Shepherd of the Hills Christmas 2026: North Pole Adventure, Trail of Lights & More

Save 15% at Shepherd of the Hills

Discount Code: SLBHILLS
GET TICKETS NOW

Use code SLBHILLS when booking eligible Shepherd of the Hills Christmas activities and shows to save 15%. The discount does not apply to the Christmas carriage rides.

Shepherd of the Hills has been part of my family’s Christmas in Branson for years. If you have kids, North Pole Adventure is the big one, but Trail of Lights is one of those old-fashioned Christmas traditions that I still love too.

And yes, I have learned a few things the hard way. Go potty and get gas before you get in line. We’ll get to that. 😂

Shepherd of the Hills Christmas 2026 at a Glance

📍 Location: Shepherd of the Hills in Branson, Missouri

🎄 North Pole Adventure: November 13–December 27, 2026, on select dates

🚗 Trail of Lights: November 3, 2026–January 2, 2027

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best For: North Pole Adventure is especially good for families with kids. Trail of Lights is fun for just about anybody who loves Christmas lights.

🎅 North Pole Adventure Includes: Santa, Christmas lights, a hayride, play areas, mini golf, Treetop Sky Trail, activities and more

🌙 When to Go: Get to North Pole Adventure before dark so the kids can enjoy the activities before the lights come on.

🎟️ Discount: Save 15% with code SLBHILLS on eligible activities and shows. My discount does not apply to the carriage rides.

⭐ My Take: If you have kids, I would make North Pole Adventure the priority. For a simple Christmas night that everybody can enjoy, grab some hot chocolate and drive through Trail of Lights.

If you’re planning more than one Christmas activity while you’re in town, check out my Christmas in Branson guide too. There is SO much happening here during November and December.

What Is North Pole Adventure at Shepherd of the Hills?

North Pole Adventure is Shepherd of the Hills’ family Christmas experience with lights, Santa, a hayride and more than 30 activities included with general admission.

This is the Christmas activity I would prioritize if you have kids.

There’s face painting, Santa, Christmas lights, play areas, mini golf, the Treetop Sky Trail and different activities around the property. They also have different entertainment at times.

One year we bought a s’mores kit and sat around the fire making s’mores, which is exactly the kind of simple Christmas stuff my family enjoys.

And I give families the same advice here that I give during PumpkinFest:

Get there before dark.

There are plenty of things to do around the farm while you still have daylight. Let the kids run around and play first.

Then when the sun goes down and all those Christmas lights come on, it feels like you’re getting a completely different experience.

I wouldn’t wait until it’s completely dark to show up and then try to cram everything into a couple of hours.

What Is the Difference Between North Pole Adventure and Trail of Lights?

North Pole Adventure is a walk-through family Christmas experience with Santa, activities and lights. Trail of Lights is a separate drive-through Christmas light display that you see from your own vehicle.

This is probably the biggest thing people get confused about.

They are not the same attraction.

North Pole Adventure is where I would spend more time if I had kids who wanted to see Santa and do all the activities.

Trail of Lights is much simpler.

Get in the car. Turn on the Christmas music. Drive through the lights.

And sometimes simple is exactly what I want at Christmas.

Trail of Lights Is One of Those Old-Fashioned Christmas Traditions

Shepherd of the Hills has been doing Trail of Lights for more than 35 years. A few years ago, they gave it an upgrade that it desperately needed, and it has been looking good!

The drive takes you through the Shepherd of the Hills property with Christmas lights and displays along the way.

Looking at Christmas lights has always been one of my family’s favorite traditions.

We’d grab hot chocolate, a bucket of popcorn and some blankets, crank up the Christmas music and go drive through the lights.

Nothing complicated. Nothing fancy.

Just Christmas.

When Is the Best Time to Go to Trail of Lights?

If you want shorter lines, avoid the busiest part of Saturday night. I would go shortly after sunset or closer to closing instead of showing up around 7–8 p.m. on a Saturday.

Obviously, crowds can vary by date, but picking your time wisely can make a big difference.

And now for the two pieces of advice I have learned through experience.

Go to the bathroom before you get in line.

I am so serious.

There is nothing like having to stop in the middle of a Christmas light display so your friend’s kid can get out and pee on the side of the road because they absolutely cannot wait another minute.

Yes. That actually happened to me last year.

No. It wasn’t at Shepherd of the Hills. 😂

Everybody goes potty first now.

And while we’re learning from my mistakes…

FILL UP YOUR CAR.

Ask me how I know.

We once spent the entire day saying we needed to stop for gas. We never did.

Halfway through a Christmas light drive, my car informed me that we had about TWO MILES until empty.

Needless to say, I did not enjoy the rest of those Christmas lights to their full capacity because I was too busy wondering if we were about to run out of gas.

Go potty. Get gas. Grab your hot chocolate.

Then go look at the lights.

What About the Christmas Carriage Rides?

Shepherd of the Hills also offers private horse-drawn carriage rides through the Christmas lights on select nights.

This is a completely different experience from piling everybody into the family car for Trail of Lights and could be a fun option for a date night or special Christmas evening.

But there is one important thing you need to know:

My 15% Shepherd of the Hills discount does NOT apply to the carriage rides.

I don’t want anybody getting to checkout and wondering why their code isn’t working.

If you’re planning a Christmas getaway without the kids, I also have more ideas in my [romantic things to do in Branson] guide.

What About the Christmas Shows?

Shepherd of the Hills has several different Christmas shows during November and December.

I’m not going to tell you that you need to see all of them because I don’t think you do.

The one I personally love is the Old Trail Christmas Chuckwagon Show.

I grew up with my papa singing the old country and cowboy songs of yesteryear, so the Chuckwagon Show has always felt nostalgic to me. The Christmas version fits this property especially well.

If you’re looking for a Christmas show while you’re there, that’s the one I would choose.

Eat at Molly’s Mill While You’re There

If you’ve eaten at Molly’s Mill in the past and weren’t impressed, I think it’s worth another shot.

They have a new pitmaster, and the food is much better now!

Obviously, barbecue is the star of the show. The burgers were fantastic. The loaded fries were delicious.

But listen to me.

If soup is the special that day, GET THE SOUP!!!

I have to be honest, it may be the best soup I’ve ever eaten.

If you’d rather eat somewhere else before or after your visit, check out my favorite places to eat in Branson.

And if you’re staying a few days for Christmas, I also have my favorite places to stay in Branson.

Save 15% at Shepherd of the Hills

Before you book, use my Shepherd of the Hills discount code to save 15% on eligible activities and shows.

Discount Code: SLBHILLS

GET TICKETS NOW

Remember that the 15% discount does not apply to the Christmas carriage rides.

And Shepherd of the Hills isn’t the only place where I can save you money. Check my Branson discounts before you book the rest of your trip for more discounts on shows, attractions, lodging and more.

No timeshare presentation required!

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas at Shepherd of the Hills

Can you do North Pole Adventure and Trail of Lights on the same night?

Yes. North Pole Adventure and Trail of Lights are separate experiences, but you can plan both for the same evening if the schedules line up for your date.

I would do North Pole Adventure first, arriving before dark, and save the drive-through Trail of Lights for later in the evening.

Do you stay in your car for Trail of Lights?

Yes. Trail of Lights is a drive-through Christmas light experience, so you stay in your own vehicle as you make your way through the display.

That’s why I like bringing hot chocolate, popcorn and blankets and turning on Christmas music before we get in line.

Do I need North Pole Adventure tickets to drive Trail of Lights?

No. North Pole Adventure and Trail of Lights are separate Christmas experiences with separate admission options. You don’t have to do North Pole Adventure to drive through Trail of Lights.

Does Santa come with North Pole Adventure?

Santa is part of the North Pole Adventure experience on scheduled North Pole Adventure dates. Kids can meet Santa and there are other Christmas activities throughout the property.

I would still check the schedule for your specific date before promising your kids anything because Christmas schedules can change.

Is North Pole Adventure worth doing without kids?

You certainly can, but North Pole Adventure is the Shepherd of the Hills Christmas activity I recommend most strongly for families with kids.

If I were planning an adults-only Christmas night, I would be more likely to choose Trail of Lights, a carriage ride or pair one of the Christmas shows with dinner.

How long should I plan for North Pole Adventure?

I would give yourself a few hours rather than trying to squeeze it into the end of your evening.

Arrive before dark, enjoy the activities around the property and then stay after sunset to see everything lit up.

Does my Shepherd of the Hills discount work for Christmas activities?

Yes. Use code SLBHILLS to save 15% on eligible Shepherd of the Hills activities and shows.

The discount does not apply to the Christmas carriage rides.

Discount Code: SLBHILLS
GET TICKETS NOW

What else is there to do in Branson at Christmas?

A LOT!

Shepherd of the Hills is only one of the Christmas experiences around town. I have an entire Christmas in Branson guide with more Christmas lights, shows, attractions and things to do throughout the season.

Dates, hours and individual Christmas activities can change throughout the season, so always check the schedule for your specific date before you go.