WHAT: 2023 Holiday Festivities at the Lake
WHEN: Thanksgiving through New Years
WHERE: The Lake of the Ozarks Area
With many fun and festive events, spectacular shopping, impressive holiday light parks, delectable dining and all the Lake-area communities dressed up for the season, Central Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks is the perfect home-away-from-home to make new holiday traditions this festive season.
FESTIVE EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23, marks the opening of The Ice at Old Kinderhook, Central Missouri’s only outdoor ice skating rink. The Ice features casual holiday skating sessions, a “pond hockey” league and other special activities during the winter season. The Ice is open seven days per week from Thanksgiving though January 2, 2024, from 5-10 p.m. during the week (Monday through Friday) and from 1-10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
On Friday, Nov. 24, Old Kinderhook’s annual Christmas Village opens for the season, featuring visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, elves, carolers, gingerbread house-making stations, horse-drawn carriage rides, and more festive, family-friendly fun. The Christmas Village will be open every weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) through Sunday, Dec. 17. For more details, visit www.OldKinderhook.com.
In addition, there are many more holiday events taking place throughout late November and the month of December at the Lake of the Ozarks.
On Saturday, Nov. 25, the
Lake West Chamber of Commerce’s annual Lighted Christmas Parade begins at 6 p.m. and winds from Central Bank in Laurie, along Highway 5 to the Laurie Mall. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be leading the parade procession and will also be waiting to visit with eager children at the Laurie Mall following the parade.
The 39th Annual Lake Area Christmas Parade takes place on Saturday, Dec. 9 in Lake Ozark. This parade begins at 1 p.m. and runs from the intersection of Horseshoe Bend Parkway and Bagnell Dam Boulevard before winding down Bagnell Dam Boulevard and ending at the Historic Bagnell Dam “Strip.” Floats, boats, bands, cars, trucks, bikes, queens, celebrities, Shriners, firetrucks, marchers, twirlers, clubs, scouts, horses and more are anticipated to fill the ranks to make this a parade to remember. Additionally, Santa Claus will be ready to greet the young parade goers with gifts and Christmas cheer at Luby’s Plaza on “The Strip.”
For a complete list of Christmas parades, holiday open houses, musical performances, plays and pageants, visit the event calendar at www.FunLake.com/events.
LET THE LIGHTS SHINE BRIGHT
The Lake’s four different light parks – The Enchanted Village of Lights, The Festival of Lights at the Shrine of Saint Patrick, Unity Circle of Lights, Osage Beach Holiday Lights Park – open for the season as early as November 17 and remain open until January 7, 2024 at the latest.
Admission to the different light parks is free, but donations are welcome. Check for hours of operation at the light parks of your choice.
Additionally, visitors can take in the spectacular sights of lighted lakefront homes and boat docks during the “Christmas on the Lake” holiday cruises aboard The Celebration motor yachts from November 24 through December 30. For additional details on different cruises, prices or how to book a reservation, visit www.CruiseLakeOfTheOzarks.com.
RING IN THE NEW YEAR IN STYLE
The holiday season at the Lake of the Ozarks reaches its climax on New Year’s Eve. Visitors can ring in the New Year in style at many Lake of the Ozarks resorts and restaurants. Most of the area’s full-service resorts (Camden on the Lake in Lake Ozark, The Lodge of Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach and The Resort at Lake of the Ozarks in Lake Ozark) are all offering special packages for New Year’s Eve that include dinner, dancing, champagne toasts at midnight, live musical entertainment and overnight accommodations.
For a list of resorts, restaurants and entertainment venues offering New Year’s specials and parties, visit the event calendar at FunLake.com.
The Lake of the Ozarks glistens during the summer months but, during the holidays, it glitters with Christmas lights and festive decorations. Learn more about all the festive events, holiday shopping, musical events and specials on lodging and dining options available at the “Best Recreational Lake in the Nation” at www.FunLake.com or by calling the Lake of the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau at 1-800-FUN-LAKE (386-5253).
