Christmas Day is a day of rest for many businesses and their employees so time can be spent with family and friends. There are still a few Branson attractions that are open year-round, even on Christmas Day. We’ve compiled a list of those below, plus restaurants, and some alternative ideas of how to spend your holiday in the Ozarks.
If you’re sticking around for a few more days, check out our list of Where to celebrate Christmas in Branson after Dec. 25.
Restaurants
Most fast-food and chain restaurants are closed on Christmas Day, but a number of local restaurants will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. See our full list of Where to feast on Christmas Day in Branson for details.
Shows
The short list of shows being performed on Christmas Day includes:
- Dolly Parton’s Stampede Christmas Dinner & Show (show at 8 p.m.)
- Hughes Family Christmas Show (show at 8 p.m.)
- A Shepherd’s Christmas Carol Dinner Show (show at 5 p.m.)
- Reza – Edge of Illusion Magic Show (show at 8 p.m.)
- Amazing Acrobats of Shanghai (show at 7:30 p.m.)
- Amazing Pets Show (show at 7 p.m.)
SEE ALSO: Branson Christmas Attractions & Activities
Drive-Through Light Displays
All of Branson’s Christmas light displays are open on Christmas night.
- Let There Be Lights at Promised Land Zoo
- Trail of Lights at Shepherd of the Hills
- Branson’s Lights of Joy
Attractions
The following attractions are planning to be open on Christmas Day. We do suggest always suggest calling to double check hours and availability if it’s not clear on the website.
WonderWorks
2835 W 76 Country Blvd., Branson, MO 65616
Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Located in the upside down building right along Hwy. 76, WonderWorks is similar to a science center, featuring 48,000-dquare feet of “edu-tainment.” Purchase discounted WonderWorks tickets here.
Aquarium at The Boardwalk
2700 W 76 Country Blvd., Branson, MO 65616
Open 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Purchase discounted Aquarium at the Boardwalk tickets here.
FlyRide Adventure & Beyond the Lens
3115 W 76 Country Blvd., Branson, MO 65616
Open 12 to 10 p.m. Special for the holiday season, the FlyRide Adventure features a virtual 4D ride to the North Pole on The Polar Express! Purchase discounted FlyRide and Beyond the Lens tickets here.
Hollywood Wax Museum
3030 W 76 Country Blvd., Branson, MO 65616
Open regular hours. Take photos with your favorite stars and pop culture icons, and enjoy the adjoining Castle of Chaos, Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors, and Shoot for the Stars Mini-Golf. Purchase discounted Hollywood Wax Museum tickets here.
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not
3326 W 76 Country Blvd., Branson, MO 65616
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Purchase discounted Ripley’s Believe It Or Not tickets here.
North Pole Adventure at Shepherd of the Hills
5586 W 76 Country Blvd., Branson, MO 65616
Opens at 3 p.m. This attraction includes a walk-through Christmas light display, real-live reindeer, a petting zoo, bounce houses, 9-hole mini golf, a “little elves” playground, repurposed animated displays from the classic drive-through, a life-size nativity scene, and more. Purchase North Pole Adventure tickets here.
Snowflex Tubing Hill at Wolfe Mountain
2339 US-65, Walnut Shade, MO 65771
Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Go “snow” tubing year-round on this synthetic Snowflex tubing hill. Purchase Snowflex Park tickets here.
SEE ALSO: 10 FREE things to do in Branson at Christmas
Gingerbread Village at Chateau on the Lake
415 N State Hwy 265, Branson, MO 65616
Open 24/7. Stop by the resort’s lobby to view an incredible display of candy houses, all created in-house by the hotel’s culinary team. While at Chateau, also check out the beautiful nativity scene (a twin of the set featured in Home Alone) just around the corner from the village, and catch a glimpse of Santa sliding in from the rafters! See photos of the gingerbread village display from past years here.
Big Cedar Lodge
190 Top of the Road Road, Ridgedale, MO 65739
The resort is impressively decorated for the holidays. You can take a tram tour of the holiday lights, go skating on a synthetic “ice” rink (open until 9 p.m.), attend a chapel service at 6:30 p.m., and more. Buzzard Bar opens at 8 p.m. and features live entertainment. Read more about Big Cedar’s Home for the Holidays here.
Branson Landing
100 Branson Landing Blvd., Branson, MO 65616
Most retailers will be closed at the Landing on Christmas Day, but you can still stroll around the shopping district or enjoy views of the lake from the walking trails. A new 63-foot state-of-the-art animated Christmas tree on the main square is choreographed to music. A 15-minute show runs at the top and bottom of every hour from dusk until 10 p.m., including Christmas night. Branson’s iconic Adoration Nativity Scene on Mt. Branson can also be viewed from here.
America’s Christmas Tree City Tour
Various locations
Explore over 700 decorated trees throughout the area, many of which are located outdoors and able to be be viewed and enjoyed any time. Check out the Branson Christmas Tree Tour Interactive Map here.
Hiking & Nature Trails
Various locations
Branson is home to hundreds of miles of beautiful year-round hiking trails. Some of the most popular spots include Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, Ruth & Paul Henning Conservation Area, or Table Rock State Park.
Branson IMAX & Elite Cinema III
3562 Shepherd of the Hills Expwy, Branson, MO 65616
The movie theater is fully open on Christmas Day (although closed on Christmas Eve). Find schedules and tickets here.
Slimetropolis
3430 W 76 Country Blvd, Branson, MO 65616
This new attraction allows you to make slim, get slimed, enjoy the “Slimeazium,” and meet The Grinch. Open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Find schedules and tickets here.
SEE ALSO: Ultimate Silver Dollar City Christmas Travel Guide
Grocery Stores
Branson’s Price Cutter-affiliated stores will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. for any last-minute needs.
Country Mart of Branson
1447 State Highway 248, Branson, MO 65616
417-334-2101
Country Mart of Hollister
200 Southtowne Blvd., Hollister, MO 65672
417-334-3383
Country Mart of Forsyth
15720 US Hwy 160, Forsyth, MO 65653
417-546-2101
King Food Saver of Branson West
18128 State Hwy 13, Branson West, MO 65737
417-847-4155
