Tucked away in the Ozark mountains in Branson, Missouri is the award winning 61-acre amusement park Silver Dollar City. They officially opened their 2024 Old Time Christmas season on Saturday, November 2. In the past, the season ended on December 31, but this year they have extended the season until January 4. The festival features over 6.5 million lights, one thousand decorated trees, two musical productions, classic amusement rides, holiday shopping, and tasty holiday food favorites.
Silver Dollar City has been recognized time and time again for their amazing experiences offered. In 2007, ABC’s Good Morning America declared it one of the top five holiday events in the country and USA Today readers again chose it as the “Best Theme Park Holiday Event” for the sixth time in a row.
Christmas in Midtown
I visited the theme park for the first time this year and was blown away by the park and the spectacular Christmas display. Located behind Main Street near the entrance of the park, The Christmas in Midtown Light Spectacular can be viewed again for its eighth year in a row. The mini town-like area features a 80-foot light pole Christmas tree, a 50-foot Santa and sleigh, a large globe 30-feet in the air, 30 flying angels, three lighted tunnels, two 40-foot moving trains, and dozens more lighted shapes and items. Nearly every building is covered in lights.
The main attraction of the Midtown Light Spectacular is the 6-story lighted tree. The tree shaped structure is covered with thousands of LED lights that glimmer into animated imagery along to music. The Christmas on Main Street light and sound spectacular begins at sundown and is performed every 15 minutes throughout the evening. The show provides guests with six different songs, two performed during each show for a total of three unique shows.
Holiday Seasonal Menu
While at the park, I was treated to several items from the Tastes of the Seasons menu. This is definitely not your normal theme park food. The fall flavors were perfect for a chilly evening at Silver Dollar City. The dinner sampling started with Brown Butter Toffee Hot Chocolate which was hands down the best hot chocolate I have ever tasted. I would fly back to Branson just to get this hot chocolate again. Roasted Red Bell Pepper Gouda Soup with Cheese Twist followed with Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese sandwiches served as a main course. The meal was topped off with Ginger Bread Funnel Cake and Red Velvet Funnel Cakes as a sweet treat.
Before leaving the park I was also able to try the Apple Dumpling with Cinnamon Ice Cream which was the perfect late evening snack. I only wished we had more time in the park to try more of the tasty treats located throughout the park. Visitors can buy a special Christmas Tasting pass for $35 to try five different treats from the holiday menu items.
A Dickens’ Christmas Carol Performance
It is easy to get into the Christmas spirit by seeing a performance of A Dickens’ Christmas Carol while in the theme park. This 60-minute Broadway-level musical reimagines Charles Dickens’ timeless classic with humor and heart, delivering a powerful tale of redemption, hope, and the life-changing impact of a single prayer. Featuring a talented ensemble cast, a live band, breathtaking special effects, beautifully crafted Victorian backdrops, and exquisite period costumes, this adaptation offers an unforgettable theatrical experience.
We highly recommend taking time out of your visit for this classic Christmas story. You can also purchase reserved guaranteed seating for each performance for $15 per person.
Silver Dollar City Thrill Rides
It’s no secret that I love thrill rides and Silver Dollar City doesn’t disappoint in this area. The park’s standout coaster, Time Traveler, is the world’s fastest, steepest, and tallest spinning coaster. Riders experience a dizzying combination of forward and backward spins, multiple inversions, and a breathtaking 10-story vertical drop. The ride’s innovative design provides a unique experience every time, as the cars rotate freely while navigating the track, making it a favorite for adrenaline seekers. I don’t know if the big thrill came from riding the coaster in the dark for the first time, but this ride has now taken over my top spot of favorite rides in the country.
Another iconic attraction is Outlaw Run, a wooden coaster that redefines expectations with its record-breaking speed and inversions. This coaster takes riders on a high-speed journey through the wilderness, featuring steep drops and a barrel roll inversion that pushes the limits of traditional wooden coaster design. Wildfire and Powder Keg offer equally exhilarating experiences, with the former boasting stunning views of the Ozarks and the latter launching riders from 0 to 53 mph in just a few seconds. Whether you’re a thrill enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable adventure, Silver Dollar City’s roller coasters promise an unforgettable ride.
Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas
If you’re looking for some family fun, the Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas light parade runs twice each night, usually at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The parade features nine musical floats covered in 100,000 LED multicolor lights. The floats include characters like drumming bears, cymbal-playing penguins, dancing ballerinas, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and of course Rudolph. 33 different costumed characters accompany the floats. 14-foot moose characters, 12-foot tall elves, 10-foot candy canes, and more will walk alongside the lighted floats.
The park and its activities are usually open Thursday through Monday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., but schedules and hours may vary. Single-day tickets at the gate or online are $92 for adults and $82 for children ages 4 to 11 (children under 3 are free). To truly experience all Silver DOllar City has to offer, buy a two-day ticket for $112 for adults and $102 for children. The festive entertainment opportunities are endless at Silver Dollar City during their Old Time Christmas Season and it’s such a beautiful sight to get you into a jolly mood for the holiday season.