Christmas wreath with lights at the Silver Dollar City sign
Christmas

Christmas in Branson

Ozark Mountain Christmas, Branson's holiday season, runs from November 1 to January 7. Silver Dollar City switches on more than 6.5 million lights from November 7, 2026, the Polar Express leaves downtown from November 12, and many theaters on the 76 Strip play a Christmas show. Sight & Sound's Miracle of Christmas runs through December 31, 2026.

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See the Christmas shows
Checked November 8, 2026Nov 1 to Jan 715 Christmas shows

Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri · Photo: Nan Fry / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 · Credits

The short answer

Branson's big Christmas events

Each of these has its own Christmas season, tickets and dates.

  • An Old Time Christmas

    Where: Silver Dollar City

    Dates and price: Nov 7, 2026 to Jan 2, 2027 on select days, closed Dec 24 and 25; more than 6.5 million lights; $95 any day or from $79 on select days online, plus tax

  • Miracle of Christmas

    WhereSight & Sound TheatresDates and priceThrough Dec 31, 2026; $59–$79 for 13+, $34 for ages 2–12

  • The Polar Express

    WhereBranson Scenic Railway, downtownDates and priceSelected dates Nov 12 to Jan 2; 75 minutes; adults from $51 plus tax

  • Stampede Christmas Show

    WhereDolly Parton's StampedeDates and priceDaily Oct 29 to Jan 3, with a four-course dinner

  • Showboat Christmas cruise

    WhereTable Rock LakeDates and priceThrough Dec 23, 2026, with a three-course meal; from $69

  • Lights of Joy

    WhereDrive-through lightsDates and priceNov 1, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027

Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City

The Polar Express in Branson

All the Christmas light displays

Christmas shows

Shows with a Christmas program

Along the 76 Strip, the Clay Cooper Theatre's shows, The Duttons, SIX and the Hughes Brothers all switch to Christmas programs in November and December. Shepherd of the Hills runs three Christmas-only dinner shows, and its Great American Chuckwagon plays a cowboy Christmas show. Most Christmas shows end between December 23 and December 31.

  • The Haygoods

    TheaterClay Cooper TheatreChristmas programOwn Christmas show; Typically $43–$47 for adults

  • Clay Cooper's Country Express

    TheaterClay Cooper TheatreChristmas programChristmas show November 8 to December 30, 2026

  • Dean Z – The Ultimate Elvis

    TheaterClay Cooper TheatreChristmas programChristmas show in season

  • Hot Rods & High Heels

    TheaterClay Cooper TheatreChristmas programChristmas show in season

  • #1 Hits of the '60s

    TheaterClay Cooper TheatreChristmas programChristmas show in season

  • Matt Gumm & Company

    TheaterClay Cooper TheatreChristmas programChristmas show in season

  • The Duttons

    TheaterDutton Family TheaterChristmas programChristmas show in season

  • SIX

    TheaterPepsi Legends TheaterChristmas programChristmas show in season

  • Hughes Brothers Christmas Show

    TheaterHughes Brothers TheatreChristmas programChristmas show

  • Great American Chuckwagon

    TheaterShepherd of the HillsChristmas programOwn Christmas show; $59.95 plus tax; kids $39.95 plus tax

  • A Christmas Story

    TheaterShepherd of the HillsChristmas programNovember 2 to December 26; $59.95 plus tax; kids 4–12 $39.95 plus tax

  • A Shepherd's Christmas Carol

    TheaterShepherd of the HillsChristmas programNovember 3 to December 24; $49.95 plus tax; kids 4–12 $34.75 plus tax

  • Old Trail Christmas

    TheaterShepherd of the HillsChristmas programNovember 3 to January 2; $59.95 plus tax; kids 4–12 $39.95 plus tax

All Branson shows

Dinner shows, including Christmas menus

Book tickets

Christmas shows and tours on Viator

Hughes Brothers Christmas Show
Photo: Hughes Brothers Theatre via Viator

Hughes Brothers Theatre

Hughes Brothers Christmas Show

2 hours

At the Hughes Brothers Theatre, 3425 W 76 Country Blvd on the 76 Strip. 10 am or 2 pm, with evening shows on some days.

  • Christmas show
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

4.8 · 236 reviews on Viator

From $50 on Viator

Check Prices & Availability
The Haygoods
Photo: Clay Cooper Theatre via Viator

Clay Cooper Theatre

The Haygoods

2 hours

At the Clay Cooper Theatre, 3216 W 76 Country Blvd on the 76 Strip.

  • Own Christmas show
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Good to know
  • Theater price: Typically $43–$47 for adults

5.0 · 8,608 reviews on Viator

From $58 on Viator

Check Prices & Availability
Branson's Christmas Wonderland
Photo: King's Castle Theatre via Viator

King's Castle Theatre

Branson's Christmas Wonderland

2 hours

A Christmas show at the King's Castle Theatre, with taxes and fees included in the price.

  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

4.1 · 100 reviews on Viator

From $55.29 on Viator

Check Prices & Availability
Branson VIP Christmas Light Tour
Photo: VIP Tours of Branson via Viator

VIP Tours of Branson

Branson VIP Christmas Light Tour

2½ hours

A guided small-group tour, up to 12 people, through Lights of Joy and the Big Cedar Lodge drive-through with admission to both and bottled water. Priced per person; the guide's tip isn't included.

  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

4.4 · 101 reviews on Viator

From $66.50 on Viator

Check Prices & Availability
Events

Christmas dates to plan around

From the Big Cedar drive-through to the last day of Old Time Christmas.

Branson events 2026–2027

Branson Christmas dates, 2026–2027
DateEventWhere
Nov 7 to Dec 30, 2026Drive-Through Christmas Lights Tour, 5 to 10 pmBig Cedar Lodge; $35 a car, free for Big Cedar guests, cards only
Sun, Dec 6, 2026, 5 pmAdoration Parade and nativity lightingFrom the Branson Convention Center through downtown to Branson Landing Blvd
Wed, Dec 23, 2026Last Showboat Christmas cruiseTable Rock Lake
Thu, Dec 31, 2026Last Miracle of Christmas performanceSight & Sound Theatres
Sat, Jan 2, 2027Last day of An Old Time Christmas and the Polar ExpressSilver Dollar City; downtown depot
Stay nearby

Where to stay for Christmas

On the 76 Strip near the theaters, downtown by the Polar Express depot, or close to Silver Dollar City.

  1. Lodge of the OzarksPhoto: Expedia

    1 / 7

    Photos: ExpediaCheck prices on Expedia

    76 Strip 9.8/10 on Expedia

    Lodge of the Ozarks

    Free parkingNo petsBreakfast included

    Next door to the Hughes Brothers Theatre on the 76 Strip, with breakfast included.

    • Good for Shows on the 76 Strip: the Dutton theater is a 2-minute walk
    • Good for A free hot breakfast and free parking
    • Skip if You're bringing a pet

    Check prices on Expedia Photos, rules and fees

  • 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 extraNext to the Polar Express depot on Main Street; pets cost $100 each per stay.Check prices
  • Shady Acre Inn and SuitesBranson West 9.6 on ExpediaFree parkingNo petsUnder a mile from Silver Dollar City, for an early start at the park.Check prices

Branson vacation rentals on Vrbo

What people ask

Quick answers

When is Christmas in Branson?

Ozark Mountain Christmas, Branson's holiday season, runs from November 1 to January 7. Silver Dollar City's festival runs from November 7, 2026 to January 2, 2027, and many theaters play Christmas shows during the season.

What are the best Christmas shows in Branson?

For the biggest production, Sight & Sound's Miracle of Christmas runs through December 31 ($59–$79 for 13 and up, $34 for ages 2–12). For dinner and a show, Dolly Parton's Stampede plays its Christmas show daily through January 3, and Shepherd of the Hills has three Christmas-only dinner shows from $49.95 plus tax. For a classic Branson variety show, The Haygoods and the Hughes Brothers both play Christmas programs; the Hughes Brothers Christmas Show rates 4.8 out of 5 on Viator from more than 200 reviews.

What's open around Christmas Day?

Silver Dollar City is closed on December 24 and 25, the Showboat's last Christmas cruise is December 23, and A Shepherd's Christmas Carol ends on December 24. After Christmas, Silver Dollar City, the Polar Express on select dates and Old Trail Christmas run until January 2, and Dolly Parton's Stampede and Lights of Joy until January 3.