Mall of America® believes in the magic of the holiday season
The holiday season is back at Mall of America for another year of special moments
BLOOMINGTON, MN — November 6, 2023
The holiday season has always been a special time at Mall of America®. For generation after generation, memories are made, stories are shared, and fun is had inside our doors during this magical time of year. From kids who grew up visiting Santa at MOA, to excited parents who remember finding the best-gifts-ever for their little ones, and families who make Black Friday an annual shopping tradition. This year, we will fluff the trees extra big and open our arms extra wide as we embrace old traditions and welcome new ones, bringing everyone together for a Mall of America sized celebration of joy.
To kick off the magical season, Mall of America has crafted a guide for all things Holiday at MOA:
Holiday Mall Hours
November 1 – November 30:
- Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Thanksgiving Day: CLOSED
- Black Friday: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
December 1 – December 16:
- Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Friday + Saturday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
December 17 – January 1:
- Monday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Christmas Day: CLOSED
- New Year's Eve: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- New Year's Day: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Deck the Halls
Throughout November, the MOA Elves prepare larger-than-life holiday decor to set the stage for the holiday season. The iconic giant silver Christmas trees will be installed November 6 – 8 in the Huntington® Bank Rotunda and the holiday lights around the Mall will be turned on November 10. Capturing the MOA Elves decorating for the holidays offers fantastic photo and video opportunities. Here is a look at the holiday decor at Mall of America by the numbers:
- Two 44-foot tall trees sit in the Huntington® Bank Rotunda as a photo opportunity for guests and a backdrop for many 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 each take a full hour to hang.
- Nearly 5,000 strands of lights are hung to make the shopping avenues sparkle.
- 500 decorative trees and 3,500 poinsettias are used to decorate common areas and event spaces.
- 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.
- It takes 14 MOA Elves to transform the Log Chute into the ever-so-magical holiday Yule Log Chute each year.
Black Friday: Nov 24
Mall of America is gearing up to welcome thousands of guests back for the ultimate Black Friday experience on November 24. The largest retail and entertainment destination will open its doors at 7 a.m. for enthusiastic shoppers seeking deals from brands around the property. Plus, it wouldn’t be Black Friday at Mall of America without a variety of festive performances and of course, Black Friday prizes!
- Mystery Cards: As guests enter the North Entrance doors on Black Friday morning, 4,000 Mystery Cards will be handed out that reveal what surprise is in store for you! Guests that receive a Mystery Card will win a special prize valued at nearly $600.
- Holiday Gift Cards: The first 200 people in line at the North Entrance of the Mall on Black Friday will receive a custom holiday tote bag, a MOA coupon book, and a $25 Mall of America gift card in addition to their Mystery Card. Plus one of these lucky guests in the first 200 will be the WONDEROUS WONKA WINNER. This winner will receive a $2,500 gift card courtesy of the film WONKA, in theatres on December 15.
- Doorbuster Zone: The fun doesn’t stop there – Mall of America is bringing back the nostalgia of Black Friday Doorbusters, but in our own unique way. Guests who receive a Doorbuster on their Mystery Card will head to the Doorbuster Zone to select one of our special guests to be their designated Doorbuster to bust through a door to deliver their winnings!
Santa Claus is Comin’ to MOA
Santa Claus has departed the North Pole on his sleigh and is set to arrive at Mall of America in the coming weeks. He is thrilled to meet with millions of guests from near and far. This year, guests can meet Santa a few different ways:
Santa’s Arrival Ceremony: November 21
- Santa Claus will be making his grand entrance at Mall of America in his true jolly fashion. Guests are invited to join us in welcoming the man of the season as he formally kicks off the holidays at the Mall. Guests will be greeted by our lovely MOA Elves, delicious treats, festive musical entertainment, gorgeous décor, and of course, Santa Claus himself.
Candy Cane Institute: November 24 – December 24
- The Elf-run, Santa-approved ‘holiday research lab’ is back for another season of joy beginning November 24. Santa’s top team of Elves have set up Candy Cane Institute at Mall of America to find the true meaning of the holiday season! Join Santa’s crew as the Elves take you on an interactive tour through Candy Cane Institute. Get a behind the scenes look at the North Pole’s research department and a special visit from Santa himself. To learn more visit, Candy Cane Institute | Mall of America®.
The Santa Experience: November 18 – December 24
- Beginning November 2, guests can schedule an appointment to visit with Santa in an intimate setting. Pet Photos with Santa will be available on November 26, December 3, December 10 + December 17. Visit www.thesantaexperiencemn.com to book an appointment.
Holiday Rewards
The more you shop, the more you earn with our MOA Holiday Rewards program. Just download the Mall of America app, scan your receipts from any purchase made at Mall of America, and watch your points add up. Guests who shop, dine, or play at Mall of America can cash in for great rewards like free attraction passes, VIP Tour tickets, dining perks, and more! For more information, please visit www.mallofamerica.com/rewards.
Gift Guide
The holidays are a special time and Mall of America wants to help make your holiday shopping experience easier than ever with our official gift guide. We have recruited ten influencers to share their Mall of America best-of lists for all things fashion and lifestyle, helping you pick out gifts for everyone on your list this year. The MOA Gift Guide will launch on November 20.
Other Holiday Events
- Toys for Tots: November 6 – December 18
- Holiday Light Shows: November 10 – December 31
- Salvation Army Red Kettles: November 10 – December 23
- Festival of Trees: November 15 – January 3
- Union Gospel Mission Radiothon: November 16
- Holiday Art Fair: November 18 + 19
- The Santa Experience: November 18 – December 24
- Santa’s Arrival Ceremony: November 21
- Black Friday Weekend Entertainment featuring Bells 2 Go: November 24 – 26
- Candy Cane Institute: November 24 – December 24
- Wonka Holiday Lounge: November 24 – 26
- KQQL 108 Live Shows: December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 + 22
- Vintage Wonderland – Totally Rad Vintage Fest: December 2 + 3
- Holiday Music Festival: December 4 - 23
- Clouds Choir + KS95 for Kids Radiothon: December 8
- Holiday for Heroes: December 10
- Catholic Charities Giving Tree: December 16 + 17
For more information on all things holiday at MOA, please Visit mallofamerica.com/holiday.
ABOUT MALL OF AMERICA
At 5.6 million square feet, Mall of America is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America with up to 520 world-class retail stores and restaurants; Nickelodeon Universe, a 7-acre indoor theme park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium; FlyOver America; Crayola Experience; and more. The Mall opened in 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul and adjacent to MSP International Airport. Follow Mall of America on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Download the Mall of America app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.
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