By the Penang Hyperlocal team

Another year is fast approaching to its end and in typical fashion, we get to celebrate Christmas and also usher in the New Year 2020 soon.

In keeping with the celebrations, malls in the city are abuzz with festive decorations st their foyer areas which are decked with colourful and attractive yuletide atmosphere.

Queensbay Mall

Queensbay Mall’s magnificent conifer

Taking the lead is the Queensbay Mall in Bayan Lepas which has transformed its main entrance into a “Winter Joy” setting.

Shoppers will be greeted by penguins, reindeer, polar bears, owls, church bells, igloo and even snow fall occasionally.

They can also take selfies for their photo collection.

Kids can also get up close with a life size polar bear along with Santa and also the occasional stilt Santa clown appearance. Meanwhile, Santarinas will be on hand to greet shoppers.

One will find all shades of pink along with Christmas trees over 15 feet tall and a giant macaroons tree. Another 16 feet tall icing covered doughnuts ferris wheel is among the attractions.

Gurney Plaza

Over at the Gurney Plaza, they have decked the main atrium with pink coloured Hello Kitty in conjunction with the children character’s 45th-anniversary celebrations.

Shoppers can take part in interactive carnical booths and merchandises for sale.

“We wanted a change from the traditional Christmas tree and do something out of the ordinary for this Christmas, thus this new concept,” said Peter Chan, centre manager for Gurney Plaza.

Shoppers can enjoy performances of the Greenapple Ballet Academy, My Dance Station Ballet School presentations and Christmas caroling by St Paul’s Church Penang members during this yuletide season.

Gurney Paragon Mall

Fifty-five feet Golden Christmas tree at Gurney Paragon Mall

Meanwhile, The Gurney Paragon Mall has something unique planned for shoppers which includes a three-storey high golden Christmas tree located at the atrium.

Theme “Merry-Gold Christmas”, the highlight is a breath-taking golden Christmas tree, measuring at 55 feet in height. The Xmas tree is easily the tallest in the city.

There are also a 10-feet tall Christmas tree made up of 382 units of Spritzer Sparkling bottles, a golden mirror maze and plenty of beautiful photo opp décor.

During the launch ceremony recently, the giant Christmas tree was lighten up by Hunza Group Executive Director, Ms. Khor Tze Ming, accompanied by the Assistant Brand Manager of Spritzer Sparkling.

This was followed by the appearance from Santa and Santarina to cheer up the crowd and some festive performances.

Gurney Paragon Mall will also be holding entertainment and Christmas activities for the kids and adults.

For the eco-conscious, they can bring an empty can or empty bottle to the recycled booth at Spritzer Sparkling’s booth at the atrium to exchange for a complimentary bottle of Spritzer Sparkling (325ml).

On 31 December 2018, Gurney Paragon Mall will be throwing a New Year’s Eve party complete with live music and performances featuring the actor-comedian from Singapore – Gurmit Singh live band performance and also a not-to-be-missed Hatsune Miku, a singing voice synthesizer featured in over 100,000 songs released worldwide.

Straits Quay

Over at the Straits Quay, they have transformed the main entrance into a veritable Christmas playground for celebrants and holidaymakers.

Themed ‘A Whimsical Christmas’, heavy emphasis is placed on colourful ornaments and interactive Christmas decoration for the first time in the mall.

Among them are the Carouwhirl (carousel ride) and Straits Quay Express (train ride) are in place for shoppers to enjoy as part of the celebration.

Shoppers can redeem their ride ticket with a minimum spend of RM50 in a single receipt at any participating outlet in the mall. Alternatively, they can also purchase the ticket at RM10 each.

Meanwhile, those looking for the perfect Christmas gifts can drop by at the Thematic Fair held at the ground floor main lobby from now until Jan 5, 2020 to hunt for Christmas knick-knacks and decorative items.

There will also be the Santa Walkabout, Christmas Zumba Dance Party, Christmas Carolling and Santa’s Workshop for kids.

Sunway Carnival Mall Seberang Jaya

Over at the Sunway Carnival Mall in Seberang Jaya, the have set up a “Great Christmas Market” alike Colmar in France atmosphere at their concourse area.

As such Malaysians need not to travel to France to enjoy the Christmas season as the mall has brought the spectacular right to our doorstep.

Shoppers can enjoy the walk down small streets of Colmar market and marvel at the Tudor architectural style during their shopping, where they will be made to take memorable photographs at the timbered houses and stalls which are decorated and lit up to make Christmas merrier. Among those present at the recent launching ceremony was Sunway Carnival Mall manager Chai Wen Yew along with Tourism Malaysia northern region deputy director Siti Hajar Yunus.