Mall of America details holiday activations
North America’s largest mall is once again gearing up for the holiday season with decorations and activities.
Mall of America is touting its incoming interior decorations that aim to get mall visitors in the holiday spirit. Two 44-foot-tall trees in the Huntington Bank Rotunda provide photo opportunities for guests and the perfect backdrop for a multitude of holiday events. Each tree has 385 branches and 32,000 LED bulbs.
In every court space of the mall, oversized ornaments weighing 200-300 pounds hang from the ceiling, with each taking a full hour to install. Nearly 5,000 strands of lights are hung to make each section of the mall sparkle.
Five hundred decorative trees are placed throughout Mall of America, while seven 11-foot-tall nutcrackers greet guests in the mall’s north entrance. Throughout the mall, guests can take photos with larger-than-life toy installations including a View Finder, Rocket Ship, Robot, and Toy Car. Nickelodeon Universe is transforming itself as well, with more than 20 Nickelodeon-themed holiday trees and giant ornaments. In addition, the Log Chute amusement ride will be transformed into the “magical holiday” Yule Log Chute.
[READ MORE: Water park plans in the making at Mall of America]
Mall of America is also gearing up for holiday shopping on Black Friday (Nov. 29). The mall will open its doors at 7 a.m., and is helping shoppers celebrate with multiple activations planned:
- Mystery Cards presented by Minnesota Lottery: As guests enter the north entrance doors on Black Friday morning, thousands of Mystery Cards will be handed out that reveal their special surprise. Prizes are valued up to nearly $600.
- Pepsi Prize: The first 200 people in line at the north entrance of the mall on Black Friday will receive a $25 Mall of America gift card in addition to their Mystery Card. Plus, one of those first 200 people will receive $2,500, courtesy of Pepsi. (Visitors must be 18 years or older to participate in the Pepsi Prize.)
- Doorbuster Zone: Back by popular demand, Mall of America's Doorbuster Zone will return for a second year. Guests who receive a Doorbuster on their Mystery Card will head to the Doorbuster Zone where one of the mall’s designated Doorbuster characters will bust through a door to deliver their prize.
Santa Claus will be at Mall of America throughout the season for photo ops. There are a variety of ways meet Santa:
- Santa’s Arrival Ceremony: Nov. 26 Santa Claus will make his grand entrance at Mall of America before Thanksgiving. Guests will be greeted by MOA Elves, treats, festive musical entertainment, magical decor, and more as the mall welcomes Santa.
- Candy Cane Institute: Nov. 29 – Dec. 24 Mall of America’s “elf-run, Santa-approved” holiday research lab is back for another season beginning Nov. 29. The Candy Cane Institute at Mall of America give visitors an enhanced environment to meet Santa
- The Santa Experience: Nov. 16 – Dec. 24 Guests can schedule an appointment to visit with multicultural Santas in an intimate setting. Pet Photos with Santa will be available on Nov. 24, Dec. 1, 8, and 15.
At 5.6 million sq. ft., Mall of America, located in Bloomington, Minn., is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America with up to 520 world-class retail stores and restaurants, and several entertainment attractions.
