The “Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza” staring the Osmonds and Lennon Sisters, “Christmas Wonderland,” Santa, and Silver Dollar City’s “An Old Time Christmas.”
“If you want a place where the spirit of the traditional American Christmas is honored, Branson, Missouri is for you,” said Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “It’s a spectacular two-month celebration of the traditional American Christmas, Ozark Mountain Christmas, is like none other in the world. What other travel destination has Branson’s genuine Christmas spirit and live shows combined with millions of Christmas lights, drive through Christmas lighting displays, festive Christmas decorations, great shopping, an award-winning world class theme park, and so much more? None that we know of!” she added.
There’s always so much to see and do in Branson, but during Ozark Mountain Christmas, running from November 1 through December 31, it’s even more so. From among many, here’s three ideas that share the true excitement and spirit of an Ozark Mountain Christmas:
1. See One of Branson’s Live Christmas Shows: Branson is known for the variety of and quality of its live shows. During Ozark Mountain Christmas most of Branson’s most popular shows celebrate Christmas and the real “reason for the season,” starting with their first show in November. Branson’s Christmas shows are generally presented in one of two formats. One is shows that are totally Christmas. These include Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza, Christmas Wonderland, Hughes Brothers Christmas Show, The Texas Tenors, Dixie Stampede, Sight and Sounds Miracle of Christmas, and others.
The second, involves a mixture of the “best” from their regular season shows and Christmas. Typically, about half of the show is devoted to the best of their regular season, and the other half, usually the last half, to their Christmas show. This would include many of Branson’s most popular shows such as Clay Cooper’s Country Express, the Haygoods, Presleys’ Country Jubilee, SIX, and others.
Many of Branson’s most popular shows will close out their 2017 season, including their Christmas shows by December 16. These include Presleys’ Country Jubilee, Andy Williams Christmas Extravaganza, Duttons, George Dyer, New Jersey Nights, and many more. Other popular shows such as Dixie Stampede, Clay Cooper’s Country Express, Dublin Tenors and the Celtic Ladies, Grand Jubilee, Haygoods, Hughes Brothers Christmas Show, Legends in Concert, Million Dollar Quartet, and SIX, remain open longer. It’s a good idea to check the individual show schedule, particularly for those remaining open after December 16, because they operate on abbreviated Christmas schedules.
2. Visit Silver Dollar City for its An Old Time Christmas Festival – The festival features over over 6.5 million sparkling Christmas lights with 1.5 million added just this year for its new light spectacular “Christmas in Midtown;” a Holly JollyTM Christmas Light Parade featuring Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer & Friends; 1,000 decorated Christmas Trees; two Broadway-style productions; a 5-Story Special Effects Christmas Tree; and more. Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas Festival has been perennially recognized as one of the best Christmas light displays in America. An Old Time Christmas resonates with the spirit and excitement of the traditional American celebration of Christmas. All the activities involved with An Old Time Christmas are in addition to the parks other activities including, weather permitting, its 30 plus rides and attractions. The festival runs from November 4 through December 30.
3. 69th Adoration Parade and Lighting Ceremony – On Sunday, December 5 at 5:00 PM, the Branson community will gather together to celebrate the true meaning of the Christmas season. The theme of the Lighting Ceremony and Parade is “keeping Christ in Christmas.” In keeping with that theme, the evening starts with the lighting of the giant 30-foot Nativity Scene near the top of Mount Branson overlooking Lake Taneycomo, Branson Landing, and Historic Downtown Branson. It’s immediately followed by a night “light parade” with dozens of bands, floats and walking units participating. The colorful and festive parade is themed to “keeping Christ in Christmas,” with no commercial advertising permitted on the floats.
“And that’s just three ideas from many,” said Wood. “Even if you can only visit for a couple of days, you can still enjoy the heartwarming charm of Christmas in Branson and the fun, excitement, and spirit of Ozark Mountain Christmas.
Ozark Mountain Christmas is not only one of the most special times of the year to visit Branson; it’s also one of the busiest. It’s suggested that you make reservations to insure availability and getting the best seats. For more information, or help with tickets and lodging, contact the Branson Tourism Center, at 1-800-785-1550 or through their website, www.BransonTourismCenter.com.