By Dave Woods

dwoods@joplinglobe.com

When Mark and Susan Lasiter retired and moved to Branson from Southern California, they knew they had landed in a very special place.

“Riverside was getting too crowded, too dangerous and too expensive, so we moved to the most beautiful city in America,” Susan said while standing on the Branson Landing admiring the holiday decorations with her family. “I think it’s great that the Christmas season starts so early here. I love it.”

Sunny Lasiter, Susan’s daughter-in-law, poked a little fun at her in-laws.



“They are Christmas-a-holics,” she laughed. “The only reason they moved here is for the Christmas shows.

“In Branson,” Susan explained, “we have five seasons: spring, summer, winter, fall ... and Christmas.”

The Lasiters are not alone in their love of all things Christmas. Tens of thousands of Americans will make the Yuletide trip to Branson to do some shopping, catch up with family and friends and take in a few Christmas shows.

Through the end of December, most Branson theaters haul out the holly, fill up the stockings, jingle some bells and add more than a few traditional Christmas carols to their performances to welcome tourists to the community’s signature “Ozark Mountain Christmas.”

Here are a few Branson theaters and attractions serving up some holiday cheer:



Andy Williams Christmas Show

Where: The Moon River Theatre

When: 3 and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, through Dec. 13.

Information: (417) 334-4500 or www.andywilliams.com.



Magnificent Seven Christmas Show

Where: The White House Theatre

When: 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, through Dec. 30.

Information: (877) 487-2386 or www.bransonwhitehousetheatre.com.



The Lowe Family Christmas Spectacular

Where: Welk Resort Theatre

When: 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday, through Dec. 5.

Information: (417) 337-7469 or www.welkresort.com.



The Twelve Irish Tenors Christmas Show

Where: Branson Variety Theater

When: Sunday through Friday, through Dec. 12. Show times vary.

Information: (888) 462-7267 or www.bransonvarietytheater.com.



Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Christmas Show

Where: Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction

When: Daily shows through Jan. 3.

Information: (800) 520-3000 or www.dixiestampede.com.



An Old Time Christmas

Where: Silver Dollar City

When: Thursday through Sunday, through Dec. 30.

Information: (800) 831-4FUN or www.silverdollarcity.com.



Showboat Branson Belle Christmas Cruise

Where: Showboat Branson Belle

When: Cruise shows offered most days through Dec. 31.

Information: (800) 475-9370 or www.showboatbransonbelle.com.</n>



The Osmonds Spirit of Christmas

Where: Branson Variety Theater

When: Tuesday through Sunday, through Dec. 13. Show times vary.

Information: (888) 462-7267 or www.bransonvarietytheater.com



Christmas on the Trail, Trail of Lights & Inspiration Tower

Where: The Shepherd of the Hills.

When: Dinner and show offered at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, through Dec. 31. Trail of Lights open nightly through Dec. 31.

Information: (800) 653-6288 or www.theshepherdofthehills.com.



,b>Tony Orlando & The Lennon Sisters Christmas Celebration

Where: Welk Resort Branson.

When: Monday through Saturday, through Dec. 6. Show times vary.

Information: (417) 337-SHOW or www.welkresortbranson.com.



Hamner Barber Wings of Christmas

Where: Hamner Barber Theater.

When: 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday, through Dec. 14.

Information: (417) 334-4363 or www.hamnerbarber.com.



Bobby Vinton with The Glenn Miller Orchestra

Where: The Mansion Entertainment and Media Center.

When: Show dates vary through Dec. 7.

Information: (866) 707-4100 or www.themansiontheatre.com.



60th Annual Adoration Parade and Lighting Ceremony

Where: Downtown Branson and The Branson Landing.

When: 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 7.

Information: (417) 239-3002, www.bransonlanding.com or www.explorebranson.com.



Branson Area Festival of Lights Drive-through

Where: Located off Shepherd of the Hills Expressway and Roark Valley Road at Expressway Lane.

When: Dusk to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and dusk to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Information: (800) 214-3661 or www.explorebranson.com.



The Haygoods Christmas show

Where: Music City Centre.

When: Show dates and times vary, through Dec. 30

Information: (417) 339-4663 or www.thehaygoods.com.



A Grand Jubilee Christmas

Where: Grand Country Theater.

When: 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, through Dec. 30.

Information: (417) 335-2484 or www.grandcountry.com.



The Baldknobbers’ Family Christmas Show

Where: The Baldknobbers Theatre.

When: 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, through Dec. 13.

Information: (800) 998-8908 orwww.baldknobbers.com.



Presley’s Country Christmas Show

Where: The Presleys’ Country Jubilee Theater.

When: 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, through Dec. 13.

Information: (800) 335-4874 or www.presleys.com.