From November 1 through January 5, Branson celebrates the season with true holiday magic! From renowned festivals and elaborate light displays to gourmet hot chocolate and pictures with Santa, America's Christmas Tree City has plenty of festive fun in store. Plan a trip with family and friends, make lasting holiday memories and add these eight Christmas must-dos to your itinerary for an unforgettable Ozark Mountain Christmas!
1. Get Festive with Branson's Live Christmas Shows
Branson's live music shows supply a large dose of Christmas cheer. Many productions showcase the cheer and goodwill of the Christmas season through music, story and dance. Performances such as Christmas Wonderland (shown above), Dolly Parton's Stampede, A Shepherd's Christmas Carol, Grand Country Music Hall, the Presleys' Christmas Jubilee and several more put thousands of visitors in the Christmas spirit each year!
2. Experience An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City
Known as one of America's best holiday events, An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City fills the 1880s-themed park with Christmas traditions, seasonal treats, live music, Broadway-style productions and millions of sparkling lights. The 2026 celebration also brings a brand-new parade, Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights, along with the final year of Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade.
Celebrate the season beneath more than 6.5 million lights, including 1.5 million illuminating the Christmas in Midtown Light Spectacular. At the heart of the park, Joy on Town Square features an 8-story animated Christmas tree surrounded by a dazzling display of lights and imagery synchronized to music. The park also features the Grand Fir in The Plaza, a majestic live Christmas tree with its own nightly lighting ceremony.
There's no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than with one of Silver Dollar City's festive live shows. Catch the Broadway-style production A Dickens' Christmas Carol, enjoy bluegrass-infused holiday music in Heart of Christmas, take in the Living Nativity or find live music and interactive entertainment throughout the park. Add in seasonal favorites like the Christmas Tasting Passport, hot chocolate and other holiday treats, and there's plenty to keep the Christmas spirit going all day long.
3. Go on a Drive-Thru Christmas Light Tour
Branson is home to several drive-through Christmas light displays, making it easy to enjoy the holiday scenery without leaving the comfort of your vehicle. See Branson all aglow at Branson’s Lights of Joy, where the 2026 season brings more than 250 all-new displays along a 1.25-mile route. The drive also features the attraction’s signature RGB Digital Tunnel, with color-changing lights and animated shows that create a festive glow all around your vehicle.
Branson's Promised Land Zoo's Let There Be Lights! features a two-mile LED light display winding through the zoo's 74-acre property. The experience also includes admission to the petting zoo, where you can get a closer look at some of the animals after making your way through the lights. The display runs nightly during the Christmas season, making it an easy addition to an evening of holiday activities in Branson.
Drive through the Trail of Lights, a holiday tradition that has been lighting up Branson for more than 35 years. Millions of multi-colored lights and animated displays wind through the historic 160-acre Shepherd of the Hills Homestead, creating a festive drive through the Ozark countryside.
Click here to discover more Christmas light attractions!
4. Discover Christmas Under the Sea at Aquarium at the Boardwalk
Experience a Christmas adventure like no other at Christmas Under the Sea at Aquarium at the Boardwalk! This all-indoor holiday attraction combines the magic of Christmas with the wonders of marine life, beginning with a visit to Santa at Candy Harbor and an exciting 6D sleigh ride through a snowy woodland. When a bag of Christmas magic takes an unexpected plunge into the sea, guests are invited to explore a festive underwater world filled with sharks, rays, jellyfish, and thousands of fascinating sea creatures. Along the way, discover penguins preparing toys in their underwater workshop, mermaids watching over the coral, and hidden Nutcracker Sea Guardians. Families can also collect Passport stamps as they explore this incredible addition to Branson's Ozark Mountain Christmas!
5. Explore The Branson Christkindlmarkt
The Branson Christkindlmarkt brings the warmth and wonder of a traditional European Christmas market to Branson. Stroll beneath the lights, savor seasonal food and drinks, and browse festive stalls filled with Christmas gifts and specialty wares. Come for an afternoon or make it part of your Branson Christmas getaway. Admission is free, and every visit offers something new to discover.
6. Complete Your Holiday Shopping
It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a little Christmas shopping. Luckily, Branson's shopping options make checking your list twice easy. There are endless opportunities to choose the perfect gift in the Branson area. Visitors can find outlet centers, shops, and galleries focused on arts and crafts, as well as boutiques and stores offering themed experiences for collectors, gift buyers, and bargain-hunters alike. Find deals on favorite designer brands at Tanger Outlets, shop lakeside at the Branson Landing, or head to the Grand Village Shops for specialty items and a year-round Christmas store called Kringles Christmas Shop!
7. Ride Aboard The Polar Express
Based on the popular book, “The Polar Express” by Chris Van Allsburg, the transformation of the Branson Scenic Railway to the beloved holiday train each Christmas is an experience that the whole family will treasure. After you board The Polar Express at the historic 1906 depot in Downtown Branson, you'll be greeted by characters out of the story itself, including the prominent train conductor. Come ready for tasty cookies and hot chocolate, breathtaking scenery and a reading from Santa. Tickets sell quickly, so be sure to book in advance. Pajamas are encouraged!
8. Follow the Ozark Mountain Christmas Pass
It's the most wonderful time of the year here in Branson, Missouri! Join us on a magical journey by following along the Ozark Mountain Christmas Pass, where you'll explore Branson's most festive spots and win free prizes—yes, it's that simple! Prepare to be enchanted by dazzling live music shows, twinkling lights, towering Christmas trees, festive sights, merry activities, cozy food and charming shopping locations all dedicated to creating unforgettable holiday memories for you and your loved ones this season.
**Events are subject to change. Please refer back to our website near the holiday season!**
With its holiday touch on attractions, events and entertainment, Branson makes for an exciting destination to spend your Christmas. Learn more about celebrating Christmas in Branson here.
