Lake of the Ozarks Holiday Season 2026: Thanksgiving to New Year’s

Lake of the Ozarks is off-season in winter, and its holiday events are spread around the lake, from Laurie and Sunrise Beach on the west side to Lake Ozark by Bagnell Dam. This page covers the events we could confirm on the Lake of the Ozarks visitor bureau’s, the City of Laurie’s, the Lake West Chamber’s and the parade organizer’s pages, read on October 30, 2026. Where a 2026 detail is not published, we say so. Shortlist lakefront homes and condos on Lake of the Ozarks rentals, then book on the property site. If you are choosing a side of the lake, see the Lake of the Ozarks neighborhood guide.

Quick answer

The Enchanted Village of Lights at the Laurie Fairgrounds is a free drive-through display from November 20, 2026, to January 2, 2027, open nightly from 5 to 9 p.m. (10 p.m. on weekends). The Lake West Chamber’s 25th Lighted Christmas Parade is Saturday, November 28, from 6 to 7 p.m. The 42nd Lake of the Ozarks Christmas Parade is Saturday, December 12, at 1 p.m. on the Bagnell Dam Strip in Lake Ozark.

The 2026 holiday calendar

Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Thursday, December 24, and Friday, December 25, 2026.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: Thursday, December 31, 2026, and Friday, January 1, 2027.

Many rentals set their own minimum stay for these nights, and it can differ from the rest of the season. Read the minimum for your exact dates on the booking site, not the general winter rule.

Enchanted Village of Lights (November 20 to January 2)

The visitor bureau’s event page lists the display from November 20, 2026, to January 2, 2027, at the Laurie Fairgrounds, 269 N Fairgrounds Road. It is open nightly from 5 to 9 p.m., and until 10 p.m. on weekends. The City of Laurie’s page describes it as more than 100 displays along the roads of the 27-acre fairgrounds. Entry is free, and donations are welcome.

Lake West Lighted Christmas Parade (November 28)

The Lake of the Ozarks West Chamber’s calendar lists its 25th Lighted Christmas Parade on Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 6 to 7 p.m. Central. The chamber is in Sunrise Beach. The listing does not give the route, so check it before you go.

Lake of the Ozarks Christmas Parade (December 12)

The parade organizer’s site lists the 42nd parade on Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 1 p.m. on the Bagnell Dam Strip in Lake Ozark. This year’s theme is Americana Christmas. The parade turns onto Bagnell Dam Boulevard and runs down to the dam. Afterward, Santa greets children at Luby’s Plaza. The site says the parade is shown live on LakeTV.

What to confirm before you pay

The minimum stay and cancellation terms for your holiday nights.
Which side of the lake the home is on, and the drive time to the events you want to see.
Whether the hot tub and fireplace are working, and whether the dock is usable in winter.
For what to bring, see the winter packing list. For what is open off-season, see things to do.

If one feature matters for a holiday stay, start with these Lake of the Ozarks pages; each lists only rentals whose own listing title or website mentions that feature: Lake of the Ozarks rentals with a hot tub (8), Lakefront rentals in Lake of the Ozarks (19), Lake of the Ozarks condo rentals (8). Confirm the feature and the holiday minimum stay with the owner or manager in writing before you pay.

FAQ

When is the Enchanted Village of Lights open in 2026?

Nightly from November 20, 2026, to January 2, 2027, 5 to 9 p.m. and until 10 p.m. on weekends, per the visitor bureau. Entry is free.

When is the Lake of the Ozarks Christmas Parade?

Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 1 p.m. on the Bagnell Dam Strip in Lake Ozark.

Does BnB Search book the stay?

No. Compare on the hub, then finish on the site linked from the listing.

Start browsing stays

Sources

Lake of the Ozarks CVB (funlake.com) — Enchanted Village of Lights (read October 30, 2026)
City of Laurie — Enchanted Village of Lights (read October 30, 2026)
Lake of the Ozarks West Chamber — 25th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade (read October 30, 2026)
Lake of the Ozarks Christmas Parade — 2026 parade (read October 30, 2026)

Things to do · Winter packing · Neighborhood guide · Weather by month · Christmas week lake weekends