Author: ridesparky

Downtown Branson is packed with surprises—if you know where to look. Beyond the trolley stops and bustling streets, there are some lesser-known spots that locals love and visitors rarely stumble upon. Next time you’re in town, check out these five hidden gems and see a new side of Branson! 1. The Rose O’Neill Mural on Commercial Tucked away on the south side of the Centennial Museum (corner of Commercial and Pacific streets), you’ll find Downtown Branson’s newest mural. This vibrant piece pays tribute to Rose O’Neill, the famed Ozarkian artist and creator of the Kewpie doll. Painted in 2024 by local artist Christine Riutzel and O’Neill superfan Delanie Johnson, the mural is a true labor of love—it took over a year to get approvals and raise funds. Don’t miss this…

Everyone in Branson knows and loves Sparky—the free trolley that makes getting around downtown a breeze, no matter the season! Whether you’re looking for a cozy ride in the winter or a cool break from the summer sun, Sparky’s got you covered. As we head into the quieter months, Sparky’s hours shift a bit to match the season and the weather. During January and February, you can still hop on board, but only on weekends. And if the Ozarks get hit with snow or ice, the trolleys may take a break—those Branson hills can be tricky! Here’s a quick look at Sparky’s seasonal hours: March–December:9 a.m. – 6 p.m., every day January–February:10 a.m. – 5 p.m., weekends only No service:Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day Plan your downtown adventures accordingly, and…

Branson is truly living up to its title as "America’s Christmas Tree City" this year! If you’re wandering through town this holiday season, you’ll spot Christmas trees everywhere—over 700 creative, colorful, and downright whimsical trees are on display by area businesses (and that’s not even counting the 1,000+ trees at Silver Dollar City!). Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a Branson regular, the Christmas Tree Trail is a must-see, especially through Historic Downtown Branson. And of course you'll also get to experience the city's amazing new LED snowflake lights throughout the downtown district. Here are a few of the most eye-catching trees you’ll find in the downtown district: Liberty Plaza 221 US Business Highway 65, Branson, MO 65616Historic Downtown’s prettiest little park is home to a giant 30-foot Christmas tree,…

When: Sunday, December 7, 2025 @ 5:00 p.m. Where: Throughout Historic Downtown Branson (grandstand on Commercial Street) Why: Because CHRISTMAS! A Branson Tradition Like No Other Merry early Christmas! It’s time for one of the most magical evenings of the year in Branson. Join families from across the Ozarks as we gather for the annual Adoration Scene lighting and Adoration Parade—a cherished tradition that’s been lighting up our community for generations. This isn’t just any parade. It’s a celebration that brings our entire community together to kick off the Christmas season in true Branson style. What to Expect The parade steps off at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 7th, featuring: Local high school marching bands filling the streets with festive music Beautifully decorated floats from area churches and organizations Community…

Get ready to start your Christmas Adoration celebration a day early! Downtown Branson is bringing something brand new to Branson's holiday season in 2025, and we couldn’t be more excited! A New Holiday Tradition Begins While the beloved Adoration Parade and Adoration Scene lighting will still shine bright on Sunday, December 7, we’re adding an extra dose of holiday cheer the night before. Join us for the inaugural Jingle, Mingle & Shop on Saturday, December 6 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in Historic Downtown Branson. What’s Happening Live Music That’ll Get You in the Spirit Branson’s own Rick McEwen, Male Vocalist of the Year and “The Gambler” (Kenny Rogers Tribute Artist), will be performing live at 121 Commercial Street by the Branson Brilliance Tree from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.…

Wall art at Peter Engler Designs in Historic Downtown Branson. The holiday season is here, and Historic Downtown Branson is ready to welcome you with open arms! This Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, skip the crowded malls and discover the charm of shopping local—while Sparky the Trolley keeps you warm and gets you everywhere you need to go. Your Free Ride to Holiday Shopping Success Why stress about parking and walking in the cold when you can hop on our heated trolley? RideSparky makes holiday shopping effortless with free, convenient service throughout Historic Downtown Branson and Branson Landing. Here’s what you need to know: - Thanksgiving Day: No service (we’re home with our families!) - Black Friday & Small Business Saturday: Running 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. - 12…

Every November, Branson comes alive with patriotic pride as our community gathers to honor the brave men and women who've served our country with an entire week of activities Nov. 5 - Nov. 11. Whether you're a veteran, a military family member, or simply someone who wants to show gratitude, Veterans Week and Veterans Day in Downtown Branson offers meaningful ways to celebrate—and RideSparky makes it easier than ever to experience it all. Veterans Week Highlights Nov. 5 – 10, 2025 BVTF Veterans VillageBallparks of America, Bldgs 2 & 31000 Pat Nash Dr.Open Daily from 9:00AM – 4:00PMVeterans Village is visited by thousands of military veterans, active troops, first responders and other patriots and their families during Veterans Week annually November 5-10. It includes a mess hall (11:30AM – 1:30PM…

Q: Is the RideSparky trolley stroller-friendly? Absolutely! Fold up the stroller and bring it aboard. If you have a really large one, our trolleys are equipped with wheelchair lifts, which work perfectly for strollers too—even those big double strollers. Q: How much does it cost to ride with my kids? It’s completely free! That’s right—you, your kids, grandma, the stroller, the diaper bag, all of it—no charge. We’re here to make exploring downtown Branson easy and budget-friendly for families. Tips are appreciated if you’d like to show some love to our drivers, but there’s absolutely no pressure or requirement. Q: How often do the trolleys come? Will we be waiting forever with restless kids? Our trolleys run on a continuous loop, so you typically won’t wait more than 15-20 minutes…

It's finally Fall and the first ever Branson Fall Fest is happening Oct. 3 & 4, 2025, throughout Historic Downtown Branson. Join us from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. each day for FREE music and entertainment, a pumpkin scavenger hunt, face painting for the kids, balloon art and other fun activities! Stroll through streets filled with pumpkins and fall décor, enjoy exclusive store specials and sidewalk sales, take part in a pumpkin scavenger hunt for fun prizes, and snap photos at our cozy seasonal photo ops. With face painting, warm cider, it's the perfect way to welcome fall this year and support your favorite local businesses! Entertainment Schedule FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3rd 10 amSTEPHANIE CALLAHAN (Main & Veterans)10:30 amBALDRIDGE BROTHERS (Main & Commercial near Dick’s & Patricia House)11 amMOTOWN: Eddie Stovall,…

One of the more unique things to come to Branson in recent years is celebrity linked restaurants at Branson Landing. Read on to learn more about how you can sample these famous offerings! Paula Deen's Family Kitchen 545 Branson Landing Blvd, Branson MO 65616417-320-5127North end of Branson Landing If you love Southern-Style home cooking (if you don't, we need to talk!), there's no better place to go than Paula Deen's Family Kitchen on the north side of Branson Landing, right next to Trolley Stop #6. This is one of only four Paula Deen Family Kitchen restaurants in the country run in conjunction with her celebrity culinary sons Jamie and Bobby Deen. This HUGE eatery has 300 seats and is the perfect spot to enjoy a home-cooked meal with friends and…