On Friday, Nov. 24, Southlands, Colorado's largest retail destination, will kick off its holiday festivities at 5 p.m. with a grand lighting ceremony of the 32-foot living white fir tree, Santa Claus' arrival, an Art of Norman Rockwell exhibition and live holiday entertainment. The evening's events, which are sponsored by Centex Homes, will take place at the north end of Main Street in The Plaza.
An American tradition arrives at Southlands' Main Street just in time for the holidays as twenty of Norman Rockwell's classic images are prominently featured around the shopping center. Beginning on Nov. 24 and lasting through Dec. 31, The Art of Norman Rockwell exhibition includes 11 interactive displays for shoppers and visitors to enjoy along Main Street as well as 20 different banner images that will decorate the entire shopping center this holiday season.
"The Art of Norman Rockwell is the visual depiction of the best of American life, and there's no better place to showcase these historical works of art than Main Street at Southlands," said Don Provost, principal, Alberta Development Partners. "The pairing of an American classic and our modern day Main Street will allow for our visitors to experience something unique this holiday season as they stroll through Southlands."
This holiday season the Southlands' Plaza will be home to Santa's sleigh, a six-foot Menorah and ice skating on The Pond. Santa Claus makes his seasonal debut at Southlands on Friday, Nov. 24, from 5-9 p.m. He'll continue bringing good cheer to visitors through Sunday, Dec. 24, every Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Photos with Santa are complimentary.
Southlands will host a Festival of Lights celebration at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, the second night of Hanukkah. The evening's events will include traditional Hanukkah blessings as well as the lighting of the Menorah.
Friday, Nov. 24, also marks the opening of The Pond - the ice skating rink at Southlands. The Pond, which is sponsored by Parker Adventist Hospital, will operate through Feb. 28, 2007, during shopping center hours. Patrons can skate for up to two hours for $7. Kids under the age of eight skate for $3 and skate rentals are available for an additional $2. Fundraisers are being held at the Pond for the Aurora Area YMCA (Dec. 13) and Parker Adventist Hospital (Dec. 14) with all proceeds benefiting that evening's hosting charity.
Shoppers also can take advantage of extended hours at Southlands this holiday season. Southlands Wal-Mart is open 24 hours a day and Sam's Club will be opening at 5 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving. JC Penny and Best Buy, Ulta, Michaels and Heidi's Deli will open at 7 a.m. Other merchants at the shopping center will open at 8 a.m. on both Friday, Nov. 24, and Saturday, Nov. 25, which is two hours earlier than usual. Beginning on Monday, Dec. 11, Southlands will operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays through Dec. 21. On Dec. 22 and 23, the center will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Dec. 24 stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More information about Southlands holiday entertainment, along with a complete listing of retailers and restaurants, a birds-eye view of the shopping center's layout, a calendar of events and information about other community programs at Southlands can be found on the Southlands Web site at www.shopsouthlands.com.