Mall of America® unwraps the wonder of the holidays
The season of joy is back at Mall of America for another year of creating magical memories
BLOOMINGTON, MN — November 13, 2024
Experience the wonder of the holidays at Mall of America®. Every year, MOA® strives to create memorable moments for everyone who walks through our doors by setting the scene with larger-than-life décor, visits with Santa, and special performances. Throughout the season, we invite guests to celebrate with their friends and family, while indulging in seasonal treats, enjoying festive experiences, and exploring all the unique offerings that make Mall of America the ultimate holiday destination.
To kick off the magic, our MOA Elves crafted a guide for all things holiday at MOA:
Deck the Mall
In early November, the MOA Elves transform the Mall into a magical winter wonderland with a cheerful ambiance and iconic décor. The beloved giant silver Christmas trees installed in the Huntington® Bank Rotunda leave visitors in awe with their magnitude and beauty. Guests can also enjoy festive music that fills the Mall and sparkling displays are around every corner. Here is a look at the holiday décor at Mall of America by the numbers:
- Two 44-foot-tall trees in the Huntington® Bank Rotunda provide photo opportunity 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 the shopping avenues sparkle.
- More than 100 Mall of America team members kick off the holiday season by helping set up 500 decorative trees that are placed throughout the Mall.
- 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 transforms for Winter Break with more than 20 Nickelodeon themed holiday trees and giant ornaments. Plus, Gary the Snail even has a festive new look… but can you find him?
- It takes 14 MOA Elves to transform the Log Chute into the ever-so-magical holiday Yule Log Chute.
Black Friday: Nov 29
The most exciting day of the year at Mall of America – Black Friday! The Mall is ready to welcome thousands of guests back for the ultimate Black Friday experience on November 29. 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! For more information on Black Friday, visit mallofamerica.com/blackfriday.
- 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! Must be 18 years or older to participate in the Pepsi Prize.
- Doorbuster Zone: Back by popular demand – our iconic Doorbuster Zone will return for a second year. Last year, we took a unique twist on the nostalgia of Black Friday Doorbusters and our visitors loved it! Guests who receive a Doorbuster on their Mystery Card will head to the Doorbuster Zone where one of our designated Doorbuster characters will bust through a door to deliver their prize!
Santa’s Sleigh Lands at MOA
Santa Claus has officially departed the North Pole on his sleigh and is on his way to Mall of America! He is thrilled to meet with millions of visitors from near and far. This year, there are a variety of ways meet Santa:
- Santa’s Arrival Ceremony: November 26
Santa Claus will be making his grand entrance at Mall of America in his true jolly fashion. Everyone is invited to join us in welcoming Old Saint Nick as he formally kicks off the holidays at the Mall. Guests will be greeted by our lovely MOA Elves, delicious treats, festive musical entertainment, magical décor, and of course, the big man in red!
- Candy Cane Institute: November 29 – December 24
The Elf-run, Santa-approved ‘holiday research lab’ is back for another season of joy beginning November 29. 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, mallofamerica.com/cci.
- The Santa Experience: November 16 – December 24
Guests can schedule an appointment to visit with multicultural Santas in an intimate setting. Pet Photos with Santa will be available on November 24, December 1, December 8, and December 15. Visit 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 attraction passes, VIP Tour tickets, dining perks, and more! For more information, please visit: mallofamerica.com/rewards.
Gift Guide
Experience the wonder of the season with Mall of America’s official Gift Guide, designed to make your holiday shopping a breeze. Discover the hottest gifts of the year in categories such as fashion, tech, lifestyle, and kids – each chosen to delight everyone on your list. From stylish must-haves to cutting-edge gadgets, the MOA Gift Guide has something special for every interest. Launching on November 18, it’s your ultimate resource for a holiday filled with wonder and unforgettable surprises. To check out our holiday gift guide, please visit mallofamerica.com/giftguide.
Nick U Winter Break
Nickelodeon Universe is ready for winter break with festive adventures around every corner. Guests can admire Paul Bunyan’s classic holiday attire at the Yule Log Chute and check out fan-favorite Nickelodeon characters dressed up for the season. Throughout the theme park, visitors can expect to spot giant ornaments and trees, holiday workshops, and a nightly holiday light show! For more information on Nick U Winter Break, please visit nickelodeonuniverse.com/home.
Other Holiday Events
- Nick U Winter Break: November 4 – January 31
- Holiday Light Shows: November 11 – December 31
- Enchanted Snowflake Experience: November 11 – December 31
- Toys for Tots: November 12 – December 18
- Salvation Army Red Kettles: November 16 – December 24
- Festival of Trees: November 13 – January 1
- The Santa Experience: November 16 – December 24
- Santa’s Arrival Ceremony: November 26
- Candy Cane Institute: November 29 – December 24
- Black Friday Weekend Entertainment featuring Bells 2 Go: November 29 – December 1
- KFAN Live Show: November 29
- Clouds Choir + KS95 for Kids Radiothon: December 6
- Toddler Tuesdays™ LIVE – Winter Wonderland: December 10
- Holiday Music Festival: December 12 - 29
- Holiday for Heroes: December 15
- Catholic Charities Giving Tree: December 21 + 22
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. – 10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
December 16 – January 1:
Monday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Christmas Day: CLOSED
New Years Eve: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
New Years Day: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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, Instagram, X, and TikTok. Listen to So Much More – a Mall of America podcast, on all major platforms or watch on YouTube. Download the Mall of America app from the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.
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