Branson's Ozark Mountain Christmas Begins Nov. 1

Silver Dollar City Tops Off Their 50th Anniversary with Brightest Celebration Yet!

BRANSON, Mo., Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With dozens of star-filled Christmas music shows and a glittering array of light displays, including the 1-mile Branson Area Festival of Lights drive-through, "The Live Music Show Capital of the World" kicks off its annual Ozark Mountain Christmas celebration Nov. 1.

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"What a great time of year to share love and laughter with your family," said comedian and singer-songwriter Jim Stafford. "When folks come to my theater in Branson and see our Christmas show, they always leave with a little more elf in themselves and some jingle in their bells!"

Branson's star entertainers and their elaborate holiday production numbers are all set to dazzle visitors during November and December.  From the voice of "Mr. Christmas" Andy Williams to Tony Orlando and the Lennon Sisters, in their final Christmas season together, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers with Debby Boone,  the Oak Ridge Boys and the Osmond Brothers, there's a multitude of entertainers that showcase Branson's Christmas spirit.

Familiar carols fill the air at family music shows like the Baldknobbers, Presleys, Duttons and the Hughes Brothers, and peals of laughter roll through the aisles at Jim Stafford, Hamner Barber and Paul Harris' shows. And, for the kid in all of us, there's a special Holiday Lights Ride the Ducks to see the sights and lights on a sing-along holiday adventure through a lighted forest of twinkling snowflakes, candy canes and holiday ornaments.

Silver Dollar City rings in the holiday season with a grand finale to their 50th Anniversary, presenting An Old Time Christmas Nov. 6 - Dec. 30.  Following what has been a year-long look at the best of the past five decades; this Christmas spectacular culminates the 50th festivities with one of the most acclaimed holiday festivals in America.

The 1880s-style theme park transforms into an evening wonderland, featuring the Christmas on Main Street light and sound show, 1,000 decorated Christmas trees, 5-story special effects Christmas Tree, a Holiday Light Parade, the Broadway-style production A Dickens' Christmas Carol, festive holiday foods and over four million lights – plus thrilling rides, as guests can soar into the night while viewing the awesome lights from above.

Fine craftsmanship is showcased as the park's 100 demonstrating craftsmen create one-of-a-kind handmade holiday items. The Culinary & Craft School celebrates with classes on Christmas specialties, while tastes of the season are in abundance throughout the 100-acre park, including a prime rib buffet and traditional favorites such as turkey with all the fixings.  

At the Sight & Sound Theatre, best known for its vast and inspiring "Noah, The Musical" production, the real story, "The Miracle of Christmas"—about the birth of Jesus—comes to life for the season. You'll be touched to watch how it all unfolds with kings, angels and Mary and Joseph, a simple, faithful couple chosen by God. As a bonus, you'll have the opportunity to interact with the characters and see the animals up-close from the Nativity story.

The Showboat Branson Belle is bedecked in Christmas finery and charts a course for holiday food and fun on Table Rock Lake through December. Also, the World's Largest Titanic Museum Attraction will be decorated with hundreds of merry lights and holiday trim that recall those elegant Christmases past.

The Butterfly Palace during "White Flight" becomes an enchanting stroll through a world of living snowflakes. Thousands of white butterflies and hundreds of poinsettias combine with twinkling light displays for a lovely tribute to the holidays that truly has to be experienced.

Your family can discover Branson's newest "Winter WonderLanding" at the Branson Landing waterfront district, featuring a promenade of trendy specialty shopping and dining establishments, the brilliant water and fire spectacular that dances to the sounds of the season in the Town Square and even Santa Claus, who has been known to vacation in Branson himself!

If there is Christmas shopping to do, Historic Downtown Branson is a good place to find great gifts, and there are three name-brand outlet malls, boutique shops and Ozarks craftsmen in the Grand Village as well as stores throughout town all decked out with elaborate holiday decorations that beckon Yuletide visitors.

You can also enjoy huge Christmas lighting displays with the Branson Area Festival of Lights, off of Shepherd of the Hills Expy., and the Trail of Lights at Shepherd of the Hills Homestead. And on the first Sunday in December, thousands of people gather in downtown Branson to watch a Christmas parade with no hint of commercialism. This year marks the 63rd Adoration Parade, an evening event with dozens of high school bands and lighted floats. The theme has always been "Keeping Christ in Christmas."

That's just a little of what Branson has to offer at Christmas.  As Andy Williams always tells us, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," and Christmas in Branson is like Christmas nowhere else on earth. We're giving you the very best we have to offer, so come enjoy our gift to you—a wonderful, enchanting vacation that you and every member of your family will never forget! Merry Christmas!

For additional information about Branson's more than 100 live shows, theme parks, lakes, golf courses, family attractions, shopping and other features, or to order a free Branson Vacation Guide, call the Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-214-3661 or visit our website at www.ExploreBranson.com.

SOURCE Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau