Put on your toe-tappin’ shoes and get your tastebuds ready, as Silver Dollar City’s annual Bluegrass & BBQ Festival is back! From now until May 30, Silver Dollar City guests will be able to see wonderful performances by some of the top names in Bluegrass music, including Grammy nominee, The Grascals. Other performers include the Larry Stephenson Band, Audie Blaylock & Redline and Kenny & Amanda Smith Band. While at the festival, be sure to catch the Annual Single Mic Championship and the KSMU Youth in Bluegrass Band contest. For those interested in culinary side of the festival, you are sure to find something to make your mouth water whether it is a Memphis Dry rub or a sweet and tangy Carolina vinegar sauce. Head to the House of BBQ during the festival for your chance to sample the delicious ribs, chicken, brisket and pulled pork that will tempt you from the moment you walk into the park. You can also pick your favorite BBQ sauce at the Bottle Neck Bros. Sauce Shake. There will be more than 200 different barbecue sauces for you to sample, as well as plenty of grills and grilling accessories for sale.

There are a variety of exciting activites, shows and attractions in Branson, and you can check them out and purchase tickets quick and easily online at BransonShows.com! You can also compare Branson lodging and make reservations online as well.

The Big Cedar Lodge’s regular event, Cooking 101 with the Chef, provides visitors with excellent opportunities to learn to prepare a variety of culinary delights, and on March 26, guests can learn to cook comfort food. The professional chef at Big Cedar Lodge is sure to teach you techniques that will help you cook delightful fares that will have your friends and family asking for a second helping. Along with the fabulous cooking lesson, you will also receive a handy cooking tool and recipe book, along with a delicious complimentary appetizer from the Devil’s Pool Restaurant or the Worman House. Be sure to reserve your spot early, because this event is sure to be popular!

While you’re in Branson for Cooking 101 with the Chef, be sure to catch an entertaining show and visit some of the attractions in the Branson area by viewing BransonShows.com.

When December ends, many of Branson’s hottest shows will be closed for the season until they re-open in March. This is the perfect time for visitors who are more interested in shopping and museum attractions than shows to come to Branson.

Outlet malls like Tanger and Factory Merchants will still be offering name brand buys at low outlet prices, so bargain hunters can come in and get some great deals. As an added plus, Branson isn’t as crowded during this time, so there won’t be as much traffic to deal with while shopping. Some of the brands offered at these outlet malls include Coach Factory, Liz Clairborne New York, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, and Bath & Body Works. There is something for everyone’s tastes, so a trip with the whole family for more clothing and accessories will be time well spent.

In addition, several of the area’s popular museum attractions like Titanic, Hollywood Wax Museum, and The World’s Largest Toy Museum will still be available. Guests who can spend hours exploring each museum will find that this is the perfect time to visit. Fewer people will be a the museum, so visitors can take their time looking at each exhibit in peace.

If you plan on visiting Branson during the slower season to do some shopping or check out the museum attractions, visit BransonShows.com to compare prices and book lodging or get your museum tickets in advance.

Your kids will be thrilled with the Branson area’s 18th Annual Hollister Santa Train, which comes rolling through the city on December 12 at downtown Hollister’s historic train depot. Santa will be arriving around 2:00 p.m., but you’ll want to bring your family early to make sure the kids get a great spot in line. Once Santa’s train arrives at the depot, he’ll invite children to come aboard to tell him what gifts they want most for this year’s Christmas.

The event lasts about an hour and a half, and it’s free for everyone who would like to attend. The Hollister community welcomes visitors to their small town, and they’re only about a 5-10 minute drive from Branson, so visitors won’t have to worry about waking up for an early drive. In addition to Santa’s train, the community will bring out a fire truck, ambulance, and police car for the kids to examine. Activities such as decorative face painting and inflatables will provide the children with more excitement and fun.

If you’re interested in heading out to the Branson area for this December weekend, you can reserve Branson lodging online as well as booking a few of our activities. Don’t forget to visit some of the Christmas shows, and head out to Silver Dollar City to witness the over four million lights that line the buildings and trees throughout the traditional theme park.

The Christmas season is close at hand, and nothing excites your kids more than a meeting with Santa. Families will be granted this opportunity at the Titanic Branson, a museum replicated to match the legendary Titanic on its exterior and interior. Saint Nicholas and his magical reindeer will be visiting the Titanic on November 26 and 27 and into December on the 3, 4, 10 and 11. Come by to participate in the holiday cheer, and let your kids share part of their wish list with Santa.

Parents can have their kids’s picture taken with Santa to share the childhood memories for a lifetime. Reindeer will be fully decked out in Christmas gear, from the red and green harnesses to the golden bells on their neck. Best of all, the event is free, so you can bring the whole family without having to worry about spending all of your Christmas money. Don’t miss this two week event taking place right after Thanksgiving Day!

Your stay in Branson can be completed with one of our many attractions such as a Christmas show. Also, you can browse through hotel amenities and room types to match the needs of you and your family. We welcome you here for the end of the year festivities!

Branson will soon hold the 22nd Annual Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival & Mid-American Fiddler’s Championship from August 27 – 29 at the Branson Landing and will also feature other activities in Historic Area of Branson. The preliminaries for the fiddle competition will be on the 28 from 10 am – 6 pm and finals will be on Sunday the 29 from 12 pm – 5 pm on the Branson Landing. Also featured on the Branson Landing will be a concert by BIG SMITH to kick off the festivities in front of the fountains on Friday the 27 at 8 pm.

There will be several great activities at the Festival that can be enjoyed in the Historic District such as food vendors, community sponsors, arts and crafts vendors, a children’s area with pony rides, inflatables, crafts, and so much more. There will also be a fun square dance starting at 7 pm on Saturday night. In addition to all the exciting activities and crafts, there will be fiddle making, cross tuning, guitar seconding, round dancing, square dancing, and more!

Also in store for visitors will be special appearances by some of the best performers in Branson. Some of these musicians even competed in the Mid-American Fiddlers Championship when they were kids! If you are a fiddle player yourself, there will be special discounts during the “Show Me Your Fiddle” promotion. This great free event also has a free trolley service to each location which cuts down on walking and saves time for more fun.

If you are wanting to visit Branson for the 22nd Annual Downtown Branson Fiddle Festival & Mid-American Fiddlers Championship, be sure to check out some of the great shows as well as hotels in the area to make your trip to Branson complete.

Memorial Day weekend is keeping Branson, Missouri jumping with a steady flow of vacationers ready to experience Branson’s legendary shows, fantastic outlet malls, and gorgeous Table Rock Lake. This holiday weekend has typically been one of the most popular times for people to visit Branson each year, and this year is certainly no exception.

With so many people coming to Branson, many of the most popular shows in the area are quickly filling up. The internationally famous Shoji Tabuchi show, Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show, SIX, and many other Branson classics are likely to be sold out for the entire weekend. It’s no wonder either with the talented performances that each show offers. If you’re planning on going to any of the acts in Branson, it’s best to plan ahead, and start getting tickets now.

Of course, it’s not just the shows that are filling up. The many outdoor attractions in the area are also very popular with vacationers. Everyone is ready to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful Ozarks outdoors now that summer is in full swing. The newly opened Branson Zipline and Canopy Tours as well as the Horseback Trail Rides and other outdoor activities are attracting almost as many visitors as the Branson shows. It’s the perfect time for everyone to really experience all Branson has to offer.

Bransonshows.com can provide you with information and booking for the activities and shows still available for Memorial Day weekend, so you can get in on the excitement while there is still time.

Every so often people get the chance to step into a world of magic and wonder. It’s a chance to experience something beyond your everyday life. If this is the kind of experience you’re looking for stop by The Butterfly Palace before January 15 to experience White Flight. Bring the whole family for this magical experience!

The Butterfly Palace creates a special wonderland during the holiday season filled with seasonal music and living angelic statues. These serene statues come to life as thousands of white butterflies float around the Conservatory like snowflakes in the wind. Take your time on the self-guided tour and enjoy every moment of wonder and magic in this winter wonderland.

At The Butterfly Palace, your whole family will enjoy seeing the incredible animals inside the Living Rainforest Science Center or weaving their way through the Emerald Forrest Mirror Maze. You’ll also be treated to a fantastic movie about the lives of the beautiful butterflies you’ve seen in the Conservatory. The best part of the movie is the 3-D presentation!

Don’t miss out on this unique activity in Branson! The white butterflies are only at The Butterfly Palace until January 15, and then they are gone until next Christmas. To learn more about this event, or to order tickets for The Butterfly Palace, please visit the Butterfly Palace page on our website!

Christmas is sneaking up on us and most people are consumed by the spirit of the season. That is how it should be. However, you may want to start thinking ahead to the new year, which is quickly sneaking up on us! If January includes a visit to Branson, you may be surprised to know that most of the shows will be closed for the month of January to disassemble the fabulous Christmas sets and prepare for the 2010 season.

Just because the shows will be closed doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything to do in Branson. There are still a multitude of things to do that will welcome January visitors. Everything from shopping to dining to an entertaining night out will be waiting for you.

Shopping

Shopping in the month preceding Christmas can be a nightmare. The stores are jam-packed from wall to wall and everyone is trying to get their hands on the same thing. In the weeks post holiday chaos, the stores are quieter and the shopping experience is often more enjoyable.

If that is your idea of a nice weekend, Branson is the place. There are many places to shop in the Branson area, including outlet malls and boutique shops. If you’re seeking a stress-free weekend after the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the Branson Landing Weekend Escape vacation package places  you in the heart of one of the best shopping districts in Branson!

Dining

Spending a quiet afternoon at home once everyone leaves can be very relaxing. Why not include a nice dinner to top off your day? There are lots of wonderful dining options in Branson that are open year-round so you don’t have to worry about them being closed. For a list of dining options all over the Branson area and restaurant information, check out the Dining & Nightlife portion of our Points of Interest Page. While you’re there you can browse plenty of other activities in Branson.

Activities

While most of the shows in Branson will be closed, there are still many attractions that will happily welcome January visitors. The museums in Branson are some of those attractions. Museums like Titanic-The Legend Continues and World’s Largest Toy Museum will be business as usual. Also, many of the tours will also be available early in the new year. Browse the activities and see what all is available for your Branson trip!

It’s getting to be that time of year when children can’t spend every free minute outside and you’re trying to pinch pennies so you can buy the family everything on their Christmas list. With everyone starting to get antsy, what is a family to do? The answer is simple. Visit Branson.

Not too long ago, Vacations Made Easy and it’s sister site, Branson Shows, unveiled a list of promotions and discounts available in Branson. If you’re still worried about pinching those pennies, check out all of the promotions available!

Hotels can set back any budget and limit the time you can stay. So what if a hotel offered you a free night for every three nights you stayed? That is just one example of the deals offered on Branson hotels. With several hotels on the list, you’re sure to find one to suit your family.

A hotel stay isn’t much fun without a few activities to keep you busy. We’ve got you covered there, too. With promotions ranging from ticket discounts to buy-one-get-one offers, seeing a show in Branson is more affordable than ever.

If two adults are taking a few children to a show, you may want to consider the Family Pass. The Pass reserves you two adult tickets and up to four child’s tickets for one low price. Family Pass prices are generally deeply discounted from the individual ticket price.

Visiting Branson is more budget-friendly than ever before. Why not take advantage of it and get the family out of the house for a little while. It might even bring you closer together this holiday season.