At 12 a.m. on November 1, Branson turns into a Christmas wonderland: festive shows, lights for miles, and a general air of merriment.
But if you ask a local, you’ll find the countdown officially begins with the Christmas parade occurring on the first Sunday of December every year.
There’s no place like Branson for the holidays
Enjoy the 73rd annual Adoration Parade and Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 5, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. in Historic Downtown Branson.
A 28-foot-tall nativity scene sits high on a bluff on the other side of Lake Taneycomo from Downtown Branson. A couple of Branson locals designed it 73 years ago and it was rebuilt in 2012 to continue the tradition. Every year, it’s illuminated at sundown as the kickoff to The Adoration Parade.
The parade route begins in the Branson Convention Center parking lot, travels north along Branson Landing Blvd. and turns south onto Commercial St., to wind back to the parking lot.
Celebrating the reason for the season
The Adoration Parade was designed as a non-commercial celebration of Christ. Expect marching bands, floats designed by area organizations and churches, candy tossed into the crowd, and a guest appearance from none other than Santa Claus himself.
You’ll find a lovely experience that gets at the heart of the Christmas season and shows the emphasis on faith and community in Branson. Enjoy beautiful sights, jolly sounds, and heartwarming smiles providing shared memories to last a lifetime.
Create a cozy and comfortable experience
Arrive early to secure a viewing spot. Some locals arrive hours earlier to save places with chairs, blankets, and people. Consider parking somewhere on the outskirts of the parade route because sometimes it’s faster to wander back to your car to avoid getting caught in post-parade traffic.
And don’t forget to wear layers (and bring a thermos of hot cocoa). Downtown Branson can cool quickly after sunset and sometimes the cool breeze over the brisk Taneycomo waters adds to the chill.
Road Closures Keep Sparky at Home on Sunday
Sparky normally runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, but because of the road closures related to the Adoration Parade, the free downtown trolleys will not be operating on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021.
Please plan to hop on Sparky any other day this Christmas season so you can spend your day exploring some of the jolly holiday decor and shops around Historic Downtown Branson.