Carriage rides will once again be available at  The Lodge of Four Seasons.

In addition to Thanksgiving meals, there are special activities to kick off the holiday season at two of the area's full-service resorts.  The Lodge of Four Seasons offers carriage rides through the resort to enjoy the festive holiday decorations.  The carriage rides are available Nov. 27-29, Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-13.  Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 6 and 13 is another holiday treat at The Lodge.  Learn more at www.4seasonsresort.com.  Thanksgiving Day at Tan-Tar-A Resort will feature a Tailgate Party with Santa and a bonfire and sing-along before the lighting of the resort's Christmas decorations. For more on Tan-Tar-A's festivities, visit www.Tan-Tar-A.com.

Visitors can enjoy holiday lights throughout the Lake of the Ozarks area at several drive-through parks featuring lighting displays that encompass thousands of brightly burning bulbs.

The Enchanted Village of Lights in Laurie attracts thousands of visitors each year.

From Nov. 17 to Jan. 1, the City of Laurie presents the Enchanted Village of Lights at the Laurie Fairgrounds.  The Fairgrounds' 27 acres will be filled with displays, from small ones to towering displays over 30 feet high.  Six new displays will be added this year and LED lights make them shine even brighter than ever.  The smiles on the faces of the visitors shine the brightest, however, as they enjoy this holiday tradition.  "Even a Scrooge smiles when he comes here," says Laurie's Events and Parks Coordinator Susann Huff. 

The Enchanted Village of Lights opens each day at 5 p.m.  The park will stay open until at least 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends.  There is no charge to drive through the village, but any donations will be put to use in refurbishing and preserving the displays for the future.  More information about the event, including exact hours of operation, can be found at www.CityofLaurie.com/EnchantedLights.

The Festival of Lights at the Shrine of St. Patrick has been a holiday staple at the Lake since 1981.

Also in Laurie, and opening Thanksgiving Day, The Festival of Lights at the Shrine of St. Patrick on Hwy. 5 is the oldest light park in the area. Started in 1981, the festival has continued to grow each year, with thousands of lights decorating the buildings and grounds. The site is also the home of the National Shrine of Mary, Mother of the Church, so this display focuses on Jesus and His mother, Mary. 

www.ShrineOfStPatrick.org.

Lights shine brightly in the City of Versailles, as well, with the city park aglow for the Unity Circle of Lights.  Beginning Nov. 26 and continuing through Jan. 1, the holiday light park will feature approximately 40 glowing and animated holiday scenes.  The light park is named for the "Unity Circle," a monument at the park entrance that shows cooperation among community members.  For more information, visit the website at www.CityOfVersailles.org.

The Lake of the Ozarks is a prime shopping destination when it comes to finding those perfect holiday gifts.

The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year.  The Lake's Osage Beach Premium Outlets mall offers extended hours and special savings on that day to make holiday gift-buying easier.  In addition, specialty shops around the area offer gifts for the home, unique clothing, jewelry and other personal items.  Antique shops are packed with treasures from the past and handmade crafts.  For more information about shopping at the Lake, click on the "shopping" tab at www.FunLake.com.

Thanksgiving weekend offers family fun in Versailles, which hosts Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Square on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 5-8 p.m.  Vendor booths will line the historic Courthouse Square and the Versailles Choir will sing on the courthouse steps. Santa will arrive on the Versailles Rural Fire Department's fire engine then adjourn to the Royal Theater.  His lap will be ready for sitting and his ears ready to hear children's gift requests.  Guests can view and bid on silent auction items in the theater's Annex.  Learn more at www.VersaillesChamber.com/Christmas-on-the-Square.

Also on Nov. 29, Laurie's 13th annual Lighted Christmas Parade begins at 6 p.m. at Central Bank, traveling north on Hwy. 5 to the Laurie Mall.  Santa will ride on a float in the parade, then visit with the children inside the mall.

The Christmas on Main Street variety show delights audiences of all ages.

The music of the holiday season is featured each year as Main Street Music Hall in Osage Beach presents Christmas on Main Street.  Holiday carols, gospel hymns, musical impersonations and comedy are all included in a great show offered by Thom and Sandy Gumm, along with their cast of talented singers and musicians.  The show is offered on weekends beginning Nov. 7 and continuing through Dec. 21.  For more information, including show dates and times, as well as ticket prices, call the Main Street Music Hall box office at 800-348-9501 or visit www.LakeMusicHall.com.

The Lake of the Ozarks' newest winter attraction, an outdoor ice rink aptly named "The Ice," opens to the public on Dec. 4 at Old Kinderhook Resort in Camdenton.  And on Dec. 5, a 9 p.m. ceremony will feature the lighting of the grand Christmas tree on The Ice. The skating rink is located next door to The Lodge at Old Kinderhook, a new 84-room expansion at the resort, which is scheduled to open early in 2015. For more information, visit www.OldKinderhook.com.

Camdenton offers a day of family fun at Christmas on the Square, Dec. 6. This all-day event features food, games, gifts and, of course, a visit from the season's guest of honor - Santa.  For more information, visit www.CamdentonChamber.com.

Whether visitors are coming to the Lake to see the lighting displays, check items off the holiday gift list or just escape the demands of the season, the area's lodging properties offer the gift of off-season savings.  Winter and holiday-special lodging rates are some of the lowest of the year at Lake-area resorts, hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and RV parks.  In some cases, travelers can save as much as 40 percent off in-season rates and give themselves the gift of a good night's rest and relaxation.