FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                         
November 17, 2009                                                                               


Contact:
         
Toni Smith                                            
toni@tempecvb.com
800-283-6734

  

Tempe, Ariz. – November 17, 200 Great prices on holiday gifts, festive light displays, photos with Santa and even a nightly snowfall -- Tempe is the place to be this holiday season. Complete your holiday shopping at Tempe’s shopping destinations, Arizona Mills, Tempe Marketplace, Mill Avenue District and IKEA Home furnishings. Holiday shoppers will find special promotions and events that can turn a shopping trip into a vacation for the whole family.

 

Arizona Mills

www.arizonamills.com

(480) 491-9700


Begin your Holiday Shopping on Thanksgiving Night

Also, for the second year in a row, Arizona Mills will open its doors at midnight on Thanksgiving night to help shoppers get an early start on their holiday shopping lists.

Photos with Santa Claus

Arizona Mills will kick-off the holiday season with the arrival of Santa Claus on Friday, November 13, where parents can take care of all their family’s holiday photo needs at Santa’s Workshop in the Food Court (see schedule below).

SANTA PHOTOS HOURS
Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Breaks: 1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.; 4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Break: 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Christmas Eve: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Break: 1 p.m. - 1:45 pm

Tempe Marketplace

www.tempemarketplace.com

(602) 553-2663 

First Snow Fall & Holiday Tree Lighting

Tuesday, November 24 - 6:30 p.m.

Kick off the holiday season Tuesday, November 24th at 6:30 p.m. Start the night off with a holiday ice skating performance in front of the District Stage, followed by the first lighting of the 60 foot holiday tree. Then at 7 p.m. it will magically snow! 

 

Holiday Ice Skating Rink

Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29 - 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Tempe Marketplace will be offering FREE ice skating on an environmentally sound, synthetic hybrid-ice rink in the District stage area for all ages on Black Friday weekend, Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29.

 

Let It Snow - Nightly Snow Falls

November 27 – December 24 - 7 p.m.

Tempe Marketplace is bringing back the nightly snowfall to Tempe for the holidays.  November 27-December 24, it will snow every night at 7 p.m. for 10-12 minutes at the District Stage.  The snow is made of 99% water and will dissolve upon contact, much like real snow. Let It Snow is presented by JCPenney for the second year.  The snow will be a signature attraction for Tempe Marketplace during the busy holiday season. 

IKEA Home furnishings
www.ikea-usa.com/tempe
(480) 496-5658

Thanksgiving Weekend, November 27 - 29
From November 27 to November 29, IKEA shoppers can save on holiday gifts with doorbuster specials all weekend. IKEA Restaurant & Café is featuring a free 99-cent breakfast deal and on Friday, November 27 there is a $1 meatball plate offer.


Other Seasonal Specials

From November 13 to December 13, customers can make their living room even more livable with a free white EKTORP cover when they purchase from the EKTORP furniture collection.

 

IKEA’s semi-annual clearance sale, the Winter Sale, will be December 18 to January 10. Shoppers can save 20% to 60% off select products.

 

After Christmas, IKEA will provide free breakfast to all shoppers before 10:30 a.m. from December 26 through January 3. In addition, kids eat free at IKEA (up to a $2.49 value - children 12 and under) from December 26 through January 3.

Mill Avenue District

www.millavenue.com

480-355-6075

APS Fantasy of Lights Welcomes the Season during the Kick-off Parade

Tempe really lights up during the holidays, literally! The season kicks off on Friday, November 27 with the APS Fantasy of Lights Opening Night Parade on Mill Avenue featuring floats, marching bands, equestrian units and more from the surrounding community. Over 45,000 spectators are expected to kick off their holiday celebrations at this winter wonderland festival. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the parade is topped off with a special appearance by Santa Claus himself! The APS Fantasy of Lights shines brightly all season long and into the New Year.

Find Original Artwork at the Tempe Festival of the Arts
More than 250,000 art aficionados are expected at the 41st Annual Fall Tempe Festival of the Arts, December 4-6, 2009, in the Mill Avenue District in Tempe, Arizona. Over the three day weekend, patrons can browse and purchase original art work from more than 400 fine artists and crafts persons. Art ranges from jewelry to sculpture to photography to woodworking. There are collection-worthy masterpieces as well as arts and crafts for art lovers with a limited budget. This free festival provides a street fair atmosphere with street performers, live music, the Arizona Wine Festival, a cottage edibles section and hands-on activities for children. www.tempefestivalofthearts.com.

APS Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade

Delight in the twinkling holiday lights at the APS Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade on Saturday, December 12. Festively lighted boats will light up the night on Tempe Town Lake during this free event. Evening festivities take place from 4 to 9 p.m. with the parade beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitors will enjoy special exhibits, musical entertainment, kids' activities, and a fireworks finale in Tempe Beach Park.

 

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