Malls, shopping centers host holiday events

There’s a little something for everyone at area malls this holiday season, including items that can’t be plucked from stacked store shelves or overstuffed clothing racks.

Light shows, live music, ice skating and high-tech encounters with jolly old St. Nick are among the entertainment offerings at shopping centers throughout the Las Vegas Valley this month.

So, whether it’s a break from the retail rush that you need or an infusion of fun and festivity that you crave, consider braving the crowds of harried shoppers to attend a few scheduled seasonal activities and events.

Boulevard Mall

Santa holds court near the mall’s main entrance from noon to 8 p.m. daily through Dec. 24, posing for photos that are available for purchase.

The mall’s holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 26-27, Dec. 29-30; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 and Dec. 28; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 15-19; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 14; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 20 and Dec. 22-23; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 31.

The District at Green Valley Ranch

Santa poses for photos that are available for purchase in Suite 157 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday through Dec 21; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 22-23; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 24.

Chabad of Green Valley will host the “Chanukah in The District” menorah-lighting ceremony at the gazebo near Main Street at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 17. Live entertainment is scheduled, and attendees will receive dreidels, doughnuts and chocolate gelt.

Holiday hours vary at each retailer and restaurant.

Downtown Summerlin

Santa will sit near the shopping center’s restaurant area for photos that are available for purchase from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Saturday and Dec. 14; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily beginning Sunday, through Dec. 23; and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 24.

Through mid-January, shoppers can glide across Rock Rink, an ice-skating rink that has opened for the season. The cost is $15 per person, including skate rental. Public skating hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24 and Dec. 31; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 1. (From Dec. 22 through Jan. 3, hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily unless otherwise noted.)

The mall’s holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 8-12 and Dec. 14; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 13 and Dec. 15-18; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 19 and Dec. 21-23; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 20; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 26; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 27; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 28; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 29-30; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 31; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 1.

Fashion Show

The “Adventure to Santa” by DreamWorks Animation experience is new this year at Fashion Show and seven other malls throughout the country. In the Great Hall through Dec. 24, animated film star Shrek and his pals lead families on a free, 15-minute interactive journey to the North Pole to find Santa Claus, followed by a visit and photo with the big guy (Santa, not Shrek). Photo packages are available for purchase. Guests are encouraged to reserve online in advance for a time to participate in the adventure at dreamplaceexperience.com/#/welcome/mall/1/schedule.

The mall’s holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 8-12, Dec. 21, Dec. 27 and Dec. 29-30; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 28; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 13 and Dec. 19-20; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 14; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 15-18; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 22-23; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 26; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 31; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 1.

The Forum Shops at Caesars

Holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 24-25; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 31; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Jan. 1.

Galleria at Sunset

Santa poses in the mall’s lower-level Center Court for photos that can be purchased through Dec. 24.

During mall hours, shoppers can select a tag and purchase items from the wish list of a child in need of holiday gifts, courtesy of The Salvation Army’s annual Angel Tree program. Donations can be delivered to the charity’s representative at the Angel Tree table in the lower-level Kohl’s Court.

Also, The Salvation Army presents “Stuff the Limo,” an effort to load a limousine with donated holiday gifts for those in need, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 20 at the mall’s main entrance.

“Light Up The Night,” a holiday light show featuring 10.3 miles of wire, 54,000 lights and a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree, is presented on the hour nightly beginning at 5 p.m. in the upper and lower levels of the Center Court, through Dec. 24.

From noon to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, through Dec. 20, local choirs and musical groups will perform as part of the “Carols &Coffee on the Plaza” event.

From 3 to 6 p.m. on Sundays through Dec. 21, “Paws &Claws” allows pet owners to purchase photos of their four-legged friends (wearing leashes or in carriers) with Santa.

United Blood Services will host a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 26 in the lower-level Dick’s Sporting Good Court.

Live Christmas trees are available for purchase in the Galleria’s south parking lot daily during mall hours, which are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 8-13, Dec. 27 and Dec. 29-30; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Dec. 28; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 15-20, Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 26; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

Grand Canal Shoppes

Holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

las vegas north premium outlets

Holiday hours are 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, through Dec. 19; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 20; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 21; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 22-23 and Jan. 1; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 26; and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 27 and Dec. 29-30.

Las Vegas South Premium Outlets

The Santa Photo Experience booth, located near the food court, is open from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, through Dec. 19; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 20-24.

The mall’s holiday hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, through Dec. 19; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 20; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 21 and Dec. 28; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 22-23 and Jan. 1; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 26; and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 27 and Dec. 29-30.

Meadows Mall

Photos with Santa are available for purchase on the lower level near Sear’s court from noon to 8 p.m. through Sunday, and Dec. 8-11; noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Dec. 14; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 12-13; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 15-20 and Dec. 22-23; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 21; and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24.

On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Caring Santa will make a special appearance to accommodate visits for children with special needs who require a quiet, less-busy time at the mall to chat with St. Nick.

On Dec. 8 and Dec. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m., pet owners and their furry friends (dogs and cats only) can pose for and purchase a holiday photo during “St. Nick’s Pet Pics” nights.

In conjunction with The Animal Foundation, the mall hosts the fifth-annual “A Home for the Holidays” pet adoption event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 13 in the first-level Dillard’s Court. Shoppers who adopt a pet that day can return to the mall with their new furry friend from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 15 for a free photo with Santa.

The mall’s holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Saturday and Dec. 8-12, Dec. 27 and Dec. 29-30; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 13 and Dec. 26; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 14; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 15-19; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 20 and Dec. 22-23; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 21; and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24.

Miracle Mile Shops

Holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 24-25.

Tivoli Village

Photos with Santa are available from noon to 4 p.m. Fridays; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays (additional hours Dec. 22-24).

Furry friends and their owners can visit the store Shaggy Chic from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 to sit for a photo with Santa.

Youngsters can hop aboard a miniature train and travel around Tivoli Village throughout the holiday season. Tickets are $2 per ride, $5 for three rides.

The Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell 5K and 10K Run is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. on Dec. 13. Runners are encouraged to wear holiday-themed costumes and tie jingle bells to their shoelaces. Live entertainment will be featured, and breakfast will be provided to participants.

Designated drivers will be available to shuttle home New Year’s Eve revelers who dine at any of Tivoli Village’s 10 eateries. The complimentary rides (within 10 miles of the shopping center) will be offered from 8 p.m. on Dec. 31 through 2 a.m. on Jan 1.

The mall’s holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.

Town Square Las Vegas

In Town Square Park, children can pose for photos with Santa Claus in his Norman Rockwell-inspired home from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, through Dec. 20; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 21-23; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24.

Pet owners can bring their dogs and cats to Town Square Park to be photographed with Santa from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, through Dec. 17.

Through Dec. 24, visitors to the park can purchase a jingle-bell tree ornament for $1. Proceeds from the sale of the ornaments, which can be taken home or placed on trees at the shopping center, will benefit Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation.

On Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m., children can decorate a Christmas stocking with beads and buttons alongside Mrs. Claus. Each reservation for the event (available by calling 702-269-5000) includes a photo with Santa.

The “Snow in the Square” show, choreographed to holiday music, is presented at 7 p.m. nightly through Dec. 23, with additional 8 p.m. presentations on Friday through Sunday evenings.

As part of the “Holiday Nights &Lights” community concerts, local elementary through high school students will perform seasonal songs at 6 p.m. Thursdays, through Dec. 18.

Young revelers can ring in the New Year from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 31. Activities will include an inflatable slide and bounce houses, a climbing wall, face-painting and balloon artists leading up to a dance party and countdown to noon, when 2015 will be welcomed with a juice-box toast.

The mall’s holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Thursday, Dec. 8-11, Dec. 14, Dec. 29-30 and Jan. 1; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 12-13, Dec. 15-19 and Dec. 21-23; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 28; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 20; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.