Christmas in Branson

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Branson, Missouri, is well-known as an amazing destination for summer vacations. Tucked into the rolling Ozarks, and with three lakes in the area, the opportunities for outdoor recreation in Branson is almost off the chart.

Hiking and biking and horse-back riding through the fragrant woods, or waterskiing and wakeboarding on the lakes, or fly-fishing on the near-by streams – there’s definitely something for every taste and ability.

But what about winter? Well, that’s when Branson really shines – to say the least.  Christmas in Branson is over the top, too, and is especially magical for all the kids in the family.

Dinner Show on the Showboat Branson Belle

Many of the live shows in Branson’s 50-theater strip go on hiatus during the “off season” of January and February, but most of the theaters are ablaze with Christmas cheer from the weekend following Thanksgiving to the end of December. Christmas songs, Christmas carols, Christmas plays and Christmas romps bring the joy of this cheerful season to all children be they tykes or teens.

Almost all of these shows are “family-rated,” so taking the kids out for a live theater or concert experience is easy. Especially popular shows for kids includes Kirby VanBurch’s Christmas Spectacular, a magic show with surprise assistants – full-grown tigers! And the kids are sure to enjoy Christmas sing-alongs and caroling with family-oriented performers such as the Baldknobbers and the Presley Family.

Silver Dollar City is another Branson attraction that closes during the months of January and February, so the Christmas season is a great time to get your last licks in. Branson’s Silver Dollar City theme park is bedecked with the old-fashioned Christmas fun of the 1800s. Festive drapes of pine bows, red ribbons and strings of popcorn and candies decorate the western town.

Making Candy in Silver Dollar City

Your teens will especially appreciate that even the big roller coasters are festooned with Christmas decorations. And they’ll love getting to ride these three:

1. The Powder Keg coaster is the longest ride in Silver Dollar City. This steel roller coaster offers both a 90-degree turn and a helix that nearly turns the cars upside down.

2. Wildfire , another steel rollercoaster, is the theme park’s tallest ride, and features five inversions, including the exciting cobra roll.

3. Branson’s newest roller coaster is Outlaw Run, a mostly wooden structure that has broken records for having the steepest drop, and the most inversions, of any other wooden coaster in the world.

Take the younger kids in your family to the Grand Exposition where no less than ten rides await children too small for the big coasters.

Twisting and turning as fast as they can, kids love the Royal Tea Party. They’ll also have fun on the child-friendly roller coaster called the Grand Exposition; the Mighty Galleon, a pirate ship that sails 60 feet up in the air, and soaring through the air on the back of a giant butterfly called Wings of Wonder.

After the thrilling the rides, you’ll love seeing the sparkle in your children’s’ eyes as they experience a very special after-dark Christmas festival that only Silver Dollar City can offer. “Old Time Christmas” includes dazzling holiday lights in the millions that not only decorate the western-themed buildings, but dance to music of the season in multi-media choreographed shows. Below is a sample:

Not to be outdone by Silver Dollar City, the town of Branson itself glitters and glows with a mile-long Christmas light experience called the Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-Through. An amazing 175 light displays show the excitement, beauty, whimsy and fun of this magical holiday season.

Historic Downtown Branson offers the Adoration Parade, a community event that has inspired the “reason for the season” since 1948. Complete with floats, music, and performers, this parade celebrates the story of Christmas in a fun and festive way. And the kids will be fascinated by Branson’s largest outdoor nativity scene that overlooks Lake Taneycomo.

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