Playing in Branson

Ever wanted to take your children meet a princess? Now here is your chance! Just in time for the holidays, the Titanic Museum Attraction introduces for the first time ever the Titanic Fantasy Princess, making live appearances Wednesday—Sunday until December 30th.

The Fantasy Princess greets little boys and girls and brings to life the holiday season’s magic and mystery.  Also available is a photo-op with the princess herself.

In addition to the Fantasy Princess, during the holidays the Titanic is transformed during the annual Christmas Winter Wonderland, featuring thousands of lights, Edwardian style decorations, costumed merry-makers and a Gift Shoppe brimming with one-of-a-kind selections.

The Details:
Opens daily at 9 a.m.
Reservations are strongly suggested.
Phone number: 800-381-7670
Website: www.titanicattraction.com

The time-honored Branson tradition of lighting the Adoration Nativity Scene — and the parade that follows — is one of the highlights of the Christmas season each year. The Adoration Parade is always on the first Sunday in December at dusk.  Created in 1949 by businessman Joe Todd and local artist Steve Miller to honor the Christ child, plans for the scene were drawn out on a napkin over lunch at a Downtown Branson café.

The 28-foot-tall wooden nativity scene has stood on Mount Branson overlooking Lake Taneycomo and Downtown Branson since 1949. On February 29, 2012, it took a direct hit from an EF-2 tornado. Most of the historic nativity scene was destroyed or lost. The scene has been rebuilt to exact standards using plans and photographs from the original scene.

The new scene for Branson’s next century will be unveiled on Dec. 2, 2012, followed by the nighttime parade featuring bands and floats from several states and an appearance from Santa. Though the nativity scene will be new, the purpose of celebrating the Christmas story in a non-commercial manner will be the same.

Thanksgiving is next week, which means now is the time to plan for Black Friday. Shopping opportunities abound here is Branson, so add these places to your game plan.

Holiday savings begin at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 22nd) at Tanger Outlets, during Moonlight Madness and continue throughout the weekend. Shop and save at over 65 brand name designers outlets including, Nike, Old Navy, Carter’s and more! Make sure to visit their website (www.tangeroutlets.com/branson) to download special offers that will be available on the day that you are planning to shop.

National brand retail stores mixed with galleries and specialty shops call the Branson Landing home. Select stores will be open on Thanksgiving Day starting at 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Black Friday starting at 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.

And of course, national retailers like Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy will be hot-spots for Black Friday deals.

After you get your early morning bargains, you can get great deals in quaint and unique shops in Historic Downtown Branson, Grand Village Shops and more.

Happy shopping!

Nothing kicks off the holidays like a parade. The Branson community will gather on Sunday, December 2^nd to set aside individual aspirations and celebrate the true meaning of the Christmas season.

The Adoration Parade is a chance to stop and reflect on the beauty of the Christmas story that still inspires people today, including the lighting of the nativity scene on Mount Branson.  On this special night, no one is in the limelight and no organization is promoted, only an overwhelming outpouring of community and celebration as everyone comes together to honor the story of Christmas.

For more information visit our website:

http://www.explorebranson.com/christmas/adorationparade.

Experience the magic of the season at one of Branson’s lighted drive through displays.

Branson Area Festival of Lights drive-through is a one-mile long illuminated path featuring 175 displays. Open November 1st through January 2^nd, from dusk until 11 p.m., you have to add this to your Ozark Mountain Christmas must-do list.  Conveniently located off Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, this one-of-a-kind family experience promises to be spectacular.

Admission Fees for 2012
Family Vehicles – $12
Family Season Pass – $25
Mini-Coaches (12-28 seats), Church Vans and Limos – $30
Full-Size Motorcoaches – $55
For more information visit:
http://www.explorebranson.com/christmas/bafol

With a Heritage of Holiday Magic, The Trail of Lights is a drive-thru animation display that will carry you into the very heart of Christmas. The Trail winds its way through the historic 160-acre homestead at Shepherd of the Hills, and will take you down the famous “Trail that Nobody Knows How Old” into a holiday wonderland. As the grand finale to the journey, visitors are invited to stop by Inspiration Tower where they can ride glass elevators up 230’ for a Santa’s eye view of the lights from above. Open November 1st through December 31^st, seven nights a week.  From dusk until after the shows.

 For more information visit: http://www.trailoflights.com/

It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a little Christmas shopping. Opportunities to pick up the perfect gift abound in the Branson area. Throughout the Branson/Lakes Area visitors can find outlet centers, shops and galleries focused on arts and crafts, as well as boutique and specialty stores offering themed experiences for collectors, gift buyers and bargain hunters alike.

Branson Landing, nestled along the Taneycomo lakefront in downtown Branson, blends exciting shopping with dining.  Branson Landing offers an array of stores from national brand retails stores to galleries and specialty shops. Make sure to stop in and say hi to Santa, while you are there.

Grand Village features 26 specialty shops, including Kringles Christmas Store, Mulberry Mill, Peter Engler Designs, Thomas Kinkade, Grand Glitz and more.

Historic Downtown Branson, reminiscent of a century-old village, offers a variety of affordable shops and stores all within an easy stroll. Visitors will find many unique shopping opportunities with more than 80 retail establishments, including Dicks 5 & 10.

Tanger Outlet Center is home to 65 brand-name outlets for bargain hunting in the heart of Branson. This shopping complex is a favorite for Christmas shopping and offering everything from household items to fragrances.

For a complete list of shopping opportunities, visit http://www.explorebranson.com/shopping.

Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas (November 3-December 30), the park’s brightest season, is one of the most acclaimed holiday festivals in America.

Check out this video to see why.

The facts:

• 4 million lights
• 1,000 decorated Christmas trees
• 2 musicals: The all-new It’s a Wonderful Life and A Dicken’s Christmas Carol
• 8 lighted, musical floats during the Holiday Light Parade
• 5-story special effects Christmas tree

The months of September and October are an important time of the year for a Branson entertainer … it’s Christmas rehearsal time. For many years, Branson shows have reworked their regular season performances to create a production to showcase the cheer and goodwill of the Christmas season. With Christmas shows and special holiday guest appearances running in November and December, make sure you don’t miss seeing your favorites this holiday season.

The Andy Williams’ Christmas Show this year will be even bigger and more spectacular and includes a video performance and tribute to “Mr. Christmas” himself, Andy Williams. Andy was involved in all phases of his 21st Christmas show in Branson prior to his passing in September.

Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers along with Debby Boone are together at The Mansion Theatre while Tony Orlando’s Great American Christmas is at the Welk Resort Theatre. Christmas in Hollywood, at The King’s Castle Theater, rings in the season with a musical journey through some of Hollywood’s greatest movie moments.

Branson staples, The Baldknobbers and Presleys’ Country Jubilee, put their spin on Christmas classics and holiday humor. Step back in time with the Hughes Brothers Christmas Show or side with the North or South Pole at Dixie Stampede.

And that’s not all – there are many more holiday shows at dozens of theatres. For a list of all the Ozark Mountain Christmas shows visit: www.explorebranson.com/christmas.

It is now halfway through October, which means the Christmas season is right around the corner. I know you are thinking, can’t we get through Halloween and Thanksgiving before we start thinking about Christmas, but believe it or not we have been thinking about Christmas since July!

At this most wonderful time of the year, visitors in the tens of thousands make annual pilgrimages to Branson, earning national recognition as one of the Top 10 Christmas destinations in America. Christmas is kind of a big deal here in Branson and we don’t want you to miss out.

The 25^th annual Ozark Mountain Christmas season rolls out November 1^st here in Branson, transforming the town into a festive wonderland, blanketed with lights. This leaves you very little time to start planning your holiday trip to Branson.

So, we thought that over the next few weeks we would give you a list of the must-do’s of Ozark Mountain Christmas, from parades and festivals to shopping and shows. Make sure to check back with us!