Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival 2018!

One of my favorite events of the year is back! The Food & Wine Festival at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a can’t miss culinary experience. Not only do I love going to one of the world’s most beautiful theme parks, but I love this event where I can sample food from around the world! You can experience the Food & Wine Festival on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 25 – July 1. The festival, which enters its sixth year at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, offers guests the opportunity to sample a variety of food and beverages not normally served in the park. You enjoy authentic tastes from around the world at 16 themed kiosks while strolling through the world’s most beautiful theme park. Throughout the event, festival goers also will have the opportunity to get up close and personal as chefs lead interactive and informative cooking demonstrations.

Anyone in the park can enjoy this festival. Pick up a festival map and it will tell you the full menu and locations of each item. You can purchase individual samples that range from $4 – $6 or you can purchase a sampler, which are good for a certain amount depending on your choice. With the Food & Beverage Sampler, you can mix & match your choice of TEN items and SAVE UP TO 45% on Food & Wine Festival items: entrées, desserts or beverage samples (beer, wine or specialty drinks*). This option is $49.00 per person. The Deluxe Food & Wine Sampler you can mix & match your choice of FIFTEEN items and SAVE UP TO 45%. This option is $62.50 per person. Get these tickets here.

My family and I enjoyed the Food & Beverage sampler and made a day out of trying a ton of yummy food! A few of our favorites were the Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Chocolate Crêpe with Nutella & Strawberries, Hawaiian Mac & Cheese, California Roll, and the Bacon & Cheddar Hush Puppies! As you can see there is a huge variety! You can view the entire menu here. This event makes for a perfect day date, girls day out, and also a fun learning experience for families. It was neat to teach my kids a little about each country we tried food from. There are many items that make it family friendly, my kids loved everything they tried!

Of course, there is an entire park to enjoy too, with rides and shows for everyone to enjoy, as well as special concert events! The park will add an exciting musical twist to the Food & Wine Festival this year. Musical performances are on tap at the Royal Palace Theatre starting with country artist Scotty McCreery on June 9. The 2011 American Idol winner recently earned his first top-charting song, “Five More Minutes.” Hunter Hayes is scheduled to perform on June 16. The Grammy-nominated country singer has hit No. 1 on the charts with “Somebody’s Heartbreak” and “Wanted.” Closing out the festival’s concert series is pop artist Andy Grammer on June 30. His infectious smash hit, “Honey, I’m Good,” was one of the best-selling songs of 2015.