From the “Grinch” to the Nativity and true meaning of Christmas, Branson’s Christmas shows are full of color, fun, and the “Reason for the Season.”

“…it will create wonderful Christmas memories that will last a lifetime,” said Annette Wood, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “Christmas is one of the most exciting times of the year in Branson, and nowhere is that more obvious than at our shows. Each is like an exquisite ornament on a Christmas tree, adding unique beauty, fun, and spirit to the Christmas season.”

Here’s a list of things about our Christmas shows you might want to consider while planning your visit to Branson:

They’re part of Ozark Mountain Christmas: Branson’s live shows are an important part of all that Branson has to offer every day, but during Ozark Mountain Christmas, they share the true spirit of Christmas, the reason for the season, with their audiences in a very special and personal way. Ozark Mountain Christmas runs from November 1 through December 31, and Branson’s Christmas shows generally start with their first November performance.

There are two Christmas show formats: It can generally be said that Branson’s Christmas shows follow one of two formats. First are shows that are totally Christmas, such as the Andy Williams Christmas Show, Christmas on the Trail, Christmas Wonderland, Shoji Tabuchi, and the Hughes Brothers Christmas Show. The second, and by far the more prevalent format used, involves a mixture of their regular season show and their Christmas show. Typically, one half of the show is devoted to the best of their regular season show, and the other half, usually the last half, to their Christmas show.

Most Christmas shows end their season in mid December: Many shows hold their last Christmas performance by the end of the third week in December. These include some of Branson’s most popular shows: Presleys’ Country Jubilee, Andy Williams Christmas Show, Christmas Wonderland, Dublin’s Irish Tenors and the Celtic Ladies, Duttons, Mickey Gilley, New Jersey Nights, Shoji Tabuchi, SIX, and George Dyer. Other popular shows such as Billy Dean in Concert With Jarrett, Clay Cooper’s Country Express, Grand Jubilee, Haygoods, Hughes Brothers Christmas Show, Legends in Concert, Paul Harris and the Cleverlys, Christmas on the Trail, and Dixie Stampede are open through the third week in December or beyond.

Early reservations are highly recommended: Ozark Mountain Christmas is not only one of the most special seasons for a visit to Branson, it can also be one of the busiest. The limited Christmas show schedules can make the demand for tickets even greater; so early reservations are very important, not only to ensure availability, but to get the best seats. Branson Tourism Center, a company that’s sold more than 4.5 million Branson show and attraction tickets, has a special relationship with its theatre partners. This relationship helps their customers not only get the show tickets they desire, but also the best possible seats available at the time the tickets are purchased. Branson Tourism Center can be reached by phone at 1-800-785-1550, or through their website at www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Pierce Arrow:, Tony Turner,left, Travis Spratt, Scott Fraker, and Dan Britton.

“Pierce Arrow is our Show of the Week for October 19, 2015,” said Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center, Branson’s premier vacation planning service that’s sold more than 4.5 million Branson show and attraction tickets. “Performing two entirely different shows each day, Pierce Arrow combines stunning vocals, by the Pierce Arrow; the talents of vocalist Shonna Bonds; the hilarious comedy of James Sibley, and a great live band to create a state-of-the-art, high energy show, often referred to as ‘Branson’s Hottest Show.'”

The award winning quartet, consisting of Tony Turner, Travis Spratt, Scott Fraker, and Dan Britton, perform a variety of music including gospel, pop, and country. The group’s talent includes powerful vocals, beautiful harmonies and, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, one of the world’s lowest bass singers – Dan Britton.

Shonna Bonds, the show’s female vocalist, boasts a clear, powerful voice, a vocal range that has been described as ‘off the charts,” and a dynamic style. The end result is a performance that is a joy to see and hear.

To be family funny, it helps to have a great comedian; Pierce Arrow has just that in James Sibley. A comedian for over 20 years, Sibly’s been on TV shows like My Name is Earl, and The Gilmore Girls, and in the movie Mr. Woodcock with Billy Bob Thornton, as well as other films. He now keeps audiences in an almost constant state of laughter with his comedy routines in the Pierce Arrow show. Not only will you laugh hysterically, you’ll have a new appreciation for the term “Gene Pool.”

A recent review of Pierce Arrow in the Shows Forum on www.1Branson.Com, Branson’s largest message board, said that it was one of the best shows they’d seen in quite a while; “the singing of Pierce Arrow was tight and full of energy. The comedian was a master at his craft and had everyone laughing at, and with, him; and that Shonna Bonds brought the house down with each and every song.” They highly recommend this show for all ages, saying, “It’s a top 5 for me!”

For more information or tickets for Pierce Arrow, or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions, or for lodging arrangements, please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center by calling 1-800-785-1550, or by visiting www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

SIX, Kevin, left, Owen, Curtis, Lynn, Barry, and Jak, is perennially one of Branson’s most popular shows.

“When you ask the question, ‘Whether yesterday or 10 years ago, what’s the name of the last Branson show that you saw,?’ you’d expect a variety of answers, and that many of the shows mentioned would be listed on Branson Tourism Center’s List of Most Popular and Highly Recommended Shows,” said Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “That’s just what we got when we posed the question to more than 25,000 Branson fans participating on our Facebook page.”

Although the answers ranged from, “I’ve never been there,” to shows that are no longer in Branson, and covered a wide variety of shows, the vast majority of those mentioned were on BTC’s most popular list. The following four shows were mentioned the most; they’re listed in alphabetical order along with a brief description, and include a link to where you can get more information on their schedule, pricing, and content. In most cases, videos and pictures are included:

Clay Cooper’s Country Express has everything you want in a great Branson show! With 24 veteran entertainers, there’s a variety of singing, dancing, comedy, and music. Backed by a live, 7 piece band, you’ll hear country and pop hits from the likes of George Jones, Hunter Hayes, the Doobie Brothers, and Bruno Mars!

Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede will take your family on a wild ride! Dixie features their world famous racing ostriches, 32 horses in some amazing equestrian feats, a stampede of buffalo, the Rumble in the Treetops lumberjack relay, and friendly competition all wrapped up in a fabulous four-course feast!

Jonah is an epic adventure, delighting audiences young and old with its powerful and timely message. This beautiful Sight and Sound production depicts the journey of “Jonah,” a faithful, righteous prophet of God. Enjoy spectacular staging, immersive special effects, and beautiful original music. Note: Time is running out to see Jonah in Branson. Its last Branson performance will be on December 29. Another Sight and Sound spectacular, Moses, will be performed in Branson starting on March 5, 2016.

SIX is Branson’s sensational sibling singing group that quite simply defines the art of performing music without instruments! Sensational harmonizing, polished professionalism, zany on-stage antics…it’s the most talented half dozen guys you’ll ever meet! They’ll charm you right from the opening note!

Branson Tourism Center’s Wood points out that these four, along with others, were at the top of a similar list compiled a couple of months ago when we asked the question – “If a good friend or close relative, age 30, was coming to Branson, what one show would you tell them not to miss?”

For additional information or tickets on these or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions, or for lodging arrangements, please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services; call 1-800-785-1550 or visit www.BransonTourismCenter.com

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The high energy humor of Herkimer, right, and Cecil delights both young and old.

“Presleys’ Country Jubilee is our show of the week for Oct. 12, 2015,” said Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services, and sellers of over 4.5 million Branson show and attraction tickets. “For the better part of five decades, the Presley family has been a leader in promoting Branson, its shows, and everything else it has to offer, while presenting a show filled with color, music, comedy, and production that has not only set a standard for others to follow, but has become one of Branson’s most beloved and popular shows,” she added.

In a recent review of Presleys’ Country Jubilee, I said, “From the time you walk into the theatre until the curtain goes down, a night with the Presley family at Presleys’ Country Jubilee is an unequalled entertainment experience! As you enter one of the most home-like theatre lobbies in Branson, you’ll hear the sounds of gospel music drifting down from the pre-show gospel sing-along in the loft; smell glazed almonds and pecans made from a secret recipe developed by Cecil, a.k.a. Eric Presley, and begin to realize that you and your family are in for a special evening.”

When the curtain rises, you become part of a Branson phenomenon as its first show on the now famous Branson Strip, does what it has continually been doing since 1967…wow the audience with its unique combination of music and comedy, presented by some of the most talented vocalists, musicians, and comedians in Branson. You’ll be treated to a spectacular evening of current and classic country songs and gospel greats, as well as the side-splitting, slapstick antics of Branson’s dynamic duo of comedy, Herkimer and Cecil!

Since the Presleys’ opened on the Branson Strip, Gary Presley, known on the stage as “Herkimer,” has been making the show’s audiences laugh ‘til they hurt! In combination with his son, Eric, “Cecil” in the show, their comedy is a unique blend of Ozark humor, one-liners, high energy, and skits that always seem to be relevant to current events.

When that comedy is strategically interwoven with the musical performances, the result is a one of a kind entertainment experience that keeps the audience, kids and adults alike, completely entertained, laughing, and wondering what to expect next! The Springfield News Leader proclaimed Presleys’ Country Jubilee to be “the standard by which other shows are judged,” and after seeing this show, you’ll know why!

For more information or tickets for the Presleys’ Country Jubilee, or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions, or for lodging arrangements, please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center by calling 1-800-785-1550 or visiting www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

With over 53 theatres, more than 100 live shows and almost 60,000 theatre seats, it’s easy to understand why Branson’s famous for the quantity and quality of its live entertainment. Even after living in Branson for more than 29 years, the wide variety of live shows available to entertain visitors, from morning to night, is a constant source of amazement to me.

There are a number of reasons to start your Branson day by going to a show, but what could be better than starting your day on the uplifting note of being energized, entertained, and inspired by a great morning show? From shows like Amazing Pets, that children will absolutely love; to the country music and humor of Down Home Country, the exquisite voices of Dublin’s Irish Tenors and The Celtic Ladies performing everything from pop to Irish classics, and a wide variety of other options, there is a Branson morning show that will start your day off in a special way!

Some of Branson Tourism Center’s Most Popular and Highly Recommended Shows routinely schedule morning, as well as evening shows. These include, among others, Clay Cooper’s Country Express and the shows appearing at Kings Castle Theatre. Still others, such as Shoji Tabuchi, have occasional morning shows.

The links in this article will take you to Branson Tourism Center’s (BTC) Show Schedule containing detailed information on the show’s content, schedule, pricing, and, in most cases, videos and pictures. This schedule is reviewed and revised on a daily basis by BTC, the company that’s sold over 4.5 million Branson show and attraction tickets, and is one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. Here’s a list of major morning shows, sorted alphabetically, with BTC’s Most Popular and Highly Recommended shows listed first:

Amazing Pets
Clay Cooper’s Country Express
Down Home Country
Dublin’s Irish Tenors and The Celtic Ladies
New Jersey Nights
Puttin’ on the Ritz
Shoji Tabuchi

All American Gospel
Always Patsy Cline
AYO starring Voices of Glory
Best of Neil Sedaka, the Carpenters, and Captain & Tennille
The BIG Show
Bretts
Buck Trent
California Dreamin’
Doug Gabriel’s #1 Hits Tribute
George Dyer
George Jones and Friends Remembered
Good Ol Boys
IMAX Adventure Films
A Neil Diamond Tribute
Red, Hot…& Blue!
A Tribute to John Denver
The Twice Adopted Gospel Show
Wade Landry’s Gumbo Show

For additional information on any of the shows discussed in this article or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions, or for lodging arrangements, please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services by calling 1-800-785-1550 or visiting www.BransonTourismCenter.com .

Mickey Gilley and Yakov Smirnoff

“The window of opportunity to see three of Branson’s most popular shows is closing,” said Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “When the curtain falls on the Mickey Gilley show on the evening of December 2, 2015 and the Wake Up With Yakov show on the morning of December 5, it will be more than the end of the show and their 2015 season; it marks the end of more than two decades of Branson performances from each of these iconic stars. We’ll surely miss country music legend, Mickey Gilley, and comedy superstar, Yakov Smirnoff,” she adds.

Wood points out that the incredible biblical spectacular Jonah will conclude its Branson run after the December 29, 2015 performance. It will be replaced by another phenomenal Sight and Sound production, Moses, in 2016.

Following is a brief description of each of these shows with a link to more information, including schedules, videos, pricing, and ticket options:

Sight and Sound’s “Jonah.”

Jonah is an epic adventure, delighting audiences young and old with its powerful and timely message. This spectacular production depicts the journey of “Jonah,” a faithful, righteous prophet of God. Sight and Sound Theatres are experts at filling their 300 foot surround-sound stage with music, action, dancing, drama, and special effects melded into magnificent productions. The action scenes of the ship breaking up; Jonah flying through the air, particularly as he departs the belly of the great fish; the set of Jonah in the belly of the fish; and the underwater scene with the great fish swimming out over the audience are simply magnificent and something no one has ever come close to seeing on a Branson stage.

Mickey Gilley: Known for his honky-tonk piano playing style and a string of 17 number 1 hits, this country music icon, even in the face of a paralyzing injury that would have put a lesser man down, has been entertaining Branson audiences for 26 years. Along with the “Urbanettes” and the “Urban Cowboy Band,” this consummate entertainer, with his genuine talent, warmth, and irresistible smile provides an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind musical entertainment experience. The show features many of his biggest hits, including number one songs like She’s Pulling Me Back Again, Bring It on Home to Me, Talk to Me, Fool for Your Love, Stand By Me, and many more. He’s the consummate entertainer…the music man extraordinaire…the one-and-only “Mickey Gilley!”

Wake Up With Yakov: It’s hard to imagine a funnier way to start a day in Branson than with the humor of America’s favorite Russian, Yakov Smirnoff. Since moving to America with his family in 1977, he has combined the experience of growing up in the communist Soviet Union ans his fascination with American human nature to completely charm audiences year after year. His incredible humor, exceptional comic timing, and warm personality helps to create a show full of side-splitting laughter, warmth, love, and patriotic cheer that will tickle your funny bone as it touches your heart.

Don’t miss this final opportunity to see these three amazing shows in Branson. For additional information or tickets for any of these shows or Branson’s other shows and attractions, or for lodging arrangements, please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center by calling 1-800-785-1550 or visiting its web site www.BransonTourismCenter.com. Branson Tourism Center has sold over 4.5 million Branson show and attraction tickets, and is one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services.