Holidays at the Met brings Holly Jolly Fun to Metropolis at Metrotown

Date Night with Santa, Free Holiday Lounge among new offerings
at BC’s biggest shopping centre

Metropolis at Metrotown is spicing up the season with the return of Holidays at the Met, a festive, family-friendly experience that has expanded in scope and scale for 2024. The seasonal celebration will bring back old favourites like photos with Santa, as well as new adventures like a magical Holiday Lounge and Date Night with Santa.

Santa Claus is Coming to the Met

The season wouldn’t be complete without a Santa Claus meet-and-greet, which is why Metropolis at Metrotown has invited the big man back to the shopping centre for fan photos starting November 12. Throughout the season, the Met will host a series of Santas embodying diverse perspectives of the holidays, including:

Father Christmas, the classic Santa of children’s storybooks. Dates: November 12 – December 23
Global Santa, who represents many versions of the holidays celebrated by different families. Dates: November 19 and 26
Tropical Santa, who plans to pop by the centre during his post-holiday vacation. Dates: December 27-30

Rockin’ Around the Holiday Lounge

Shoppers can take a well-earned break between gift shopping and visits with Santa in the Met’s new, free-to-enter Holiday Lounge. Located near the Grand Court, the 3,500-square-foot holidayscape is festooned with twinkling lights, hanging evergreens, and a snow globe photo opp. Classic holiday movies will play throughout the day, as well as live music on select dates. A kids’ area will offer arts and crafts and other entertainments.

Beginning November 25th, guests who spend $300 or more on the same day at the Met can access the VIP Lounge, an exclusive space serving wine, a hot chocolate bar, sweet treats and light snacks. VIP guests can lighten their load with parcel and coat check-in, then sit back and relax, or decorate a holiday cookie. Plus, the first 500 shoppers to access the VIP lounge will be gifted with the Met’s red Holiday tote, which provides unlimited in-and-out-access throughout the holidays. Shoppers eager to access the VIP lounge can either present their red shopping bag or show their receipts totalling $300 or more; a guest, along with children ages 15 and younger, may also join at no cost.

Dates: November 25 – December 23

All I Want for Christmas is You (and Santa)

Did someone say mistletoe? For the first time, the Met’s new Date Night with Santa experience will welcome friends and lovers aged 19 years and older into the sultry Date Night Lounge. Taking over the Holiday Lounge for two nights only, the spicy space offers live music, a complimentary drink (including wine, bubbles or a Kir Royale), light holiday-style canapes and sweets. Each couple also gets to pose with Santa and select a digital photo of their choosing; prints are available at an extra cost. Equally suited to a romantic outing or girls’ night out, the ticketed experience costs $50 (for two guests, plus tax),

Dates: December 6 and 13

Christmas for a Cause

Once again, shoppers at The Met can give back to the community in several ways. At the charity gift wrap station, sponsored by Coast Capital Savings, shoppers can donate to Burnaby Neighbourhood House in exchange for a beautifully wrapped parcel. The Met will also run a toy drive benefiting the Burnaby Christmas Bureau, with the first 100 donors earning a $10 gift card, and every donor entered to win a $100 gift card. The photos with Santa experience will also donate partial proceeds from every image to Burnaby Christmas Bureau.

Gift wrap station dates: December 2-24

Toy drive date: December 7

Jingle Bell Rock around the Met

Also new this season is Holiday Music at the Met, where artists will roam the centre treating shoppers to musical performances. Featured artists include John Gilliat, a Latin guitarist; Bonnie Northgraves, a jazz trumpeter; and Taras Luka, an accordionist, among others.

Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays, December 3-19

“We’re thrilled to dive into this holiday season with bigger and better seasonal festivities at the Met,” said Amanda Chung, marketing manager. “From the Holiday Lounge, which everyone can access, to a toy drive and beautiful décor throughout the centre, we’ve transformed Metropolis at Metrotown into a festive storybook for everyone in the community. While offering an array of family-friendly adventures, we recognize that not everyone has the means to visit us or shop for gifts. We are grateful to our charitable partners for providing us, and all of our guests, with an opportunity to help families and individuals in need.”

Holidays at The Met runs from November 12 – December 30. Metropolis at Metrotown offers free parking and easy Skytrain access to visitors all year long. The shopping centre is open Monday to Saturday, 10am-9pm; and Sundays, 11am-7pm. Special holiday hours apply November 29, 8am-10pm; December 22, 10am-9pm; December 24, 10am-6pm; December 26, 8am-10pm; December 31, 11am-7pm; and January 1, 11am-7pm. The centre will be closed on Christmas Day. To book your visit with Santa, or browse upcoming performances, visit www.metropolisatmetrotown.com.

About Metropolis at Metrotown

With over 330 stores, Skytrain access and free parking, millions of shoppers are attracted to Metropolis at Metrotown annually. Major stores include Cineplex Cinemas, Decathlon, H&M, Hudson’s Bay, Indigo, Old Navy, Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sport Chek, T&T Supermarket, Uniqlo, Vessi, Walmart, Winners HomeSense, and Zara. For more information, visit www.metropolisatmetrotown.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin. #HolidaysatTheMet

Media release and images provided by Jorden Hutchison, Gather Public Relations.