Santa Arrival Kicks Off Holiday Season at The Shops at Wailea 

Courtesy photo.

The Shops at Wailea announces their 2018 holiday events calendar with Santa’s Parade kicking off the festivities on Black Friday, Nov. 23, 2018.

The parade starts at 9:45 a.m. from Kalama Park, with Santa riding in style in a 1968 Chevy Convertible Camaro escorted by the Maui Classic Cruisers and Street Bikers United Maui.

Following the parade, families can have their holiday photos taken with beloved Santa at the Fountain Courtyard from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Photos provided by Blinnk Photography. Throughout the day, those visiting Santa will be given a delightful peppermint cookie from Honolulu Cookie Company (while supplies last).

Early shoppers arriving at 9:30 a.m. at The Shops at Wailea can take advantage of discounted deals and Black Friday sales as the first 250 customers will receive a free gift bag filled with goodies and offers from The Shops at Wailea stores and restaurants. The Gift Bag Giveaway will take place on the upper level near lululemon. In addition, shoppers will be entitled to a complimentary holiday tote bag with a minimum total purchase worth $500.

Live entertainment on Black Friday features Keoni Manuel of Aumakua Productions, Maui’s premier international and Polynesian dance company. From 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., guests can enjoy dances from Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, Mexico, Philippines, Korea, Japan and Hawai‘i.

Santa’s Visiting Hours (Photos with Santa) are scheduled:

• Nov. 23 to 25 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Nov. 26 to Dec. 20 from 1 to 7 p.m.
• Dec. 21 to 24 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Paws and Claus (treats for pets after photos with Santa): Mondays from 4 to 7 p.m. starting Nov. 26, 2018.

Gift wrapping will be offered from Dec. 19 to 24 from 9:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Christmas Eve, December 24 from 9:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. Complimentary gift wrapping for The Shops at Wailea purchases is provided by Alpha Delta Kappa. Donations are appreciated and will go towards college scholarships for Maui high school students.

Through New Year’s Eve, visitors can enjoy daily entertainment as scheduled:

• Kamehameha School’s Ukulele Band on Friday, Nov. 30 from 6 to 7 p.m.
• Maui Brass Ensemble and Maui Madrigale on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Christmas Jazz at The Shops featuring Rock Hendricks on Sunday, Dec. 2 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Festival of Harps, Dec. 8, 9, 16 & 22
• Maui Community Band on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Festival of Harps on Saturday, Dec. 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• “Joyful Hearts” sing-along caroling lead by Bonnie Newman on Sunday, Dec. 23 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

In addition, a Holiday Toy Drive will be held as part of The Shops’ partnership with Friends of the Children’s Justice Center. New unwrapped toys will be collected to support families in need in Maui County. Collection bins for donation drop-offs will be available at the entrances to the center from November 24 through December 15.

In a continued effort to give back to the community, The Shops at Wailea supports a different Maui non-profit each month with 60% of the special event parking fees going back to the non-profit. November’s non-profit recipient is Maui Community College Innovation Center. December’s non-profit recipient is Friends of the Children’s Justice Center, a private, non-profit corporation, founded in 1989 by a non-partisan group of community and business leaders dedicated to the social welfare of children and families who have been traumatized by abuse and severe neglect. The Shops’ goal is to enrich the community through exploration and discovery in the arts and music while supporting local businesses and non-profit partners. The four-hour special event parking voucher is available for $5 and can be purchased at the non-profit’s parking table.

For a complete calendar of events, activities and entertainment, visit www.TheShopsAtWailea.com.