Holiday light displays add to Christmas cheer

By K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

Branson can boast of three beautiful and unique drivethrough light displays that will bring joy to the hearts of all and will truly help visitors find their Christmas spirit.

The Trail of Lights is a favorite tradition of many and the area’s longest-running lighted Christmas display. Visitors drive through a trail filled with millions of multi-colored Christmas lights and themed and animated displays, as they make their way through the 160 acre Shepherd of the Hills Homestead.

Trail of Lights is open from dusk until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and dusk until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The experience is complete with a complimentary cup of cocoa. For dates and pricing, visit their website, theshepherdofthehills.com.

Trail of Lights is located at 5586 West 76, on the grounds of the Shepherd of the Hills Homestead.

Trail of Lights

K.D. Michaels

Trail of Lights

K.D. Michaels

Trail of Lights

K.D. Michaels

Trail of Lights

K.D. Michaels

Branson’s Promised Land Zoo offers Let There Be Lights, a fun-filled lighting display that carries you through the Promised Land Zoo, and offers occasional glimpses of the zoo animals along the way. Admission includes the walk-through Animal Adventures building, with a variety of small animals and reptiles on display, as well as the Candyland Courtyard.

Guests may drive through, with rates beginning at $30 for a carload of people, or enjoy a guided experience. The display is open each evening through December 31. Let There be Lights is located at 2751 Shepherd of the Hills Expressway

Promised Land Zoo

K.D. Michaels

Promised Land Zoo

K.D. Michaels

Lights of Joy provides more than one mile of super-bright LED lights, including a digital light tunnel. With 250 lighting displays that change each year, every Christmas season means a new experience at Lights of Joy. New this year are four electronic reader boards sharing holiday trivia, along with a Christmas message.

Located at 700 Expressway Lane, Lights of Joy is open nightly from 5 to 11 p.m. through January 1.

Lights of Joy

K.D. Michaels

Lights of Joy

K.D. Michaels

Lights of Joy

K.D. Michaels

Lights of Joy

K.D. Michaels

Be sure to visit Branson’s spectacular Christmas light drivethroughs before the end of the season. It will be a holiday experience you won’t soon forget.