'Most Wonderful Time of the Year' in Branson Starts 11/1

Christmas comes early in the Live Music Show Capital of America and, beginning November 1, Branson celebrates Ozark Mountain Christmas. Like Andy Williams says, "For many visitors to Branson, it's the most wonderful time of the year!"

With lots of star-filled Christmas shows and a glittering array of animated lighting displays, including the one-mile Branson Area Festival of Lights drive-through, a trip to Branson will create beautiful memories and new Christmas traditions for your family.

Branson's star performers, special effects and elaborate holiday production numbers are ready to dazzle visitors and their families in November and December.  In addition to Andy Williams, Christmas favorites include the Lennon Sisters with Tony Orlando, Debby Boone and Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan. There's a multitude of shows that deck the halls and showcase Branson's finest talent.

Music fills the air at Branson's family shows like the Presleys, The Baldknobbers, and the Hughes Brothers. Peals of laughter roll through the aisles at Jim Stafford, Hamner-Barber and Yakov Smirnoff's shows. Broadway's Spirit of Christmas, Dino's Christmas Extravaganza and The Osmonds wrap it up with musical packages of one-of-a-kind holiday family fun.

Here is a sampling of what Ozark Mountain Christmas in Branson also has to offer:

Silver Dollar City celebrates with An Old Time Christmas, ranked as one of the world's top holiday events by CNN.com, and one of the nation's top celebrations by USA Today, Good Morning America and The Travel Channel. The 1880's themed park dazzles with a  highly acclaimed five-story special effects Christmas Tree and an all encompassing light-and-sound show on the Square. The festival runs November 7 through December 30 and includes the production of A Dickens' Christmas Carol, a Holiday Light Parade, the interactive kids' show Frosty, and over 4 million lights.

"Miracle of Christmas" at Sight & Sound Theatre allows you to experience the journey of Mary and Joseph and witness the miraculous birth of Jesus, the Savior, in this original musical production featuring a cast of over 45 actors, live animals, elaborate 40-foot high sets and spectacular costumes on one of the largest stages in the country.

Dubbed the "Macy's Parade of the Midwest," the Holiday Promenade of Stars parade kicks off the season on Saturday, Nov. 7. Grand Marshal Andy Williams will lead the Branson stars and many of the most popular entertainers will give viewers a taste of their individual Christmas shows. Jimmy Osmond and Debby Boone will emcee for the television broadcasts scheduled nationwide for Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.

The Brule and Airo American Indian Rock Opera Christmas Show features cutting-edge Native American music and dance performances. The show is a blend of contemporary Native American rhythms and dance with traditional Christmas music played on Native American instruments designed to deliver a powerful message of peace, unity and reconciliation.

Thousands of white butterflies at The Butterfly Palace flutter like living snowflakes amid a rainforest sparkling with thousands of twinkling lights, while fantastic holiday music fills your soul during Christmas and New Year holidays. Living statues of breathtaking angels will amaze you with their quiet beauty and joyful peace, and will stun you when they suddenly come to life!

Titanic - World's Largest Museum Attraction is hosting Santa's Reindeer!  On board, guests will experience an Edwardian Christmas and enjoy the Christmas stories of 1912 as told by Father Christmas.

Our nation's Capitol Christmas Tree will stop in Branson en route to Washington, DC, from Alpine, AZ. Locals and visitors alike are invited to the welcoming festivities at Sight & Sound Theatre on Monday, Nov. 23.

After the lighting of the area's largest Nativity Scene, overlooking Lake Taneycomo, enjoy the 62nd annual Adoration Parade on Sunday, Dec. 6. Over 60 entrants, including floats and bands from throughout Missouri, will participate in this non-commercial event where the community comes together for the sole purpose of "Keeping Christ in Christmas."

The area's largest drive-through trail of animated and static displays of Christmas lights, the Branson Area Festival of Lights, features a 16-arch tunnel of lights along the one-mile path through 120 individual lighted displays.
 
The Trail of Lights at Shepherd of the Hills Historic Homestead allows you to drive through The Farm and visit different themed areas and "peek in" on life-sized three-dimensional characters.

The Branson Scenic Railway is proud to bring The Polar Express officially licensed train ride event to Branson this holiday season!  Based on the holiday feature film from Warner Bros. and the beloved children's book, by Chris Van Allsburg, about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, it's fun for kids of all ages! Pajama-clad passengers will relive the magic of the story as this nighttime train whisks families away for an unforgettable ride to the North Pole.  During the journey, the Conductor will punch tickets and Chefs serve hot chocolate, followed by a reading of Van Allsburg's classic.  At the North Pole, Santa will board the train and greet the children!  And Santa has a gift for those who truly believe - a silver sleigh bell.

For additional information about Branson's more than 100 live shows, theme park, pristine lakes, golf courses, family attractions, shopping and other features, or to order a free Branson Vacation Guide, call the Branson/Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-214-3661 or visit our website at www.ExploreBranson.com.

Founded in 1963, Reed MIDEM is a leading organiser of professional, international tradeshows. Reed MIDEM events have established themselves as key dates in professional diaries. The company hosts MIPTV, MIPDOC, MIPCOM, and MIPJUNIOR for the television and digital content industries, MIDEM for music professionals, MIPIM, MIPIM Asia, MIPIM HORIZONS and MAPIC for the property and retail real estate sectors.

Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organiser, with over 470 events in 37 countries. In 2008 Reed brought together over seven million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organised by 38 fully staffed offices.

Reed organizes a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses and meetings. Its portfolio of over 470 events serves 44 industry sectors, including: Aerospace & aviation, automobiles, broadcasting, building & construction, electronics, energy, oil & gas, engineering, manufacturing, environment, food service & hospitality, gifts, healthcare, interior design, IT & telecoms, jewellery, life science & pharmaceuticals, machinery, medical education, printing & graphics, property & real estate, security & safety, sports & recreation, travel.
For further information about Reed MIDEM visit www.reedmidem.com

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