Lifestyle
Best Places to See Christmas Lights
If you’re looking for an extra special bit of holiday fun, head out in the evening to enjoy some of the best Christmas lights displays in southwest Missouri.
By Blake Haynes, Jo Jolliff
Nov 01 2025 at 8 a.m.
Photo Courtesy Silver Dollar CityThere are so many amazing Christmas light display options just like the one at Silver Dollar City's Old Time Christmas
Top of the Rock
190 Top of the Rock Road, Ridgedale
Experience Top of the Rock's light tour at Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail. This 2.5-mile nighttime journey takes you through illuminated displays resembling historic Native American scenes from Chief Seattle’s letter of 1854. Enjoy delicious hot chocolate while taking in the twinkling lights in this new Ozarks holiday tradition.
Silver Dollar City
399 Silver Dollar City Parkway, Branson, 800-475-9370
Starting November 1, each night the 80-foot illuminated tree is lit at 5:30 in a beautiful show of music and lights. Don’t forget to walk through Christmas in Midtown too, so you can be awed by 6.5 million festive lights!
More Holiday Lights You Can See in Branson
Every year, 417-land’s holiday festivities kick off during November. Whether you’re in the “But we should wait until after Thanksgiving!” camp or the “The sooner the better!” camp, you can’t deny the truth: The fun starts now. Here are three ways Branson is joining in.
Ozark Mountain Christmas Pass
You can get a pass to guide you through Branson’s annual Ozark Mountain Christmas. It guides you through all the local festivities—from holiday events and light shows to food and shopping. As you explore, you have opportunities to win prizes too!
The Whole City Lights Up
This year’s Ozark Mountain Christmas features its first-ever community tree lighting event. Citywide, businesses and organizations are invited to flip the switch on their holiday lights at 7 p.m. on November 1 to mark a synchronized start to season’s local festivities.
The Polar Express Hits the Tracks
Branson Scenic Railway is steeped in holiday magic this time of year, with The Polar Express train rides leaving the station daily from November 13 to January 3. Kids can wear their jammies, hear a reading of the popular book, sip hot cocoa and meet Santa.
Mayor's Tree Lighting
117 Park Central Sq., Springfield
Springfield, Missouri’s mayor kicks off the holiday season by officially lighting the Mayor’s Tree in downtown Springfield. Enjoy performances from Springfield Ballet, Springfield Little Theater and more on November 22 and enjoy the lights around downtown throughout the season.
Lights of Joy Christmas Drive-Thru
700 Expressway Lane, Branson; 417-336-2744
Families
who have made the Lights of Joy Christmas Drive-Thru a holiday
tradition can look forward to seeing all-new displays this year that
include a variety of themes—Space Christmas, Steampunk Christmas and
Season of Joy—while still featuring updated favorites like the 12 Days
of Christmas display. This drive-thru is perfect for larger crowds
arriving in bigger vehicles because of the lack of steep hills and sharp
turns.
Candy Cane Lane at Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park
3825 W. Farm Rd. 146, Springfield
Don't
miss your chance to drive through Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park's annual
holiday light display, Candy Cane Lane 2023! Enjoy dazzling farm-themed
holiday displays and more than 100,000 lights.
