Last Saturday was an exciting day at Silver Dollar City: the first day of the 2016 season. Needless to say, Branson’s beloved 1880s-themed amusement park was flooded with locals and tourists eager to enjoy the park’s many roller coasters, shows, games, foods, and artisan demonstrations. As always, Silver Dollar City will remain open till the end of the year, and you can view the entire operational calendar for 2016 online. So what is the best time of year to go to Silver Dollar City? Spring, summer, winter, or fall?
Best Time of Year to Go to Silver Dollar City
We aren’t lying when we say that there is no bad time to visit Silver Dollar City. Events and festivals occur throughout the year, and the 1880s theme of the park suits any season. As long as the park is open and the weather is accommodating, it’s always a great day to be in Branson’s favorite theme park. In fact, if you plan to visit Silver Dollar City more than once this year, you may wish to purchase season passes for a better deal, so that you can visit the park whenever you please. However, if you only have one chance to visit Silver Dollar City this year, check out the dates of the park’s festivals to decide which most appeals to you:
- World-Fest (April 7 – May 1, 2016): World-Fest is a global celebration featuring entertainment and delicious foods, giving visitors a taste of all the following countries and areas:
- Africa: Cirque Zuma Zuma will combine African traditions with amazing circus acrobatics.
- Trinidad & Tobago: The band Stix on Steel will entertain the crowds with their steel drum tunes.
- Ireland: Dearbhail Finnegan will play beautiful melodies on the harp to give you a taste of the Emerald Isle.
- Ecuador: The enthusiastic band Ecuador Manta will transport you to the Andes during their unique performances.
- Czech Republic: Delightful and energetic, the children’s folk group Osminka will charm you with their Bohemian songs, rhymes, and games.
- Eastern Europe: Featuring 35 performers, the song and dance ensemble Slask will offer a colorful display of grace and precision as they dance in vintage costumes.
- South Pacific Islands: In the show Island Fire, World Fire Knife Champion Anelu Iakopo will perform traditional songs and dances with an awe-inspiring display of dancing flames.
- Bluegrass & BBQ Festival (May 5 – May 30, 2016): In May, Silver Dollar City sticks to its Midwestern roots with a festival celebrating great food and great music. A variety of bluegrass bands hit the park’s stages and you can enjoy a scrumptious menu of signature barbecue specialties, including over 150 BBQ sauces.
- Star-Spangled Summer (June 11 – July 24, 2016): A patriotic festival perfect for the middle of summer, the Star-Spangled Summer festival includes the always-entertaining Harlem Globetrotters and magician Peter Gossamer. And of course, the park will be decked out in flags, bunting, and all things red, white, and blue.
- Moonlight Madness (July 23 – August 7, 2016): When the days are long and sweltering, the park extends its hours, closing at 10pm so that you can enjoy your favorite rides and attractions long into the night. In addition, there are nightly street dances, live bands, special deals, and a fireworks finale to end the Echo Hollow Show.
- Southern Gospel Picnic (August 25 – September 5, 2016): To end the summer, Silver Dollar City embraces Southern gospel music and home cooking. Some of the biggest names in gospel music stop by the park. Plus, you can enjoy a variety of styles of chicken, including apple-glazed chicken, hickory-smoked chicken, and fried chicken.
- National Harvest & Cowboy Festival (September 16 – October 31, 2016): In autumn, the park is decorated with pumpkins, scarecrows, and corn husks. Over 125 craftsmen visit from around the country, harkening back to the days when everything was made by hand, from jewelry and tools to soap and fiddles. Bluegrass and folk bands provide a soundtrack to the festival, which centers around cowboys and pioneers.
- An Old Time Christmas (November 5 – December 30, 2016): Finally, the year ends with An Old Time Christmas, a festive celebration featuring over 1,000 decorated trees, 2 Broadway-style shows, and 5 million dazzling lights. If you adore everything about the holiday season, this may be the best time of year to go to Silver Dollar City. There are light parades each night, unique shops for gift buying, and a variety of winter treats like wassail and hot apple dumplings.
So if you’re trying to decide the best time of year to go to Silver Dollar City, decide which festival appeals to you most. Do you love bluegrass music and homestyle cooking? Want a more global experience? Or perhaps you’re a sucker for anything Christmas-themed? Choose your favorite festival and go from there.
It might also be useful to consider the weather in Branson at different times of year. Although Missouri is known for its volatile, erratic weather, you can still study the climate to determine when would be an appropriate time to visit. The best time of year to go to Silver Dollar City may depend on your personal seasonal preferences:
- Spring can be bright and beautiful or rainy and humid. The park is also open less often, especially at the very start of the season, so be sure to check the operational calendar before scheduling your trip. For example, the park is typically closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in spring.
- Summer is often preferred by families visiting with children, and it’s ideal for those who love water rides. However, dehydration and sunburns are also more of a concern during these sunny, hot months.
- Fall may be tricky for those in school, but the weather is typically pleasant. Plus, the autumnal decorations and pioneer festival really suit the park’s 1880s theme.
- Winter is an enchanting time to visit the park, with its many lights, trees, and shows. You’ll love the charming shops, light parade, and warm wassail. However, due to the cold, rides (especially the roller coasters) are sometimes closed due to safety concerns.
In addition, if you want to avoid long lines, know that summer is busy throughout and Saturdays in November and December are particularly well attended, especially if the weather is nice. Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays are often good choices, because most tourists are heading home.
Although there isn’t an absolute best time of year to go to Silver Dollar City, you can use the festival dates and local climate to decide when you will most enjoy the park. But no matter what time of year you plan to visit Silver Dollar City, be sure to check out the accommodations at Branson Vacation Rentals. We have a variety of cozy cabins and condos available, some of which are just a stone’s throw away from Silver Dollar City. Browse our cabins, condos, villas, and cottages online, or give us a call at 417-832-9991 to learn more.