For a special Mother’s Day treat, our family spent the weekend in Williamsburg, Virginia. Now that our kids are a little older, the hubby and I were able to enjoy the relaxing and flavorful Food & Wine Festival at Busch Gardens this year. As we traveled around the world so to speak, we got to taste test cuisine from different countries, all while the kiddos were amused by their favorite rides. We would grab a sampling and then sit back to watch and wave at the kids on their rides.
WHAT IS FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL
If you havent heard of or participated in Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival, then heres a little about this event. Food & Wine Festival is available in the park Thursdays through Sundays (Plus Memorial Day Monday) now through June 22, 2025. Guests are invited to explore over 150 international flavors at 18 themed food and beverage locations throughout the park, including new menus inspired by China and Poland. With over 80 new tastes and exclusive wine and liquor tastings, every visit offers a new adventure for culinary explorers. With a Busch Gardens Membership, families can visit again and again to enjoy all the different experiences each weekend.
WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR
This year, the festival welcomes a wide array of new delights at the globally inspired markets. Plus, guests can enjoy live entertainment, award-winning shows and world-class attractions as they journey through Virginia’s largest spring food and wine festival, only at the World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park.
At the China location, guests can partake in these ALL-NEW flavorful delights:
- NEW Dumpling Trio– Three traditional Chinese dishes, including Shrimp Sui Mai, Steamed BBQ Pork Bao and a Vegetable Jiaozi
- NEW Panda Dessert Bun – A sweet bao bun served with coconut caramel dipping sauce
The Poland location features various new tastes, including:
- NEW Kielbasa – Smoked sausage featuring bacon, sauerkraut and brown mustard
- NEW Kolaczki – Raspberry and apricot filled cookies
- NEW Pierogies – Potato and cheese-filled dumpling, topped with caramelized onion jam and sour cream
Returning locations offer new and exciting bites, such as:
- NEW Bruschetta – Italian bread, topped with garlic, tomato, basil and parmesan
- NEW Caribbean Shrimp Salad – A refreshing salad doused in a key lime vinaigrette, located at Jamaica
- NEW Mint Chocolate Crème Brûlée– Found at the Herbal Infusion location, this sweet dish is the park’s twist on a popular dessert
Local beers and wines for every palette, like:
- NEW Governor’s White Reisling – Perfect for summer, this semi-dry white wine is from The Williamsburg Winery
- NEW Liquid Escape – A bright lemongrass summer ale brewed by The Virginia Beer Co®
- NEW Sheep Mullet – From Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, this double India pale ale offers bold, fruit-forward flavors
Guests can sip on ALL-NEW refreshing cocktails while exploring the world’s most beautiful theme park, including:
- NEW Big Bad Mule – Jägermeister®, Tito’s® vodka, lime and ginger
- NEW Mad Dog Shooter – Tito’s® vodka, raspberry and hot sauce
- NEW Passion Fruit Margarita – Juarez® tequila and passionfruit
A complete guide to this year’s Food & Wine Festival can be found online at https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/events/food-festival/menus/
BEST WAY TO SAVOR AND SIP
Sip, sample and save with a Food & Wine Festival sampler lanyard. Guests can embark on their culinary journey with a 10-sample lanyard starting at only $70.00 or extend the savings of over 20 percent with the fan-favorite 15-sampler.
THIS YEARS TOP FAVORITES
After trying a handful of foods and beverages, the top five favorites this year were…
PARK INFO
BUSCH GARDENS WILLIAMSBURG
Address: 1 Busch Gardens Blvd, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Phone: (757) 229-4386
Website: Link
Hours: Park hours vary, most days the park opens at 10AM and closes between 8PM-10PM depending on the day. For more details see the calendar for hours.
For more information and a full Summer Family Guide vist the Link
***The Playful Parent does not receive payment for featuring attractions. All opinions are my own; I like to share experiences and information so that parents have resources on fun family outings. Discounted or complimentary tickets are an advantage but not a requirement. The Playful Parent is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that advocates learning through play and promotes family bonding, all information and photographs are intellectual property of TPP. I hope that these tips help with your planning so that you have a great time during your next Busch Gardens Williamsburg Visit! Thank you for reading…Play, Learn, Grow!***
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