An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri runs November 7, 2026 to January 2, 2027, and there’s no separate ticket for it — the event is included with regular park admission. That makes the real question for most visitors “how much is park admission right now, and what do I actually get for it,” which is exactly what this guide breaks down.
Below you’ll find current single-day pricing, how season passes compare, where discounts actually come from, and what’s new for 2026, including the debut of the Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights Parade.
Quick Answer
An Old Time Christmas does not have its own ticket — a regular Silver Dollar City 1-day admission ticket (listed at $95 for ages 12-64 on the park’s official ticket page, with reduced pricing for ages 4-11 and 65+) covers the whole event, including the parade, lights and shows, now through January 2, 2027. Buying online in advance is typically cheaper than paying at the gate, and season passholders get in at no extra charge.
What’s new for 2026
The new item for 2026 is the Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights Parade, announced by the park on July 1, 2026. It’s described as an interactive show on the go and is twice the length of the previous Christmas parade, Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade, which it replaces.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Yukon Cornelius, Misfit Toy characters, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus are listed among the characters, according to a July 2026 report from Attractions Magazine. The parade moves through nostalgic holiday scenes and ends with an illuminated Nativity float, and children can hand Christmas letters to Santa’s elves along the route. It debuts on opening day, November 7. The park hasn’t published a full list of other changes in the sources reviewed, so check the official event page closer to opening.
Tickets and prices for 2026
Because An Old Time Christmas runs on regular park admission, there’s no holiday upcharge to budget for separately — your ticket spend is the same as any other visit to Silver Dollar City. On the park’s own official ticket page, a standard 1-day ticket for ages 12-64 is listed at $95, with a discount of roughly $10 off per ticket for children ages 4-11 and seniors 65+; children age 3 and under get in free. Third-party travel guides have reported single-day gate prices closer to $92, so treat any number you see outside the park’s own site as a rough guide rather than the final figure for your date.
Two patterns hold true every season: buying online ahead of your visit is almost always cheaper than paying at the gate, and the park periodically runs limited-time sales (often in late October or early November) with discounted multi-day or any-day tickets. If you’re coming from out of town, it’s worth checking the ticket page a few times before you book lodging, since pricing can shift with these promotions.
If you plan to visit more than once this season, compare a season pass against buying two or more single-day tickets — passholders can use their pass for every operating day of An Old Time Christmas at no added cost, and passes have historically included other park benefits like parking and show add-ons. Exact 2026 season pass pricing varies by tier and timing of purchase, so check current pass pricing directly on the official site rather than relying on a quoted number.
Parking is also part of the cost picture: general self-parking is included with admission, while the park has offered paid preferred and premier parking closer to the gate in past seasons. Confirm current parking options and prices when you buy your ticket, since these have changed from year to year.
Lights, shows and holiday entertainment
Joy on Town Square is the eight-story animated tree and the park’s main holiday photo spot. Christmas in Midtown adds another light display and a special-effects tree, and the park lights a real Grand Fir in The Plaza in a Rockefeller Center-style ceremony. Past seasons have featured a 44-foot live tree with roughly 30,000 lights and three nightly lighting ceremonies, so expect that general format to continue and check the day’s schedule for exact times.
Live entertainment has recently included A Dickens’ Christmas Carol, The Living Nativity and Frontier Fa-La-La Follies, plus the Frisco Sing-Along Steam Train. Show titles, venues and times change from year to year, so use the park’s daily schedule once it’s posted for your visit date.
Rides and attractions open during the event
Silver Dollar City stays a working theme park through the holidays, and many rides run in winter weather. Coasters and other rides have temperature cutoffs, so a cold day can take some of them offline — Outlaw Run, WildFire and Time Traveler tend to be the most weather-sensitive, though exact cutoffs for 2026 aren’t published. Check the ride status in the park app once you’re there, since the lineup depends on the forecast.
Craft demonstrations and shops continue through the season as well, and Jingle Bell Junction has been the go-to spot for handcrafted ornaments and decorations.
Holiday food and treats
The Christmas Tasting Passport has been a regular part of the event, offering five tasting-size holiday items at select locations — past items have included a peppermint pretzel and brown butter hot chocolate. Menus and passport pricing for 2026 hadn’t been confirmed in the sources reviewed at the time of writing, so check current pricing on the park’s dining page.
The park also runs sit-down buffets during the season. Reservation rules and prices change, so check the dining page before you plan a meal around the parade or a show.
Planning your visit: hours, crowds and parking
Operating days and hours vary through the season — the park hasn’t run every single day in past years — so check the park calendar before you book lodging or travel. Saturdays in November and December tend to be the busiest days, while weekday visits and the first days of January are usually calmer, and the park stays open through January 2.
Plan to be inside the gates before sunset so you can see the light displays come on, arrive early on weekends, and expect crowds to thin out after the first parade of the night. Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes, since the event is largely outdoors and involves a lot of walking. Branson lodging fills early for this season; one local guide suggests booking six to eight weeks ahead. For the current calendar, hours, ticket prices and parking options, the official Silver Dollar City ticket page is the most reliable source before you buy.
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Silver Dollar City Christmas 2026 tickets and prices FAQs
Do I need a separate ticket for An Old Time Christmas 2026?
No. The event is included with regular Silver Dollar City park admission and with season passes — there’s no extra event ticket to buy.
How much is a Silver Dollar City ticket for Christmas 2026?
The park’s official ticket page lists 1-day admission at $95 for ages 12-64, with roughly $10 off for children 4-11 and seniors 65+; third-party guides have cited gate prices closer to $92. Buying online in advance is usually cheaper than paying at the gate, and prices can change with seasonal sales, so confirm the current number on the official ticket page before you buy.
Is a season pass worth it for one Christmas visit?
If you’re only coming once, a single-day ticket is usually the better deal. A season pass starts to pay off once you’re comparing it against two or more single-day tickets, since it covers every operating day of An Old Time Christmas plus other park visits.
When does An Old Time Christmas 2026 start and end?
It runs from November 7, 2026 through January 2, 2027, with the new Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights Parade debuting on opening day.
What’s new at Silver Dollar City’s Christmas event in 2026?
The headline change is the Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights Parade, which replaces Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade and runs twice as long, featuring Rudolph, Yukon Cornelius, Misfit Toy characters and an illuminated Nativity float.
Do rides operate during the Christmas event?
Yes, many rides run through the holidays, though cold weather can close temperature-sensitive coasters like Outlaw Run, WildFire and Time Traveler. Check the park app for live ride status on your visit day.
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