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Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri is a wonderful hotel to visit during the holiday season. Big Cedar Lodge is surrounded by the beauty of the Ozark Mountains. It overlooks the gorgeous Table Rock Lake. And Big Cedar Lodge even created by the founder of Bass Pro Shops, Johnny Morris, to be a great destination for families to connect in the great outdoors!
And the holiday season is a great time to get away from our busy lives and appreciate what’s truly important in life. It’s a time to reconnect with our family and be thankful for all of God’s blessings.
And a great way to do that would be at a place where you feel life you’ve gotten away with it. A place where you could be surrounded by the beauty of nature. Which describes the Big Cedar Lodge perfectly!
And even though you’ll feel a long way away for civilization, the resort’s location means you’re less than thirty minutes away from Branson, Missouri. And there’s a lot of great holiday things to do in Branson!
And there are also a lot of things your family can enjoy at Big Cedar Lodge. They have eleven unique restaurants that range from dining on the lake to a backyard BBQ. There are a lot of great outdoor activities, though the weather may not permit you to do all of them during the winter.
But don’t worry. There is plenty to do during the holiday season. And we are about to go over some of them!
Christmas Activities
Holiday Tram Ride
The Big Cedar property has lots of beautiful Christmas lights throughout the resort. You can see all of them on a ride on Big Cedar’s tram.
The tram is better than driving around the resort yourself because you’ll get panoramic views of Table Rock Lake, cross bridges, and the property’s historic sites – and this allows you to take some great pictures. Holiday music plays in the background during your ride which really enhances the experience. Oh, and You also get a free hot chocolate or cider and a traveling s’more on a stick.
Pick-up and drop-offs for the tram ride are at Swimmin’ Hole Lawn.
Please note this is popular so you will need to leave at your scheduled time – and you’ll need to check in twenty minutes before your scheduled tram time. Your scheduled time will be sometime between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
This takes place between November 8th and December 31st. It costs $25 for overnight guests and $30 for non-hotel guests.
Drive-Through Christmas Lights Tour
You can also see the beautiful Christmas lights by taking your self-guided tour by car. This is free for hotel guests, so it is a great deal. Non-hotel guests can take a drive-through tour, but it costs ($35 for cars and SUVs; $60 for minibuses).
Private Sleigh Rides
Want a more intimate way to enjoy the Christmas lights around the resort? Then consider booking a private sleigh ride! Up to 6 guests can cozy up with blankets and a choice of hot cocoa or cider in a Santa sleigh pulled by a John Deere tractor. It costs $100 for two guests and $15 for each additional guest.
Nature at Night
Another way to see the beautiful Christmas lights, as well as the beauty of the area at night lit up by the lights (such as the waterfalls), is Top of the Rock’s Nature at Night. You can drive your own golf cart along a two-and-a-half-mile trail. These electric carts hold up to 4 people, and you’ll need to purchase a $15 ticket. This experience started back on November 2nd.
Ice Skating
Ice skating during the holiday season is so iconic, right? Well, you can head to the Swimmin’ Hole Lawn for ice skating. What’s exciting is that this year, they have real ice!
Another great thing about this experience is that you’ll get a great view of the holiday lights since it overlooks Table Rock Lake.
This is available starting today (November 7, 2025) through January 12, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. It costs $25 for overnight guests and $30 for the public.
Gingerbread Buildoff
They’ll provide the houses, icing, and fixings. And you provide the creativity in your gingerbread house decorating! There will even be a contest, though to qualify you can only use the supplies given to you (nothing from home). Prizes are awarded to first and second place winners. It takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 Am to 11:00 AM at the Table Rock Event Room at Fun Mountain in November and December. It costs $45 per gingerbread house.
Breakfast with Santa
Join Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves for a special breakfast at the Worman House Bistro this holiday season. There’s an omelet station, French toast, Belgian waffles, festive cupcake wall, and more. The breakfast takes place from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM. It is available on Saturdays and Sundays in November and December. It costs $26 for children ages 5 to 10 and $52 for adults (it is free for kids 4 years old and younger).
How The Grinch Stole Breakfast
Santa isn’t the only popular Christmastime character you can have breakfast with at Big Cedar Lodge. You can get a Whoville experience and get your photo with the Grinch at the How the Grinch Stole Breakfast event. It takes place on December 27th & December 28th from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Worman House. It costs $26 for children ages 5 to 10 and $52 for adults (it is free for kids 4 years old and younger).
Santa & Friends Brunch
Santa, Mrs. Claus and friends will be in appearance at a brunch at the Grandview Conference Center on select Saturdays and Sundays from December 7th to December 21st from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The world-class Big Cedar Lodge Culinary Team will be providing the menu. It costs $24 for children ages 5 to 10 and $48 for adults (it is free for kids 4 years old and younger). A cash bar is also available here.
Baking with Mrs. Claus
Children ages four to twelve years old can bake and decorate Christmas cucpakes with Mrs. Claus and the elves at the Table Rock Event Room at Fun Mountain. The whole experience includes games, stories, and Christmas songs. And kids get to leave with their own chef’s apron, hat, water bottle, a cozy critter, and the crafts they made, which are pretty great souvenirs.
This takes place from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Sundays and Saturdays and from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Fridays in November and December. It costs $90 per guest and is available for both hotel guests and the public.
Storytime with Mrs. Claus
Mrs. Claus will be reading children’s Christmas stories in the Falls Lodge Lobby on Fridays in November and December from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM. You’ll also get to enjoy Christmas cookies! This activity is free! Please note that reservations are required and that all children attending must be accompanied by an adult.
Cookies & Wishes with Mrs. Claus
Between now and December 24th, you can visit Mrs. Claus and the elves will be making bedtime extra special by delivering sugar cookies and milk. You can also get a photo of your child with Mrs. Claus and your child can write their biggest wishes on North Pole stationery. This costs $50 and is only available to guests staying overnight at Big Cedar Lodge and Wilderness Club.
Photos with Santa at Falls Lodge Lobby
Looking for that perfect picture for your home or your office? Looking for that perfect picture for your social media feeds? Well, how about a picture of your family or your child(ren) with Santa Claus himself?
This will be available on select dates in November and December during 10-minute time slots from 4:00 to 6:30 PM. It costs just $25, and this includes printing! You do need reservations for this, too.
By the way, family portrait sessions without Santa are also available as well.
Stocking Decorating
You can also decorate your own Christmas stocking at the Table Rock Event Room at Fun Moutnain! They’ll provide you with glitter, ribbons, iron-on patches, bells, and more. It costs $20 per stocking. It takes place at 8:00 AM on Saturdays and Sundays and 3:00 PM on Thursdays in November and December.
Elves Winter Workshop
Want a unique ornament to take home from your Christmas vacation? Then head to the Table Rock Event Room at Fun Mountain, where the elves will help you decorate your very own Big Cedar-themed ornament!
Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt
If you’re like me, you love scavenger hunts. So you’ll enjoy racing around Big Cedar Lodge to different holiday light diplays. Once you find the holiday light display, you’ll need to take a team picture before you go the next clue. Once you are done, hurry back to the Swimmin Hole to see if you were the first to finish. There are some great first, second, and third place prizes.
This takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:00 PM throughout November and December. It costs $17 per person. Please note that appropriate footwear is recommended as there is a lot of walking, and please note that this activity is not really suitable for small children.
Elf Visits
Want the elf to visit you? You can schedule a 10-minute visit at night from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM where the elves will read bedtime stories and take letters to give to Santa. They even come with special Big Cedar stockings full of goodies (this costs $65 per stocking)! The elves will also even sign a book and leave it with the family, so you’ll be able to remember this wonderful experience for years to come.
Santa Visits
The elves aren’t the only ones who can visit your room. Santa Claus can, too! They’ll visit with your child and you can get a great picture of your child with Santa. Your child can literally hand their letter to Santa. And they get a special gift as well!
Kids’ Club PJ Party
There will be a party at Fun Mountain for children ages four to twelve on Fridays in November and December from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. It is a great chance for your children to have fun, while you enjoy some time with the adults! There will be a dance party, Christmas crafts, and dinner. Mrs. Claus even appears herself! Kids get to keep their crafts, a crozy critter, and a water bottle. Reservations are required and it costs $90 per kid.
Big Cedar Bakery Wars
Ever watch those baking competitions on the Food Network and think, I could do that! Well now is your chance! You and your teammates can compete with other teams to see who is Big Cedar’s Top Baker!
Adult Gingerbread Charcuterie
The charcuterie class at the Recreation Center Studio Room takes a holiday spin in November and December. They provide everything you need to create a Gingerbread Charcuterie Chalet in this adult-only class including meats, nuts, cheese, and other snack items. You also get two free glasses of wine, beer, hot cocoa, soda, or hot cider. The class takes place from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Saturdays and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Thursdays. It costs $55 per person and you must be at least 21 years old.
Holiday Lights & Campfire Nights
Kids aged 4 to 12 years old can enjoy a fun Christmas-themed camping party on Saturdays in November and December from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Activities include crafts and leters to Santa. And speaking of Santa, he even stops by to deliver a special gift to each camper! The night events with a Christmas movie which kids can watch from the comfort of their tent. Food (hamburgers, hot dogs, and classic sides) is included in the cost. It costs $100 per kid.
Big Cedar Lodge Deals
Looking for a great for Big Cedar Lodge this holiday season? Well, you can find the best prices here. But hurry – a resort this great books up very quickly during the holiday season!