Three tree lighting ceremonies this past weekend

This past weekend marked three special holiday celebrations—all centered around Christmas trees.

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Just three of the more than 700 trees that help make Branson America's Christmas Tree City (Photos by K.D. Michaels)

America's Most Patriotic Christmas Tree was officially lit for the 2026 season. Hosted by the Branson Christmas Coalition, the lighting ceremony featured holiday music and words from the Coalition and other community leaders. The tree, also known as the Community Christmas Tree, is located adjacent to the Branson Ferris Wheel at the Branson Family Fun Park. The 39-foot-tall tree carries the theme of Hope and Hospitality this year and was decorated by a crew of community volunteers. A highlight of the ceremony was a performance of “Ozark Mountain Christmas,” written by Branson's own Lynda Lynn, a well-known songwriter and vocalist.

Branson Landing was the site for a special tree lighting of their own on Saturday night, when hundreds gathered to see the beautiful holiday icon at the Landing Town Square. The ceremony, hosted by KOLR 10's Tom Trtn, featured delicious treats, dancing to holiday music and a visit by Saint Nick, as well as a countdown to the official lighting. The Branson Landing animated Christmas tree is one-of-a-kind, standing 63 feet in height, with a variety of intricate holiday patterns and colors, set to festive tunes.

Silver Dollar City kicked off their Old Time Christmas celebration this weekend. Silver Dollar City offers a wide variety of music and Christmas shows, crafts, delicious food, and six and a half million lights, along with the new Stars, Lights and Christmas Lights Parade each night. The focal point of SDC's celebration is three lightings of the amazing 54-foot-tall grand fir tree, lit for the first time on Saturday night. The city will host three spectacular tree lightings nightly through the holiday season.

The three trees are part of the more than 700 holiday trees located throughout the area that, together, make Branson America's Christmas Tree City.