Each holiday season, Big Cedar Lodge transforms into one of the most festive getaways in the Ozarks with holiday lights, family-friendly activities, and themed events that make it feel like its own little Christmas town.
This year’s Home for the Holidays theme offers more than four million holiday lights, a newly installed ice rink and tubing hill, a holiday tram light tours around the grounds, and countless seasonal events like adult gingerbread charcuterie classes and breakfast with Santa.
Big Cedar Lodge was ranked a top-five resort in the Midwest by Travel + Leisure this year, and #2 by Condé Nast Traveler. The resort’s golf reputation has been recognized as well, with GOLF Magazine naming it the #1 family golf resort in North America, and USA TODAY 10Best naming it the #1 golf resort in the United States.
Founded by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, the resort reflects his focus on conservation and outdoor experiences. His influence shapes the property through its nature-centric design, on-site attractions, and family-oriented experiences.
Cozy Log Cabins and Lakeside Cottages
Image Credit: Big Cedar Lodge.
Big Cedar Lodge offers several lodging options, but the lakeside cottages are a favorite among families. The Bass Pro Shops lakeside cottages include a full kitchen, a living area with a stone fireplace, a private deck, a washer and dryer, and separate bedrooms for added privacy. And during the holiday season, cottages are also decorated with a Christmas tree to make the stay feel even more festive.
Other accommodations at the resort include log cabins with kitchenettes, private porches, and wood-burning fireplaces, as well as larger family cottages and grand lodges designed for groups that need multiple bedrooms and complete home setups.
You can order the resort’s backyard baskets, which are fully stocked with everything needed for a home-cooked meal, from KC strip steak to fresh ground burgers. The resort’s concierge team is available via live text messaging to assist with dining reservations, activity bookings, and customized requests.
A Full Lineup of Holiday Activities and Experiences
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During the holiday season, Big Cedar Lodge becomes a festive destination from November to December, featuring more than four million lights illuminating the property and seasonal events for all ages.
You can glide across the new ice rink, zoom down the tubing hill, take a holiday tram light tour or a self-guided drive-through of the display, and enjoy holiday-themed meals like “How the Grinch Stole Breakfast”, among a long list of other family-friendly activities.
Big Cedar Lodge offers interactive experiences designed for both kids and adults. Options include activities like “Jingle and Mingle with Santa,” a gingerbread build-off, adult-only gingerbread charcuterie classes with cocktails, and the “Elf Visits” scavenger hunt in guest rooms.
The Nature at Night tour is truly unique, allowing you to drive through the Ozarks at night on a 2.5-mile electric golf cart journey along the Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail. Along the drive, you’ll experience illuminated waterfalls, rock formations, holiday light-covered bridges, and a dramatic cave experience with a stop at the iconic Bat Bar.
On-Site Restaurants That Keep You Well Fed
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Big Cedar Lodge has many dining experiences on property, from lodge-style comfort food to chef-driven regional cuisine, with several restaurants adding seasonal menus and festive touches during the holidays.
Devil’s Pool offers southern-style dishes in a timber-built dining room and features a holiday breakfast buffet from late December into early January, while dinner options include everything from rainbow trout to 16-ounce prime rib, making it a feast fit for Santa. Buzzard Bar sits beneath Devil’s Pool and serves hearty burgers, sandwiches, and comfort dishes alongside live entertainment on certain nights.
The Worman House Bistro offers an elegant fine-dining experience inside one of the property’s most historic buildings. Enjoy the Worman’s signature seafood pot pie, bison tenderloin, or savory Chilean seabass.
For an elevated meal with incredible Ozark views, Osage Restaurant at Top of the Rock highlights regional specialties in a warm, lodge-inspired setting, serving mouthwatering dishes that range from elk soup to 45-ounce tomahawk steaks.
Truman Café & Custard offers pastries, breakfast sandwiches, specialty coffee, and frozen custard in a charming Tudor-style cottage, perfect for quick meals before activities. Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill at Fun Mountain, where casual dining meets bowling alley and arcade.
Other Holiday Attractions in the Missouri Ozarks
Image Credit: Silver Dollar City.
Big Cedar Lodge offers everything you need in one place, making it easy to enjoy the resort without leaving. However, adding two nearby outings enriches the experience and adds a little seasonal cheer.
On the drive from Springfield–Branson National Airport, consider stopping at Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield. Their “Sea of Lights Enchanted Christmas” experience transforms the aquarium’s exhibits into a glowing maze of holiday lights, underwater scenes, and festive projections. It’s an easy detour from the airport and adds a holiday-themed kickoff before you even arrive at Big Cedar Lodge.
For a full-day excursion, plan a visit to Silver Dollar City and explore its “An Old Time Christmas” festival featuring over 6.5 million lights, a massive live tree lighting show, Broadway-style holiday performances, and themed dining and treats throughout the park.
Home for the Holidays at Big Cedar Lodge
Image Credit: Big Cedar Lodge.
A trip to Big Cedar Lodge during the holidays offers comfort, tradition, and seasonal fun that’s hard to match in the Missouri Ozarks.
Families can settle into cabins or cottages that feel like a true winter retreat, enjoy meals across the resort’s restaurants, and take part in holiday events that run from morning through night. Add in nearby holiday attractions, and the experience becomes even more magical.
For families, couples, and friends looking for a holiday getaway with plenty to do and easy access to the region’s most festive offerings, Big Cedar Lodge delivers a complete holiday season escape.
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