These 7 Christmas Light Displays In The Ozarks Are Absolutely Magical

If you’re looking for a holiday getaway that captures the feel of a quintessential winter wonderland, look no further than these magical Christmas light displays in the Ozarks.

With amenities for the whole family—from horse-drawn wagon rides and plentiful shopping to exquisite dining and lodging—these beautiful winter festivities will create everlasting memories of a lifetime.

Silver Dollar City

BRANSON, MISSOURI

Silver Dollar City presents one of the most spectacular light displays in the United States. Totaling over 6.5 million lights, this 1800s-themed park draws more than 400,000 people to its annual holiday of lights celebration!

The Christmas In Midtown Light Spectacular will surround you with awe-inspiring scenes and lighted displays on the sides and tops of buildings and even in the air as a canopy of heavenly angels fly overhead. Encompassing the center of the city, from the Wilderness Blacksmith Shop to Bears At The Holler, past the corkscrew over to Valley Woodcarvers and back to Grandfather’s Mansion…you will be in awe of the single largest lighting expansion to date over the past 2 decades of the festival.

This comes in addition to all of the incredible shows, thrilling rides, and holiday shopping & dining that makes Silver Dollar City one of the world’s most awarded Christmas events!

Hailed as “The Most Illuminated Park On Earth” by the Travel Channel.

Voted “Best Theme Park Holiday Event” by USA Today’s 10 Best, you’ll discover the most incredible Christmas celebration with live entertainment, a total of more than 6.5 million lights, 1,000 decorated Christmas trees, two Broadway-style productions, a nightly parade, and more!

Silver Dollar City is a Christmas shopper’s dream with 60 storefronts featuring unique gifts and one-of-a-kind treasures for everyone on your list. And once the shopping is done, it is the only place where you and your family can stay and play for the rest of the day!

 Lights of the Ozarks

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS

The Lights of the Ozarks celebrates 20 years of holiday cheer.  For a classic winter treat, grab your coat and don your mittens for a horse-drawn carriage ride through town while listening to traditional holiday tunes. Warm up with fresh hot chocolate and explore the spectacular display of a half-million twinkling lights!

Photo Courtesy of Josue Enriquez

This holiday celebration of lights in Fayetteville begins on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and concludes on New Year’s Eve.

 Christmas Forest Tree Lighting Ceremony

EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS

More than 30 trees will adorn the holiday focal point of the Crescent Hotel’s nearly 15 acres. An event to raise money for local charities, the annual Christmas Forest Lighting Ceremony is a community wide decoration event that allows votes/collections with all money raised going directly to the charity. The top three nominees receive an additional bonus from the Crescent and Basin Park Family.

 The Trail of Lights at Shepherd of the Hills

BRANSON, MISSOURI

Home to the famous outdoor theatre, the 160-acre Shepherd of the Hills Homestead transforms into a holiday paradise, complete with a 230-foot-tall Christmas tree (otherwise known as the Inspiration Tower).

Rated by the Travel Channel as one of the “top five drive through Christmas displays in the U.S.”, the Trail of Lights features a series of story-telling animated characters surrounded with millions of Christmas lights.

 Promised Land Zoo

BRANSON, MISSOURI

Branson’s Promised Land Zoo is home to the area’s longest drive-through light display. Drive through a two-mile display of twinkling lights and displays. See Santa and real live reindeer on display and available for photos nightly. Explore the Christmas Village with Living Nativity Petting Zoo, Christmas movies, and a fully-stocked Gift Shop!

Each admission includes many wonderful activities, but if you are looking to get closer to the animals and the Christmas Spirit, you should opt for all new Santa’s Safari VIP Tour where one of Santa’s helpers will take you on a guided tour through the lights and the animals! You will even have VIP+ encounters with sloths, lemurs, kittens, and owls available for those who want to experience even more!

The Zoo is also home to the region’s only live reindeer herd, giving patrons the opportunity to pet, feed, and take photos with the Sven, Rudolph, Prancer, and more!

 Bagwell Lights

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI

Nominated as a contender on ABC’s “The Great Christmas Light Flight”, this drive-through light display in Springfield is a must-see!

Set your radio to 105.5 FM. and enjoy the show as the music syncs with the twinkling light display! Located in south Springfield’s Brentwood neighborhood, the lights will be displayed throughout the winter season (check their Facebook page for more information regarding display hours and directions).

The Bagwell display is very popular, so be prepared for a crowd on weekend nights. Lines tend to form, so in past years Bagwell has asked light-peepers to turn around at Field Elementary, on Luster Avenue near Barataria Street. This keeps traffic from backing up onto Battlefield Road. Be a polite driver; the car turning in front of you may be a resident of the neighborhood.

Keep in mind: If it’s rainy out, the inflatables and the train may be turned off for electrical safety.

 Arkansas State Capitol

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS

Following the Big Jingle Jubilee Holiday Parade (Dec. 2 at 3 p.m.) in downtown Little Rock, the State Capitol will be illuminated in its annual holiday display at 6 p.m. Santa Claus will help lead the festivities, which include fireworks, music, and children’s activities. And don’t forget to take in the magnificent Rockefeller pine tree and elegant decorations in the Capitol building’s rotunda.

5 Lovely Christmas Tree Farms In Missouri That Are Perfect For A Winter Day

Make long-lasting holiday memories this winter season by visiting one of these charming Midwest Farms.

One of the hallmark experiences of the holiday season is piling the family in the car, taking a one-tank-trip to a local farm, and finding the perfect tree for your home. These beautiful Missouri farms cultivate as many memories as trees with a variety of winter activities including sleigh rides, hay rides, light displays, and more!

Schweizer Orchards

ST. JOSEPH, MISSOURI

Nestled in the scenic bluffs overlooking the Missouri River, this gorgeous 86 acre farm has been in operation for over 100 years.

Come spend the day in the outdoors. Enjoy the fresh air, wildlife, and take home a high quality real tree. Schweizer Orchards has White Pine and Scotch Pine fields where you can cut your own tree down, or choose from a variety of pre-cut trees.

Warm up inside with hot apple cider or hot cocoa while they shake, wrap, drill, and load your tree!

Pea Ridge Forest Christmas

HERMANN, MISSOURI

Set in the rolling hills along the Missouri River, Pea Ridge Forest began as a small Christmas tree farm over 70 years ago, and is one of the largest choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms in Missouri.

The farm grows Scotch and White pine, as well as, Norway spruce and will provide a saw to make quick work of your choice. Once you have picked out your tree, they will shake and bale your tree to reduce needle drop and to make transportation easy. Back at the barn, the warm fire in the massive stone fireplace will warm you as enjoy homemade baked goods, warm drinks, kettle corn, and, perhaps, a little wine from the local wineries.

Start with a relaxing drive through the beautiful rolling hills surrounding the Missouri River. When you arrive, you and your family will enjoy a hayride to and from the growing fields where you will select just-the-right live Christmas tree and cut it yourself.

Santa will be there to greet the kids on the weekends and the farm’s holiday shop will be packed with wonderful ornaments from all over the world as well as handmade wreaths and bows.

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Choose from a diverse selection of evergreen and deciduous trees which are wholesaled as balled and burlapped trees to landscape companies and retail garden centers.

Ozark Valley Christmas Tree Farm

SOUTHWEST CITY, MISSOURI

In the foothills of the Boston Mountains, Ozark Valley Christmas Tree Farm offers a superlative combination of winter festivities. A gift shop serves up winter treats, which are a perfect snack while exploring the many activities throughout the farm.

Cut your own Christmas tree, take a hay ride, choose a fresh wreath, pick up some unique gifts in the gift shop, make crafts with your kids in the barn, get your family pictures taken by the on-site photographer, drink hot chocolate, enjoy the Christmas lights, have a sweet treat, and make memories!

Pumpkins and Pines

PLEASANT HILL, MISSOURI

This well-loved farm is one of the most popular winter destinations near Kansas City.

With over 14,000 Scotch, Red, Austrian and White Pine Christmas Trees and pre-cut Fraser fir, Canaan fir, Balsam fir, Concolor fit, and Blue Spruce Christmas Trees, Pumpkins and Pines is one of the top destinations for cut-and-choose Christmas trees.

Enjoy the many free activities on the farm including hay rides and hot chocolate while they shake, bale, and attach your tree to your car.

Visit their Christmas shop warmed by a vintage wood stove and enjoy the many selections of handmade wreaths, treats, decorations, and gifts.

Country Pines Christmas Tree Farm

WRIGHT CITY, MISSOURI

This scenic farm has been in operation for over 30 years, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy the picturesque backdrops and quaint countryside this Winter.

In addition to their wide selection of Christmas trees, you can shop at their heated gift shop filled with Christmas decorations, ornaments, beautifully decorated trees, homemade treats, and handcrafted live wreaths! Also, try their hot spiced cinnamon apple cider and hot cocoa.

The Christmas tree shop & lot will be open November 18, 2017 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on the weekends, and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. on the weekdays.

Visit their website for more information.

Warm up inside the heated gift shop, where the staff will give you helpful Christmas tree decorating tips.

If you are interested in stopping by at a time not listed, feel free to contact them to make an appointment.

These Cozy Cabins Are The Ultimate Fall Getaway In The Ozarks

More than twenty million visitors come to the Ozarks each year, and it’s not hard to see why.

Positioned in the heart of the Midwest, the Ozarks combines the breathtaking splendor of nature with the activities and accommodations of several world-class retreats. Visitors can be out the front door and immersed in the region’s top destinations when lodging in these charming cabins.

Big Cedar Lodge

RIDGEDALE, MISSOURI

Embrace the rustic elegance of a by-gone era at Big Cedar Lodge, a remote haven of natural beauty and contemporary luxury in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Missouri. Steeped in history, the area has provided shelter to native American Indian tribes, solace to wealthy business tycoons, and pleasure to outdoor adventure seekers.

Explore a variety of luxurious cabins and lodging, offering the ultimate privacy and comfort with magnificent views of beautiful Table Rock Lake.

Awarded #1 Resort in the Midwest by Travel + Leisure, Big Cedar Lodge offers more than just premier lodging. Enjoy a full service marina, horseback riding, world class fishing, golf, and trails suited for walking, biking, and hiking.

Only 20 minutes away from Big Cedar Lodge, Dogwood Canyon Nature Preserve is a one-of-a-kind experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers of all ages. Covering 10,000 acres of pristine Ozark Mountain landscape, the park has miles of crystal-clear trout streams, dozens of cascading waterfalls, ancient burial caves, unique hand-built bridges, and bottomless, blue-green pools.

Explore a beautiful custom treehouse built by the famous Treehouse Masters, an American reality television series that airs on Animal Planet.  Every step leading to the top is made with a unique type of wood native to the Ozarks.

Branson Cedars Resort

BRANSON, MISSOURI

With 133 acres of pristine Ozark wilderness to enjoy – this unique destination is Branson’s and Southwest Missouri’s only treehouse resort.

Enjoy several activities and amenities including a 19 hole golf course, RC track (radio control car course), bullseye paintball shootin’ gallery, children’s play areas, swimming pool, bicycles and scooters for rent, basketball, badminton, croquet, sand volleyball, tetherball, teeter totters, soccer nets, trails, community fire pit, plenty of dog walking/running areas, Log Cabin Cafe, and much more!

 Longbow Resort

PRIM, ARKANSAS

Experience the best nature has to offer at Longbow Resort’s private and comfortable cabins. Set in a rustic location, each cabin provides distinct lodging accommodations, making Longbow Resort an ideal getaway for honeymooners, couples, small families, and groups yearning for the stillness of nature in a pristine setting.

Longbow Resort invites guests to experience abundant natural Ozark beauty. Enjoy several trails leading to waterfalls and wildlife, a three-acre pond, and self-guided walking, hiking, biking, or ATV tours, using property maps provided in each cabin’s guest book to help plan your adventure.

Only 15 minutes away from Longbow Resort, explore a deep blue water lake nestled in the foothills of the Ozarks. Greers Ferry Lake, with its 40,000 acres of pristine water and 340 miles of wooded and cliff-lined shore is an expansive playground. It harbors 8 marinas and is ideal for water enthusiasts enjoying fishing, boating, water skiing, jet skiing, or scuba diving.

Visit their website for more information.

Image Courtesy of Mark and Patty Welch.

Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles, and Hobbits

EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS

One of the most unique lodging experiences in the United States, Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles, and Hobbits is an Arkansas icon. Inspired by locations around the world, choose from the most incredible places to lodge including treehouses, hobbit caves, castles, forest caverns, and much more!

Image Courtesy of Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles, and Hobbits

Image Courtesy of Eureka Springs Treehouses, Caves, Castles, and Hobbits

Lake Shore Cabins

EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS

Escape the hustle and bustle of your busy life to Lake Shore Cabins on Beaver Lake. Reconnect with nature here in the beautiful Ozark Mountains and create memories that last a lifetime. Lake Shore Cabins on Beaver Lake is a tribute to nature, a one of a kind family owned resort that is dedicated to the preservation of wildlife, the rich history of Eureka Springs, the joy of family and true Ozarks hospitality. This resort is located 9 miles from downtown historic Eureka Springs, four miles from the beautiful White River and Beaver Dam.

Branson Treehouse Adventures

BRANSON, MISSOURI

Branson Treehouse Adventures—a hidden gem that has attracted travelers worldwide—is a piece of paradise located near the thriving city of Branson. Explore several trails, a playground for children, community fire pit, and much more within a short drive away!

Many incredible places are located near Branson Treehouse Adventures, including: Dogwood Canyon, Silver Dollar City, Talking Rocks Cavern, and Roaring River State Park!

 River of Life Farm

DORA, MISSOURI

River of Life Farm is the perfect vacation destination throughout all four seasons. Stay in authentic treehouse cabins with breathtaking views of the North Fork River. Canoe or kayak down the scenic riverways, or explore many miles of trails that wind through Mark Twain National Forest.

The North Fork River is ranked in the Top 100 trout streams in the US.

While trout are not native to Missouri, Rainbow trout were introduced in Missouri waters in 1882 and are restricted to a few areas of the Ozarks. The North Fork of the White River not only sustains trout, but is one of the few waters in the Ozarks that supports a naturally reproducing population of wild Rainbow trout. Fly fishing enthusiasts from all over not only enjoy the fishing, but also the natural beauty of the Ozarks.