If you’ve had just about as much as you can take in terms of cooking for days on end, washing dishes for hours, and slouching around on the couch during Thanksgiving Branson may have just the sort of family-friendly atmosphere to keep you entertained and truly giving thanks this holiday! From encompassing entertainment that offers hearty meals to shows and activities to help you gear up for Christmas, you’ll find that Branson can perfectly compliment your traditions while replacing the work with fun!

Catch a Dinner & Show in Branson, MO!

Those that simply can’t forego a large meal on Thanksgiving will find more than a hearty helping of down-home cooking to compliment the interactive and always entertaining performance offered at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. A whole rotisserie chicken, barbecued pork loin, vegetable soup, biscuit, corn of the cob, herb-basted potato, and dessert is the standard fare you’ll find at Dixie’s, and is more than enough to replace the standard turkey dinner that leaves you lethargic.

Another entertaining dining option in Branson during Thanksgiving is the Showboat Branson Belle. This dinner cruise will offer a time of sightseeing along Table Rock Lake, variety performance and elegant dining that includes beef, chicken, and vegetables. As for the variety performance, you’ll find a mixture of Broadway-style song, elegant dancing, and comedy as well.

Get Ready for Christmas During Thanksgiving in Branson!

While you’ll be in Branson during Thanksgiving it is becoming ever harder to separate Thanksgiving and Christmas as they mark the beginning and end of the holiday season. And those that would like to take in a slice of the Christmas spirit will find a number of great show options. From the classic crooning of Andy Williams, Tony Orlando and the Lennon Sisters to Christmas-themed attractions including the Trail of Lights and An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City, you’ll find more than enough to help interject a little Christmas into your Thanksgiving vacation

If you’re looking for holiday cheer in Branson, stop by Historic Downtown Branson on December 7th to experience the Adoration Parade and Lighting Ceremony where you’ll see many different floats and bands march down the streets and watch as Mt. Branson’s Nativity scene is lit for the season. The day begins with caroling and shopping in the area shops as well as the Branson Landing. Stop by the lakeside shopping district and start your holiday shopping in earnest with over 60 different shops and restaurants. Once the sun goes down, the parade begins down downtown Branson’s main streets. Different floats and over ten marching bands will pay tribute to the holiday season as you watch from the sidelines. At the end of the parade, prizes will be handed out to the winner of each division! Once the parade is over, watch the lighting ceremony of the Nativity scene on top of Mt. Branson. When it comes to celebrating the holidays, no one does it better than Branson, Missouri!

Catch a show at the Sight & Sound Theatre during your stay with performances of Noah The Musical all through the month of December! With scenery that stretches to 300 feet, you can be sure that this musical will be larger than life. Enjoy the classic Bible story of Noah and his Ark as he houses animals and his family during the great flood. Live animals take to the stage and play the part as this story is brought to life with state of the art effects and custom sound and lighting. After seeing the lighting ceremony of Branson’s Nativity scene, continue to lift your spirits with Noah The Musical.

Celebrate the holiday season with a little patriotism with the Celebrate America show during your vacation away to Branson. Watch as the performers take you through history with music, dancing, and comedy from the beginning of the Revolution to now. Watch as our country has grown into the proud nation it is today. Great for the whole family, this show is educational, uplifting and fun. After the parade and lighting ceremony, experience a show that celebrates our freedom during the Christmas season.

Branson is the perfect destination for the holiday season with Ozark Mountain Christmas decorating the city with holiday cheer and tours that guide visitors through the different Christmas lights and exhibits. Ride the Ducks is hosting a Holiday Lights tour through Branson where guests can take in the sights of the city as well as the different light displays throughout including Ozark Mountain Christmas displays and the popular Trail of Lights! At the beginning of the tour, each guest is presented with a festive Santa hat. As you make your way down the 76 strip, through city light displays and the Trail of Lights, your favorite Christmas carols help create the festive mood. Enjoy Ride the Ducks – Holiday Lights during your vacation where you can see Branson’s holiday spirit!

Families that are looking for the Trail of Lights display as well as Shepherd of the Hills activities will enjoy the fun Christmas on the Trail has to offer. This tour combines the magic of the Trail of Lights display with a full holiday meal to give families in Branson a complete holiday experience. Before setting out to see the animations and light scenes, you can sit down and enjoy food like Cookie’s Sparklin’ Taters and Trail Stew while carolers sing your favorite Christmas songs. After you’ve eaten your fill, you can take a trip to the Holiday Gift Shop and the Inspiration Tower! After touring through Shepherd of the Hills, you can jump into your car and make your way through the Trail of Lights display at your own pace! Celebrate the Christmas season with a trip to Shepherd of the Hills.

If a drive through the Trail of Lights display is the perfect amount of holiday cheer, you will enjoy admission to just the Trail of Lights exhibit. Journey to Shepherd of the Hills and make your way through the magical wonderland that will provide Christmas joy to the whole family with the different displays of fantasy, religion, and patriotism! On this tour, you will travel through different light animations and scenes while enjoying your favorite holiday carols. The historic 160-acre homestead is completely decked out for the holidays and is a must-see for all families planning a vacation to Branson during the joyful season.

Silver Dollar City is once again celebrating the joys of the winter season with An Old Time Christmas. Running from the start of November through December 30, An Old Time Christmas coats the 18th century Ozarks surroundings of Silver Dollar City with a delightful cheer and numerous activities and exhibits pertaining to the holidays. The Gifts of Christmas Holiday Lights Parade, live presentations of A Dickens Christmas Carol and a five-story Christmas tree are just a few of the special additions in store, with millions of Christmas lights covering the park in a gentle glow. Silver Dollar City can offer an authentic view of the history and culture of the Branson area, and An Old Time Christmas is certainly no exception in terms of representing the fervor that the typical Ozarks resident approaches the winter season with.

If you’re hoping to catch a few of the popular Branson shows during your visit, guests will find a wide variety of special Christmas performances taking place from now through the end of the year. From traditional Branson offerings such as Shoji Tabuchi and Yakov Smirnoff to limited engagements that include Tony Orlando & The Lennon Sisters, there are a variety of show offerings, each getting into the spirit of the holidays.

The Christmas season in Branson is quickly approaching with light displays and Christmas shows starting the weekend of November 1. You’ll find plenty of holiday cheer in Branson with popular Christmas programs like Andy Williams, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede, Trail of Lights, and many more. Whether you want to hear some Christmas carols or to enjoy a filling holiday meal, you’ll find plenty of attractions that keep the holiday season going all winter long. Check out some of the popular holiday choices for Branson visitors below!

Trail of Lights

Journey to the Shepherd of the Hills once the sun goes down to travel on the 160-acre homestead turned winter wonderland known as the Trail of Lights. Complete with holiday music, you drive through different themed lands that go from patriotic colors to fantasy worlds. See your favorite holiday characters as well as larger than life animatronics that make your experience with the kids truly memorable. The weather may be cold outside, but you can keep warm inside your vehicle as you wonder the lit trails of Shepherd of the Hills.

Tony Orlando & The Lennon Sisters, Christmas Celebration!

Come and see the harmonics and musical styling of Tony Orlando and The Lennon Sisters with this Christmas show that provides all of your favorite carols with talent only they can provide. With comedy, music and dancing, this show delivers all of the geared-up fun with that holiday kick that helps you get into the giving spirit. Take the family and unwind with Tony Orlando and The Lennon Sisters as they serenade you into the holiday cheer that surrounds Branson during the season.

Andy Williams Christmas Show

Join one of Branson’s most famous performers as he brings your favorite Christmas carols to life. With his family-friendly performances and smooth melodies, Andy Williams has charmed Branson visitors for over 60 years. Known for his duets with performers like Glen Campbell and Charo, this show is a must-see. Come and visit the famous Moon River Theater during the Christmas season to see the musical talent and charm of Andy Williams.

As the holidays draw near, Branson is gearing up to celebrate in full fashion with its annual Ozark Mountain Christmas. Held from the beginning of November through the New Year, Ozark Mountain Christmas, while a celebration of the season, is more of a complete mind set. Area shops, restaurants, shows and even streets transform to embrace this special time of the year. Of course, tangible events and festivals are definitely present amidst the winter make-over, with some of the season’s more popular celebrations including the Branson Area Festival of Lights, Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas, and the Adoration Parade and Lighting Ceremony.

One popular show that completely transforms for the Christmas season is Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede. Though typically showcasing an epic battle between the North and South during the Civil War, Dixie Stampede during Ozark Mountain Christmas features a fanciful feud between the North and South poles, complete with falling snow and a live nativity scene. Of course, the same great meal and exciting atmosphere can be found to ensure that guests are still greeted with top-notch quality when visiting during the winter months.

And for those looking for something truly special during the Ozark Mountain Christmas, there is Tony Orlando & The Lennon Sisters, Christmas Celebration! Throughout this performance the Lennon Sisters and Tony Orlando will team up to present some of your favorite Christmas songs. Phenomenal singing an a light-hearted family atmosphere are waiting with this limited engagement in Branson

When traveling around the Branson area during the Halloween season, there are plenty of options for a safe, indoor trick or treating experience. One of the best is the Halloween Safe Trick or Treat at the Battlefield Mall. Each year on Halloween night, the mall opens up its doors to all trick or treaters and their families to spend the evening wandering the various shops to receive candy and set up activities for the youngsters. Rainy weather may threaten your outside trick or treating experience, but with the Halloween Safe Trick or Treat at the Battlefield Mall, you can stay out of the cold and elements while your children enjoy their Halloween night.  

If trick or treating isn’t exactly what you’re looking for in Halloween fun, enjoy other Branson attractions like the Haunted House! With realistic animatronics (or are they?) and state of the art effects set up to scare the wits out of you, this Haunted House is sure to pack in the excitement for your Halloween night. Make your way down darkened hallways and walk through dusty, dark rooms to discover that there is more than meets the eye at this house. Enter at your own risk!

 Smaller children might not find the Haunted House to their liking, so there are other options that are perfect for those little ones in your family. Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum provides an odd and unusual experience that will both amaze and mystify you. The smaller children will enjoy the optical illusions and larger than life exhibits. If you’ve always wanted to learn more about nature’s oddities, a trip to the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum is the perfect way to satisfy your curious side.

From November 1 until December 30, Silver Dollar City will be wrapped in the cheer of the season thanks to its Old Time Christmas celebration. This year, four million lights will blanket Silver Dollar City for a glowing warmth that represents the holidays, though that will only be the beginning. A 5-story, special effects Christmas tree will wow the entire family, while special live shows including A Dickens’ Christmas Carol and The Living Nativity focus on the true spirit of Christmas. Of course, throughout An Old Time Christmas guests will still find all of their favorite thrill rides, dining establishments and shops open to offer a complete Silver Dollar City experience. Branson always goes all-out to celebrate this special time of year, and Silver Dollar City is certainly no exception. Come experience what everyone’s talking about, and be apart of An Old Time Christmas this year with Silver Dollar City and Branson, MO!

As the first theme park in Branson, Silver Dollar City is an encompassing look at all that Branson stands for. The park is set to resemble the Ozarks during the 1800’s with a variety of craft exhibits, historical reenactments and a natural charm, and that’s just the setting of this exciting park. Guests can expect to find numerous rides such as the interactive Flooded Mine and thrilling coaster experiences including PowderKeg, 40 daily live shows, and countless attractions that range from train rides to child play areas. Let entertainment and history come together at Silver Dollar City for a truly memorable day in Branson.

The leaves of the Ozarks are beginning to swirl through the air in a wondrous mixture of reds, oranges and yellows, offering a vivid view of the Branson outdoors. And with a variety of cruise options running on both Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo, there are a variety of ways to experience the full spectrum of the Ozarks natural beauty. From luxurious dinner cruises to the always fun Ducks, you’re sure to find a cruise option just right for your next visit to Branson, MO!

Showboat Branson Belle

A time of entertainment, dining and sightseeing await with the Showboat Branson Belle! You’ll cruise Table Rock Lake aboard an actual paddlewheel boat, and experience the award-winning variety show “Steppin’ Out” while enjoying gourmet dining. “Steppin’ Out” features a variety of acts ranging from a medley of popular show tunes to acrobatic dance numbers and comedic interludes. If you can’t decide on one particular activity when in Branson, then do it all with the Showboat Branson Belle.

Branson Landing Cruises

You’ll experience modernity meld with nature as you depart from the Branson Landing for a cruise along Lake Taneycomo. Along the Branson Landing Cruises you’ll have the chance to witness Branson Landing’s popular Fountains attraction, featuring water, fire and special lights, as well as the natural beauty that surrounds the banks of Lake Taneycomo. Furthermore, with options ranging from general sightseeing to complete dining experiences you’ll find a variety of cruise options waiting with the Branson Landing Cruises.

Ride the Ducks Branson

A light-hearted adventure that can be both fun and informative, Ride the Ducks Branson is a great activity for the entire family. You’ll ride along both the land and water aboard the same vehicle! And with tours taking off from both the Branson Landing and Table Rock Lake you’ll have the option to experience two different areas of Branson for double the fun.

Take time this holiday season to focus on what truly matters – family – with a heart-warming visit to Branson during the always popular winter season. Throughout the city, local businesses, shows, attractions, and even the residents bring out their full cheer in celebration of the holidays. From general decorations throughout the city to actual festivals celebrating the joy of Christmas, there are a variety of small touches that turn the Ozarks in to a veritable winter wonderland. However, as can be imagined, winter is always a popular time in the Ozarks, with many of its more recognized attractions and shows already beginning to fill up. That’s why we’ve highlighted some of the most beloved holiday activities in Branson, ensuring you can properly plan your winter vacation before it’s too late. Read on, and begin to prepare for a truly memorable Christmas experience!

Andy Williams Christmas Show

Since 1992, Andy Williams has been entertaining the Ozarks with his charisma and pop-sensibilities, and this never shines truer than during the holidays. This year, from November 1 through December 13, Andy Williams will be hosting his traditional Christmas show, presenting many of your favorite carols and seasonal songs as only Andy can.

Shoji Tabuchi Christmas Show

From his unparalleled talents on the violin to the sheer magnificence of his theater’s restrooms, Shoji Tabuchi has long been one of the more renowned shows in Branson for a number of reasons. And during the holiday season, you can experience the same level of craftsmanship, complete with sharp musical performances and complex choreography, all topped with the spirit of Christmas. During the Shoji Tabuchi Christmas Show, running from November 1 – December 14, Shoji will present Christmas classics while back-up singers, dancers, and an amazing set that all comes together to paint the picture of a snowy Christmas spectacular!

Noah The Musical at Sight & Sound Theatre

While the production of Noah may not change too drastically during the holiday season, that is only because it is a rare performance that happens to carry the basic message of the Christmas season throughout the entire year. Those looking for a faith-based experience will find it on a grand scale at Noah with set designs towering over 40 feet into the air, 3D video imaging, pyrotechnics, and, of course, a traditional message of Christ. If you’ve yet to take in Noah The Musical, be sure to do so while visiting Branson this Christmas season and see for yourself why this new show has been the talk of the town throughout the year.

Silver Dollar City – An Old Time Christmas

Offering a touching look at a traditional Ozarks Christmas, Silver Dollar City presents an immersive atmosphere of thrill rides, arts and crafts, and a general sense of holiday charm that can only be found during the park’s Old Time Christmas. Held from November 1 – December 30, An Old Time Christmas brings a variety of festive additions to the popular theme park. A 5-story Christmas tree, holiday lights parade, special holiday performances, and Christmas carolers is just a small taste of what’s awaiting throughout the day at Silver Dollar City during An Old Time Christmas, and is a great representative of the type of setting you’ll find not only throughout the park, but throughout Branson as a whole