Won’t be long before December 25 gets here, and it might be hard for some of us to get into the Christmas spirit (sometimes it’s hard to think as far ahead as dinner, so we get it). However, there are some unique places where it’s never too soon to get the (snow)ball rolling. One such place is Branson, Missouri, where visions (of sugarplums), plans and schedules for the destination’s annual transformation into one of America’s most Christmassy towns are already well underway. The spectacular two-month Ozark Mountain Christmas celebration kicks off November 1 and is filled with lights, music and merriment for the young and the young-at-heart through January 7.
Silver Dollar City’s ‘An Old Time Christmas’
This 1880s-style theme park’s “An Old Time Christmas” event features the largest concentration of lights in Branson … more than 6.5 million, to be exact (equating to more than 680 miles of lights)! Between November 4 and December 30, visitors can stroll among the massive displays of twinkling lights, including the concentrated 1.5-million-light “Christmas In Midtown” walkthrough and Joy On Town Square light-to-music synchronized display, featuring an eight-story Christmas tree with larger-than-life LED projections. Many of the park’s award-winning rides are open during the festival, along with Broadway-style live holiday productions, festive home-style meals and seasonal treats. Plus, Rudolph’s Holly Jolly™ Christmas Light Parade, winds its way through The City’s streets.
Christmas trees … and treasure hunts!
With more than 1,500 Christmas trees throughout the destination – including those at Silver Dollar City – Branson’s Christmas Tree Trail is truly spectacular. Each year, the Branson Christmas Coalition – yes, it’s a real organization – unveils a themed community Christmas tree in November. This year’s theme has been announced as “Evergreen and Ever Glowing,” and will celebrate the destination’s balance of nature and neon. Consider this detail your one and only location-based clue, because visitors are invited to participate in a brand-new Christmas tree treasure hunt app to find the biggest and best trees in Branson. Starting on November 1, the most unique landmark Christmas tree displays in Branson will include GPS identifiers. Visitors who want to explore America’s Christmas Tree Trail can take fun holiday quizzes, snap photos and enjoy a hide-and-seek challenge along the way.
Brilliant lights outdoors and on stages!
Multiple Christmas displays can be found shining brightly throughout this Ozark Mountain destination, too. Here’s a sampling of annual events:
- With two miles of LED displays, Let There Be Lights at Promised Land Zoo earns the title of “longest Christmas lights display in the Ozarks.”
- Lights of Joy is a 1.25-mile drive-thru experience featuring both traditional and whimsical displays, including the nativity scene as well as a Christmas safari.
- Shepherd’s North Pole Adventure at Shepherd of the Hills features a walk-through experience of thousands of twinkling lights, in addition to a visit with Santa, Christmas activities for the family and more.
If your Vacation needs some Jingle Bell Rock, your family will find it on the many live music show stages in Branson. From classic carols to today’s top holiday hits, feel the Christmas cheer with live entertainment in Branson. Experience the true joy of an Ozark Mountain Christmas at one of our many magical holiday live shows. Whether you’re wanting to dance the night away or watch world-class performances of treasured favorites, like “A Christmas Carol,” you’ll find a wide variety of entertainment this holiday season in Branson.
While it may feel too early to jingle all the way, we hope we’ve taken the guesswork out of where you can get into the Christmas spirit this year! When you’re ready to sip cocoa and jump into all things Christmas, Explore Branson will continue adding Christmas events and experiences, so for the most up-to-date lineup of Christmas events this year, visit www.ExploreBranson.com/Christmas.
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