Foothills Mall Launches Holiday Event Series with Tree Lighting, Santa Photos and Community Markets
Foothills Mall in Fort Collins will kick off its holiday programming November 22 with a tree lighting ceremony on the east lawn, marking the start of a six-week series of seasonal events designed to transform the shopping center into what organizers are calling the "Foothills North Pole."
The holiday lineup includes traditional Santa photo opportunities, horse-drawn carriage rides, and several community markets running through late December. The programming represents the mall's continued effort to position itself as both a retail destination and community gathering space for Northern Colorado residents.
The tree lighting ceremony will run from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on November 22. Horse-drawn carriage rides are scheduled for December 6, 13 and 20 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, also on the east lawn.
Santa photos will be available November 28 through December 24, with hours from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM Monday through Saturday and 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sundays. The mall will host a sensory-friendly Santa session December 7 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and pet photo opportunities with Santa on December 1, 8 and 15 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Regional shopping centers typically experience increased foot traffic during holiday programming. According to the International Council of Shopping Centers, retail centers see traffic increases of 10 to 40 percent during November and December, which can account for 20 to 30 percent of annual sales for many tenants.
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment reports that seasonal retail employment in Larimer and Weld Counties rises by 15 to 22 percent during holiday months, reflecting temporary hiring driven by increased demand.
Indoor activities at Foothills Mall include Reindeer Games running November 28 through December 23, and a weekly winter farmers market every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. A vintage market is scheduled for December 14 from noon to 4:00 PM, followed by the Makers Hive Market December 21 from noon to 5:00 PM.
The mall will also feature an "Ugly Sweater Hall of Fame" display from November 28 through December 31 and a Creative Endeavor Art Show running December 4 through January 27.
McWhinney and Prism Places acquired Foothills Mall in late 2023, becoming the fourth ownership group for the property since its opening in 1973. The acquisition covered all mall assets except the parking structure and activity center, which remain under ownership of the Foothills Metro District and the City of Fort Collins.
The mall is located at 215 Foothills Parkway in Midtown Fort Collins. Reservations for Santa photos and additional event information are available through the mall's website.