FEATURE
Holiday Happenings La Palmera: still the place for holiday fun BY: SARONA WINFREY
H
ard to believe, but the holidays are just around the corner. Although things will obviously look a little different this year due to COVID-19 concerns, Santa Claus will be making his annual visit to La Palmera with a special event – complete with social distancing – to celebrate his arrival on Thursday, Nov. 19. La Palmera’s traditional holiday event, featuring Santa’s Magical Illuminated Parade, presented by Apollo Towing, will be replaced with Santa’s Arrival Drive and Wave Parade. Instead of spectators sitting and watching the parade roll by, it will be the spectators who drive their vehicle by parade participants stationed all along the front of the mall. Santa’s Arrival Drive and Wave Parade route will be open from 7-9 p.m. featuring musical performances, entertainment, holiday characters and, of course, Santa himself. Details will be posted on the “Holiday Happenings” page at lapalmera.com. “La Palmera has hosted Santa’s arrival here in Corpus Christi for more than a decade,” said Amanda Sanchez, La Palmera general manager. “It’s unfortunate we can’t host our regular parade and indoor activities because it’s become a tradition for thousands in our community, but we feel as if we have come up with a fun and safe alternative for Santa’s arrival – and photos – this year.” “Safe” Santa visits will be available Friday,
Nov. 20, through Thursday, Dec. 24. For in-person visits in Center Court, there will be a life-size plexiglass holiday photo frame separating Santa and his guests, which will be incorporated into the keepsake photos. Guests will also have the option of virtual visits with Santa, which can be recorded as a keepsake. Virtual Santa visits are Monday through Thursday from 8-11 a.m. with in-person visits those days from noon until closing. Each Friday through Sunday, Santa will be in Center Court only for in-person visits during mall hours. All Santa visits, both in-person or virtual, are reservation-only this year, so there will be no walk-ups. Guests can go to the “Holiday Happenings” page at lapalmera.com for more information and reservations. Although La Palmera regularly holds multiple Pet Night events, the mall is forgoing the designated evenings this year, instead allowing guests to use the online reservation system to book pet photos at any available time. Only dogs and cats are permitted, and all animals must remain on a leash or in a carrier at all times. And while the holiday season means beloved traditions at La Palmera, it also means the start of the biggest shopping season of the year. Guests will find popular stores such as Buckle, Bath & Body Works, francesca’s, H&M, Kendra Scott, MAC, Michael Kors, Oakley and Vans,
“La Palmera has hosted Santa’s arrival here in Corpus Christi for more than a decade.”
as well as seasonal favorites including Calendar Club and Holiday Hills. This year, shoppers will also find new options for holiday shopping including the new Lush, the socially and environmentally conscious retailer known for its all-natural hair, face and body products, and fashion-forward jewelry specialist Lovisa, featuring on-trend fashion jewelry at ready-to-wear prices. “We’re very excited about the new retail and dining options, including a new Paramount Jewelers slated to open in time for the holidays,” Sanchez said. For those who can’t decide what gifts to buy, a La Palmera gift card is the perfect choice. Available at Concierge in denominations from $10 to $500, the cards are good at most La Palmera stores and food locations.
La Palmera events, including times and dates, are subject to change. For more information on La Palmera, go online to www.lapalmera.com, follow us on Facebook or call 361-991-3755.
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