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.
Best of Branson
Related Photos
Related Links
Discussion
<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/extra.gif" border=0>Christmas Branson style<font color="#ff0000"> w/ Branson Christmas slide show</font>
An Ozark Mountain Christmas draws thousands to Branson
- Best of Branson
-
-
“Finalists” set for Branson stage
Through August 18, the Moon River Theatre, 2500 Highway 76 in Branson, will present three different shows, running approximately one month and each featuring five Idol finalists. Future shows includes Reuban Studdard, the winner of Idol season 2, Diana Degarmo, Ace Young and Bo Bice. On Monday, fans of the first five finalists gathered at Branson Airport for the chance to press some flesh with the former Idols.
-
Branson sets Friday deadline for tornado clean up
Branson city officials say property owners have until Friday to remove debris left after a tornado hit the tourist destination in February.
-
International acts to perform in Branson
Rex Burdette thinks it’s important to embrace international culture and entertainment.
-
Boy-band vibe bolsters lineup at Moon River Theatre
Performing more than a dozen shows each week, the casts of “Oh, What a Night” and the Cat’s Pajamas bring live music, dance and an old-school boy band vibe to the stage at Andy Williams Moon River Theatre, 2600 West Highway 76.
“Oh, What a Night,” a musical tribute to the four high-singing boys from New Jersey, is backed by Williams’ house band. Cat’s Pajamas offers a trip through five decades of popular music, relies on the a cappella vocal talents of it’s five male performers. -
Branson museum to honor Titanic victims, survivors
Kellogg’s crew and a cast of hundreds will share “A Night to Remember,” a special commemoration of Titanic’s passengers, crew and descendants, at noon Saturday.
-
Dave Woods: Branson radio team gives spring break recommendations
I jumped at the chance to talk about Branson with Steve Willoughby and Janet Ellis.
Steve and Janet host a successful morning radio show on KRZK, 106.3 FM. The two Branson talkers chat and spat their way through four hours of morning radio, five days a week. -
Outdoor sports academy near Table Rock approved
A proposal to build an outdoor sports complex near Table Rock Lake in southwest Missouri has been approved despite neighbors’ objections over the potential for noise, particularly from shooting activities on the site.
-
Branson, at 100, thrives as a major tourist attraction
Wheel into town and the eyes come under assault. It’s as if Donald Trump married an Ozarks girl and took to redecorating her town. Gold meets calico.
-
Report: AirTran did the best job for passengers
For the second year in a row, low-cost carrier AirTran Airways did the best job getting passengers to their destinations with the least hassle, private researchers who have analyzed federal data on airline performance said Monday.
-
Dave Woods: Promoter gives Branson recommendations
For more than 20 years, Cindy has advised some of Branson’s most successful entertainers, show producers and theater owners. She’s deeply involved in promoting Branson attractions and shows through the convention and visitors bureau, Branson Show League and area marketing councils.
- More Best of Branson Headlines
-
Secret Service Boss: 'I Apologize'
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Egyptians Vote in Historic Presidential Election
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Marches to 'Remember' Tornado Victims
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
