An Old Time Christmas in Branson is Silver Dollar City‘s award-winning holiday festival, and in 2026 it runs November 7 through January 2, 2027. The 1880s theme park glows with more than 6.5 million lights, debuts a brand-new Rudolph parade, and fills its stages with Broadway-style shows and its kitchens with homestyle holiday feasts. Named America’s Best Holiday Event eight times, it is the heart of the Branson Christmas festival season. This guide covers the 2026 dates, what is new, the shows and lights, ticket basics, and where to stay close to the action.

What Is An Old Time Christmas in Branson?

An Old Time Christmas is the holiday version of Silver Dollar City, the 1880s-themed park just west of Branson. For nearly two months each winter, the park layers a full Christmas celebration over its everyday character. Millions of lights cover the buildings and trees. Carolers and craftsmen work the streets. The whole place leans into the season.

The festival has real pedigree. The Travel Channel has called Silver Dollar City “The Most Illuminated Park On Earth,” and the park has won America’s Best Holiday Event eight times. For many visitors, this single festival is the reason they book a winter trip to the Ozarks.

What sets An Old Time Christmas apart is how completely the park commits to the season. This is not a few trees and a Santa photo booth. It is handcrafted gifts from resident craftsmen, live music in the streets, shows running throughout the day, and a nightly parade, all wrapped inside a walkable 1880s village. Plan on a full day, and plan to stay past dark when the lights are at their best.

When Is An Old Time Christmas 2026?

The 2026 festival runs November 7, 2026 through January 2, 2027. It is open on select days across that window rather than every single day, so check the park’s daily calendar before you lock in a date. Weekends and the stretch right around Christmas are the busiest.

If you want a deal, Silver Dollar City is running Merry Mondays this year: a one-day visit on November 9, 16, 23, or 30 for $79 plus tax. For the best experience during An Old Time Christmas, Branson regulars suggest arriving in the early afternoon so you catch the park in daylight and then watch it transform as the lights come on at dusk.

How Many Lights Does Silver Dollar City Have?

More than 6.5 million lights, start to finish. The showpiece is the Christmas In Midtown light spectacular, with 1.5 million lights strung across towering structures and glowing light tunnels you walk right through. On the square, Joy On Town Square centers on an eight-story animated tree synchronized to music and lights.

New for the plaza is the Grand Fir, a majestic real tree lit in a Rockefeller-style ceremony. The Frisco Sing-Along Steam Train rolls through it all. These displays are included with park admission, so the lights come with your ticket rather than as a separate add-on.

What’s New at An Old Time Christmas for 2026?

The headline change is the new Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights Parade. Silver Dollar City has doubled the parade’s length and added new floats, characters, and costumes, and this year it stars Rudolph and friends. The park describes it as an interactive “show on the go” that pulls guests into the story rather than seating them on the sidelines.

Want a guaranteed spot? The VIP Parade Experience ($45 plus tax) adds a Rudolph meet-and-greet with a photo, reserved seating in an exclusive viewing area, hot chocolate, and a bag of kettle corn. It is an easy upgrade for families with young children who want a close view without staking out a curb early.

What Shows Can You See During the Festival?

Plenty, and they are a big part of the day. A Dickens’ Christmas Carol, the park’s Broadway-style production, celebrates its 25th Christmas this year. Heart of Christmas returns with bluegrass and gospel-infused songs and stories, with special guests on select dates. The Living Nativity tells the reason for the season, while A Timeless Story, Tinker Junior’s Toy Shop, and the Frontier Fa-La-La Follies round out the lineup.

Showtimes and venues change by day, so the daily schedule or the official Silver Dollar City mobile app is the place to plan your route. Reserved seating is available for select Christmas performances starting at $15 plus tax, which is worth it on busy nights. An Old Time Christmas packs more live entertainment into one park than most of Branson’s shows and attractions manage separately, and the mix of production shows, gospel music, and the Living Nativity means there is something for every member of the family.

What About Food and Shopping?

The festival leans into comfort food. You will find the Holiday Harvest Buffet, a slow-smoked prime rib buffet, walking tacos, mashed-potato bowls, hearty soups, and sizzling skillets, plus festive drinks and seasonal sweets. A Christmas Tasting Ticket ($38 plus tax) covers five tasting-sized items from the limited-time menu, and Lunch With Santa is a hit with younger kids.

Shopping is part of the tradition, too. Silver Dollar City’s 60 shops and its resident Master Craftsmen turn out handcrafted gifts you will not find at the mall, which makes the park a genuine stop for holiday shopping and not just sightseeing.

Planning Your Visit to An Old Time Christmas

A few simple moves make the day better. Dress in warm layers, because you will be outside after dark and Ozark December evenings get cold. Wear comfortable shoes, since the park is hilly and you will cover a lot of ground. Arrive earlier on weekends to beat the heaviest crowds, and budget time for the parade and at least one show. Download the park app so you can track showtimes and the parade in real time.

An Old Time Christmas also pairs well with the rest of the season. Branson’s drive-through and waterfront displays make a natural second evening, so it is worth reading our guide to Branson’s Christmas lights before you go. If you are planning an early-season trip, our overview of Branson in November covers Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and the pre-holiday stretch that leads right into the festival’s opening week.

Where to Stay Near An Old Time Christmas

Staying close to Silver Dollar City means shorter drives after a long day in the lights. Of Branson Premier’s current rental catalog, 32 homes are decorated for Christmas, and many sit within a few miles of the park. Here are three that put you minutes from the action, sized for couples, mid-size families, and large groups.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is An Old Time Christmas in Branson in 2026?

An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City runs November 7, 2026 through January 2, 2027. The park is open on select days within that window rather than every day of the week, so you should always check the official daily calendar before you book a date. Weekends and the days surrounding Christmas draw the biggest crowds, while early weekdays in November and early December tend to be quieter and easier for families with small children.

Are the Christmas lights included with Silver Dollar City admission?

Yes. The park’s 6.5 million lights, including the Christmas In Midtown light spectacular and the eight-story animated tree on Town Square, are included with your Silver Dollar City daily admission or season pass. A separate daily admission ticket or season pass is required to enter the park. Some extras, such as the VIP Parade Experience, the Christmas Tasting Ticket, and reserved show seating, cost more and can be added to your visit.

What is the new parade at An Old Time Christmas?

For 2026, Silver Dollar City debuts the Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights Parade. The park has doubled its length and added new floats, characters, and costumes, and it now stars Rudolph and friends. It is built as an interactive “show on the go” that brings guests into the story. A VIP Parade Experience is available for $45 plus tax, adding a Rudolph meet-and-greet with a photo, reserved seating, hot chocolate, and kettle corn.

Do I need tickets for the Christmas shows?

Live shows such as A Dickens’ Christmas Carol and Heart of Christmas are included with park admission, though seating is first-come on a standby basis. For a guaranteed seat on busy nights, the park sells reserved seating for select Christmas performances starting at $15 plus tax. Showtimes and venues vary by day, so check the daily schedule or the official Silver Dollar City mobile app when you arrive to plan which shows you want to catch.

Where should I stay for An Old Time Christmas?

Branson Premier offers vacation rentals just minutes from Silver Dollar City, from couples’ condos to large lakefront homes that sleep twenty. Staying nearby means a short, easy drive back after an evening in the lights, which matters most when you are traveling with children or a big group. Many homes sit in resort communities near the park with pools, hot tubs, and room to spread out, and several are decorated for Christmas when you arrive.

Make this the year you see An Old Time Christmas for yourself. The festival’s best dates book up fast through the holidays, so reserve your Branson rental early at bransonpremier.com/properties.