It’s that time of year: communities at Lake of the Ozarks are growing merry and bright, for Christmas, New Years, and December holidays. From one-day events to the largest light display in central Missouri, here’s where to see the holiday light displays around the Lake this year.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

#1 - Enchanted Village of Lights

Nov. 20 – Jan. 3

269 Fairgrounds Drive, Laurie, Mo. 65037

Free Admission, Donations Accepted

This is the largest light display at the Lake, by far. If you’re on the Osage Beach/Lake Ozark side of the Lake, it’s a bit of a drive, but well-worth it! Allow about 20 minutes to drive through. The 27-acre park draws tens of thousands of visitors every year.

National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church — www.mothersshrine.com

#2 - Festival of Lights - The National Shrine of Mary (St. Patrick Catholic Church)

Open every evening through Jan. 10, 5–11 p.m.

176 Marian Drive, Laurie, Mo. 65037

Free Admission

This religious-themed/nativity-focused display is just up the road from the Enchanted Village of Lights in Laurie. Elegant and beautiful displays tell the nativity story.

Christmas Lights At The Lake — Grandma tries to avoid getting run over by a reindeer, at the Osage Beach Holiday of Lights.
photo by Nathan Bechtold

#3 - Osage Beach Holiday Lights in the Park

Nov 28 – Dec. 31

Osage Beach City Park - 950 Hatchery Rd, Osage Beach, Mo. 65065

Free Admission

Fun and festive themes abound at the annual light display in Osage Beach City Park. This is a 5-10 minute drive-through, great for listening to Christmas music and getting in the holiday spirit. Kids especially love the whimsical displays.

Christmas Lights - Holiday Lights — Pexels.com

#4 - Versailles Unity Circle of Lights

Open Nov. 29 through New Years Eve

901 Newton St., Versailles, Mo.

Another festive drive-through display in the Lake area. The official lighting ceremony/event is the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

#5 - Christmas Village at Old Kinderhook

Every Friday–Sunday, from Thanksgiving to Christmas

678 Old Kinderhook Dr, Camdenton, Mo. 65020

So many ways to have holiday fun! This event is open to the public. Food, beverage, ice skating, and skate rental fees apply.

Christmas Village Events:

Friday night Character Nights on the Ice

MU Synchro Skaters Performances

Christmas on the Square

Gingerbread house decorating for kids

Santa, Mrs. Claus, & elves available for pictures

Santa’s Workshop

Cookie Decorating

Local Performers on The Ice

Elf Storytelling

S’Mores around the fire pit

Hot Chocolate

DIY Ornaments

Christmas Crafts

Holiday ABC’s

Winter Bingo

Holiday Hayrides

Movies in the Hook

Letters to Santa

Fun Games for the family

Ice Skating

Great food & great company

Sunday Breakfast with Santa

Celebration Holiday Lights Cruises — Celebration Cruises

#6 - Celebration Cruises Christmas on the Lake

Kickoff event Friday, Nov. 27, then every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of December.

Cost: $35/person

A very “Lake of the Ozarks” way to celebrate the holidays! This two-hour, six-mile cruise offers beautiful views of decorated docks and lake houses, aboard a brightly adorned cruise yacht. Appetizers, entertainment, and a cash bar. Proceeds support 11 different Lake area charities.

Book online www.cruiselakeoftheozarks.com or call 573-480-3212

HOLIDAY EVENTS

#7 - Lake West Lighted Christmas Parade

Saturday, Nov. 28, 6 p.m.

Highway 5, Laurie, Mo.

“O Christmas Tree!” This annual kickoff to the Christmas season in Laurie is a unique twist on the traditional parade: it happens at night. The Lighted Parade goes along Highway 5, beginning at Central Bank and ending at the Laurie Mall.

Lake Ozark Christmas Parade 1 — Al Griffin

#8 - Lake Ozark Christmas Parade

Saturday, Dec. 12, 1 p.m. Bagnell Dam Strip

An annual Lake Ozark tradition, this year’s parade theme is “We Need A Little Christmas.”

Lineup begins on Rt. 242 and then down Bagnell Dam Blvd. (Note: This year there will be no throwing of candy, trinkets or anything from the parade entries, but these items can be distributed by parade walkers. Santa will make his appearance exclusively in the parade, and elves will distribute gift bags along the route in lieu of a personal visit by Santa after the parade as in past years. Children will be encouraged to write letters which will be collected by the elves along the route for Santa to read before Christmas.

#9 - Old Tyme Christmas in Linn Creek

Saturday, Dec. 19, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Camden County Museum - 206 S. Locust St., Linn Creek, Mo.

A celebration of the Christmas season in Linn Creek throughout the Camden County Museum. Breakfast with Santa from 9-11am, crafts, goodies, games, lunch available from 11am-2pm. At 2pm the Young Museum Players will present their Christmas production "O Holy Knight" by Patrick Rainville Dom.