‘Working around the clock:’ Santa takes over Busch Gardens for Christmas Town

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- Christmas has officially arrived at Busch Gardens Williamsburg — and according to Santa Claus himself, the North Pole has temporarily expanded into Virginia.

The park’s annual Christmas Town celebration is back, glowing under more than ten million twinkling lights that transform every pathway, ride and village into one of the largest holiday displays in North America. But this year, the biggest attraction may not be the lights at all… it’s Santa.

8News crews stepped inside Santa’s Workshop for a rare pre-Christmas check-in, where the man in red revealed how toy production is going as the countdown to Dec. 25 grows shorter.

With elves “working around the clock,” Santa said the operation is running at full speed.

“We're getting extra paper made and we're paying them in cookies for overtime… and candy canes,” he told 8News with a laugh.

Until the sleigh is fully loaded, Santa is spending his days greeting families right inside Busch Gardens — listening to wish lists, posing for photos and reminding kids (and adults) to stay on the nice list.

Beyond Santa’s Workshop, visitors will find new additions sprinkled throughout Christmas Town this year, including brand-new holiday shows, seasonal treats and the debut of the Christmas Town Live! musical spectacular. Longtime favorites like the Christmas Town Express and the park’s classic rides — dressed up in their holiday best — are also back.

Admission to Christmas Town is included with most Busch Gardens memberships, though single-day tickets are available for anyone hoping to soak in the magic.

Christmas Town runs on select nights through Jan. 4, giving guests plenty of chances to enjoy the lights — and more importantly, deliver their wish lists directly to Santa before he takes off for his Christmas Eve flight. You can purchase tickets here.