With Christmas just around the corner, most people would opt to avoid the mall scene altogether. This is understandable, when taking into account the crowds, mad rush, and endless check-out lines. But Virginia is a state that proves not all shopping malls are created equally.
Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax, for example, features an ice palace that seems borrowed from a fairy tale. Although the site is intended for kids, the magic of it is not lost on adults either. So if you have a few errands left to do, here’s a spot that will offer an extra dose of winter magic to your holiday shopping experience.
CoxNOVA/YouTube Forget about the traditional wait-in-line to take a picture with Santa shenanigans. While those are admittedly always entertaining and worthwhile, there’s something even more special awaiting in Northern Virginia’s Fair Oaks Mall.
Sally Mahoney/flickr From the minute you arrive at the parking lot, you’ll be greeted with festive decor and a cheery “shoppers x-ing” sign. While Fair Oaks Mall is scenic on the outside, it’s indoors that has the true magic.
Fair Oaks Mall/Facebook
CoxNOVA/YouTube At the heart of this shopping center you’ll find the Ice Palace, a themed wonderland experience for shoppers of all ages. Each year, the mall designates a theme for the holiday season. Past themes have included Disney’s Frozen and the beloved Peanuts Movie.
Fair Oaks Mall/Facebook
Fair Oaks Mall/Facebook This year’s theme, Santa’s Flight Academy, definitely won’t disappoint. Kids and parents will be delighted to find Santa’s Navigation Station to keep track of his schedule for Christmas deliveries.
CoxNOVA/YouTube
Northern Virginia Magazine Inside the massive 30-foot dome, visitors will encounter a truly magical scene complete with snow, lights, and even bits from holiday movies. It’s this interactive experience that makes the Ice Palace such an unforgettable place.
CoxNOVA/YouTube Kids can even put their hands up to an ice block structure and see how they measure up in size to polar bears and other winter creatures.
Northern Virginia Magazine
vtdudeutube/YouTube As far as waiting in line at the mall goes, this themed area may be just as enjoyable as meeting St. Nick himself (who, of course, is waiting just beyond the Ice Palace).
Sally Mahoney/flickr Fair Oaks Mall has been in Fairfax for over 35 years, and with attractions such as Ice Palace, it’s no mystery why folks continue to love this unique shopping center.
Fair Oaks Mall is located at 11750 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax VA 22033 and the exhibit will stay open through Christmas Eve. Have you been to the Ice Palace before? We’d love to hear about your experience there!
CoxNOVA/YouTube
Forget about the traditional wait-in-line to take a picture with Santa shenanigans. While those are admittedly always entertaining and worthwhile, there’s something even more special awaiting in Northern Virginia’s Fair Oaks Mall.
Sally Mahoney/flickr
From the minute you arrive at the parking lot, you’ll be greeted with festive decor and a cheery “shoppers x-ing” sign. While Fair Oaks Mall is scenic on the outside, it’s indoors that has the true magic.
Fair Oaks Mall/Facebook
At the heart of this shopping center you’ll find the Ice Palace, a themed wonderland experience for shoppers of all ages. Each year, the mall designates a theme for the holiday season. Past themes have included Disney’s Frozen and the beloved Peanuts Movie.
This year’s theme, Santa’s Flight Academy, definitely won’t disappoint. Kids and parents will be delighted to find Santa’s Navigation Station to keep track of his schedule for Christmas deliveries.
Northern Virginia Magazine
Inside the massive 30-foot dome, visitors will encounter a truly magical scene complete with snow, lights, and even bits from holiday movies. It’s this interactive experience that makes the Ice Palace such an unforgettable place.
Kids can even put their hands up to an ice block structure and see how they measure up in size to polar bears and other winter creatures.
vtdudeutube/YouTube
As far as waiting in line at the mall goes, this themed area may be just as enjoyable as meeting St. Nick himself (who, of course, is waiting just beyond the Ice Palace).
Fair Oaks Mall has been in Fairfax for over 35 years, and with attractions such as Ice Palace, it’s no mystery why folks continue to love this unique shopping center.
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