Pietermaritzburg, 2 December 2025: Midlands Mall is preparing to welcome the 2025 festive season with a celebration filled with colour, imagination and heartfelt moments. This year’s activation, The Festive Artspace – A Fresh Canvas, will transform the centre into a place where creativity and togetherness take centre stage. With extended shopping hours, meaningful community initiatives and daily activities for visitors, the mall is ready to set the tone for a year-end holiday that feels joyful and memorable for all who walk through its doors.
A fresh Canvas for Festive Creativity
At the heart of this year’s festivities is The Festive Artspace – A Fresh Canvas, running daily from 12 to 24 December in the centre court. The space will invite visitors into a world shaped by colour and play where little artists can express themselves through an array of hands-on activities. Here, children can turn black and white pieces into colourful, vivid creations and indulge in everything from drawstring bag art to DIY sand bottles. Paint and sip sessions, alongside cloud dough fun, a giant Tic Tac Toe, a ball pond and oversized building blocks, will spark curiosity at every corner. In this space designed to offer families an uplifting pause in the middle of their shopping day, entry will be free.
Adding to the festive mood, the popular photos with Santa experience will return to the Wimpy court from 12 to 24 December. Families and friends are invited to share a warm moment with the bearded man and capture a keepsake that encapsulates the spirit of the season. Also in the Wimpy Court, the annual gift wrapping for charity initiative will support The Pietermaritzburg Community Chest with volunteers wrapping gifts and creating a simple way for shoppers to give back. Both activities will run daily from 11 am to 4 pm.
Seasonal Traditions Shaped With Care
To give shoppers extra time to select the perfect gift, the mall will once again offer extended shopping hours from 12 to 23 December, with most stores open from 9 am to 8 pm during this period. This additional time will give shoppers the opportunity to move at their own pace and enjoy a more relaxed experience as they prepare for the holidays.
A highlight of this year’s celebration is the striking 7.5 metre Disney Chari-Tree featuring dozens of Disney plush toys and the much-loved character Stitch. Beyond its visual appeal, the installation will encourage kindness by inviting shoppers to make a contribution towards Reach for a Dream.
Lawrence Joubert, General Manager of Midlands Mall, said shoppers can expect a festive period shaped by connection and creativity: “The Festive Artspace celebrates the joy of spending quality time together, whether it is through creating a crafted art piece or simply enjoying a happy moment with loved ones.”
For more information on Liberty Midlands Mall and its projects, go to midlandsmall.co.za or follow Liberty Midlands Mall on social media @libertymidlandsmall.