‘Tis the season for holiday fun, and Desert Ridge Marketplace has a lineup of festive activities and events throughout the season, with abundant free photo opportunities.
Snap starry nights with sparkling holiday lights during Desert Ridge Marketplace’s first-ever Starry + Bright Star Tunnel, on view through December 31. Safely stroll through a super-sized, 30-foot-long, star-shaped tunnel. Snap photos and capture merry moments for holiday cards. The Starry + Bright Star Tunnel is free to walk through and explore any time near AMC Theatres on the east side of The District. After touring the Starry + Bright Star Tunnel, stick around to see snow fall near AMC Theatres. Every night at 7 and 8 p.m., snow magically falls from the sky, turning Desert Ridge Marketplace into a living snow globe! The magic will intensify on Christmas Eve as snow falls at the top of every single hour from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It’s a great way to capture holiday whimsy as you’re shopping for your last-minute holiday presents.
Another great family photo opportunity will be on display at the Decked the Hall hanging installation and photo booth, located near H&M in The District, on view through December 31. Gaze up at garlands of hanging holiday hats, Santa beards and star-topped trees in an artful Christmas canopy. Capture the moment at the nearby free photo booth with festive neon lights.
Feeling lucky in 2020? Head to the Wish Upon a Star wall near AMC to complete your holiday list for a chance to have your dreams come true. Desert Ridge Marketplace will surprise shoppers with $10,000 in gifts and goodies from their list. Simply scan your star, make a wish on Desert Ridge Marketplace’s website, and enter to win. The Wish Upon a Star wall is available through December 18. Winners will be selected from December 19 – December 23 and will be notified by phone and email.
Think you’ll have to skip the Santa photos this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Think again. Desert Ridge Marketplace got creative with Virtual Photos with Santa. Capture your seasonal memories from home by having your child digitally placed on Santa’s lap at picturemesanta.com. Photo packages are available for purchase. Use code “SantaDRM” for $5 off at checkout. Virtual photos with Santa are available through Christmas Eve, December 24.
Festive fun will also be available online on the shopping center’s Instagram page. Tune in Fridays through December 18 on IGTV at Instagram.com/desertridge for Sleigh These Sing-a-longs. Test your holiday pipes alongside professional crooners, carolers and District Stage favorite bands as they belt out some of the season’s classics in sing-a-long format.
Kiddos can get their fill of timeless tales of the season on IGTV, too. Mrs. Claus will venture from the North Pole to read holiday classic books for Festive Favs with Mrs. Claus every Wednesday through December 23. Check the reading list at shopdesertridge.com/holiday and grab the book at Barnes & Noble beforehand to read along with Santa’s main squeeze.
Now is your chance to give back at a time when kids need it most. Grab a tag from the Salvation Army Angel Tree, located near Dave & Buster’s, to help fulfill the holiday wishes of more than 50,000 children in Arizona this holiday season.
“We know this year has been tough for so many, so we are working hard to do our part to spread joy to the Desert Ridge community this season,” says Katie Hauptman, marketing manager at Desert Ridge Marketplace. “We have gone above and beyond with our safety standards to ensure a healthy, happy holiday for our guests.”
Desert Ridge Marketplace is located at 21001 N. Tatum Boulevard in Phoenix. For more information, visit shopdesertridge.com or like the shopping center on Facebook at facebook.com/DesertRidgeMarketplace.
