Experience the Magic of Christmas in Branson, Missouri
Branson, Missouri (November 1, 2019) – Last night, as the trick-or-treaters arrived home and the porch lights went dark in Branson, Missouri, the destination began its annual transformation into one of America’s most Christmassy towns. Today kicks off a spectacular two-month Christmas celebration filled with lights, music and joy. A Christmas destination unlike any other, each year Branson tries to outdo only itself and this year is no exception: this season’s can’t-miss extravaganza is the debut of a first-of-its-kind, 80-foot tall Christmas tree at Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas.
Ozark Mountain Christmas in this town is like stepping onto the Hollywood set of the most festive Christmas movie you can imagine. The Christmas lineup of events is beyond belief, with indoor and outdoor celebrations at literally every turn. From special events and live shows to seeing more than 1,500 Christmas trees in the Branson area, here are nine of the most spectacular ways to celebrate the magic of Christmas in this incredibly festive destination:
1. Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas
This year, Christmas is getting bigger and brighter at Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas with the debut of a brand new eight-story, custom-designed Christmas tree. The 80-foot tree is the centerpiece of the all-new “Joy on Town Square” and features hundreds of thousands of dancing high-resolution lights with an infinite ability to combine color, music, light and animated imagery. Between November 2 and December 30, visitors can stroll among nearly 7 million bright and brilliant lights and try out more than 40 of the park’s rides, enjoy seasonal shows and shop at the Home of American Craftsmanship.
2. Christmas Trees
With more than 1,500 Christmas trees in the destination, Branson has proudly owned the title of being America’s Christmas Tree City since 2017. In addition to the debut of Silver Dollar City’s 80-foot tree, the Christmas tree lineup also includes a new upcycled Star Tree made from salvaged metal and light pole display fixtures at the Titanic Museum Attraction. The City of Branson will also showcase 16 new trees synchronized with more than 7,000 red, white and blue lights for Veterans Week (November 5-11).
3. Famous Live Shows
From country music to Broadway-style productions, the lineup of holiday entertainment is spectacular. Dolly Parton’s Stampede features a cast (which includes 32 majestic horses) taking guests on a festive Christmas journey while they enjoy a four-course, country-style meal. Silver Dollar City’s Broadway-style production shows include original adaptations of A Dickens’ Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life. And the legacy of Mr. Christmas himself, Andy Williams, continues with a beautiful holiday tribute by The Lennon Sisters, David Osmond and illusionist Rick Thomas during the Andy Williams Ozark Mountain Christmas Show. A full listing of this season’s live shows can be found here.
4. Authentic Shopping
Completing your Christmas shopping here is extra-special because Branson features items that would be hard to find anywhere else. Dicks 5 & 10, one of the country’s last remaining authentic dime stores, features aisle after aisle of 250,000 nostalgic items that you may have thought no longer existed. And Silver Dollar City’s Jingle Bell Junction is home to a colony of 100 resident crafters who demonstrate and sell such one-of-a-kind creations as woodcarvings, hand-blown glass, pottery, candles and more.
5. Seasonal Food
Each year, students at College of the Ozarks bake 25,000 world-famous fruit cakes in the Fruitcake & Jelly Kitchen. The tradition of producing these fruitcakes on campus dates back to 1934 and helps students offset the costs of their education. The kitchen is open for public tours and fruitcakes are available for purchase Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. At Silver Dollar City, such festive holiday foods as root beer-glazed ham, traditional turkey and dressing, wassail, apple dumplings and hot chocolate can be found at venues throughout the park.
6. Brilliant Lights
Drive-through Christmas displays can be found shining brightly throughout this Ozark Mountain town. “Trail of Lights” at Shepherd of the Hills is a two-and-a-half-mile route through the historic 160-acre Homestead. New this year is a “North Pole Adventure” walk-through experience that takes families on a journey through thousands of twinkling lights. “Let There Be Lights!” at Promised Land Zoo features a two-mile LED display and a living nativity with animals to pet and feed. “Branson’s Lights of Joy,” the area’s traditional festival of Christmas lights, features more than 300 scenes including a Magical Mile with the 12 Days of Christmas and a nativity scene.
7. Magical Parades
Strolling through the streets of Silver Dollar City twice a night is Rudolph’s Holly Jolly™ Christmas Light Parade, led by the most famous reindeer of all. With nine musical lighted floats and animated features, the parade is illuminated with 200,000 ultra-bright LED lights. Each year, the Adoration Parade commemorates the nativity and celebrates the true meaning of the Christmas season in historic downtown Branson. This year’s parade is scheduled for Sunday, December 8 at 5 p.m.
8. Festive Accommodations
Throughout December, Chateau on the Lake, Branson’s modern-day “Castle in the Ozarks,” features such activities and events as ornament making, caroling by the fire, story time, holiday movies and more. It’s also home to an amazing candy village made by the Chateau’s culinary team and displayed in the hotel’s lobby. From November 8 through December 31, guests at Big Cedar Lodge can enjoy festivities including ice skating, holiday baking workshops, visits from Santa and more.
9. Attractions for Kids & the Young at Heart
Branson Scenic Railway provides visitors with an opportunity to step inside a classic Christmas tale aboard the renowned “Polar Express.” After boarding an authentic locomotive at the 1906 Branson depot, visitors to The Polar Express will experience a journey with character reenactments, a reading of the classic book, a visit with Santa, and plenty of hot chocolate and cookies. Families are even encouraged to come dressed in their pajamas, just as the children did in the original story. Whether you’re 1 or 101, you can make your dreams come true at the World’s Largest Toy Museum, where more than a million dolls, trains, teddy bears, action figures, collectibles – and everything else you can remember from your earliest Christmases – are all in one location.
About Branson, Missouri
Branson is a one-of-a-kind family vacation destination nestled in the lakeside beauty of the Ozark Mountains with dozens of live performance theaters; three pristine lakes; championship golf courses; an international award-winning theme park; family attractions and museums; a Historic Downtown district; shopping galore; a full range of dining options; and a host of hotels, motels, resorts, RV parks, campgrounds, and meeting and convention facilities. Branson is located less than one day’s drive for a third of the United States’ population. It’s also accessible via flights to the Branson Airport (BKG) and nearby Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF). Call 1-877-BRANSON for help planning your next vacation, convention or reunion. See more at http://www.explorebranson.com
