Celebrate the Holidays in Branson, Missouri

Celebrate an Ozark Mountain Christmas this holiday season in Branson, Missouri. The cool weather brings festive productions to the area Branson Shows as they invite guests to celebrate the reason for the season with friends and family. The area becomes enchanted with twinkling light displays, holiday decorations and a merry spirit that is perfect for a holiday getaway.

One of the best reasons to travel to Branson during the holiday season is the entertaining holiday shows available during November and December. Branson has a variety of programs to choose from, each with a unique story to tell. Miracle of Christmas is an all-new show in Branson, and seeks to tell the captivating story of Mary, Joseph and the birth of Jesus. It is presented by Sight and Sound Theatres, who are known for their lavish production qualities from Noah – The Musical. Several star entertainers return to Branson during the Christmas season, including Andy Williams in the Andy Williams Christmas Show, Daniel O’Donnell and Tony Orlando & the Lennon Sisters.

Branson visitors can enjoy a country Christmas at Christmas on the Trail, where you’ll sing along as they share a cowboy Christmas, complete with Christmas carols, and a special time of reflection on the true meaning of the Christmas Season. Dixie Stampede Christmas Dinner and Show transforms into a holiday celebration including a live nativity, with three kings atop camels, holiday music, Santa and a four-course yuletide feast. This year they also debut “The Magic of Toys,” an all-new musical celebration. Baldknobbers Jamboree Christmas presents a combination show during the holiday season, during which the first half is devoted to the best of this year’s country show and the second half features a Baldknobber Family Christmas.

Broadway’s Spirit of Christmas is a top rated holiday production in Branson, and for good reason. This enchanting show highlights the excitement and joy of the season as its talented cast sings, dances and interacts with the audience. Hamner Barber’s Wings of Christmas Show is also a combination show, featuring the best of their comedy and magic in the first half and moving holiday tribute in the second half of the show. For those that have an ear for the piano, you won’t want to miss Dino’s Christmas Extravaganza, an over-the-top production highlighting Christmastime all over the world. The show is truly magical and the elaborate sets, costumes and holiday numbers create a memorable evening for all.

Ride the Ducks also join in on the festive fun with their Ride the Ducks Holiday Light Tours. This 60 minute adventure, on an enclosed duck, takes guests on a tour of Branson’s holiday lights. It’s a great way for everyone to see the beauty of Branson. The Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights is a holiday tradition as it offers 160 acres of Christmas lights and animated displays. Children of all ages will be amazed by the dazzling displays of holiday cheer.

A holiday getaway to Branson wouldn’t be complete without a day spent at Silver Dollar City during their Old Time Christmas celebration. The entire park is aglow with light displays and winter wonderland activities, as well as fabulous productions like “A Dickens Christmas Carol” and “The Living Nativity.” It’s the perfect way to put everybody in the family in a merry mood.

Yakov's Moscow Circus Invades Branson

Press Release from Yakov Smirnoff Theater:

Yakov Smirnoff, famous Russian Comedian, announced that a special Moscow Circus is a new addition to his exciting theater line-up in Branson, Missouri. Yakov’s Moscow Circus will open on June 10 and run through September 7. Yakov says, “You can runaway to Branson to join my circus! The highly respected Moscow Circus is an entertaining collection of clowns, strongmen, high wire walkers, con artists, and animals. Over here in America we call that Congress.”

Yakov’s Moscow Circus features Andre the Clown, Irina Markova and her award-winning canine troupe with their feline friends, Igor & Denis “The Strongmen of Moscow”, Flying Adagio Star Marina, National Unicycling Champion Anthony Soumiatin, Boris the Wonder Dog and more. For the first twenty dates Yakov will appear in person, subsequent show dates he’ll be a part of the show via multimedia. Yakov says, “The show is really a story and the story is set in a circus and begins in Russia. It features elements of honor, loyalty, character, nobility, patriotism, humor, romance…and some very exciting and unique segments. Parts of the story mirror the challenges, and the culture, of my country of origin Russia, and parts of the story showcase my love, and the values, of my country of choice the United States of America. You won’t want to miss the adventure as Andre the Clown searches for his lovely Marina the Ballerina!”

Yakov's Moscow Circus tickets are on sale now!

Yakov’s Theatre features four shows in 2009. Country music star Neal McCoy on selected dates from June 16 through November 1, Yakov’s Moscow Circus from June 10 through September 7, Yakov’s own show, and Dino’s Christmas Extravaganza in November and December.

Dino Announces Christmas Show at Yakov's Branson Theater

Dino and Cheryl Kartsonakis will get the chance to relax at home during the 2009 holiday

season — sort of.

On Wednesday, the couple announced that they would be presenting their 2009 Christmas show (68 in all) at the Yakov Smirnoff Theatre in Branson.

“We are very excited about joining Yakov for the holidays,” Dino Kartsonakis said. “Branson is our home and it will feel good to spend Christmas here.”

The show will open Nov. 2.

During Branson’s regular tourist season, the couple travels.

“We perform across the country,” Dino Kartsonakis said, “and we also tape our weekly television show on Trinity Broadcasting Network in New York.”

Smirnoff said he looks forward to working with the Kartsonakises.

“I’ve been working with them in the same town for years,” he said. “It’s going to be wonderful having them here.”

Smirnoff’s regular show begins April 22, and he said he will have a morning Christmas show for the holidays.

“Dino and Cheryl will have an afternoon or evening show,” Smirnoff said. “Visitors can come see my show in the morning and then come back later in the day for Dino’s show.”

Dino Kartsonakis added that the couple has a history with Smirnoff’s theater.

“That building was the first legitimate Branson theater we performed in about 18 years ago,” he said. “Back then, it was called the Will Rogers Follies. We had a lot of fun and it’s going to be great to be back.”

This time, however, the inside of the building will look a little different.

“One reason I wanted Dino’s show was because the elegance of his show matches with the changes I’ve made in my theater over the last five years,” Smirnoff said. “The decor and their show matches up really well.”

Information courtesy of Branson Daily News

Branson Christmas Show Schedule for 2008 a Singing Success

Christmas Season in Branson combines holiday traditions with new festive events to create a holiday atmosphere full of cheer. The entire town of Branson becomes transformed into a winter wonderland during the Christmas season, twinkling with the shine of millions of lights heralding in the season that means so much to so many. One of the great things about Christmas in Branson are the fantastic holiday shows. Branson Christmas Shows offer a variety of Christmas music - from traditional carols to cowboy Christmas songs – so your ticket to holiday fun is just a click away with ReserveBranson.com.

Mr. Christmas, who is no other than Andy Williams, helps Branson bring Christmas home with his wonderful Andy Williams Christmas show, which features Christmas standards, Andy’s legendary hits and a wholesome message for the whole family. Another legendary entertainer, Bobby Vinton, returns to Branson for the 2008 Christmas season. Performing at the Mansion America Theater, Vinton’s show will feature the Glenn Miller Orchestra and all of Vinton’s classic hits, like “Blue Velvet.” Broadway’s Spirit of Christmas is an energetic production focused on the fun of the holiday. The show takes guests on a magical sleigh ride adventure that showcases holiday hits, extravagant costumes and sets, and the charismatic Osmond Brothers (Jimmy, Jay & Wayne).

Two of Branson’s top guest performers during the Christmas season include Daniel O’Donnell and Dino. Daniel O’ Donnell, an acclaimed Irish musician who has appeared on special PBS productions, will appear in Branson for two nights only, November 21st & 24th. The Dino Christmas show is an incredible production featuring Dino Kartsonakis and his fantastic piano-playing skills. His wife, Cheryl, also joins him for the show, as do professional dancers, a dazzling light show and a dash of Hollywood glamour to put this production over the top.

Shoji Tabuchi, Branson’s Ultimate Showman, presents an incredible Christmas production at this aptly named Shoji Tabuchi Theater, complete with holiday music, North Pole sets, and snow! I viewed a small snippet of the Christmas show during a regular season Shoji Tabuchi show and it certainly left me wanting more. Tony Orlando & The Lennon Sisters will also be making a special Branson appearance, performing at the Welk Resort throughout the holiday season. Their Christmas Celebration will include the Lennon Sisters’ hits, Orlando’s famous classics and Christmas carols that the whole family can enjoy. The Hamner Barber Wings of Christmas production combines holiday laughter, magical illusions and old-fashioned Christmas memories for a show that makes every audience member feel like a kid again.

The Duttons Christmas show is all-new this 2008 Christmas season, and with the help of Hollywood special effects artist Rick Josephson, it promises to be the biggest and best Christmas production they’ve offered to Branson visitors yet. The Dixie Stampede Christmas Show is promising a stellar production that truly is fun for those of all ages. A friendly rivalry between the North & South poles gives visitors something to cheer for, while the holiday music and beautiful costumes transports guests to a Christmas scene they won’t soon forget. Plus, the show also serves up a delicious feast of holiday trimmings, with biscuits and soup that are out of this world. Christmas on the Trail is a traditional holiday show, located at the Shepherd of the Hills complex, that serves up festive holiday fun with carol sing-a-longs, a chuckwagon dinner, Trail of Lights admission, and a trip up Branson’s biggest Christmas tree, the 230 ft. Inspiration Tower, where you can have a birds-eye view of all of Branson’s lights. The Sons of the Pioneers are also offering a special Holiday Matinee during the months of November & December at the Shepherd of the Hills complex.

For many Branson visitors, a holiday excursion isn’t complete without a holiday tour of lights. The Trail of Lights event at Shepherd of the Hills winds its way through 160 acres of glowing lights, 3-D animation and holiday music creating a spectacular display of holiday cheer. A trip up Inspiration Tower is also included with the price of admission. The Ride the Ducks are also presenting a Holiday Light Tour. From November 3 – December 14 the Ride the Ducks Holiday Light Tour will take guests on a 60 minute tour of Branson’s Best light displays. Plus, the Ducks are closed-in and heated for the holiday season, so you can enjoy the lights while staying warm and toasty!

Join Branson, Missouri for an unforgettable Christmas season. With wonderful Branson Christmas Shows and beautiful holiday light displays, the spirit of the season has found a home in this Midwest Mecca.