By Christina Caldwell
Temperatures are dropping and fall is upon us. It’s time to embrace the outdoors from a social distance, and Desert Ridge Marketplace has all of the family fun to keep you fed, entertained and happy, even during this time. Grab your mask and head out to the shopping center for free fall activities.
In the mood for some nostalgia? In times like these, there’s comfort in watching movies from yesteryear. That’s why Desert Ridge Marketplace brought back its movie series with a new classic twist with Classics in the Courtyard. View timeless favorite films from a social distance for free every Sunday at 6 p.m. in October, including “Goldfinger,” “Jaws,” “Pretty in Pink” and “Forrest Gump.” All films are shown on a massive LED screen in the Barnes & Noble Courtyard, located near Copper Blues Live and Barnes & Noble in The District shopping core.
Make Classics in the Courtyard a date night or family night out with $10 movie meals available from select restaurant tenants, including Barrio Queen, Islands, Slices, Smashburger, Tikka Shack, Thirsty Lion and Flower Child. No matter your family’s taste, there is a meal deal for every type of eater.
While you’re there, stroll through The District to view Artscapes, a window wonderland of art installations. Eye-popping colors meet creativity for window displays that inspire as you shop through the center’s The District shopping core. Browse the outdoor gallery between your favorite spots to eat, drink and shop. Think pouring paint, swooping fighter planes, light-up ice cream cones and more, perfect for that Insta-worthy selfie. Artscapes is on view through the end of December.
Plus, live music is back at Desert Ridge Marketplace! Grab your mask and a seat to watch local music favorites like Come Back Buddy, The Brightside, Cygnill and Electric Barbarella perform at The District Stage, located near Dave & Buster’s.
“Our goal is to help entertain and engage the Desert Ridge Marketplace community, and we’re here to make sure that happens in a clean, safe, distanced environment with endless options for food, shopping and fun,” says Katie Hauptman, marketing manager at Desert Ridge Marketplace. “We hope you will embrace the outdoors with us and take advantage of our free programming.”
Desert Ridge Marketplace has gone above and beyond to stay safe and clean at this time. In addition to being an open air property, which is inherently safer in preventing the spread of COVID-19, the shopping center uses a highly effective electrostatic sanitizing spray on all frequently-touched surfaces and has hand sanitizing stations located throughout the property.
Stay tuned for the holiday season, when Desert Ridge Marketplace will unveil holiday activities that will get you in the spirit of the season from a social distance. Halloween season also promises to be a scary-good time with a thrilling and chilling spider-themed art installation and safe-distance mural celebration.
Desert Ridge Marketplace is located at 21001 N. Tatum Blvd. in Phoenix. For more information, visit shopdesertridge.com or like the shopping center on Facebook at facebook.com/DesertRidgeMarketplace.
