Landing Princess, “Christmas in Midtown” at Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas, Grand Jubilee’s New South quartet, and Bill Anderson & Friends.

“From its night time Adoration Parade, to multiple drive through Christmas lighting displays, Silver Dollar City’s nationally renowned “Old Time Christmas Festival,” and its great live shows, December in Branson is filled with that special spirit of the traditional American Christmas,” said Annette Wood, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “And there’s not a letdown the week after Christmas either; its filled with the entertainment, excitement, and fun that Branson is known for right up to the celebration of New Year’s Eve, Branson style,” she added.

Here’s our Featured Show, Event, and Limited Engagement of the Month, along with a list of the major, special limited engagement performances and events you can enjoy in Branson during December, 2017:

Featured Show: The Grand Jubilee Christmas show has it all, including amazing vocals by Branson’s award winning quartet, New South and Jackie Brown; hilarious comedy with Jamie Haage, a.k.a. “Jim Dandy,” and his sidekick Mike Patrick, who is also the show’s emcee and producer; and the “Grand Band,” one of the best bands in Branson. From the preshow to the final curtain, this awesome production will entertain and inspire you with “grand” music, comedy, and the spirit of a traditional American Christmas.

“We sing the traditional favorite Christmas songs that people sing every year,” said Mike Patrick, the shows emcee and producer. “To me our show is like taking out your favorite Christmas ornament each year and hanging it on the tree.” When asked what his personal favorite part of the show was he said, without hesitation, “When we get to read the Christmas story from the Bible and see how it resonates with our audience.” His two favorite numbers in the show are New South’s rendition of a Gatlin Brothers’ song “Santa Are You Going To Atlanta” and Jackie Brown’s beautiful performance of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.”

 Featured Limited Engagement of the Month: There’s not a more “Limited Engagement” than the spectacular unique ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Branson.How about cruising Lake Taneycomo aboard Main Street Lake Cruises Landing Princess, a 100 foot luxury yacht, while enjoying a live DJ, dancing, games, prizes, party favors, full-service cash bar, hors d’oeuvres, a dessert bar, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight? Cruising not your thing, then how about an entertaining and exciting evening with some of Branson’s most popular shows as they welcome in 2018 with unique awesome New Year’s Eve celebrations including:

Dec 30:  Hughes Brothers New Years Eve Party
Dec 31:  Main Street Lake Cruises Landing Princess
Dec 31:  Legends in Concert
Dec 31:  Bill Anderson & Friends New Years Eve Show
Dec 31:  Americana New Year’s Eve Show
Dec 31:  Clay-Goods Jambor-Eve
Dec 31:  Hamners’ Unbelievable Variety (New Year’s Eve Fiesta)
Dec 31:  Pierce Arrow
Dec: 31 Main Street Lake Cruises Landing Princess

Featured Event of the Month: Silver Dollar City’s “Old Time Christmas” celebrates the true meaning of this special magical season amidst the glow of over 6.5 million dazzling lights, including 1.5 million added just this year for its new light spectacular “Christmas in Midtown.” Proclaimed as “The Most Illuminated Park on Earth” by the Travel Channel and “One of the most sparkly, lively holiday celebrations anywhere” by Midwest Living, “you’ll take home beautiful holiday memories destined to last a lifetime!”

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT PERFORMANCES (Sorted by starting date)

Dec 1-16:  Hallmark Presents Maxine’s Christmas Carol
Dec 2:  Home Free
Dec 9:  Wynonna Judd
Dec 31:  Bill Anderson & Friends New Year’s Eve Show

NEW YEAR’S EVE BRANSON STYLE

Dec 30:  Hughes Brothers New Years Eve Party
Dec 31:  Main Street Lake Cruises Landing Princess
Dec 31:  Main Street Lake Cruises Landing Princess
Dec 31:  Legends in Concert
Dec 31:  Bill Anderson & Friends New Years Eve Show
Dec 31:  Americana New Year’s Eve Show
Dec 31:  Clay-Goods Jambor-Eve
Dec 31:  Hamners’ Unbelievable Variety (New Year’s Eve Fiesta)
Dec 31:  Pierce Arrow

SPECIAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS (Sorted by starting date.)

Dec 1 – Dec 30:  Trail of Lights
Dec 1 – Dec 31:  Branson Landing’s Winter Wonderlanding!
Dec 1 – Dec 31:  Titanic Museum Christmas Tribute
Dec 3:  Santa Train
Dec 3:  69th Annual Adoration Parade and Lighting Ceremony
Dec 4 – Dec 10:  Branson’s Festival of Trees
Dec 4 – Dec 23:  Showboat Branson Belle – Santa’s Pancakes & PJs Cruise
Dec 4 – Dec 24:  Visit Santa at Bass Pro
Dec 1 – Dec 24:  Santa at the Branson Landing
Dec 4 – Dec 30:  An Old Time Christmas Festival at Silver Dollar City
Dec 4 – Dec 31:  Gingerbread Houses on Display at Chateau
Dec 2:  Pancakes with Santa at Mc Farlain’s
Dec 9:  Breakfast with Santa – Branson RecPlex
Dec 16:  Chateau on the Lake Breakfast with Santa
Dec 25:  MERRY CHRISTMAS
Dec 25:  Christmas Day Champagne Brunch at Chateau on the Lake
Dec 27 – Dec 29:  Xtreme Winter Branson
Dec 30:  Keeter Center New Year’s Celebration (Saturday Evening)
Dec 31:  Keeter Center New Year’s Eve Sunday Brunch
Dec 31:  New Years Eve Celebration at Keeter Center
Dec 31:  Chateau on the Lake New Year’s Eve
Dec 31-Jan 1:  Silver Dollar City’s New Year’s Celebration
Dec 31:  HAPPY NEW YEAR

For additional information on these events, or any of Branson’s shows and attractions, or for lodging arrangements, please contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services by calling 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com

With the addition of the new, 1.5 million lighting spectacular, “Christmas in Midtown,” Silver Dollar City’s “Old Time Christmas” now has over 6.5 million lights.

“From the Nation’s largest Veteran’s Day Celebration, to Ozark Mountain Christmas, Branson’s Christmas Shows, and so much more, the month of November in Branson is easily one of the busiest and most entertaining months of the year,” said Annette Wood, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “It’s hard to imagine a better way to get in the Christmas Spirit than in Branson, Missouri,” she added.

Here’s our Featured Show Event, and Limited Engagement of the Month, along with a list of the major, special limited engagement performances, and events you can enjoy in Branson during November 2017:

Featured Show of the Month: Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza continues the tradition of “Mr. Christmas” and the “Andy Williams Christmas Show” with its variety, color, and excitement and showing why “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” Hosted by Jimmy Osmond, the vocal stars of the show, will be “The 5^th Dimension,” through November 18 and the “Osmonds” and “Lennon Sisters,” from November 20 through December 16. That would be enough for most shows but, in keeping with the Andy Williams tradition of variety, there’s so much more! The amazing magic of illusionist Rick Thomas and his lovely wife Tara; “Britain’s Got Talent Sensation,” Charlie Green; Ventriloquist Steve Hewlett; the Andy Williams singers and dancers; the incomparable Moon River Band; with beautiful…gorgeous costumes and festive sets of holiday cheer. In addition, the shows from November 20 on will also feature the Magical Dancing of Pasha & Aliona and the Lennon Granddaughters.

International star, Daniel O’Donnell will be performing at the Welk Resort Theatre October 30- November 14.

Featured Limited Engagement of the Month: A favorite of Branson visitors and residents alike, the incomparable Daniel O’Donnell returns to Branson for a very limited engagement of 2:00 PM shows, running from October 30 through November 18 at the Welk Resort Theatre. Incorporating his charismatic and engaging style, he will present a blend of traditional Irish ballads, country favorites, and traditional gospel with an Irish twist that shows why he has sold millions of records and has been “a household name across Ireland and Great Britain for decades.”

Featured Events of the Month: Normally, for each month we have just one, but for the month of November there must be two:

Branson Veterans Homecoming Week is one of the biggest Veterans Day tributes in America, and is celebrated from November 5 through November 11. It features dozens of events all keyed toward honoring those who have served our nation and sacrificed so much.

Silver Dollar City’s “Old Time Christmas” celebrates the true meaning of this special magical season amidst the glow of over 6.5 million dazzling lights including 1.5 million added just this year for its new light spectacular “Christmas in Midtown.” Proclaimed as “The Most Illuminated Park on Earth” by the Travel Channel and “One of the most sparkly, lively holiday celebrations anywhere” by Midwest Living, “you’ll take home beautiful holiday memories destined to last a lifetime!”

LIMITED ENGAGEMENT PERFORMANCES (Sorted by starting date)

Nov 1-18: Daniel O’Donnell
Nov 1-30: Hallmark Presents Maxine’s Christmas Carol
Nov 1-16: Neal McCoy^*
Nov 1-16: Oak Ridge Boys^*
Nov 1-2: Boot Daddy Presents Gene Watson
Nov 3: Charlie Daniels Band
Nov 4: Dennis Quaid & The Sharks
Nov 5-27: The Urban Cowboy Reunion^*
Nov 8: Country Unplugged Tour with Joe Diffie, Lorrie Morgan and Mark Chesnutt
Nov 10: Dailey and Vincent
Nov 11-12: Boot Daddy Presents Jimmy Fortune
Nov 12: Paul Anka
Nov 11: Scotty McCreery
Nov 15: Lee Greenwood
Nov 17-18: Johnny Mathis with Gary Mule Deer

SPECIAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS (Sorted by starting date.)

Nov 1-16: ‘Flames of Freedom’ Play – Select Dates
Nov 1-Dec 30: Trail of Lights
Nov 1- Dec 31: Branson Landing’s Winter Wonderlanding!
Nov 1-Dec 31: Titanic Museum Christmas Tribute
Nov 3: West Plains High School Zizzer Band
Nov 3-4: Branson Market Days
Nov 3-5: Christmas Open House at StoneHouse Merchant
Nov 3-5: The Fisherman’s Hideout 1st Annual Fall Fishing Contest
Nov 4: Most Wonderful Time of Year Holiday Parade
Nov 4: Sporting Clays Shoot
Nov 4-Dec 24: Santa Arrives at the Branson Landing
Nov 4-Dec 10: Branson’s Festival of Trees
Nov 4-Dec 23: Showboat Branson Belle – Santa’s Pancakes & PJs Cruise
Nov 4-Dec 24: Visit Santa at Bass Pro
Nov 4-Dec 30: An Old Time Christmas Festival at Silver Dollar City
Nov 4-Dec31: Gingerbread Houses on Display at Chateau
Nov 5: Opening Day Welcome Home Celebration
Nov 5: Opening Ceremony Vets for Vets Celebration Show
Nov 5: Sunday November 5 – WWII Mini Reunion
Nov 5-11: Welk Resort Branson Hosts the Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall
Nov 6: Vietnam Veterans Mini Reunion
Nov 6: Navy Memorial Service
Nov 6: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Opening
Nov 6: World War II Veterans Honored
Nov 6: Medics, Nurses, and Combat Vets Mini Reunion
Nov 7: IMAX Military Film Festival
Nov 7: True American Hero Award Presentation
Nov 7: Blue Star Mothers Dessert
Nov 7: POW/MIA Service of Remembrance
Nov 7: Sandbox Party
Nov 8: Time for Prayer
Nov 8: 21st Annual Military Gala & Banquet
Nov 8: Women Veterans Mini Reunion
Nov 9: Veterans Empowerment Care
Nov 9: Veterans Grove Tree Dedication
Nov 9: Walmart Tribute to Veterans
Nov 9: 4th Infantry Division
Nov 9: Annual Tribute to Women Veterans & Rose Petal Ceremony
Nov 9: Korean War Veterans Mini Reunion
Nov 10: Flag Raising & Wreath Laying
Nov 10: Run to the Lights 5K Fundraiser
Nov 10: Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast
Nov 10: Groundbreaking Ceremony Korean Veterans Memorial at College of the Ozarks
Nov 10: Marine Corps Ball
Nov 10: Heroes on the Home Front – Spouses Tribute
Nov 10-12: Thomas Kinkade Master Highlighter Event
Nov 10-12: Legacy Days Vintage Baseball Festival
Nov 11: Disney Dreams Collector Event
Nov 11: Annual Branson Veterans Day Parade
Nov 11: Forsyth Veterans Day Celebration
Nov 11: Wine and Shine Fest
Nov 11: Ann Dezendorf, Janet Stewart and Betty Foster at The Grand Village Shops
Nov 12: Veterans Day Observance
Nov 18: Christopher Radko at The Grand Village
Nov 23: Top of the Rock Thanksgiving Dining
Nov 23: Golden Corral Thanksgiving Day Buffet
Nov 23: Thanksgiving at Level 2 Steakhouse
Nov 23: Mc Farlain’s Thanksgiving Day Feast
Nov 23: Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks Thanksgiving Day Brunch
Nov 23: Texas Land & Cattle Thanksgiving
Nov 23: Bob Evan’s Thanksgiving
Nov 23: The Worman House Thanksgiving Buffet
Nov 23: Additional Thanksgiving Dining in Branson
Nov 23: Turkey Trot 5K Branson
Nov 23: Devil’s Pool Thanksgiving Brunch
Nov 23:Chateau on the Lake Thanksgiving Brunch
Nov 23: Thanksgiving Day Cruise on Main Street Lake Cruises Landing Princess
Nov 23: Grand Country Thanksgiving Day Buffet
Nov 23-26: Moonlight Madness & After Thanksgiving Sales
Nov 23-26: Titanic Luminaries
Nov 24: Branson Landing’s Black Friday Blowout!
Nov 24: Special Visit from Santa at Branson Tourism Center!
Nov 23-25: After Thanksgiving Sale at Silver Dollar City
Nov 25: Fontanini Signing at The Grand Village

For additional information on these events, or any of Branson’s shows and attractions, or for lodging arrangements, please contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services by calling 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

^* Selected dates only, please check linked schedule

Presleys’ 50 year Branson tradition started here in 1967 and…

Friday, June 30, 2017, is a special day in Branson’s storied entertainment history. Fifty years ago to the day, on Friday, June 30,1967, the Presleys opened Branson’s first live music theatre on the now famous “Branson Strip.” Over the last 50 years, “Presleys’ Theatre” has become a Branson landmark and the Presleys have continued to entertain audiences with their unique mix of comedy and country, bluegrass, and gospel music in Presleys’ Country Jubilee.

As the Presleys celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of that opening, it’s almost impossible to imagine that in 1967 there was no “Branson Strip.” Highway 76 was a curvy two-lane stretch of blacktop tourists used to get from Branson to the growing “Silver Dollar City,” “Shepherd of the Hills,” and “Table Rock Lake.” Except for the “Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Play,” located well west of Branson, there were no music shows or other live entertainment anywhere on Highway 76 for tourists to go to in the evening.

The Presleys, who had been entertaining audiences with their music and comedy for years, in caves and other places around the Ozarks, recognized the opportunity to achieve the dream of owning their own theatre. Gary Presley said, “We thought that if we could put a building on Highway 76 we might have a few people show up.”

The “we” was a partnership. It was composed of Lloyd and Bessie Presley; Gary and Pat Presley; Deanna, Gary’s sister, and husband David Drennon; and Francis and Larry Drennon, David’s parents. Thanks to their cooperative efforts and sacrifices, the “Mountain Music Theatre,” built about three and one-half miles from Branson, opened on Friday night, June 30, 1967.

The show’s format that night, short sets of country, bluegrass, and gospel music, broken up by hilarious comedy, was an ideal fit for the talents of the Presleys. In fact, it worked so well, that’s it’s still used today. And that’s not the only thing that hasn’t changed! Two of the original cast that night, the shows comedian, Gary Presley as “Herkimer,” and drummer, Steve Presley, have been performing with the show continuously since that night.

and continues here today.

The success of the theatre was no sure thing. At the time, not only were there no theatres or attractions on Highway 76, but it was largely unpopulated with only a few non-tourist related businesses on 76 between downtown Branson and Shepherd of the Hills.

Well, here we are 50 years later, in hind sight, looking back in amazement at what has happened since that day in 1967. Within a couple of years, the name of the theatre was changed to the “Presleys’ Theatre.” Through the years it has undergone many renovations making it one of the most unique, comfortable, and state of the art theatres in Branson.

Even more remarkable was the number of theatres and attractions that soon started to join the Presleys up and down Highway 76. So many, that the portion of Highway 76 running by Presleys’ Theater is now called the “Branson Strip.” In the middle is its “first show,” the iconic Presleys’ Country Jubilee, still featuring the Presley family and celebrating 50 years of working together to entertain Branson audiences.

Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas is a beautiful “centerpiece” of Ozark Mountain Christmas.

“Do you want to celebrate the simple beauty of the traditional American Christmas?” asks Annette Wood, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “If so, there’s no better place for you to be than in Branson, Missouri for its spectacular, one of a kind, celebration of Ozark Mountain Christmas.”

Running from November 1 through December 31, Ozark Mountain Christmas blends the best of what Branson offers into a unique community wide celebration of the traditional American Christmas. It’s combination of Christmas lights, displays, spirit, inspiration, fun, and live entertainment is unlike any other in the world!

The centerpiece of Ozark Mountain Christmas is Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas Festival. Its 5 million plus glittering Christmas lights perennially receives national recognition as one of the best Christmas light displays in America.  It also features a 5 Story Special Effects Christmas Tree, two Broadway productions, and the Holly Jolly ™ Christmas Light Parade with “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer & Friends,” and more. In addition, weather allowing, its 30 plus rides and almost everything else the world class 1880s styled theme park features, is open to enjoy. Silver Dollar City’s Ozark Mountain Christmas is celebrated from November 4 through December 30.

Even in a town that’s famous for the quality of its live shows, Branson’s Christmas shows are a special. There’s excitement in the air as most of its most popular shows start their Christmas shows during the first week of November.

From the “Grinch” to the Nativity and true meaning of Christmas, Branson’s Christmas shows are full of color, fun, and the “Reason for the Season.”

For most of Branson’s shows, that’s a combination of the best from their regular season show and Christmas. Some share a mix of their ‘regular’ shows combined with special Christmas numbers throughout. These include shows such as Daniel O’Donnell, Dublin’s Irish Tenors and The Celtic Ladies, Legends In Concert, and Puttin’ On The Ritz. Shows such as Clay Cooper’s Country Express, Grand Jubilee, Presleys’ Country Jubilee, and The Haygoods, feature the best of their regular season show for half of the show and their Christmas show during the other half. Regardless of how it’s done, each show is like a snowflake, sharing Christmas in their own special way, giving Branson audiences a unique Christmas blessing and glimpse of what Christmas means to them.

Other shows are totally Christmas and only available during Ozark Mountain Christmas.  These include shows such as the Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza, Christmas Wonderland, Hughes Brothers Christmas Show, Shoji Tabuchi, and The Texas Tenors Deep In the Heart of Christmas.

How about Christmas shopping? Branson offers a year-round world class shopping experience including Branson Landing; a large variety of unique galleries, craft shops, boutiques, and specialty shops; as well as discount malls such as the Tanger Factory Outlet Center and The Shoppes at Branson Meadows. Wood said that opportunities abound to find that special one of a kind Christmas gift, for that special person, in Branson.

One of the most unique aspects of Ozark Mountain Christmas is the spirit of the traditional American Christmas that underpins it. It’s OK to say “Merry Christmas.” It’s even socially acceptable to acknowledge that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. One of the major annual highlights of Ozark Mountain Christmas is the annual “Adoration Lighting Ceremony and Parade” dedicated to “Keeping Christ in Christmas.” The 69th annual lighting of the huge Nativity Scene on top of Mount Branson and night “light parade,” will be held on December 3 in historic downtown Branson.

Wood points out that Ozark Mountain Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year in Branson and that not all shows and activities are available throughout the entirety of Ozark Mountain Christmas. To help ensure, not only availability, but getting the best available show seats and lodging, she suggests calling one of Branson Tourism Center’s Branson based Vacation Specialists at 1-800-785-1550. There is no charge for this service and they are available daily, except Christmas Day, from 8:00 AM to 9.30 PM.