Things to do in Branson, Missouri

Horses, Lights, and Holiday Cheer at Dolly Parton's Stampede

Dolly Parton's Stampede

1525 W. 76 Country Blvd, Branson, 417-336-3000, dpstampede.com

What to see: Join the Dolly Parton’s Stampede cast, including 32 magnificent horses, as you take a nostalgic holiday trip with a friendly North Pole-South Pole rivalry. Watch as the Sugar Plum Fairy brings toys to life right before your eyes. The live nativity scene, which includes three kings arriving atop real camels, brings the true meaning of Christmas to life. 

You will enjoy all the holiday entertainment while dining on the famous four course holiday meal. The menu includes Stampede’s Original Creamy Vegetable Soup and a hot buttery biscuit, as well as a whole rotisserie chicken, hickory-smoked pulled pork, hot-buttered corn on the cob, homestyle mashed potatoes, a specialty dessert and unlimited Coca-Cola®, tea or coffee.

What's new: New this year is “Elegance on Ice,” where guests will see the Stampede arena transformed into a frozen wonderland where ice skaters dazzle the audience with their skills on the holiday ice. 

Before the main event, join Dolly Parton’s Stampede in the Saloon for all-new preshow entertainment with a mix of bluegrass and country music per-formed live.

Don't miss: Get here early and enjoy a stroll alongside the open-air stables to sneak a peek at the horses. It’s your chance to meet the equine stars of the show up close. Browse the gift shop or grab a cold drink in a souvenir boot mug while you get ready for Branson’s biggest production, Dolly Parton’s Stampede!

A Branson Classic That Still Hits All the Right Notes

Haygood Family Show

3216 HWY 76, Branson, 417-339-4663, thehaygoods.com

The Haygoods Christmas Show is a Branson tradition, with over 32 years and more than 7,000 performances.

What to see: The Haygoods Christmas Show in Branson, Missouri, is one of the most anticipated holiday productions in the Ozarks, delighting audiences with dazzling music, stunning effects and heartfelt family traditions. For over three decades, the Haygood siblings have enchanted visitors with their unmatched talent, performing on over twenty instruments and weaving together harmonies that fill the theater with warmth and joy. At Christmas, the show transforms into a magical celebration of the season, blending holiday classics with the group’s signature style of high-energy performance, state-of-the-art special effects and innovative choreography.

Don't miss: Audiences are treated to breathtaking lighting displays including a drone show, festive costumes and original arrangements that give timeless Christmas favorites a fresh, contemporary twist. The show also embraces nostalgic moments, reminding guests of the true spirit of the holiday while offering a family-friendly atmosphere perfect for all ages. With over 2,000 sold-out performances and more than seven million tickets sold, The Haygoods are widely recognized as Branson’s most popular show, and their Christmas edition is no exception. Every year, families from across the country make The Haygoods Christmas Show part of their holiday traditions, ensuring memories that last long after the final curtain call. Every Christmas show sells out, so call early at 417-339-4663 or visit thehaygoods.com.

Shop, Sip, and Sparkle at Branson Landing’s Winter WonderLanding

Branson Landing

100 Branson Landing Blvd, Branson, 417-239-3002, bransonlanding.com

Experience Branson this fall. Shop, dine and unwind at Branson Landing, home to anchor favorites like Bass Pro Shops and Belk, along with 17 restaurants and over 80 shops and attractions. Stroll the scenic 1.5-mile boardwalk along Lake Taneycomo to enjoy crisp fall air and beautiful views. Visit bransonlanding.com for a full list of shops, events and seasonal happenings.

What's new: Enjoy exciting new additions: Smith Creek Winery & Mercantile! Make your visit even more magical during Winter WonderLanding, where the holiday spirit shines with a dazzling 63-foot animated Christmas tree, festive lights and surprises around every corner. Don’t miss the unforgettable fountain shows, featuring 120-foot water geysers, fire cannons, music and synchronized lights. 

Enhance your visit by booking one of the holiday-themed rooms at the Hiltons of Branson, perfect for creating cherished seasonal memories.

Tip: Just minutes away, Branson Hills Golf Club offers breathtaking fall foliage and championship golf. Book your tee time at bransonhillsgolfclub.com, and enjoy a delicious meal at Magnolia Grille before or after your round.

Don't miss: Indulge in seasonal flavors at Level 2 Steakhouse, located at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. Their new fall menu and handcrafted cocktails are not to be missed—especially the signature pumpkin desserts!

What to see: Celebrate the season with festive shopping, stunning views, delicious dining and magical holiday moments—experience Branson. Visit experience-branson.com.

Savor the Season with Student-Made Excellence at The Keeter Center

The Keeter Center

1 Opportunity Ave., Point Lookout, 417-239-1900, keetercenter.edu

As the Ozarks transform into a landscape of brilliant fall colors, The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks offers visitors the perfect destination to celebrate the season. From fine dining and handcrafted desserts to cozy overnight stays, every detail reflects the College’s tradition of student-made excellence.

What's new: The Keeter Center is showcasing new fall entrees that highlight comforting flavors with a refined twist. The Beef Stroganoff features slow-smoked prime rib served over pappardelle noodles with caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms and a velvety mushroom cream sauce. Seafood lovers can enjoy the Blackened Salmon, a seared filet paired with ricotta gnocchi, asparagus, Cajun béchamel and a tangy pickled green tomato relish. For dessert, the apple cobbler à la mode shines with spiced apples, cranberries, orange zest, student-made apple butter, and a cinnamon oat crumble, finished with Jones Dairy Vanilla Custard.

Don't miss: No visit is complete without a stop at The Keeter Center’s bakery and creamery.  Guests will find a tempting array of seasonal pastries, herbal tea and handcrafted lattes. The creamery serves “cow to cone” ice cream, made from the College’s own dairy cows and churned fresh on campus, a sweet indulgence that captures the essence of the season.

What to see: Those seeking a seasonal getaway can enjoy the warmth of The Keeter Center Lodge. Each of the 15 suites features a fireplace and distinctive details that make for a relaxing escape, with some offering private balconies overlooking the autumn scenery. Evening turndown service includes fresh-baked cookies and milk from the campus dairy, adding a personal touch that makes every stay memorable.

Holiday Magic Returns to Shepherd of the Hills

The Shepherd of the Hills

5585 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson, 417-334-4191, theshepherdofthehills.com

The magic of Christmas awaits the young and young at heart at Shepherd of the Hills. Holiday shows are brought to life for the entire family in the coziness of the Playhouse Dinner Theater. Enjoy the classic, A Christmas Story, as well as our own homespun favorites, A Shepherd’s Christmas Carol or An Old Trail Christmas Chuckwagon Show. After the performance, depart on Branson’s longest-running drivethrough Christmas light display, The Trail of Lights. Over a mile of twinkling lights and holiday displays that will delight everyone in the comfort of your vehicle.

Don't miss: Shepherd of the Hills spectacular walk-through event, North Pole Adventure. The award-winning Adventure Park is transformed into a Christmas dream come true, complete with miles of holiday lights and festive decor. Photo opportunities and laughter are around every corner. Special activities are included with your admission, such as hayrides, family play areas and, most importantly, visits from Santa!

Tip: Make sure to inquire about and purchase early a private horse-drawn carriage ride, available on a limited basis. For those who like even more adventure, check out Santa’s Super Ticket, which includes North Pole Adventure, plus a ride on the mountain coaster, ropes course and Inspiration Tower!

Experience the Epic Tale of DAVID

Sight & Sound Theatre

1001 Shepherd of the Hills Expy. Branson, 800-377-1277, sight-sound.com

What's new: Making its Branson debut, DAVID is a state-of-the-art theatrical experience the whole family will enjoy. From still waters to shadowed valleys, David’s legendary ascent to the throne is filled with towering giants, wild animals and Philistine soldiers. After unprecedented victories lead to devastating failures, this passionate warrior faces the biggest battle of all: the one within himself. Don’t miss your chance to come alongside this young shepherd on his journey to become a man after God’s own heart.

When to go: Performances of DAVID are live now through January 3, 2026, at Sight & Sound Theatres Branson.

What to see: DAVID features state-of-the-art special effects, including Sight & Sound’s largest and most complex animatronic to date: Goliath. Towering at 14 feet tall and weighing in at 800 pounds, this set piece is truly a giant! DAVID also includes the use of Sight & Sound’s famous LED screen. Currently the largest of its kind in theatrical use, the LED screen is three stories tall and over 110 feet wide; that’s equivalent to the wing span of a 737 jetliner. Like all Sight & Sound productions, animals play a key role in the cast of DAVID. Audience members can expect to see sheep, camels, horses, goats, birds and donkeys! The music of DAVID is equally impressive, featuring original compositions inspired by the Psalms and moments of David playing the harp live on stage.

Tip: If you’re visiting Sight & Sound Theatres, don’t miss their signature glazed almonds. Grab an almond cone to enjoy during the show, then take the experience home with a one-pound bag of cinnamon-sugar goodness, perfectly packaged for sharing or snacking.

Winter Fun Shines Bright at Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City

399 Silver Dollar City Pkwy, Branson, 417-336-7100, silverdollarcity.com

What's new: New merry memories are set to sparkle this season as Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas returns, November 1–January 4. Voted the nation’s Best Theme Park Holiday Event seven times by USA Today, the festival glows bigger and brighter with magical new traditions for families to share.

At the heart of the season, The Grand Fir debuts as a living, 45-foot Christmas tree adorned with 30,000 lights. Each evening, families can gather in The Plaza for three nightly lighting ceremonies, marking a firstof-its-kind celebration at the park. 

The magic continues on stage with Heart of Christmas starring Lindley Creek through Thanksgiving. Afterward, Grammy Award-winner Rhonda Vincent, the Queen of Bluegrass, takes over with holiday harmonies through January 2.

What to see: Every corner of The City twinkles with more than 6.5 million lights, from the dazzling Joy on Town Square—where an 8-story tree bursts to life in music and motion every 15 minutes—to Christmas in Midtown®, shimmering with 1.5 million lights stretched across 145 miles of wire.

Beloved productions return, including A Dickens’ Christmas Carol, the final year of Rudolph’s Holly Jolly™ Christmas Light Parade and the high-kicking fun of Frontier Fa-La-La Follies at the Silver Dollar Saloon. Families can ride the Frisco Sing-Along Steam Train, visit with Santa at his Cottage presented by Arvest, or delight in whimsical touches like Tinker Junior’s 12-foot talking tree.

Don't miss: Holiday flavors warm the way with steaming cocoa, hot wassail, prime rib feasts and traditional turkey dinners. Families can even create new memories over Lunch with Santa or taste their way through the park with the Christmas Tasting Passport. 

For details, visit silverdollarcity.com, call 417-336-7100 or download the Silver Dollar City app.