Why does Branson, MO, close down in the winter? (Ozark: live, shops)

[garth]

My wife wanted me to ask this question, so please bear with me.

We were planning on stopping by Branson towards late December and into January. We thought of sticking around the area for a month or longer, maybe two months to see not only Branson but other areas in SW Missouri and NW Arkansas.

When we called for reservations, we found out that the vast majority of any Branson shows are shut down until April or so. My wife asks, are the winters so severe that nobody comes to Branson in winter, or is there something else going on? Do they have trouble getting performers in the winter, perhaps they're playing in Las Vegas, NV, or do travelers just stay away during the early months so it's not worth paying performers to come?

Thanks for any answers.

[Darren Stewart]

Branson is generally open through Christmas but you are right January and February are off season for Branson. Its not so much the weather being so bad because we have had mild winters and we have had some tough winters, the thing about Missouri is that the weather alot of times changes alot so even if we were to get a big snow fall it doesnt take us 2 months to thaw out. We usually can see a variety of weather but there are times when we have had 18 to 19 inches of snow and those times are not the rule but the exception.

For as long as I lived here Branson's January and February have been off season, kind of a summer vacation, for performers etc. This however may be changing due to the recent Branson Landing development a commercial shopping district on the lake, if there is a particular venue you are interested in I would check it out and see if they will be shut down or not. Shopping of course is generally year round however the information you received on the shows is mostly accurate but again some shows are starting to stay open and that is an individual decision based on demand for tickets.

The Branson area Chamber would also be able to tell you what performances shops or museums would be open through those 2 months.

If you are here around Christmas I would definitely catch the major theme park in Branson, the Christmas Carol production is awesome.

Happy Holidays and enjoy your stay in the Ozarks.

[garth]

Darren,

Thank you for your help. I apprecaite your answer to my questions.

I've also read your posts in other threads. You've been very helpful and candid in each one. I'm sure there's lots of lurkers that have appreciated your responses in addition to the originator of the thread.

I just wanted to let you know that the time and efforts you have invested hasn't gone unnoticed. Thanks again!!!