: if you’re watching, pleaseeeeee
Serious question: has anyone ever just asked Kevin about the music? It seems like he’s receptive to feedback and cares about what the fans want. Maybe he’s just never thought about the music as something that needs to be changed.