“Buzzin in Branson” during January 2015

“New South” quartet, David Ragan, left, Luke Menard, Jon Brockelman and Mark McCaulley.

Branson “Buzz of the Month:”

Grand Country’s Grand Jubilee, staring the “New South” quartet, will be the first of Branson’s almost 100 shows to premier their 2015 season show. Mike Patrick, General Manager and Producer of Grand Country Shows, said, “We start rehearsing for next year’s show while we are doing our Christmas Show and actually premier it during our New Year’s Eve show and party. We are really excited about the new show with new music, fresh comedy and some really ‘grand’ surprises.”

“Buzzin in Branson” is produced monthly by the Branson Tourism Center as a service to its customers and others interested in what’s going on in Branson. It is in a concise and easy to read format that conveniently provides pertinent and timely comments, information and a list of the major special events, shows and activities for the month being “Buzzed” which, in this case is January 2015.

Buzzin in Branson during January 2015

Dec. 31: OK, so strictly speaking it’s not happening in January, but New Year’s Eve in Branson will sure be an exciting end to 2014 and beginning of 2015.
Jan. 1 – 31: The vast majority of Branson’s Attractions such as the Titanic Museum Attraction, Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum, the National Tiger Sanctuary, Promised Land Zoo, and many others are open year round. Branson’s retail shopping, including its major outlet malls and Branson Landing, are open year round.
Jan. 1 – 31: The majority of Branson’s shows are closed for their winter break and to prepare for the 2015 season during January and those that are open are operating on “winter” schedules. The following list includes some of the major shows that will be open, a general scheduling note and a link to additional information, specific schedules and ticketing information:

Amazing Pets
The Haygoods (January 3 Only)
Legends in Concert (January1-3 Only)
Dixie Stampede (January 1-3 Only)
Comedy Jamboree (Dark January 4-15)
Grand Jubilee (Dark January 4-13)
it at the Hughes Brothers Theatre (Starts Jan. 20)
Branson Country USA (Starts Jan. 30)

Jan 1 – Jan 15: White Flight at The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure
Jan 1: New Year’s Day
Jan 1: Chateau on the Lake – New Year’s Day Champagne Brunch
Jan 23: Titanic Museum Attraction’s Girls Sleepover
Jan 24: The Master Trout Fishing Tournament at Lilley’s Landing

Please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services, for additional information, tickets or hotel reservations by calling 1-800-785-1550 or through its website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

Why Not Spend New Year’s Eve in Branson?

Chateau on the Lake Fireworks.

“Branson’s Christmas Week, already filled with the adventure, fun, shopping and entertainment Branson has to offer, takes on added excitement and anticipation on New Year’s Eve, both during the day and into the evening and nighttime hours as the New Year approaches,” said Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “Whether it’s a family or a couple looking for an exciting and fun way to ‘ring out’ the old year and welcome in the New Year, Branson offers an amazing variety of ways to celebrate the New Year,” she added.

From hiking, fishing or playing golf at one of Branson’s championship golf courses, such as the Payne Stewart Golf Club to the unique and exciting Titanic Museum Attraction, decked out for its beautiful “Edwardian Christmas;” the vast majority of Branson’s attractions will be open on New Year’s Eve Day. Most of Branson’s dozens of attractions are not weather dependent and are open year round. From the thousands of white and Christmas colored butterflies in the unique White Flight exhibit at the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure, the lions and tigers at the National Tiger Sanctuary to the Track Family Fun Parks, Ripleys Believe It or Not Museum, the Hollywood Wax Museum, Promised Land Zoo and dozens of others, there will be a host of ways that families can have fun together on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Starting with the Amazing Pets at 10:00 AM on New Year’s Day and culminating with the New Year’s Eve celebrations to welcome in 2015, a number of Branson shows will be providing a variety of the live entertainment Branson is noted for. These include Acrobats of China, Grand Jubilee, Jonah, Legends in Concert, Clay Cooper’s Country Express, The Haygoods, Pierce Arrow, Comedy Jamboree, Dixie Stampede, Hamners Unbelievable Variety Show, Showboat Branson Belle, Amazing Acrobats of Shanghai, Christmas on the Trail Chuck Wagon Dinner Show, Comedy Hypnosis Dinner Show, Motown Downtown, The Revollusionists, Red, Hot & Blueand Swing Starring Kelli Grant. Click here for information on show times, scheduling and ticket information.

In addition, the following shows are having special New Year’s Eve parties. For specific information on a particular party please Click here and go to the bottom of the page:

Clay Cooper’s Country Express (See Clay-Goods Jambor-Eve)
Clay-Goods Jambor-Eve
Grand Jubilee
Legends in Concert
Doug Gabriel’s #1 Hits Tribute Show
Pierce Arrow
The Haygoods (See Clay-Goods Jambor-Eve)
Hamners Unbelievable Variety

New Year’s Eve firework displays welcoming the New Year will light the skies at Big Cedar Lodge, Big Cedar’s Top of the Rock and the Chateau on the Lake. The most easily accessible and closest to Branson is the Chateau’s display with convenient viewing on their grounds or along authorized areas on Highways 265 and 165 near the Chateau.

Branson Tourism Center’s Wood stated that “packaging your lodging with shows and attractions can save you money. Here are some examples of a way to have a great New Year’s celebration in Branson and save money at the same time through some Branson Tourism Center packages, New Years Eve In Branson, Haygood’s & Clay Cooper New Year In Branson and Legend’s Rockin New Year In Branson. For information on customizing a package for your particular desires, the latest and most complete information on New Year’s events, scheduling, tickets and lodging please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center (BTC), one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets and lodging. BTC can be reached by calling 800-785-1550 or through its website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

“One thing is for sure,” said Wood, “New Year’s in Branson is a special way to say goodbye to the old year and to start the New Year with a memory that might just last a lifetime.”

Did you know this about Christmas Week in Branson?

A small sample of the spectacular display of Christmas lights at Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas.

Although many don’t know it, ‘Branson’s Christmas Week,’ the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, offers the same type of excitement, adventure, shopping and entertainment for which Branson is famous,” said Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. She goes on to point out that because there is typically less people visiting Branson during that period everything seems to go at a more relaxed and leisurely pace with less lines and traffic.

Here a list of just some of the things you can expect to see and do during Branson’s Christmas Week:

1. Experience the Christmas lighting displays of Ozark Mountain Christmas – Although Christmas Day is past, all the major lighting displays including Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas, the Branson Area Festival of Lights, Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights and the giant 30 foot nativity scene on top of Mount Branson overlooking Lake Taneycomo will continue to be displayed through Dec. 31.

2. Branson Shows – Although most of Branson’s shows are closed for the season, many of Branson’s most popular shows will be open during Branson’s Christmas Week presenting the live entertainment Branson is noted for. This includes The Acrobats of China, Amazing Pets, Billy Dean Live, Clay Cooper’s Country Express, Dixie Stampede, Grand Jubilee, Hamner’s Unbelievable Variety, The Haygoods, Sight and Sounds spectacular Jonah, The Haygoods, Hughes Brothers Christmas Show, Legends in Concert, Paul Harris and the Cleverlys, Pierce Arrow and the Showboat Branson Belle along with many more.

3. Branson Attractions – The vast majority of Branson’s attractions will be open. This includes its oldest and most popular paid attraction, the international award winning Silver Dollar City presenting its “Old Time Christmas;” the Titanic Museum Attraction decked out for its beautiful “Edwardian Christmas;” the unique White Flight exhibit at the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure; National Tiger Sanctuary; Promised Land Zoo and others.

4. Branson Shopping – Branson’s legendary shopping is “always” open and Branson’s Christmas Week is no exception. From the unique “Branson Landing,” with its 100 retail stores, to the shops of Historic Downtown Branson, featuring “Dicks 5 & 10;” outlet malls such as “Tanger Outlet” and “The Meadows” and specialty shops offering arts and crafts and one of a kind items, Branson’s Christmas week shopping should not only satisfy the most avid shopper, but just might have a few “after Christmas sales” to boot.

5. New Years Eve – In addition to other New Years Eve celebrations, the following shows will have special New Year’s Eve celebrations:

Clay Cooper’s Country Express (See Clay-Goods Jambor-Eve)
Clay-Goods Jambor-Eve
Grand Jubilee
The Haygoods (See Clay-Goods Jambor-Eve )
Legends in Concert
Doug Gabriel’s #1 Hits Tribute Show
Pierce Arrow

BTC’s Wood points out that the off season scheduling of shows, limited seating and the fact that some Branson lodging facilities are closed requires some advance planning. She suggests that an easy way to avoid problems, save time and, in many cases money, is by simply calling the Branson Tourism Center, toll free at 1-800-785-1550 and talking with one of their Branson based Travel Planners who will be delighted to answer any questions and assist in making any show or lodging reservations. There is absolutely no charge for this service.

Material Connection

Silver Dollar City sparkles among Nation’s top ten Christmas lighting displays

Silver Dollar City’s “Christmas on Main Street.”

“Since its debut over twenty years ago, Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas, with its millions of lights, shows, rides, shopping and other activities has become the major focal point of Branson’s ‘Ozark Mountain Christmas,”‘ said Tammy Johnson, the General Manager for the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services. “With the whole ‘city’ festooned with millions of Christmas lights, it truly is a magnificent spectacle and one that has just been named as one of ‘USA Today’s Top 10 Spots for Holiday Lights,” she continued.

Brad Thomas, Silver Dollar City’s General Manager said, “We are excited to be named among the rock stars of holiday lighting on the editorial side of USA Weekend, with a circulation of 18 million.” “It’s so important to note our employees are essential to making us who we are, as it’s their ongoing and undying passion for excellence that leads to accolades such as these,” he added.

He also points out that a portion of “Old Time Christmas,” its “Christmas on Main Street” sound and light show, complete with its five story special effects Christmas Tree and its hundreds of thousands of lights synchronized to music, is one of the 20 nominees for the nationwide “10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Award Poll.” Anyone can vote, once a day between now and 11:59 AM EST on Monday, December 15 at www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-public-lights-display. The results will be announced on line at 10best.com on Dec. 17 and published later in “USA Today.”

Branson Tourism Center’s Johnson asked, “How cool would it be if Branson and Silver Dollar City fans voted and made “Christmas on Main Street” number one in the poll?” She also reminds visitors that “Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas” is just one of the many things that make “Ozark Mountain Christmas” and Christmas time in Branson so special.

“Buzzin in Branson” buzzes for December 2014

Branson “Buzz of the Month”
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Branson’s 66th Adoration Parade.

For those cherishing the traditional American Christmas the “Buzz of the Month” would have to be the 66th Adoration Lighting Ceremony and Parade. From an entertainment perspective, although mid-December is the end of the 2014 season for many of Branson’s live shows, an amazing number of Branson shows will be open through the end of the year and some will be having special New Year’s Eve shows.
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66th Adoration Lighting Ceremony and Parade: “On the evening of December 7, at 5 PM, the local tradition that has been observed for far longer than Branson has been a major tourist destination, will again take place. The “Adoration Scene Lighting Ceremony,” which will light up a huge Nativity Scene on Top of Mount Branson on the east (Hollister) side of Lake Taneycomo and will immediately be followed by the ‘Adoration Parade'” which is dedicated to keeping Christ in Christmas.

The spectacular production of “Jonah” will be performing in
Branson through the end of Dec.

Branson shows open through the end of December: Although many Branson shows will conclude their 2014 season by mid-December, many Branson shows, including the following, albeit on a modified schedule will be open until the end of December:

Amazing Pets
Acrobats of China
Billy Dean Live!
Grand Jubilee
Jonah
Legends in Concert
Paul Harris & The Cleverlys
Clay Cooper’s Country Express
The Haygoods
Pierce Arrow
Comedy Jamboree
Dixie Stampede
Hamners Unbelievable Variety
Showboat Branson Belle
Almost Famous Murder Mystery Dinner Show
Amazing Acrobats of Shanghai
Christmas on the Trail Chuck Wagon Dinner Show
Comedy Hypnosis Dinner Show
Motown Downtown
The Revollusionists
Red, Hot & Blue Swing Starring Kelli Grant

In addition, some of these shows are also offering special New Year’s Eve Shows. See list below for Dec. 31.

Major December Events

The following list of major December events and activities is sorted by date and contains a link or other contact for further information. Please feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services for additional information by calling 1-800-785-1550 or through its website, www.BransonTourismCenter.com:

Dec 1 – Dec 31: Titanic Museum Attraction – Tribute to Musicians
Nov 1 – Dec 30: Silver Dollar City Old Time Christmas Festival
Nov 1 – Dec 30: Branson Limousine Christmas Light Tour
Nov 1 – Dec 31: Branson Area Festival of Lights
Jan 1 – Dec 31: Titanic Museum Attraction – Tribute to Musicians
Nov 1 – Dec 30: Silver Dollar City Old Time Christmas Festival
Nov 1 – Dec 30: Branson Limousine Christmas Light Tour
Nov 1 – Dec 31: Branson Area Festival of Lights
Dec 1 – Dec. 31:Trail of Lights
Nov 1 – Jan 15: White Flight at The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure
Dec 3 – Dec 4:Yuletide Feast at Keeter Center
Dec 7: 66th Annual Adoration Parade & Lighting Ceremony
Dec 25: Chateau on the Lake – Christmas Day Brunch
Dec 31:Chateau on the Lake New Year’s Eve Celebration & Fireworks
Dec 31: New Years Eve Shows:

Five places kids can visit with Santa in Branson

Santa waiting to visit with children in Branson.

Santa has a special place in his heart for children so it’s just natural that he would plan to stop by Branson where it is known, as far away as the North Pole, that he’ll find lots of children visiting with their families during “Ozark Mountain Christmas.” While in Branson Santa has been seen visiting many Branson shows and attractions, but his favorite thing to do is to visit with children to find out what they want him to bring them for Christmas.

Knowing that the Branson Tourism Center was one of the biggest providers of Branson travel services and information Santa asked them to help get the word out so that those coming to Branson with children would know where to find him. Here’s a list of five places and the times that Santa will be available. All are free except for Silver Dollar City where a visit with Santa is included in the price of admission to the park for its world class Old Time Christmas Festival:

1. Branson Landing Town Square: Until Dec 24, Santa will be found in his “Christmas Tree house” underneath the 50 foot Christmas Tree at the Town Square from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, except for Nov. 26 and Dec. 24 when the hours will be 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with a “reindeer break” from 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM each day, and Thanksgiving Day when Santa will not be available. While the kids are visiting with Santa there is an opportunity to have a professionally taken keepsake photo.

2. Kringles Christmas Store: Until Dec. 23 Santa will be visiting Kringles Wednesday through Sunday. He will be available onWednesdays from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Thursdays from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM, Fridays from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturdays from 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

3. Bass Pro Shops at Branson Landing: Santa will be available until Dec. 24, week days from 3:00 PM to 8 PM, on Saturdays from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM and Sundays from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. In addition to meeting Santa and telling him what they want for Christmas, children will get a free photo with Santa. There are free crafts available for the kids to take part in weekdays from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and weekends from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

4. Branson Tourism Center: Santa will be making a special one day visit at the Branson Tourism Center on Nov. 28 from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM so that the kids can let him know what’s on their Christmas list this year and pose with him for a free picture.

5. Silver Dollar City’s Old Time Christmas: Through Dec. 23, in addition to millions of Christmas lights and everything else this award winning world class Christmas festival has to offer, Santa will be in his workshop at “Kringle’s Crossing” where he will be waiting for children to come and tell him what they are hoping to see under the tree this year. Santa and his elves will be there from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, on Nov. 26 and Dec. 22 through 23; 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM on Saturdays and Friday Nov. 28 and 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM and 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM Thanksgiving Day.

“White Flight” ensures a Branson “White Christmas”

Live “angel” sharing butterfly with family during “White Flight.”

“‘White Flight’ at Branson’s Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure adds new meaning to the term ‘White Christmas,'” said Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “It’s another of those special Ozark Mountain Christmas activities that makes Christmas in Branson a special experience,” she added.

Brittney Smith, the General Manager of the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure said that “White Flight” is a unique exhibit consisting of thousands of white butterflies flying in a “rain forest” amid sparkling lights, colorful red and white poinsettias and living angel statutes to the sounds of beautiful Christmas music. She adds that this is the sixth Christmas season for this special limited engagement which runs through January 15, 2015.

The thousands of white butterflies, along with some surprise winged Christmas colored guests this year, are comprised of more than 30 different species of tropical butterflies with the most common being the “Paper Kite Butterfly,” also referred to as the “Rice Paper Butterfly.” The majority of the butterflies used in White Flight, as is the case with the majority of the exhibits at the Butterfly Palace, live out their average three week life span in a predator free environment, after they arrive, via air express, from tropical rain forests in their chrysalis (cocoon) stage, emerge, and are released into the exhibit, aviary.

In addition to the spectacular display of butterflies, “White Flight” also includes amazing and unique performances of the centuries old art form of “living statutes” in the form of “White Angels.” “The statutes slowly and subtly come to life as people walk through the exhibit and butterflies alight on and flutter around them. It might be just a change in the position of a head or the extension of a hand, but it’s fascinating to watch as the artists playing the angels interact with the guests.

“The aviary is decorated with a number of poinsettias and other flowers and highlighted by a large poinsettia Christmas tree that provides an excellent place for picture taking. The whole ‘White Flight’ experience, from the thousands of White Butterflies to the living angel statutes and beautiful music, is a unique experience for the whole family to enjoy.”

Smith points out that “White Flight” is in addition to all the other activities that the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure offers for the whole family to enjoy. These include “a Living Rainforest Science Center, the Emerald Forest Mirror Maze, a Rainforest Theater, the “Banyan Tree Bungee Adventure” and more.

Branson Tourism Center’s Wood reminds Branson visitors that “White Flight” is just one of the many special events that are part of “Ozark Mountain Christmas.” For additional information or tickets for “White Flight” and the Butterfly Palace & Rainforest Adventure, “Ozark Mountain Christmas” or any of Branson’s other shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services by calling 800-785-1550.

Branson serves up a cornucopia of Thanksgiving food choices

Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill is one of the many Branson Restaurants that will be offering Thanksgiving fare.

“Those coming to Banson for Thanksgiving will have a wonderful choice of places to ‘feast’ and eat on Thanksgiving,” said Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. She points out that whether it’s nontraditional Thanksgiving fare such as northern Indian cuisine at the India Clay Oven or the more traditional Thanksgiving fare served at a special Thanksgiving Day Buffett in the Stage Door Restaurant at the Welk Resort, and just about everything in-between; there is an unbelievable variety of Thanksgiving meal choices from which to choose.

Buffets are a Branson favorite and Thanksgiving is no exception offering, among others, a delightful Thanksgiving Brunch Buffet in the Keeter Center at the College of the Ozarks and special Thanksgiving buffets at the Golden Corral, Paradise Grill & Steakhouse and Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill. In addition, among others, the following restaurants will be offering Thanksgiving fare and buffets including:

Baldknobber Restaurant
Thanksgiving Dinner-Buffet Style
7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
417-334-7202

Fall Creek Steak House
Thanksgiving Meal & Regular Menu
11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
417-336-5060

Florentina’s Italian Ristorante
Regular Menu
11:00 AM – 8:30 PM
417-337-9882

Grand Country Buffet
Thanksgiving Buffet
11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
417-335-2434

Great American Steak and Chicken House
Breakfast: 7:00 AM-11:00 AM; Lunch and Dinner after 11:00 AM-Buffet Style and Regular Menu
417-335-6699

I.H.O.P.
Thanksgiving Dinner and Regular Menu
24 Hrs.
417-339-4467

Level 2 Steakhouse
Brunch: 11:00 AM -3:00 PM
417-243-3433

Texas Land & Cattle
11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Full Menu and also Plated Turkey Dinner
417-337-8200

White River Fish House
11:00 AM am to 5:00 PM
Plated Thanksgiving Dinner and Regular Menu
417-243-5100

“In addition to offering a wonderful Thanksgiving meal for just about every palate and budget, what’s equally exiting is that there is a similar choice of Branson’s shows, attractions and other activities including ‘Black Friday’ shopping to enjoy, not only on Thanksgiving Day, but throughout the entire Thanksgiving Weekend,” Wood added. For additional information on Thanksgiving in Branson or for information or tickets for any of Branson’s shows and attractions or for lodging arrangements please contact the Branson Tourism Center by calling 1-800-785-1550 or through its website Branson Tourism Center.com.

Did you know that Branson is one of the top two value cities in America?

Branson’s Radisson Hotel

On Nov. 11, Samantha Fanelli Public Relations US for trivago.com announced that, as a result of their analysis of lodging costs in cities across America, Branson is one of “the 50 Best Value Cities for the coming year.” Among other things, one of the primary areas of analysis was “the annual average price of a standard double room.”

An examination of the complete list has even better news for travelers considering Branson in their 2015 vacation or travel plans. Not only is it on the list, but it is number two out of the 50 listed. “What a great testimony as to the value Branson visitors get,” said Tammy Johnson, the General Manager for the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected providers of Branson lodging as well as show and attractions tickets. Johnson, who has over 30 years’ experience in Branson’s Tourism industry, 12 of them as the General Manager for Branson’s Radisson Hotel, went on to say that the lodging value Branson visitors get is just part of the great value Branson offers across the board.

The Welk Resort

Not only is Branson a great value in terms of the prices charged for its lodging, shows and attractions, but that it provides a vacation experience not available anywhere else. In addition to its world renowned live shows, it has dozens of attractions from the international award winning 1880s styled theme park Silver Dollar City to the Titanic Museum Attraction, the National Tiger Sanctuary, Hollywood Wax Museum and many more all surrounded by the beauty of the Ozark Mountains and within minutes of the 43,000 plus acre Table Rock Lake, championship golf and a proverbial “shoppers paradise.”

Johnson said that a great lodging value can become even a better value. She points out that when you buy your lodging though a travel provider such as the Branson Tourism Center, along with your show and attraction tickets, in a “bundle” or “package,” you can save even more. She adds, “The vacation time you will spend with your family is priceless, but isn’t it great to know that, in addition to its value, Branson, Missouri is a special place you can share with your family, have a great vacation and create special memories that could last a lifetime?”

For additional information about Branson, its lodging, shows, attractions and other activities, please feel free to call the Branson Tourism Center at 1-800-875-1550 and talk with one of their Branson based Vacation Planners seven day a week from 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM or visit its website www.BransonTourismCenter.com

Six things you should know about Branson Christmas shows

The “Andy Williams Christmas Show” is just one of the spectacular Branson Christmas shows.

“This is one of the most exciting times of the year in Branson and that is especially so for Branson Shows,” said Annette Wood, the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Branson Tourism Center. “Each show is like a wrapped present under the Christmas tree waiting to be unwrapped and bring joy and happiness,” she added.

Here is a list of six things you should know about Branson Christmas shows:

1. Ozark Mountain Christmas – Branson’s live shows are an important part of all that Branson is every day, but in conjunction with Ozark Mountain Christmas, its Christmas shows share the “Christmas Spirit” and “the reason for the season” with their audiences in a very special and personal way.

2. All Christmas Shows are Limited Engagement Performances – Branson’s Christmas Shows usually start during the first week of Nov. and run to the end of their season which will typically be the first week in Dec. through Dec. 31.

SIX is one of many of Branson's performing families.

SIX performing during the Christmas portion of their show.

3. Plan because all shows are not open through Christmas – Many Branson shows end their season by the end of the second week in December. These include some of Branson’s most popular shows including Presleys’ Country Jubilee, Andy Williams Christmas Show, with the Osmonds and Lennon Sisters, Mickey Gilley, Shoji Tabuchi, Duttons and George Dyer. Other popular shows such as Billy Dean Live!, Doug Gabriel’s #1 Hits Tribute Show, Christmas Wonderland, Clay Cooper’s Country Express, Dublin Tenors and the Celtic Ladies, New Jersey Nights, Grand Jubilee, Haygoods, Hughe’s Brothers Christmas Show, Legends in Concert, SIX, Paul Harris and the Cleverlys, Christmas on the Trail, The Rankin Brothers and Dixie Stampede are open to the end of the third week in Dec. or beyond.

4. Two General Christmas Show Formats – It can generally be said that Branson’s Christmas shows follow one of two formats. The first is shows that are totally Christmas such as the Andy Williams Christmas Show, Christmas on the Trail, Christmas Wonderland and the Hughes Brothers Christmas Show. The second and by far the more prevalent is the “rest” of the Christmas shows that are a mixture of their regular season shows and Christmas. 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.

5. Limited Seating Capacity – It’s no exaggeration to say that Ozark Mountain Christmas is not only one of the most special times of the year to visit Branson, but that it is also one of the busiest. The limited time these shows run and the demand for their tickets makes it imperative to make early reservations to not only insure availability, but to get the best seats. In this regard the Branson Tourism Center has sold over 4,000,000 million Branson show and attraction tickets and has a special relationship with its theatre partners that helps insure that their customers not only get tickets, but get the best available seats at the time they are purchased. Branson Tourism Center can be reached by phone at 1-800-785-1550 or through their website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.

6. OK, I know the title said “Branson Christmas shows” but I just have to mention that Branson’s most popular new show, Sight and Sound’s spectacular biblical production Jonah. It will be performing through Dec. 31 and although it’s not a Christmas show it sure would make a wonderful family Christmas memory and it is certainly related to the “reason for the season.” Come to think of it, seeing any Branson Christmas show and sharing it with your family is a wonderful way to get in the Christmas spirit, appreciate “the reason for the season” and make a special Christmas memory.