"A world-class Christmas destination doesn't happen easily or automatically," Elizabeth Hughes, executive director of the Branson Christmas Coalition, said in the Coalition's 2026 season announcement. "It requires a year-long effort with intentionality and most importantly area wide collaboration." That announcement shows where the effort went this year. Several of the season's new pieces are free, and they sit in places Branson-area residents pass all year: a stretch of West Main Street, a shopping center on Gretna Road, the lampposts of Forsyth and the Ferris Wheel on 76. The paid attractions changed too. But much of what's new can be seen on an ordinary drive home without buying a ticket.
A Star That Stays Up in July
The biggest change is a permanent one. The giant five-pointed Adoration Star was replaced after tornado damage to the scene on Mount Branson. The Branson Christmas Coalition and the Veterans Memorial Garden have since moved the original star to 1107 West Main Street, where it will stay up all year. Anyone who drives West Main in spring or summer now passes a piece of Branson's best-known Christmas scene.
Forsyth got something built to last as well. A Plugged In Grant from the White River Valley Electric Cooperative covered much of the cost of 26 custom lighted snowflakes, made by Forsyth High School students for the town's lampposts. The Coalition says they'll go up "this Christmas season and for decades to come." Businesses or families who want to sponsor lights on the snowflakes can contact Hughes at 417-527-0399 or [email protected], according to the Coalition.
On West 76 Country Boulevard, the Coalition is again working with The Tracks Family Fun Parks, the Branson Ferris Wheel and Branson Helicopter Tours on the giant Christmas tree. This year it gets new red, white and blue décor for the country's 250th birthday. The tree's lights sync with "Electrify," the Ferris Wheel's six-minute music and light show, which runs every hour after dark and is free to watch.
The Tree Lightings Start Thursday Morning
Lights of Joy has been open since Nov. 1. The free tree ceremonies start Thursday, ahead of most of the other ticketed openings. Here's the week in order:
- Thursday, Nov. 5, 10 a.m. The Branson Christmas Coalition hosts a free ceremony recognizing Branson's 39-foot Community Christmas Tree as America's Most Patriotic Christmas Tree. This year's theme is "Hope and Hospitality." The tree stands at 3335 West 76 Country Boulevard, next to the Branson Ferris Wheel, and the program includes a ribbon cutting, holiday music and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, as Branson Globe reported.
- Friday, Nov. 6, 6 to 6:45 p.m. Hollister's Downing Street Christmas Tree Lighting is on the City of Hollister's November 2026 calendar.
- Friday, Nov. 6 Aquarium at the Boardwalk opens its holiday season with a free attempt at the Guinness World Record for the largest Santa-hat sculpture. The giant hat will crown Aquarius, the octopus sculpture overlooking Highway 76. The Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights opens the same night.
- Saturday, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m. Branson Landing's free tree lighting at 100 Branson Landing Boulevard features the animated 63-foot tree, more than five and a half stories tall. Kilwins provides hot cocoa and treats, dancers from Sonshine Dance perform, Santa visits and KOLR 10's Tom Trtan emcees. Silver Dollar City's An Old Time Christmas and Big Cedar's Holiday Tram Ride also start that day.
The Coalition's patriotic theme runs through the week. America's Most Patriotic Christmas Tree on Thursday and the red, white and blue tree farther down 76 are both part of the 250th-birthday push.
A Free Market on Gretna Road
The second big new piece for locals is a market. The Coalition is welcoming a new European-style Christkindl Market at The Shoppes at Branson Meadows, 4562 Gretna Road, anchored by a 26-foot Giant Everest artificial Christmas tree. Admission is free, and the market will offer artisan shopping, seasonal food and Christmas décor and lights.
It runs in weekend-length stretches rather than every day. Explore Branson's event listing gives these 2026 dates:
- Friday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Nov. 29
- Thursday, Dec. 3 through Sunday, Dec. 6
- Thursday, Dec. 10 through Sunday, Dec. 13
- Thursday, Dec. 17 through Sunday, Dec. 20
- Monday, Dec. 21 through Wednesday, Dec. 23
Hours change from one stretch to the next, so check the listing before you go. The opening weekend falls right after Thanksgiving, and the last three days run up to Christmas Eve week, so the market spans almost the whole season.
The Ticketed Attractions Rebuilt Too
The paid attractions changed more than usual this year. Lights of Joy Christmas Drive-Thru is the clearest example. "Every major display, except our tunnel and video boards, will be replaced," manager Kurt Kysar told Branson Tri-Lakes News. The paper reports that this is the sixth year in a row the drive-thru has brought in extensive new displays. There are nine themed areas this year, including Snow Day in the USA, Train Depot, Celebration Town, North Pole, 12 Days of Christmas, Patriotic Salute and Christmas Carol.
| Attraction | What's new for 2026 | Season | Price listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights of Joy Christmas Drive-Thru | Nearly all-new major displays, nine themed areas | Nov. 1 to Jan. 3, 5 to 11 p.m. | $30 per car Tuesday to Sunday, $25 on most Mondays |
| Silver Dollar City, An Old Time Christmas | New Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights Parade, twice the size of the old one, with all-new floats, characters and costumes | Nov. 7 to Jan. 2 | Merry Mondays tickets $79 plus tax on select dates |
| Aquarium at the Boardwalk | New indoor Christmas Under the Sea: An Underwater Holiday Shell-E-Bration with Santa, a 6D sleigh ride and a passport quest | Nov. 6 to Jan. 3 | Included with Aquarium admission |
| Big Cedar Lodge Holiday Tram Ride | Holiday light display described as newly expanded | Nov. 7 to Dec. 30, 6 to 10 p.m. | $30 to $35 for the public, free for ages 2 and under |
A few details for planning. Lights of Joy is just north of Sight & Sound Theatre, with its entrance at the corner of Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and Expressway Lane. Three canned-food donations at the gate take $3 off a carload. Santa usually appears there on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with extra dates around Thanksgiving and before Christmas. Lights of Joy opened Nov. 1, so it's already running.
Silver Dollar City's Merry Mondays fall on Nov. 9, 16, 23 and 30. The tickets must be bought online at least 24 hours ahead and can't be combined with other discounts. At the Aquarium, a free Christmas fountain show runs every 30 minutes. Big Cedar's tram boards at Swimmin' Hole Lawn and requires reservations.
The Discount That Takes an ID
Among the big light displays, the clearest locals' price is at the Shepherd of the Hills. Its Trail of Lights at 6021 W. 76 Country Blvd. runs Nov. 6 through Jan. 2. Admission is $30 to $35 per carload or $50 per van. The Shepherd's discounts page lists $3 off a Trail of Lights carload for veterans and locals. For its park discount, the same page defines locals as Stone and Taney county residents and employees.
The terms are short. Mention the discount before you book, show a valid ID, and expect one ticket per ID. Tickets are picked up at the park, and the Shepherd says offers can change. The Trail of Lights page also describes Cocoa for a Cause. Hot cocoa is free at Aunt Mollie's Mercantile, and the Shepherd asks for donations to local charities.
December 6 Brings It Back to Downtown
The season comes back to downtown Branson on Sunday, Dec. 6, with the Adoration Parade and Nativity Lighting at 5 p.m. in Historic Downtown Branson, according to Branson Tri-Lakes News. The original Adoration Star is now on display year-round at 1107 West Main Street. The Christkindl Market is open that same weekend, Dec. 3 through 6, on Gretna Road.
Carrie and Amy at 417 Property Pros pay attention to the parts of the Ozarks that last beyond one season, like a star on West Main or snowflakes made by Forsyth students. If you'd like to talk about life in Branson, Hollister or anywhere around Table Rock and Taneycomo, we're happy to help you sort it out calmly and on your timeline. Work With Us.
