An Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, runs from November 7, 2026 to January 2, 2027. It is a daytime and evening event, with the lights coming on as the sun sets. The park says the display uses more than 6.5 million lights. The big change for 2026 is the debut of the Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights Parade, which replaces the Rudolph’s Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade and is twice as long as the old one.
The event suits families, grandparents and anyone who likes a craft-village Christmas more than a ride-heavy day. Shows, the parade, the tree lightings and the light displays are part of the event. Some rides operate too, depending on the weather. According to the park, An Old Time Christmas is included with regular park admission, and season passholders can also visit. Confirm the current ticket options on the official ticket page before you buy.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri
- Dates: November 7, 2026 to January 2, 2027
- Event nights: Check the park calendar for operating days and hours
- Highlights: Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights Parade, Joy on Town Square animated tree, Grand Fir tree lighting
- New for 2026: Stars, Lights & Christmas Nights Parade
- Ticket: Included with park admission
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 is described as an interactive show on the go, and it is twice the length of the previous Christmas parade. 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. Children can hand Christmas letters to Santa’s elves, and young guests are invited to take part as festive ornaments. The parade debuts on November 7, the opening day. The park has not published a full list of other new items in the sources reviewed, so check the official event page closer to opening.
Lights, shows and holiday entertainment
Joy on Town Square is the eight-story animated tree, and it is the main photo spot in the park. Christmas in Midtown adds another light display and a special-effects tree. The park also lights a real Grand Fir in The Plaza in a Rockefeller Center-style ceremony. Park announcements have described a 44-foot live tree with 30,000 lights and three nightly lighting ceremonies, so expect that format to continue and check the day’s schedule for times.
Live entertainment has recently included A Dickens’ Christmas Carol, The Living Nativity and Frontier Fa-La-La Follies. Show titles, venues and times can change from year to year, so use the park’s daily schedule once it is posted for your visit date. The Frisco Sing-Along Steam Train has also been part of the holiday lineup.
Rides and attractions open
Silver Dollar City stays a working theme park during the event, and many rides run in winter. Coasters and other rides have temperature limits, so a cold day can close some of them. Outlaw Run, WildFire and Time Traveler are the ones most affected, though the exact cutoffs are not confirmed for 2026. The lineup on any day depends on the forecast, so check the ride status in the park app when you arrive.
The park’s craft demonstrations and shops also continue through the season, and Jingle Bell Junction has been listed for handcrafted ornaments and decorations.
Holiday food and treats
The Christmas Tasting Passport has been a regular part of the event. It gives you five tasting-size holiday items at select locations, and past items have included a peppermint pretzel and brown butter hot chocolate. Menus and passport pricing for 2026 have not been confirmed in the sources reviewed, so look for the current price on the park site.
The park also runs sit-down buffets during the season. Reservation rules and prices change, so check the park’s dining page before you plan a meal around the parade or a show.
Tickets, passes and upgrades
An Old Time Christmas is included with admission, and you do not need a separate event ticket. Single-day gate prices have been reported at around $92 for adults, but third-party guides disagree on current pricing, so treat that as a rough guide and use the official ticket page for the number that applies to your date. Buying online in advance is usually the cheaper route.
Season passes cover the festival as well. If you plan to come more than once, compare the pass price with two single-day tickets. Lodging in Branson fills early for this season, and one local guide suggests booking six to eight weeks ahead.
Tips for your visit
Operating days and hours vary through the season, and the park has not run every day in past years, so check the park calendar before you book. Saturdays in November and December tend to be the busiest. Weekday visits and the first days of January are usually calmer, and the park stays open until 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. Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes, since you will be outdoors and walking a lot. Free parking and tram service are available at the park, and paid preferred parking has been offered too, but confirm the current options before you go.
Explore more: every theme park holiday event for 2026, by state.
An Old Time Christmas 2026 at Silver Dollar City FAQs
When does An Old Time Christmas 2026 start and end?
An Old Time Christmas 2026 at Silver Dollar City runs from November 7, 2026 to January 2, 2027. Check the park calendar for the days and hours it operates.
Is An Old Time Christmas included with park admission?
Yes. The event is included with regular Silver Dollar City admission, and season passes cover it as well. Check the official ticket page for current prices.
Do rides run during An Old Time Christmas?
Many rides run, but cold weather can close some coasters and other rides. The lineup changes with the forecast, so check the ride status in the park app on the day of your visit.
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Photo: Mr.Pikachu The Madman / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.