MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 22, 2011) - Mall of America® is offering bustling shoppers more ways to celebrate the holiday season this year. Take a load off from the hustle and bustle of preparing for the holiday by enjoying free entertainment and photos with Santa. Shoppers can also give back to the community by donating to different non-profit organizations at the Mall. Find a wide variety of holiday activities offered at Mall of America through New Years Eve:

Santa at Mall of America

Mall of America has the perfect place to pose for photos with Santa and share a holiday wish list. Mall guests have more ways to visit Santa this year:

1) Schedule an appointment: For busy families, you can schedule an appointment to visit Santa at The Santa Experience! Appointments will be available daily through Dec. 24 and will be located on Level 2, South. The appointment web site is open now. To book an appointment, guests can visit www.professorbellows.com.

Presented by Professor Bellows Specialty Photography

Nov. 12 Dec. 24

Level 2, South (S225)

2) Visit Santa at your convenience: Guests can stop by to visit Santa in Sears Court, Level 1, through Dec. 24, no appointment necessary. Share your holiday wishes with Santa and purchase great photo packages and other holiday merchandise.

Presented by WLTE, Country Inn & Suites and Kodak

Nov. 10 Dec. 24

Level 1, Sears Court

3) Pet Photos with Santa

Bring your favorite pet into The Santa Experience at Mall of America to have their photo taken with Santa. Pets of all kinds are welcome to take part in a photo opportunity with their loving owners and Santa.

Dec 4. and Dec 11.

7:30 9:00 p.m.

Level 2, South (S225)

4) Sweets and Stories with Santa: Every Saturday at 10:30 a.m., kids can enjoy Sweets and Stories with Santa in Sears Court! Snuggle up for your favorite Christmas stories read by Santas friendly elves; enjoy a yummy holiday sweet; then hop in line to meet and greet the big, jolly fellow himself! Sweets provided by Cinnabon.

Nov. 12 Dec. 17

Level 1, Sears Court

Salvation Army Bell Ringers

The little red kettles are back for this holiday season. Find the bell ringers at all Mall entrances.

Through Dec. 24

Mall Entrances

Microsoft Kinect Experience

Play in a whole new way, no controller required. The Kinect Experience Mobile Demo Tour encourages shoppers to try out the entertaining hands-free Kinect for Xbox 360 in the Mall. The Kinect identifies your voice, movement and body position to create a truly interactive and fun experience!

Nov. 17 Dec. 27

Level 1, West Market Square

Snap + Win a Black Friday QR Code Event

A 50by 30 Mall of America logo containing 100 embedded QR codes will cover the Rotunda floor on Black Friday for Snap+Win. By snapping one of the 100 QR codes with their mobile phone, 300 guests will win prizes valued at $25 up to a $1,000 shopping spree. 100 pre-wristbanded guests will participate on the hour, each hour at 6, 7 and 8 a.m.

Nov. 25

Rotunda

Make-A-Wish Season of Wishes

Start the holiday season with the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Minnesota and Mall of America® for the Season of Wishes campaign. A display of 50 wishes will be featured in Macys Court to share the stories of courageous Minnesota wish kids living with life-threatening medical conditions. Guests can stop by and help light up the life of a child by granting 50 wishes this holiday season.

Nov. 26 Dec. 10

Level 1, Macys Court

Holiday Music Festival

Guests are invited to take a break from holiday shopping to enjoy the sounds of the season. Community, professional and school groups from around the Midwest will take the stage in the Rotunda and Sears Court throughout the holiday season to entertain guests.

Nov. 25 Dec. 23

Level 1, Rotunda and Sears Court

Theatres at Mall of America® Toys for Tots Donations

Donate to Toys for Tots at Theatres at Mall of America® and receive a kids concession pack for $4. All the toys collected will be presented on KARE 11 Dec. 10. For more information visit http://theatresmoa.com/snow-day-cinema/.

Nov. 26 Dec. 10

Level 4, South (S401)

Catholic Charities Giving Tree

As a holiday tradition, the Giving Tree provides gifts to those who would not normally receive them. Each ornament on the tree represents one holiday wish for homeless and low-income families. Mall guests who select an ornament can purchase the item listed and return it to Catholic Charities in Macy's Court. Gifts will be delivered to the families before Christmas Day.

Nov. 27 Dec. 23

Level 1, Macys Court

New Years Eve Celebration

Mall guests are invited to ring in the New Year with the School of Rock Road Crew for a family New Years Eve celebration complete with live music, dancing, party favors and a ball drop! Enjoy rides and meet and greets with some of Nicks most familiar characters! Regular ride ticket prices apply. Purchase any ride ticket after 6 p.m. and receive free 2012 glasses to rock in the New Year with!

Dec. 31

6 p.m. Midnight

Nickelodeon Universe

For more detailed information please visit www.mallofamerica.com

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 15 Thursday, Jan. 1

About Mall of America®

Mall of America is the nations largest retail and entertainment complex. At 4.2 million square feet, MOA is home to more than 520 world-class shops; Nickelodeon Universe®, the nations largest indoor family amusement park; Underwater Adventures® Aquarium, a 1.2 million gallon walk-through aquarium; Moose Mountain Adventure Golf; Theatres at Mall of America® - a 14-screen movie theater with VIP theatre and more. The Mall opened in August of 1992 and is located in Bloomington, Minn., just minutes from downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. For more information visit www.mallofamerica.com.

CONTACT: BRIDGET JEWELL

Public Relations Manager

Mall of America®

bridget.jewell@moa.net

office: 952.883.8846