‘Tis the Season to Sparkle

The UmhlangaJanuary 6, 2023

Gateway’s Summer Showstoppers

 

Bringing light, love and magical memories to your festive season, the super-regional mall will delight families, friends, shoppers and holidaymakers. “Last year, we went all-in, and the response was phenomenal. This year we’ve added even more fun and festivity,” says Michelle Shelley, Gateway’s Marketing Manager. Picture-perfect festive installations throughout the mall are a ‘must-visit’ for anyone sharing the joyful seasonal spirit.

 

Visitors can measure up to SA’s largest bauble on the ground floor outside Truworths or send off their Christmas wish list at Santa’s Post Office outside Steve Madden. They can also join the Teddy Toybox party near Ted Baker, head for a romantic interlude of Jolly Wishes & Nutcracker Kisses near the Adidas store and stop for a snap Under the Mistletoe outside @home.

 

 

Festive Photo Booths

‘Tis also the season to up your festive feed on social media! We’ve created six of the best festive photo booths upstairs near the Food Republic. Style your pics with a timeless red and white Santa, or choose the striking stripes of sweet candy sticks as props for your perfect shot. “Visitors can expect a completely different snow globe this year,” says Michelle. “We’ve had such fun with World of Illusions and then the Bloom Room booths in this area. Summer holidays are always special, and this year’s awesome line-up takes inspiration from holiday postcards,” says Michelle. The photo booths, spectacular scenarios and thousands of twinkling lights and decorations are now open.

 

Museum of Memories

Not an ordinary museum, the Museum of Memories is an abundance of interactive stations for kids, teens and adults. Situated at Expo Explore, the activity-based ‘museum’ recalls fun times at the mall as part of its ongoing 21st birthday celebrations. Kids (and, in some places, adults) can ‘surf’ on an inflatable wave, balance on a hanging skateboard and whizz down into a bath of balls. Trendy teens will want to pose at the black-and-white line-drawn fashion café.

The grand finale is the Gateway to the Galaxy, an audio-visual blast into space surrounded by visuals, including the latest images from NASA’s James Webb space telescope.

“It’s been a wonderful year of sharing,” says Michelle. “Granting 21 Big Favours in 21-days on East Coast Radio was a highlight, and we’ve loved treating lucky visitors and our valued tenants with promotions and activations. We have kept the museum up for the thousands of seasonal visitors to enjoy a fun throwback to the mall’s early days.”

In the spirit of sharing, the giant Disney tree will be up in the Food Republic. As part of a charity drive, visitors can donate plush Disney characters to vulnerable children, sharing love and bringing joy. Giving back to the community and saving wrapping presents at home, Reach-for-a-Dream will have a gift-wrapping station set up in the mall.

 

 

With Gateway’s extended trading hours, it’s convenient to visit the mall more often and stay longer.