Theme parks across the country are gearing up for a busy 2026 season, but Silver Dollar City might take home the cake for having the most jam-packed season of them all. The park, located in the heart of the Ozarks and voted America’s “Best Theme Park” for the past three years by readers of USA TODAY, just announced a slew of exciting updates and big reveals as part of its first annual Fan Fest, including a sneak peek at the brand-new Silver Dollar City Resort, scheduled to open in late 2026.
It’s a very exciting time to be a fan of Silver Dollar City, and if you haven’t visited the Branson, Missouri park yet, 2026 may be the perfect time to do so! Let’s catch up on what was announced and what we can expect from Silver Dollar City’s 2026 season, which kicks off on March 13.
Silver Dollar City’s Showboat launches in 2026
If you’ve ever visited Branson, then you may have heard of the Showboat Branson Belle, a classic riverboat that brings dinner and a show with a side of stunning views as you traverse Table Rock Lake. Starting in 2026, the sister attraction of Silver Dollar City will move locations to truly become a “floating extension of the park” with a brand-new name, show, and much more.
The Showboat Branson Belle will be renamed to Silver Dollar City’s Showboat and will move to a new location in 2026 to be more accessible to park goers and those staying at Silver Dollar City Resort. The boat will also launch a new show starring the Rivertown Ramblers, a “lively group of musicians whose toe-tapping performances embody the spirit of Silver Dollar City.” With a new seating configuration and a new meal to top everything off, this riverboat will surely be worth a re-visit if you enjoyed Showboat Branson Belle in the past.
PLANNING YOUR FIRST VISIT TO SILVER DOLLAR CITY? READ THIS GUIDE TO GET STARTED!
America 250 comes to Silver Dollar City
No matter where you travel across the U.S. in 2026, you are bound to find limited-time festivities as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. As part of America 250, Silver Dollar City announced a wide range of activities, promotions, and ways to commemorate your 2026 visit. It all kicks off with the Celebrate America Concert taking place on May 9 at 12 PM. The concert lineup includes appearances by The Presleys, Clay Cooper, The Haygoods, The Petersens, and Mike Patrick from Grand Country Music Hall with New South.
You can’t leave a theme park without picking up a souvenir, and in 2026 Silver Dollar City will celebrate America 250 with a brand new line of patriotic merchandise. The collection includes a bald eagle plush, drinkware, apparel, and much more. Speaking of drinkware, a new custom USA 250 Coca Cola flavor will debut at Silver Dollar City in 2026. The blend will include flavors of cherries, berries, and old-fashioned vanilla cream soda.
As a way to thank active and retired military members and their families, Silver Dollar City is expanding on its ticket promotions next year. For the entirety of the 2026 season, active U.S. military members can receive free season passports with discounts available to spouses and dependents along with retired military.
Seasonal festivals and concerts return to Silver Dollar City in 2026
Some of the best parts of a visit to Silver Dollar City are its seasonal festivals. Fan favorites are set to return in 2026, including my personal favorite Harvest Festival and the jaw-dropping An Old Time Christmas and its 6.5 million holiday lights on display throughout the park.
Here are the newly announced dates for next year’s returning festivals:
- Spring Exposition: April 2 – May 4
- Bluegrass & BBQ: May 7 – 25
- Summer Celebration: June 6 – August 2
- Southern Gospel Picnic: August 27 – September 7
- Harvest Festival: September 11 – October 31
- An Old Time Christmas: November 7 – January 2
That’s not all! During An Old Time Christmas next year, Silver Dollar City will debut a brand new nighttime parade called Stars, Lights and Christmas Nights Parade! This will double the size of Silver Dollar City’s current parade with more characters, floats, and interactive elements.
Looking for some live music next year? Silver Dollar City announced a selection of concerts taking place at Echo Hollow Amphitheatre. Circle the following dates on your calendar: Lonestar on June 6 at 7pm, Diamond Rio: September 12 at 6pm, and Aaron Tippin: September 19 at 6pm.
New must-have souvenirs
In addition to the America 250 collection, Silver Dollar City will launch several new items that all you theme park merchandise collectors (myself included) will want to add to your shelves. If you’ve ever shopped at Silver Dollar City, you are probably familiar with its signature newspaper bags. Those bags are front and center in this new merch collection that launches in 2026. You’ll be able to shop for umbrellas, baseballs, hats, hoodies, puzzles, playing cards, mugs, postcards, Sherpa throws and ornaments with the new design.
Theme parks have gone all-in on souvenir popcorn buckets, and Silver Dollar City is joining the fold in 2026. Their first-ever souvenir refillable lantern bucket pays homage to Marvel Cave, and yes, it lights up!
The souvenir lantern refills will be eligible with popcorn, kettle corn, and cotton candy.
A sneak peek from Silver Dollar City Resort
The season will be anchored by the grand opening of Silver Dollar City Resort, scheduled for completion in late 2026. Its opening will represent the first theme park resort in America’s heartland, and crews are hard at work to bring this stunning property to life!
I had the chance to tour the site of Silver Dollar City Resort last season after its announcement and I can confirm the views of the Ozarks and Table Rock Lake will be stunning.
New concept art was revealed during Fan Fest, including a first look at the lobby area which is inspired by Marvel Cave (the cave that Silver Dollar City sits on top of) complete with stonework and lanterns.
The heart of the resort will also feature a nearly four-story window that will frame those stunning panoramic views I mentioned.
Outside, families will find fire pits, landscaping, and an outdoor pool. Inside, families will find 262 rooms, including family suites with bunk beds. Door-to-door transportation to Silver Dollar City will also be available to guests.
Silver Dollar City Resort looks to be the perfect capstone to what is shaping up to be an exciting 2026 season! Be sure to follow along for more of the latest news and updates from Silver Dollar Resort and other theme parks across the country.
FIND OUT WHAT OTHER MAJOR PROJECTS ARE LAUNCHING AT THEME PARKS ACROSS AMERICA IN 2026
NEW: Silver Dollar City Announces Plans For 2026 Season at First Annual Fan Fest was originally published on The World of Spark.
