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.

New Year’s Eve is arriving closer and closer each day, and you won’t want to miss all of the festivities going on in Branson during this time! Branson goes all out to give audiences the celebration they want after Christmas is over. Attend your choice of the following events for the perfect transition into 2011!

The New Year’s Eve Extravaganza, will be celebrated at the Branson’s Big Cedar Lodge, where adults and kids can stay to join in the festivities. Three fun and unique parties will be going on during each family’s stay, and the lodge will have fireworks ready during the midnight celebration. The party locations in Big Cedar Lodge include the Worman House, the Grandview Conference Center and even the Buzzard Bar, where Clay Self will be counting down to midnight. Each of these great venues will have a full night of festivities along with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

You also have the choice of going to the Chateau on the Lake Resort and Spa during New Year’s Eve which includes a scrumptious three course meal. Later on, the floor will open up for dancing with that special someone, and at midnight, the balloons will drop and fireworks will shoot off outside. Walk outside to see the colorful display of sparks and magic. In addition, you can toast to the 2011 year with a classy glass of champagne. Don’t miss this great event.

Don’t forget, there are even more options for great entertainment while you’re in Branson. Check out all of the Branson attractions, and stay comfortable and warm in your Branson lodging.

Many of  Branson’s theaters and shows will be closing  during December for the rest of the season, and if you’re planning an early Christmas vacation in Branson,  you’ll want to reserve your show tickets today. Most shows will be providing audiences with their last performance on either December 11th or December 12th. Once the performers of the show have completed their season, they’ll be spending much of the next few months in preparation for next year’s shows and events. Keep an eye out for updates on these shows in the coming months, and be sure to reserve your seats for an exciting Christmas vacation.

Branson Shows Final Performance Dates:

Andy Williams Show - December 11

Shoji Tabuchi Show – December 12

SIX – December 11

Spirit of Christmas – December 10

Yakov Smirnoff – December 11 (Reopening in January!)

It’s that time of year you certainly don’t want to miss in our great city. Along with all the other Branson activities to choose from, you’ll want to make sure you find a Branson hotel equipped with the amenities and services to make your stay enjoyable.

The end of the year is approaching faster than you realize, and although the majority of Branson shows will be closed at the end of December, there are still several that will be celebrating the new year. Make a toast to 2011 as midnight approaches on December 31, and forget all your worries of the old year at one of these great Branson performances! 

If you like seeing the graceful performance of the Acrobats of China, you can sit back and relax as they perform their traditional show as well as a full celebration to remember the Chinese New Year. The acrobatic show will provide an exquisite chinese buffet, party favors, non-alcoholic beverages and an exciting balloon drop at around 9:00 p.m. In addition, the Branson Belle Showboat is having its own celebration for on New Year’s Eve, and its four hour cruise will include a midnight toast to 2011, dancing and a full fireworks display beside the nearby chateau. The showboat will come to a stop so you can fully enjoy fireworks display. Another exciting celebration is the Jim Stafford Show, providing you with the same great traditional family music as well as party favors, souvenir gifts, party hats and an enormous balloon drop as the clock strokes twelve.

Set your resolution early for 2011 by reserving dates to one of these great shows! The dazzling entertainment and family friendly atmosphere will bring you into the new year, and don’t forget to check out Branson lodging and other Branson activities while you’re here.

Two fantastic gospel groups will be joining the many other Branson performers this December, the Crabb Family Reunion on December 19 and Ernie Haase and Signature Sound on December 20 and 21. Each of these great groups have a large amount of experience that keeps audiences engaged from the first song to the last. Enjoy the great productions of these groups as they sing to toe-tappin’ spirituals from past decades up to the present.

Start your vacation by listening to the Crabb Family as they join together for a fantastic mix of beautiful harmonies and melodies in the Music City Center Theatre. The family has won a Dove Award and been nominated for a Grammy for their past performances. One of their most famous tunes called ”Runaway Train,” made them a hit among the  younger generation, and they’ve been growing in popularity ever since.

Later on, you can listen to the amazing quartet of Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, which will also be performing in the Music City Center Theatre. This gospel group has established itself as one of the leading gospel quartet groups in modern music, and has a solid musical foundation from its founder, Ernie Haase, who was originally a member of the Cathedral Quartet. Combining the old fashioned harmonies of the 1950s quartets with today’s driving beats, this quartet is not one to be missed!

Combine your vacation with other Branson activities and shows, and don’t forget to make reservations at your pick of a Branson hotel. The city shows are on their last run for the Christmas season, so make reservations to these activities and lodging while you can!

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!

Many shopping opportunities are available to Branson locals and visitors on November 26, the day after the Thanksgiving feast. Several stores and outlets open early, and places like the Factory Merchants Branson will have a special Early Bird sale for those that get in line before the sun rises. Their custom hours are as follows:

• Friday, November 26: 7 am – 10 pm
• Saturday, November 27: 8 am – 10 pm
• Sunday, November 28: 9 am – 7 pm

For those who would like to have a little time on Thanksgiving Day, the Factory Merchants Branson will have extended hours from noon to 6 pm. Make sure you grab the best deals, as your opportunities couldn’t be better! Some of the more well-known outlets include shoe stores like Reebok and Red Wing Shoes, houseware from Black and Decker Clearance, sportswear from Izod and Van Heusen and delicious treats from Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels. You’ll have plenty of time to shop through these and more once you arrive.

In addition to the shopping extravaganza on November 26, you and your family may want to relax with some entertainment for the evening. Many of Branson shows, including Christmas shows like the Spirit of Christmas and the Sight and Sound Theater’s Miracle of Christmas will be available for tickets. Also, don’t forget to reserve a Branson hotel if you’re planning on staying a couple of days!

Family and friends are more than welcome to enjoy a wonderful meal at Branson’s Chateau on the Lake Resort on November 25, Thanksgiving day. The Holiday Brunch lasts from 11 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon. Come enjoy the beautiful fall colors and attractions of Branson on your vacation this year. A professional team of chefs, including Executive Chef Doug Knopp, will prepare a feast served buffet style so that no one in your group will go hungry. There are many exquisite recipes, including a variety of desserts, but the tender prime rib and baked turkey are highly recommended among the cuisine.

The meal is an impressive one, but it doesn’t compare to all the other attractions that Branson has to offer. If you decide to come a day or two early before Thanksgiving, you can take your pick of several different Branson shows, including the legendary Miracle of Christmas at the Sight and Sound Theatre Branson or the influential Acrobats of China featuring the New Shanghai Circus. Don’t forget to reserve lodging ahead of time as well, as the hotel rooms will be filling up. After your meal, you can watch the latest football game or take a long nap.

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s no surprise that Branson is getting ready for the holidays. Silver Dollar City and over 45 of Branson’s fantastic shows are gearing up to give everyone the holiday cheer that Branson is known for. It’s a good thing they are prepared for the season because people from all over are already making plans to visit the area and start their Christmas celebration

Some of the shows that will be participating this year include classics like Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Dinner and Show, the Jim Stafford Show, and the Andy Williams Show as well as new shows like SIX, Brule an American Indian Rock Opera, and Yakov’s Moscow Circus. Each show is presenting a unique Christmas performance that is designed to get people in the spirit of Christmas. Many of the shows also include the best of their traditional show to give guests the entire Branson experience. For those interested, you can find a complete list of Branson Christmas Shows online.

Silver Dollar City will be continuing many of the traditions that visitors have come to love during their annual Old Time Christmas celebration. Over 100,000 Christmas lights will be twinkling all over the park, a 5-story Christmas tree will have a lights and music show, and guests will be able to see a number of Christmas shows that are featured specially in the park. Between Silver Dollar City and Branson’s shows, this year promises to be a very festive Christmas for everyone who stops by.

Listen up, fishermen and hunters from around the country! The Branson Convention Center will be presenting the Midwest Hunting and Fishing Expo coming up from October 8-10, and you’re welcome to bring your entire family to this fun event.

As you walk in, you’ll find a diverse selection of booths and exhibits to visit, ranging from displays of high quality ATV’s to heavy duty fishing rods. Seminars from famous speakers are available to attend, and you and your kids can choose the topics that interest you most. Here are some of the highlights of the event:

• Seminars by Top Hunting Pros
• Custom Knife Makers
• Great Prices on Hunting and Fishing Gear
• Seminars by National Fishing Pros
• New 2011 Boats

Activities geared toward kids, such as face painting, illusions and balloon animals are also available. Enter into a drawing for a chance to win a handmade knife by the legendary Tom McGinnis! If you’d like to stay for both days of the event, you’re welcome to stay in one of Branson’s hotels and pick out some other Branson activities while you’re here.