Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia is preparing to host its annual Pride Day event on July 26, promoting it as a “family-friendly” celebration that includes performances by drag queens billed as “LGBTQ+ stars.”
The theme park has already disabled comments on its social media posts promoting the event following significant online backlash.
According to the park’s official event page, Pride Day will feature “sensational family-friendly entertainment by LGBTQ+ stars” in the Abbey Stone Theatre, along with a DJ dance party, specialty merchandise, a vendor fair, and other activities.
All performances are included with regular park admission.
Scheduled shows are set for 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.
The event description highlights performers including Jennifer Warner, Just Jasmin, Sabrina Lawrence, Celestia Cox, and others.
The park describes the shows as “dazzling family-friendly displays of feel-good fun” and encourages guests to “let loose and dance in your seat.”
The announcement has drawn criticism from parents who are questioning the appropriateness of drag performances at a family-oriented theme park.
Libs of TikTok highlighted the event and noted that Busch Gardens turned off comments amid the pushback.
.@BuschGardensVA, a theme park in Williamsburg, VA, is hosting a “family-friendly” Pride Day this upcoming weekend, featuring “LGBTQ+ Stars” (aka drag queens)
They already turned off their comment section due to the online backlash.
I wonder why… pic.twitter.com/M921EttSAS
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 20, 2026
The park has held similar events in previous years, often partnering with local LGBTQ+ organizations and promoting them as “inclusive celebrations” open to all guests.
Busch Gardens has not issued a statement responding to the criticism beyond disabling comments on its posts.
Ad block users: Some site features may not work correctly while an ad blocker is enabled, because they break scripts and content this website depends on. If you can’t see comments below, for example, please disable your ad blocker.
Read the full article here