Real Music Series Returns to Busch Gardens With New Lineup

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay runs its Real Music Series until Feb. 20. Performances come with park admission. The series kicked off Jan. 5 and brings rock, soul, pop, and R&B acts to the Stanleyville Theater.

This series has run longer than any other concert program at the park. Shows take place Monday through Saturday, and seats get claimed first-come, first-served.

Martha Reeves and The Vandellas played Jan. 5-9. They performed at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. This Motown group gave us "Heatwave," "Dancing in the Street," and "Nowhere to Run."

Blue Öyster Cult hits the stage Saturday, Jan. 10 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The band cranked out "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," "Burnin' for You," and "Then Came the Last Days of May."

Blood, Sweat & Tears plays Jan. 12-16. Showtimes are 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Village People performs Jan. 17 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., delivering "Y.M.C.A.," "Macho Man," and "Go West."

Pablo Cruise and Their Hit Songs take over Jan. 19-23. The pop/rock band started in 1973 and dropped its first single in 40 years during the 2020 pandemic.

The Artimus Pyle Band plays Jan. 26-30, covering Lynyrd Skynyrd's biggest tracks. Artimus Pyle remains the last living member from that Hall of Fame band that brought us "Free Bird," "Simple Man," and "Sweet Home Alabama."

The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra performs Feb. 2-6. Revisiting Creedence comes next, Feb. 9-13, with original touring members from Creedence Clearwater.

Magic Moments wraps up the series Feb. 16-20. Original singers Theo Peoples, Joe Coleman, and Jerome Jackson perform music from The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Platters, and The Drifters.

Tickets? Not needed. Reservations? Skip them. Annual Pass Members get early access in 2026 to the upcoming Lion and Hyena Ridge habitat before it opens in spring.

A Fun Card now includes Adventure Island access at no added cost for a limited time.