Branson turns into a Christmas wonderland at the beginning of each November, but if you ask a local, you’ll find the Christmas season officially begins on the first Sunday of December every year. That’s when Branson holds it’s Adoration Parade and annual Adoration Scene lighting.
There’s no place like Branson for the holidays
Enjoy the 74th annual Adoration Parade and Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, 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 74 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.
The Adoration Parade was designed as a non-commercial celebration of Christ’s nativity. 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 unique experience that gets at the heart of the Christmas season and shows the emphasis on faith and community in Branson. Arrive early to secure a viewing spot (and dress warm!). 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 walk a couple of blocks back to your car to avoid getting caught in post-parade traffic.
Road Closures Keep Sparky at Home on Sunday
Sparky normally runs from 9 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. 4.
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.