Branson, Missouri, the Live Entertainment Capital of the Midwest, is known for being a great summer vacation destination – and with three surrounding lakes, multiple theme parks, family themed attractions, restaurants, shopping and live music, it certainly is that! But Branson also makes a fantastic option for a holiday destination at any time of the year. So the next time you’d like to take a holiday (literally!), check out how to celebrate holidays in Branson!
Christmas: Christmas is one of the big holidays in Branson, and you can’t beat a December trip to town for good family fun! For a fluttering holiday celebration, come visit The Butterfly Palace for White Flight, a special holiday exhibit featuring hundreds of white tropical butterflies floating about the tropical butterfly aviary like winged snowflakes. You and your family will watch in awe as these beautiful Christmas butterflies fly among Living Statues of Angels, and soar up to the top of an eighteen foot tall Poinsettia Christmas Tree, while Christmas carols play in the background.
During the Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City, the entire park is lit up from top to bottom during the holiday season, a feat made possible by over five million Christmas lights. You will also find a thousand decorated Christmas trees throughout the property. Make sure to stop by and watch the five story special effects Christmas tree as it lights up and shimmers in time to the music of classic Christmas carols! Be sure to find a good spot to watch the Holiday Light Parade, where you will catch a glimpse of a giant gingerbread house, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and maybe even Santa Clause. Also featured during the Old Time Christmas are two Broadway-style holiday productions: A Dickens’ Christmas Carol and It’s a Wonderful Life. Other great shows include The Living Nativity and Frosty.
Christmas lights are another great bonus of celebrating in Branson – one of the most popular displays of Branson Christmas lights is, without question, the Trail of Lights of Shepherd of the Hills. Open during November and December, this spectacular light display will draw you into a winter wonderland! The drive through light display will take you through the heart of the historic homestead, down ‘The Trail That Nobody Knows How Old,’ and winds through different themed lands ranging in variety from outer space, to the beach. You will also get to peek inside the ‘Christmas boxes’ to see what life-size characters are doing inside! Holiday music will accompany your tour – you will end up at the Inspiration Tower, so be sure to take the elevator up for a look at ALL the Branson Christmas lights!
Memorial Day: Memorial Day is another very popular holiday to celebrate in Branson. The city is known for being one of the most patriotic in the U.S., and you can join in the festivities! If celebrating Memorial Day lakeside is your thing, pack a cooler, the kids and some sunscreen and head out to Table Rock Lake for a weekend party! There are multiple spots along the shore for you to set up shop and celebrate. Table Rock State Park features a lovely lakeside view complete with picnic tables and barbeque grills for your picnic pleasure. You also have easy access to the water here at the State Park in case you get hot and want to swim. A paved walking trail, a boat dock, and indoor bathrooms are available for your convenience.
For an elegant yet fun way to celebrate a Branson Memorial Day, make plans to attend Memorial Day Celebration held at Chateau on the Lake! You will experience a fireworks show that is a local legend – imagine brightly colored fireworks exploding into the night and reflecting off of the lake. You will ooh and ahh for sure! You will also get to partake in an outdoor barbeque event here in the heartland of barbeque country. Live music will round out the evening and make the party perfect.
And for a Memorial Day celebration that is a little bit rustic and a whole lot of fun, come see the Memorial Fireworks at Big Cedar Lodge. Stroll around this beautiful resort, browse the gift shop, visit the stables, take a carriage ride, or dine at the Worman House! There is plenty to keep you busy until the sun goes down and the fireworks begin.
4th of July: Anyone who celebrates holidays in Branson knows that fireworks are very popular around town on special occasions – and 4th of July is the perfect time to see some amazing fireworks! The Honor America Celebration at College of the Ozarks, the Liberty Light-Up at the Branson Landing and the Fireworks at the Chateau on the Lake are some of Branson’s most spectacular fireworks shows.
Veterans Day: Patriotism is a matter of pride in Branson – and no one honors American Heroes on Veterans Day better. For years, Branson has celebrated our military men and women by hosting the Traveling Vietnam Wall and the famous Veteran’s Day Parade. The whole community gets behind these events, so that those who have paid the price know that they are appreciated, and loved.
A big role in Branson veterans appreciation is played by the Branson Veteran Task Force, and Branson Veterans Events and Reunions Inc., both not for profit organizations who seek to honor veterans through patriotic events, military reunions, and community functions. The Branson Veterans Task Force offers membership to those interested in assisting veterans and helping with their needs; they also help circulate a veterans email newsletter. Branson Veterans Events and Reunions Inc. keeps veterans abreast of local events happening in the area, provides sponsorship information to the community, and also provides veterans with a list of businesses that offer special discounts.
Whatever holidays in Branson you choose to celebrate, you won’t regret making this hotspot in the Ozarks your holiday destination!
