Smart Shopping : That’s Entertainment

Again this year, Orange County malls will provide a variety of holiday attractions and promotions to entertain shoppers. Unless otherwise noted, the scheduled entertainment runs through Dec. 24:

BREA MALL

Daily photo opportunities with Santa

Tuesdays and Thursdays, variety of musical groups including singing quartets and horn quintets

BUENA PARK MALL

Daily photo opportunities with Santa

Dec. 12: Santa breakfasts with shoppers, 8 a.m. in the Choo Choo Cafe; special guests include Frosty the Snowman and other animated characters; face-painting and other carnival-like activities also available

Carolers appear sporadically

THE CITY SHOPPING CENTER

Ongoing arts and crafts display.

Friday: Costumed toy characters including dolls, elves and Santa arrive at 10 a.m.

Friday: Kramer Junior High band performs, 10 a.m.

Daily photo opportunities with Santa.

FASHION ISLAND

80-foot tree in Neiman Marcus/Broadway courtyard

Carolers stroll mall on weekends

Daily photo opportunities with Santa during mall hours

Giant toy train rides in the I. Magnin wing

Dec. 12: Hearing-impaired children can talk to Santa in sign language, 9 a.m. to noon

HUNTINGTON BEACH MALL

Friday: Santa arrives, 10 a.m.; daily photo opportunities available; giant toy train operation begins

Friday: All-American Boys Choir, noon and 2 p.m.

Saturday: tree-lighting ceremony, 7 p.m.

Saturday: All-American Boys Choir, 3 and 7 p.m.

Dec. 5: Santa breakfasts with shoppers, 8 a.m. in the food court

Dec. 5-6: Fashion shows, 1 and 3 p.m.

LAGUNA HILLS MALL

Daily photo opportunities with Santa; pets encouraged too-- roceeds will benefit the San Clemente Animal Shelter

Dec. 20: Menorah-lighting ceremony with the Chabad of Laguna Beach, 4 p.m.

MAINPLACE SANTA ANA

Daily photo opportunities with Santa.

Dec. 5: Holiday fashion show on Center Court, noon, 2, 4 and 5 p.m.

Dec. 6: All American Boy’s Chorus concert, 12:30 and 2 p.m.

Dec. 7-22: Sporadic musical entertainment.

MALL OF ORANGE

Daily photo opportunities with Santa

Dec. 5: Two 20-minute parades featuring elves, clowns, dolls and other costumed characters, 1 and 3 p.m.

Dec. 12, 19: Dickens-inspired carolers sing

Dec. 22: Children can decorate cookies, noon to 3 p.m.

MISSION VIEJO MALL

Dec. 5, 12, 19: Hearing-impaired children can talk to Santa in sign language, noon to 3 p.m.

Dec. 5: Saddleback Dance Center ballerinas perform, 4 p.m.

Dec. 12, 19: Niguel Hills Middle School orchestra performs, 7 p.m.

Dec. 14-17: Dancers from Suzanne’s Dance Factory perform in the evenings

Dec. 20: Eighth Hanukkah candle lit by Chabad of Laguna, 2 p.m., Center Court

Carolers appear sporadically

Dec. 1-23: Customer Hospitality Suite offers shoppers coffee and a place to store packages and enjoy Christmas movies

SOUTH COAST PLAZA

Beginning Friday

Carolers throughout the mall

Friday: Santa arrives, 10 a.m.; daily photo opportunities

CRYSTAL COURT

Beginning Friday

Santa’s enchanted forest opens on the third level, near Robinson’s

Daily photo opportunities with Santa

Children can ride Santa’s express train

Dec. 5: Carolers at the mall on weekends

WESTMINSTER MALL

Daily photo opportunities with Santa

Glimmer of Christmas performs weekend afternoons on Center Court stage through Dec. 20 Thursday: Thanksgiving Day Dinner in the Cafe 405 food court, noon to 2 p.m. Proceeds benefit Shelter for the Homeless

Friday: Variety show on Center Court stage, 4 and 5 p.m.

Dec. 4: Masterworks Chorale, 7 p.m.

Dec. 5: Westminster Park and Recreation dancers, 10 a.m.

Dec. 6: Huntington Academy of Dance performs, 4 p.m.

Dec. 7: Presty’s Show Stoppers, 7 p.m.

Dec. 13-23: Various school bands, choirs and community organizations sing and dance during the late afternoon hours