Lake Of The Ozarks Gets Dressed Up For The Holidays

Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks offers families and friends the opportunity to get together, relax and enjoy the holiday season with many festive events, impressive holiday light parks, incredible shopping and delicious meals.

The festive season at the "Best Recreational Lake in the Nation" begins in earnest with the Thanksgiving holiday. Many restaurants and resorts around the the Lake of the Ozarks take away the stress and mess of the holiday by offering delicious Thanksgiving meals for their guests. Camden on the Lake Resort in Lake Ozark, The Inn at Grand Glaize in Osage Beach, The Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach, Old Kinderhook Resort in Camdenton and The Regalia Hotel & Conference Center in Lake Ozark are all offering Thanksgiving meals with all the trimmings. Most offer special lodging packages for the holiday as well, so visitors should check with the property of their choice for lodging specials, menus and available reservation times.

In addition to offering a delectable Thanksgiving meal, Old Kinderhook's annual Christmas Village opens for the season on November 29. The Christmas Village is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and features horse-drawn carriage rides, carols with Santa Claus and his helpers, gingerbread house-decorating stations, fun games, storytelling with elves, s'mores, bonfires and breakfast with Santa on Sundays. Thanksgiving weekend also marks the opening of The Ice, the only outdoor skating ice rink in Mid-Missouri. The Ice is open for casual skating sessions throughout the week and weekends. For more information on the Christmas Village and The Ice, visit OldKinderhook.com.

Visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks can enjoy the glow of thousands of holiday lights at the Lake area's four drive-through light parks, which open for the season around the Thanksgiving holiday and remain open through New Year's Day. The  Enchanted Village of Lights, the largest light park in Mid-Missouri, opens on November 22. The Enchanted Village of Lights is spread over 27 acres of the fairgrounds in Laurie and is open from 5 p.m. until  9 p.m. on weekdays and until  10 p.m. on weekends. Also in Laurie is the  Festival of Lights at the Shrine of St. Patrick Catholic Church, which opens on Thanksgiving Day. The Festival of Lights is open from 5 -10 p.m. throughout the holiday season. The  Unity Circle of Lights in Versailles is open from dark until  midnight, beginning November 29. And, on November 30, the Osage Beach City Park gets dressed in the holiday spirit and is open from 5-9 p.m. daily. Admission to all four light parks is free, but donations are welcome. For more information about the light parks, visit  FunLake.com. 

There will be many parades, holiday open houses and other festive fetes taking place in the different Lake of the Ozarks communities. The Laurie Lighted Christmas Parade takes place December 5 at 6 p.m. and winds through downtown Laurie; Camdenton's Christmas on the Square, which features a parade, 5K/10K run, choir performances and games and activities for children, takes place December 7 beginning at 10 a.m. in downtown Camdenton; on December 14, the city of Lake Ozark hosts its annual Christmas parade at 1 p.m. on Bagnell Dam Boulevard. Also on December 14, the city of Eldon hosts a lighted Christmas parade and the lighting of the "Magic Tree" in Rock Island Park. There also will be holiday music performed by the Eldon High School Choir and s'mores and hot chocolate will be available. And, of course, Jolly Ol' Saint Nick will be making an appearance at each event for the enjoyment of the young ones in attendance.  For a complete list of holiday open houses, Christmas parades, musical performances, plays, pageants and other activities, visit the event calendar at FunLake.com.

A favorite holiday tradition is cruising on the Celebration II luxury yacht for the annual Christmas on the Lake events. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from November 22 through December 28, vacationers can take in the spectacular sights of lakefront homes and businesses strewn up with colorful lights from the decks of the Celebration II while enjoying plated appetizers and live musical entertainment on a 2.5-hour cruise. The Celebration II docks at 1006 Bagnell Dam Boulevard and begins boarding at 5:30 p.m. For more information, or to make reservations, visit CruiseLakeoftheOzarks.com.

It wouldn't be the holiday season at the Lake of the Ozarks without the " Christmas on Main Street" musical variety show at the Main Street Music Hall, located at The Landing in Osage Beach. Holiday carols, gospel hymns, musical impersonations and comedy are all included in a great, family-friendly seasonal show offered by the cast of talented singers and musicians of the Music Hall family.  The Christmas on Main Street show kicks off on Friday, Nov. 29 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 22. Evening shows start at 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and there's a 3 p.m. matinee show on Sundays. For more information, including show dates, times and ticket prices, or to make reservations, call the Main Street Music Hall box office at  800-348-9501 or visit LakeMusicHall.com.

The Lake of the Ozarks also is an ideal shopping destination for marking items off Christmas gift lists of any length. The Lake is home to Osage Beach Outlet Marketplace, one of the largest brand-name factory outlet mall in Mid-Missouri, and The Landing on Main Street, a beautiful Victorian-themed village with over 20 boutique shops offering everything from home decor to chic clothing, kitschy souvenirs to homemade confections. There are also many antique shops around the Lake area and many unique shops and boutiques along the historic Bagnell Dam Strip in Lake Ozark. And, to make the deals even sweeter, m any of the Lake area lodging properties offer "Shop and Stay" or "Shop 'til You Drop" packages that include coupon books to the outlet mall worth hundreds of dollars in savings. Some lodging properties even throw in a pre-paid gift card for up to $50 for the outlet mall. To plan your Christmas shopping trip to the Lake of the Ozarks, visit FunLake.com and click on "Shopping" in the drop-down menu under the "Things to Do" tab on the website.

The holiday season reaches its climax with New Year's Eve. Visitors can ring in the New Year in style at many Lake of the Ozarks resorts and restaurants. Camden on the Lake, The Lodge at Four Seasons, The Lodge at Port Arrowhead, Margaritaville Lake Resort, The Regalia Hotel and Conference Center and Old Kinderhook, to name just a few, are all offering special New Year's dinners, dances, parties and/or special New Year's Eve lodging packages. For a list of resorts and restaurants offering New Year's specials, visit the event calendar at FunLake.com.

Anyone wishing to escape to the Lake for the holidays will find an ample selection of accommodations to fit families and friend groups of all sizes and budgets. Guests can choose from resorts, cabins, condos, vacation homes, hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts. Some offer special winter and holiday lodging rates where travelers can save as much as 40 percent off in-season rates.

To discover more ways to have fun at the Lake of the Ozarks and to get information on additional events, year around attractions, and available lodging and dining options, visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau's award-winning website, www.FunLake.com, or call 1-800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).

Make Central Missouri’s Lake Of The Ozarks Your Home-Away-From-Home For The Holidays

With many fun and festive events, spectacular shopping, impressive holiday light parks, delectable dining, entertaining musical shows and the entire community dressed up for the season, Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks is the perfect home-away-from-home this holiday season.

The festive season at the "Best Recreational Lake" in the Nation begins on Thanksgiving but holiday visitors can get a head start on the festivities as early as Friday, Nov. 16 with the lighting of the Enchanted Village of Lights. This 27-acre drive-through light park is located at the Laurie Fairgrounds in Laurie on the westside of the Lake of the Ozarks and is open through January 1, 2019. Over 8,160 vehicles and 25,600 people visited the Lake's most popular light park last year. The Enchanted Village of Lights is open from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on weekdays and open until 10 p.m. on weekends. Admission is free to the light park, though donations are welcome as they go toward maintaining and expanding the light displays for future years.

In addition to the Enchanted Village of Lights, the Lake of the Ozarks' three other light parks open Thanksgiving weekend. Vacationers can experience the glow of holiday lights at the Osage Beach City Park, the Festival of Lights at St. Patrick's Shrine in Laurie, and the Unity Circle of Lights in the Versailles city park at the junction of Highways 5 and 52. Admission to all light parks is free but donations are welcome. For more information about the light parks, including hours of operation, visit www.FunLake.com/lake-holiday-light-parks.

Thanksgiving also marks the opening of Old Kinderhook's annual Christmas Village and The Ice, Central Missouri's only outdoor ice rink. The resort's annual Christmas Village opens on Friday, Nov. 23, featuring visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, elves, carolers, ginger bread house-making stations, horse-drawn carriage rides, and more. The Christmas Village will take place every weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) until Christmas Eve. The Ice at Old Kinderhook will also be open for the season for casual holiday skating sessions and a "pond hockey" league. The hours for The Ice are from 1-10 p.m. Thanksgiving weekend. The rest of the winter, The Ice is open from 5-10 p.m. on weekdays and 1-10 p.m. on weekends. For more details, visit www.OldKinderhook.com.

Another longstanding Lake of the Ozarks holiday tradition kicks off on Friday, Nov. 23. Christmas on Main Street, at the Main Street Music Hall at 5845 Osage Beach Parkway in Osage Beach, features holiday carols, gospel hymns, comedy and musical impressions. The Christmas on Main Street shows take place at 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 3 p.m. on Sundays, from November 23 through December 22. For more details, including show dates, times and ticket prices, or to order tickets, call the Main Street Music Hall box office at 800-348-9501 or visit www.LakeMusicHall.com.

Visitors can take in the spectacular sights of lighted lakefront homes and boat docks during the Deck the Docks holiday dinner cruises aboard The Celebration motor yacht from November 24 through December 29. The Deck the Docks cruises feature dinner and live musical entertainment and occur on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Boarding for these two-hour cruises begins at 5:30 p.m. at 5085 Davis Drive at the west end of the Grand Glaize Bridge in Osage Beach. Proceeds from these holiday dinner cruises go to benefit the Dogwood Animal Shelter. For additional details on different cruises, prices or how to book a reservation, visit www.CruiseLakeOfTheOzarks.com.

In addition to the events and attractions listed above, there are many festive events taking place throughout the month of December at the Lake of the Ozarks. For a complete list of holiday open houses, Christmas parades, musical performances, plays, pageants and more, visit the event calendar at www.FunLake.com.

Those looking to create a memorable holiday excursion to the Lake of the Ozarks can easily find the perfect accommodations for groups and families of all sizes. Accommodations at the Lake include resorts, cabins, condos, vacation homes, hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and RV parks. And, with special winter and holiday lodging rates, travelers can save as much as 40 percent off in-season rates. For all the different lodging options available around the Lake of the Ozarks, click on the "Places to Stay" tab at www.FunLake.com.

The holiday season at the Lake of the Ozarks concludes with several New Year's Eve celebrations at many resorts, restaurants and bars. There will be live music, dinner and at dancing Camden on the Lake, The Inn at Grand Glaize, The Lodge of Four Seasons, Old Kinderhook and Tan-Tar-A Resort, just to name a few. 

For other holiday attractions, events, as well as all dining and lodging options available at the Lake of the Ozarks, visit the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau's award-winning website, www.FunLake.com. Or, call 800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).

Lake of the Ozarks Holiday Events, Attractions and Information for 2015

The holiday season is a joyous time of coming together and celebrating with friends and family. But, sometimes the stress of planning parties and meals and frantic last-minute trips to crowded markets can make the season lose its luster. The activities and attractions at the Lake of the Ozarks can be just the thing to breathe new life into seasonal traditions. The Lake offers family and friends the opportunity to relax, reconnect and even add a little extra spice to their holidays. Thanksgiving is especially festive at the Lake of the Ozarks as many of the businesses around the area get into the holiday spirit. Several resorts and hotels offer bountiful Thanksgiving meals with all the trimmings, but without the hassles of cooking and cleaning up. The Lodge of Four Seasons and Camden on the Lake Resort, both located in Lake Ozark, as well as The Inn at Grand Glaize in Osage Beach, will have full-blown Thanksgiving buffets on Thursday, Nov. 26. To make reservations for overnight stays, Thanksgiving meals and other activities, contact The Lodge of Four Seasons, call 800-THE-LAKE or visit  www.4SeasonsResort.com; for Camden on the Lake, call 888-365-5620 or visit www.CamdenOnTheLake.com; for The Inn at Grand Glaize, visit www.InnAtGrandGlaize.com or call 800-348-4731.  Tan-Tar-A Resort, located in Osage Beach, will host its Winter Holiday Festival over Thanksgiving weekend. Guests and the general public can enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner buffet on Thursday, Nov. 26 along with a bonfire, sing-along, comedy show, visits with Santa Claus, a ceremonious lighting of the resort's wealth of Christmas decorations and tram rides throughout the resort property that evening. For guests staying at the resort, the entire holiday weekend is packed with activities, including a "Midnight Madness" shuttle to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets, "Black Friday" sales at Tan-Tar-A, a Turkey Trot 5k race, stations for writing letters to Santa, a duck drop race at the resort's indoor water park, tailgate parties, a scavenger hunt for the kids and additional holiday tram tours. To make reservations for lodging or the Thanksgiving day meal, visit www.Tan-Tar-A.com or call 800-826-8272. Guests at Old Kinderhook Resort can enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 26 at The Trophy Room; and on Friday, Nov. 27, the resort will transform into a Christmas "village." The new village will be open to the public on weekends until December 20 and will feature Santa Claus and story-telling elves, carolers, s'mores, gingerbread house-making stations and horse-drawn carriage rides. Small fees may apply for some activities. Old Kinderhook's new outdoor ice rink will be open to all visitors that want to do some holiday skating. For reservations for lodging and Thanksgiving dinner at Old Kinderhook, or for more details on their holiday offerings and prices, call 573-317-3560 or visit www.OldKinderhook.com. One of the Lake's most popular and enduring holiday traditions involves the area's different drive-through light parks. Admission to the light parks is free, but donations are welcome.  The Lake's largest light park, The Enchanted Village of Lights, meanders through 27 acres of the Laurie Fairgrounds and is celebrating its 22nd season of warming hearts. The Enchanted Village opens on November 20 and runs through January 2. The light park is open daily from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on weekdays and closes at 10 p.m. on weekends. Complete details can be found at www.CityofLaurie.com/EnchantedLights. Also in Laurie, just a mile from the Enchanted Village on Highway 5, is the Festival of Lights at the Shrine of Saint Patrick. Started in 1981, the festival is now in its 32nd year and has continued to grow each season, with thousands of lights decorating the buildings and grounds. The site is the home of the National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church, so this display focuses on Jesus and His mother, Mary. The St. Patrick Festival of Lights will be open daily from 6-10 p.m. from Thanksgiving through January 1. Learn more at www.ShrineOfStPatrick.org. Versailles joins the lighting celebration from Nov. 26 through Jan. 1 with its own Unity Circle of Lights, featuring 40 lighted holiday exhibits in the city park, at the junction of Highways 5 and 52 in Morgan County. In Osage Beach, the city park and many businesses along Osage Beach Parkway will be dressed in holiday lights from November 28 through January 3. And, on December 12, children of all ages can meet Santa Claus from 3-5 p.m. at the Osage Beach city park. For more information, visit www.OsageBeach.org. Other fun holiday events around the Lake include the City of Eldon's "Home for the Holidays" celebration on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 20 and 21, consisting of a holiday parade, face painting, craft-making stations, dance performances, live concerts from the Eldon High School Jazz Band and Chamber Choir, and, of course, a visit from Santa.  The City of Versailles' "Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Square," which takes place from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28 in its historic downtown, features many craft and food vendors, live choir performances, a silent auction and an appearance by Old Saint Nick. Also on November 28, visitors can watch a processions of fun floats decked out in lights during the 14th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade in Laurie. Children of all ages can enjoy Breakfast with Santa on December 5 and 12 at HK's Restaurant located on property at The Lodge of Four Seasons. Camdenton offers a day of family fun at Christmas on the Square, December 5. This all-day event features food, games, gifts and, of course, a visit from the season's guest of honor - Santa. In addition, on December 12, Lake Ozark celebrates its 31st "Christmas Magic" parade, which will wind along the historic Bagnell Dam Boulevard. Following the parade, families can join Santa's Caravan, by meeting Santa at Prewitt's Point and following his sleigh to Bagnell Dam. Children will have the opportunity to visit with Santa and receive a free stocking stuffed with goodies from the merry-maker himself.  For more information on these and other holiday events around the Lake, visit the event calendar at www.FunLake.com. Another popular Lake of the Ozarks tradition is taking in all the sights and sounds of "Christmas on Mainstreet," an annual presentation by the talented performers of the Main Street Music Hall in Osage Beach. The show is designed to be a treat for all in attendance with beautifully decorated sets, glamorous costumes, special effects, musical impersonations, comedy skits and the best songs of the season. The Main Street Music Hall audience will enjoy every style of holiday music, from the latest in contemporary songs to favorite Christmas hymns and carols. The show is offered Tuesdays through Sundays, beginning Nov. 27 and continuing through Dec. 20. To order tickets and to get more information, including show dates and times, as well as ticket prices, call the Main Street Music Hall box office at 800-348-9501 or visit www.LakeMusicHall.com. Those looking for the perfect gifts for their friends and loved ones will appreciate the wide variety of shops available at the Lake. Osage Beach Premium Outlets, the largest outlet mall in Missouri with 110 name brand stores, offers extended hours and special savings throughout the season to make holiday gift-buying easier.  In addition, the boutique stores found at The Landing on Main Street, a picturesque Victorian-themed village, offer gifts for the home, unique clothing, jewelry and other personal items, as well as homemade confections.  Antique shops are packed with treasures from the past and handmade crafts.  For more information about shopping at the Lake, click on the "shopping" tab at www.FunLake.com. Visitors to the Lake can also ring in the New Year in style as area resorts offer dining specials and festive overnight packages complete with live music, dancing, champagne toasts at midnight and more. Call your favorite lodging property to ask about their New Year's Eve specials. Whether coming to the Lake to enjoy festive lighting displays, check items off the holiday gift list or to escape the demands of the season, the Lake's lodging properties offer the gift of off-season savings.  Winter and holiday special lodging rates are some of the lowest of the year at Lake-area resorts, hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, condos, vacation homes, campgrounds and RV parks.  In some cases, travelers can save as much as 40 percent off in-season rates and give themselves the gift of a good night's rest and relaxation. For a complete list of lodging options, visit www.FunLake.com. To find out about all the fun holiday events, year-around attractions as well as dining and accommodations at the "Best Recreational Lake" in the nation, call the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau (CVB) at 800-FUN-LAKE, or visit the CVB's award-winning website www.FunLake.com.

2014 Holiday Lights at Lake of the Ozarks

Lake of the Ozarks shows off its natural beauty for photographers all year, but when it gets dressed up for the holidays, it offers glitz and sparkle that demand a close-up from visiting camera bugs.  Thousands of lights reflect the joy of the season off the Lake's quiet waters, adding an aquatic theme to the holidays.

Twinkling lights are the stars of the show at drive-through holiday light parks around the Lake area. 

   

In Laurie, the 21st Annual Enchanted Village of Lights turns the 27-acre Laurie Fairgrounds into a winter wonderland from November 21st to January 1st.  Some of the displays are massive - up to 30 feet tall and 30 feet wide - while others come to life through animation.  Many are being equipped with LED lights to shine brightly throughout the park.  None of them, however, shine as brightly as the eyes of the children who visit, according to Susann Huff, Laurie's events and parks coordinator.  "I just love to see the kids' eyes when they arrive," she said.  "They can't believe it. It's hard to take it all in." 

  

Work has already begun on preparing the spectacle for visitors, expected to top 16,000 people again this year. The Enchanted Village of Lights opens each day at 5 pm to 9 pm, staying open to 10 pm on the weekends. There is no charge to drive through the village, but any donations will be put to use in refurbishing and preserving the displays for the future. More information about the event can be found at CityofLaurie.com/EnchantedLights.htm.

   

Also, just a mile down the road in Laurie is the Lake area's most enduring drive-through Christmas lights event - Saint Patrick's Festival of Lights, celebrating 31 years when the lights go on this Thanksgiving evening. The Shrine of St. Patrick on Hwy. 5 on the north side of Laurie also is the site of the National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church, so this festival of lights focuses on Jesus and his mother, Mary. The drive-through festival will be open daily from 6 pm to 10 pm until January 1st. New for this year, the gift shop will be open during festival hours and volunteers will be serving hot chocolate and apple cider. The Festival of Lights is a free event, though donations are accepted.

  

Versailles joins the lighting celebration from November 27th through January 1st with its own Unity Circle of Lights, featuring 40 lighted holiday exhibits in the Versailles City Park, at the junction of Highways 5 and 52 in Morgan County. The Unity Circle of Lights, too, is offered free of charge to visitors.

Last but not least, Deck the Docks is back for 2014 to light up the Lake of the Ozarks waterfront. www.cruiselake.com for more information or call (573) 480-3212 to reserve your tickets.
Climb aboard the Celebration Cruise Boat for a view of beautiful lakefront homes and docks decorated for the season. This is truly a memorable holiday experience that you can only find at Lake of the Ozarks. Cruises run every Friday and Saturday evening between November 27th through December 27th. Tickets must be purchased in advance for this one-of-a-kind attraction. As an added holiday bonus, a part of the proceeds go to support the Dogwood Animal Shelter.  

  

Learn more about all of these drive-through lights parks at: LakeHolidayLights.com/parks. Additional holiday event information can be found on the Lake's most complete event calendar at www.funlakeevents.com.

If you plan to visit the Lake for an extended shopping trip or if you want a beautiful location to host your family's holiday gathering, www.funlake.com has a complete list of Lake homes and condos to bring everyone together under one roof. Make this year's holiday season one to remember.