Meet and shop your favourite characters

From 10 to 16 December, children can explore the Ackerman’s Character Shop in the Strelitzia Court, an delightful space packed with fun experiences. Young visitors will be able to get their faces painted at the Barbie Glitter and Face Paint station, scale a Spiderman climbing wall, and bounce on a Bat Cave-themed trampoline. Mickey and Minnie fans won’t want to miss the whimsical ball pit that promises hours of joy. Following this, from 17 to 23 December, Cartoonito will bring the festive spirit alive with the Batwheels activation, where shoppers can enjoy remote-control car racing, arts and crafts activities, and appearances from their favourite Cartoonito characters.

This year, the centre will install, not one, but two Disney plush-decorated Christmas trees, adorned with beloved characters like Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Elsa and other favourites from Disney’s magical universe. Set to be stationed outside Krispy Kreme and Edgars, visitors can scan a QR code and donate R50 or more to Reach for a Dream, helping make dreams come true for children with life threatening conditions.

Festive parade – a spectacle not to be missed

From 16 to 22 December, Eastgate will come to life with a daily Christmas Parade. Featuring a marching band, ballerinas, dancers and aerial acts, the parade will take place at  4PM and 6 PM each day. This delightful mobile spectacle will move through the centre, culminating in an extraordinary aerial performance on the outdoor piazza. While the parade can be seen from my many places in the mall, great spots to enjoy a meal while taking in the grand finale each day are restaurants such as Piatto, Mozambik, Simply Asia, La Parada, and Pizza Hut.

Santa’s post box and Photos with Santa

Children who are eager to share their holiday wishes can now send their requests directly to the north pole in the special “Letters to Santa” post box that will be stationed  next to the Disney Tree outside Krispy Kreme on the upper level from 1 – 24 December. Children who submit their letter to Santa can stand a chance to win a R1 000 Eastgate gift card this festive season.

Then, Santa himself will be arriving for photos from 6 to 24 December on the lower level near Edgars, giving families the opportunity to capture special memories. Photography packages start at R200, making them perfect keepsakes or gifts.

Gift shopping, gift wrapping and more fun 

Knowing that selecting the perfect gifts takes time, the centre will extend its trading hours from 13 to 23 December. With over 200 stores to explore, visitors will be able to shop, dine, and enjoy family entertainment until 9 PM each day. Popular experiences such as Road House Roller Rink, IndyKart Go Karting, , Air360 skate park and pump track, and the always-popular Ster-Kinekor cinemas will remain open throughout the holiday period, providing endless fun.

From 6 – 24 December, a gift-wrapping station will be available at Entrance 2, ensuring that gifts look gorgeous before being put under the tree.

See you at Eastgate

As always, the centre’s festive décor will provide the perfect backdrop for instagrammable photos, with new additions this year including a Christmas swing outside Woolworths, a mistletoe booth near Puma, and dazzling tunnels adorned with brightly colourful baubles.

“This holiday season at Eastgate is about being present with loved ones and creating joyful memories and we can’t wait to welcome shoppers,” said Saadiyah Kahn, General Manager at Eastgate Shopping Centre. “We’ve curated an exciting line-up of activities to make this time truly memorable for our visitors, while also offering them opportunities to spread kindness and generosity.”

Enjoy the festive spirit at Eastgate Shopping Centre this December and make the most of every moment. For more details on events, competitions, and activities, visit www.eastgateshops.com or follow Eastgate on social media for frequent updates: @eastgateshoppingcentre.

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