Magical Moments and Holiday Events this December at Westfield Old Orchard

This December, look no further than Westfield Old Orchard (Skokie Blvd. & Old Orchard Rd.; 847-673-6800) as your shopping, entertainment and overall spectacular holiday destination. The center has programming and gift ideas for all ages.

Westfield Old Orchard underwent its biggest holiday transformation yet, called Magical Moments. Oversized ornaments and 3 larger-than-life trees were setup throughout the shopping center to embrace the holiday spirit. The largest tree measures a towering 36 feet featuring a walk-through component including a touch screen interactive ornament, a wall of silver mirrored spheres, family photo booth and a light show display which runs every 30 minutes.

To formally launch the holiday season, Westfield Old Orchard is holding a Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. December 1. The night’s events will include an official tree lighting with NBC’s very own LeeAnn Trotter guest hosting and a special appearance by Skokie Village Mayor George Van Dusen.

The evening will be filled with a flurry of holiday festivities. A special holiday parade led by Santa including the Niles North Marching Band and Maine East Cheerleaders will begin at 5:45 p.m. with your favorite holiday classics sung by the Niles North High School Choir. There will be a complimentary ice skating performance by Ice-Semble Chicago and Skokie Skatium at 7:15 p.m. in the shopping center’s newly built ice skating rink located near Bloomingdale’s. The spectacular event also will include the reduced ice skating price of $6 per person (5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.). (Regular skating prices are $12 with skate rental; $10 without.)

Additionally, those who attend this special event will have a chance to enter to win 4 tickets to see the North Shore Center’s Saturday December 15 production of The Nutcracker.

There also will be sweet treats, warm beverages, retailer discounts and an opportunity to snap a family photo with Santa and his merry elves. Courtesy of partners the Museum of Science and Industry, you can meet Snoopy and Charlie Brown too!

Westfield Old Orchard also is offering a special gift with purchase during the event. Shoppers can receive a general admission ticket to Charlie Brown and the Great Exhibit (valid through February 18, 2013). Other promotions include complimentary goodie bags given to the first 250 people and the chance to receive a $10 Westfield gift card with a $250 purchase (see concierge for details).  

Westfield Brings Back Wfamily’s Story Time to Celebrate the Holidays December 1

Westfield Old Orchard’s Wfamily event series is back yet again, striving to help introduce children to learning through literature and creativity. This month’s event, Celebrate the Holidays, is held at Barnes and Nobles’ lower level, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. December 1. Kids are invited to explore their imaginations during story time with the Skokie Public Library and get creative, with a make-it-and take-it craft. The free hour-long event is open to pre-school age children with no registration necessary. Children are required to be accompanied by an adult.

Visit Festival of Trees to Help a Local Charity Through December 24

During this special holiday season of giving, Westfield Old Orchard has partnered with ten local non-profits to give back to those who may be in need. The participating organizations have decorated trees, which are displayed near Macy’s on the north end of the center. Throughout this holiday shopping season, join Westfield in the spirit of giving by voting for your favorite.

Participating non-profits include the American Cancer Society, the ALS Association, Make it Better, Alzheimer's Association, A Special Wish Foundation, North Shore United Way, Museum of Science and Industry, Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control, the Kindness Connection and Center for Independent Futures. To vote, retrieve your gold voting coin from the nearby machine and place it in the non-profits designated box. The winning decorated tree’s organization will be announced on the Westfield Old Orchard Facebook  page and will receive a $1,500 donation from Westfield.

Holiday Hunt Through December
Also during the holiday season, Westfield will host a special Holiday Hunt. Customers will search for ornaments placed on the windows of a select group of Westfield Old Orchard retailers. To claim your "found" ornaments, customers are being asked to take photos with their smart phones. Only 5 ornaments need to be found to secure your limited edition Westfield holiday ornament redeemable at the concierge center.

Westfield Old Orchard 'Ice' Skating
 For a truly winter wonderland experience, Westfield has opened an ice skating rink. The Ice rink is housed near Bloomingdales priced by the hour at $12 per person including skate rental or $10 per person if you bring your own personal skates. Hours are noon to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Holiday hours may be extended, visit westfield.com/oldorchard for details.

Love to Gift Sweepstakes
Westfield Old Orchard is offering a Love to Gift Sweepstakes for a chance to win $1,000 to spend on gifts for loved ones. Visit the Westfield Old Orchard Facebook page to register. 

New Trier H.S. Fashion Students Showcase Holiday Displays Through December 31
In a partnership with Westfield Old Orchard, local students from nearby New Trier High School have built and installed holiday displays at the shopping center to be shown through December 31. To see the displays, representing the shopping center's multitude of retailers, visit the best of home featured at Barnes and Noble, the food display in front of William Sonoma and the fashion showcase housed at the Concierge Center, symbolizing months of hard work by the students. The New Trier Holiday Showcase is the culmination of a business school partnership which began in the schoolroom during the fall semester.

Fashion Marketing and Merchandising students took part in a visual merchandising workshop led by Oak Street Design. The students gained insider knowledge and hands-on experience essential to improve their craft.