Soothing the Soul: Christmas in Branson

The Temptations recorded “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today)” about 40 years ago, and life on the planet has only gotten more hectic. The holidays enable most to take a deep breath and find some peace. Many seek places where family, tradition, celebration, relaxation – and a round or two of golf – combine to soothe souls.

Branson, Missouri, is one such place, a place where holiday festivities proliferate and are so varied and rich that “Ozark Mountain Christmas” is in its 24th season and runs through November and December.
Known as the "Live Music Show Capital of the World," Branson is a one-of-a-kind family vacation destination, with more than 50 live performance theaters. Entertainers performing this holiday season include Johnny Mathis, Andy Williams, and Glen Campbell, with dead-ringer tribute bands and performers for The Beatles, Elvis, Patsy Cline and more.

Light festivals, dramatic performances, comedy shows and musical extravaganzas are just some of the niches which tip their collective caps to the holidays in Branson.

If looking to complement your holiday experience, Branson has three pristine lakes, many championship golf courses – including three of the top five courses in the state, according to Golfweek magazine – an award-winning theme park, dozens of attractions and museums, a Historic Downtown district, shopping galore, a full range of dining options, and a host of hotels, motels, resorts, RV parks, campgrounds and meeting and conference facilities.

No wonder it is visited by 8 million people a year and has been a favorite destination for families for decades. The travelers who use TripAdvisor, the Internet's leading travel review site, have voted the Branson/Lakes Area one of the “Ten Great Places for Families to Discover” in the United States.

Practically at the center of the United States, Branson is less than a day's drive for one-third of Americans, and with low-cost flights to the new Branson Airport via Frontier and AirTran, as well as many others at Springfield-Branson National Airport, it's never been easier to reach Branson.

If you plan to golf while there, check out the golf destination’s website (golfbranson.com), and learn more about courses designed by Tom Fazio, dedicated to Payne Stewart, and options and values which abound throughout.