Silver Dollar City puts up more than 6.5 million lights for An Old Time Christmas, from November 7, 2026 to January 2, 2027. Lights of Joy, the Trail of Lights, Promised Land Zoo and Big Cedar Lodge are drive-throughs, from $25 a car. Guided tours by trolley or small bus take you around without driving.
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See the displaysSilver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri · Photo: Nan Fry / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 · Credits
Four of the five are drive-throughs you see from your car. They charge per vehicle, not per person, so a full car pays the same as a couple. Lights of Joy, Promised Land Zoo and the Trail of Lights are all on the west side, so two fit in one evening; Big Cedar is a separate drive south to Ridgedale.
Silver Dollar City
More than 6.5 million lights across the theme park, with the rides and Christmas shows running into the evening.
700 Expressway Lane, just north of Sight & Sound
A one-mile drive past more than 250 displays at your own pace, 20 to 45 minutes depending on the line. Santa poses for free photos Fridays to Sundays until December 20, plus Thanksgiving and December 21 and 22, with hot cocoa on those nights. Three canned goods for the food pantry take $3 off.
Shepherd of the Hills, 6021 W 76 Country Blvd
A drive across the 160-acre Shepherd of the Hills homestead, with a free hot cocoa at Aunt Mollie's Mercantile (not on December 24). Single-axle vehicles only, and online tickets don't skip the line.
Promised Land Zoo, 2751 Shepherd of the Hills Expy
A two-mile drive across 74 acres, then a free walk through the Candyland Courtyard, where Santa poses for free photos every night. The pick when the kids need to get out of the car.
Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale; check in at the entrance off the roundabout
A self-guided drive of 20 to 30 minutes past more than a million lights and light tunnels. Book ahead, since drive-up spots are limited; cards only.
VIP Tours of Branson
A guided small-group tour of about 2½ hours, up to 12 people, through Lights of Joy and the Big Cedar Lodge drive-through, with admission to both and bottled water included; the guide's tip isn't. It meets at 4220 Gretna Road.
From $66.50 on Viator
Branson Duck Tours
An 80-minute trolley ride through the downtown lights and past Lights of Joy, from 3430 W 76 Country Blvd. Up to 15 people; not wheelchair accessible.
From $39.99 on Viator
Lights of Joy
Admission for one car load to the drive-through display.
From $25 per car on Viator
Redneck Comedy Bus Tour
A comedy bus tour of the lights with a stop at Smith Creek Moonshine and a tasting for guests 21 and up. Parking and admission are included, and the bus boards at Scooter's Sports Grill, 2805 Green Mountain Drive.
From $49.99 on Viator
The lights are part of An Old Time Christmas, so a regular park ticket gets you in: from $79 online on select days bought 24 hours ahead, $95 for any day, kids 3 and under free. The park usually opens from 1 pm to 9 pm and on Saturdays from 11 am to 10 pm. It's closed most Tuesdays and Wednesdays until December 16 and on December 24 and 25, so pick your date on the park calendar.
Old Time Christmas: daily hours and tickets
One near Silver Dollar City, one on the 76 Strip, one downtown.
Photo: Expedia76 Strip 9.8/10 on Expedia
Free parkingNo petsBreakfast included
On the 76 Strip, across the road from where the trolley light tour leaves.
Shady Acre Inn and SuitesBranson West 9.6 on ExpediaFree parkingNo petsOn Highway 76 in Branson West, on the way to Silver Dollar City.Check prices
Hilton Branson Convention CenterDowntown and Branson Landing 8.6 on ExpediaParking Covered self-parking $15 a dayPets: 2 pets up to 75 lb, $100 a pet a stayBreakfast extraAt Branson Landing downtown; pets cost $100 each per stay.Check pricesSilver Dollar City is the biggest, with more than 6.5 million lights, rides and Christmas shows, but you need a park ticket. Of the drive-throughs, the Trail of Lights crosses the old Shepherd of the Hills homestead with free cocoa, Promised Land Zoo suits young kids because you can get out and meet Santa, and Lights of Joy is cheapest on a Monday. Big Cedar's drive is free for its guests.
Yes, four: Lights of Joy on the Shepherd of the Hills Expressway, the Trail of Lights at Shepherd of the Hills, Let There Be Lights! at Promised Land Zoo and the drive-through at Big Cedar Lodge. Lights of Joy costs $30 a carload, $25 on most Mondays, and takes 20 to 45 minutes.
The drive-throughs charge per vehicle: Lights of Joy $30 a carload, $25 on most Mondays; the Trail of Lights $30 to $35; Promised Land Zoo $30 for up to six people and $45 for seven or more; Big Cedar $35 a car, free for its guests. Silver Dollar City's lights come with a park ticket, from $79 online on select days or $95 any day.
Most drive-throughs open at dusk or 5 pm. Lights of Joy and Promised Land Zoo run until 11 pm, Big Cedar until 10 pm, and the Trail of Lights until 10 pm on weeknights and 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
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