The Rouse Company Decks the Halls this Holiday Season

The Rouse Companys Premier Marketplaces are getting ready for the holiday season! Each center is hosting a number of fun, family-oriented events, just in time to welcome Santa and his elves. The busiest shopping season of the year is right around the corner...and all the good boys and girls will delight at these festive events: Here is a look at what the Premier Marketplaces have wrapped up for the 2002 holiday season:

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Cathy Kruzic/Amy Krall
Kruzic Communications
303-329-6229 Phone/303-329-3949 Fax
cathy@kruzic.com/amy@kruzic.com

Kay Standon, Director, National Advertising Program
The Rouse Company
410-992-6000 Phone
kstandon@therousecompany.com

For Immediate Release

November 25, 2002, Columbia, MD... The Rouse Companys Premier Marketplaces are getting ready for the holiday season! Each center is hosting a number of fun, family-oriented events, just in time to welcome Santa and his elves. The busiest shopping season of the year is right around the corner...and all the good boys and girls will delight at these festive events:
Here is a look at what the Premier Marketplaces have wrapped up for the 2002 holiday season:

Baltimore: Harborplace
Saturday, November 23: Santa's Arrival!
Santa arrives at his home at Harborplace after a long trip from the North Pole! Come visit Santa after Baltimore's Thanksgiving Parade. Santa is available to listen to your wish list from 10a.m.-6p.m. Sunday-Thursday and Friday and Saturday from10a.m.-8p.m.
April Cornell gives Santa and his elves a makeover! This year, Santas house will be decorated in April Cornell-inspired décor creating a holiday fantasy reflective of American casual living! Santas Elves will be wearing April Cornell designs throughout the holiday season. Guests will also receive an exclusive April Cornell Shortbread Cookie recipe. Getting a picture taken with Santa? Dont forget to ask for a coupon towards the purchase of an April Cornell frame. Shoppers can register at the Concierge Desk to learn how to win one of two April Cornell holiday prize packages! (For photos of Santas house, send an email to: afogarty@therousecompany.com)

December 2 - 24: Yuletide Caroling Celebration
Local school and church choirs perform holiday favorites during lunchtime at The Gallery at Harborplace.

December 14, 3:30 p.m.: Merry Tuba Christmas
Over 200 tubas and euphoniums perform holiday favorites at the Harborplace Amphitheatre. A classic Harborplace event!

December 31, 9 p.m.: Baltimore's New Year's Eve Celebration
Join The Reagan Years, the East Coast's premier 80s band, as they ring in the New Year at the Harborplace Amphitheatre. Fireworks at midnight.

Boston: Faneuil Hall Marketplace
November 23: Santas Arrival at Noon
   Be the first to greet Santa when he arrives at the marketplace by horse-drawn carriage.

November 23; 4-6p.m.: Annual Lighting Ceremony
Enjoy entertainment with local bellringers and choirs leading up to performances by members of The Boston Cecilia and The Boston Classical Orchestras Brass Band Ensemble. Join us as we help light up the marketplace for the holiday season with over 300,000 bee-lights! The Faneuil Hall Marketplace Lighting Ceremony marks the official start of the Holiday Season in Boston!

November 23: Downeaster Holiday Express
Starting November 23, the Express runs daily from Noon -- 4p.m. Catch the Downeaster Holiday Express Train that runs around Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

November 30; 2p.m.: Merry Tuba Christmas
Get in the holiday spirit by listening to the sounds of over 200 tubas performing your favorite holiday songs in front of Historic Quincy Market. This is a sight to be seen!

December 7-8; 12-4p.m.: Songfest
College A Cappella groups from around New England will compete on the steps of Quincy Market. Listen to Oldies 103.3 FM to vote on the winners.

December 7-8; 11a.m.-4p.m.: Shop the Season
Let carolers, musicians and street performers entertain you as you shop the season at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Receive a free tote bag with a purchase of $150 or more when you use your American Express Card.

December 31; 11a.m. -- 4p.m.: New Years Eve
Slide into the New Year! Kids can whiz down a 100-foot ice slide outside Quincy Market on New Years Eve. Rides are $1 to benefit the Childrens Hospital Fund.

November & December
Get in the holiday spirit at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. The Marketplacce is dressed to impress for the holidays with lovely decor and over 300,000 lights creating a mystical environment. Visit our many shops and buy gifts for everyone on your list! Faneuil Hall Marketplace gift certificates are also available and can be used at any of our 100 shops and 10 restaurants.

Jacksonville: Jacksonville Landing
November 29: Light Up Jacksonville
The official beginning of the holiday season in downtown Jacksonville. The lighting of the largest live Christmas tree in North Florida and South Georgia

November 30: City of Jacksonville Light Parade
View decorated boats on the St. Johns River and fireworks finale

Weekends in December: Holiday Performances
Join us each Friday and Saturday throughout December for special live holiday performances in front of our beautiful, live 50-foot Christmas tree!

December 1-18: Holiday Concerts & Choirs
   Weekday performances at 11:15am, noon and 12:45pm

December 14: Tuba Christmas
Over 100 tuba players performing holiday music!

December 28-31: Gator Bowl/New Years Eve
Join us for live entertainment and Gator Bowl/New Years Eve extravaganza! All day December 31 with Parade, 5K run, Pep Rallies, Live Entertainment and Fireworks at midnight.

Las Vegas: Fashion Show
November 22--December 24: Santa and "Holiday Hopes and Dreams" Show:
The five-minute live show features Santas arrival amid a snowstorm in a sleigh filled with everyones holiday hopes and dreams. He is greeted by a young child and together, empowered by the hopes and dreams of everyone in attendance, they create magical happenings including the appearance of a special place that rises from beneath The Great Hall. True to the centers name, the holiday production will end with a brief, exciting fashion show staged by longtime Fashion Show anchor Neiman Marcus. Show times are 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 23. Performances on Dec. 24 will be at noon and 2 p.m. In addition to appearing in "Holiday Hopes and Dreams", Santa will be available for traditional family photos daily during center hours through Dec. 24. He will be located near Starbucks (in front of the former Dillards entrance).

New Orleans: Riverwalk Marketplace
December 1, 3:30pm-5:30pm: Chanukah
Presented each year by Chabad-Lubavitch of Louisiana, this annual event features Jewish music, crafts, kosher foods and the lighting of a huge outdoor menorah.

December 5, 12, 19; 5pm-7pm: Holiday Revelry at Riverwalk 2002
Riverwalk will be hosting holiday concerts on the first three Thursdays in December at Riverwalks Spanish Plaza. Live music with character appearances from the IMAX Nutcracker in 3D will also be part of the festivities. Performances include The Poor Clares Celtic Christmas (12/5), St. Louis Cathedral Boys Choir (12/12) and TopCats (12/19). Dont forget to bring your camera to have your picture taken with Riverwalks Singing Santa and the Riverwalk Jazz Band.

New York: South St. Seaport
November 29 -- December 24: Santa Claus is Coming Downtown!
Visit with the strolling Santa seven days a week! Santa will be spreading holiday cheer every day from 11:30am -- 7:30pm Monday through Saturday and 11:30am-5pm on Sundays. Kids young and old can capture the memory with a special complimentary photo with Santa celebrating Christmas in the Austrian Alps!

November 29, 2002 - January 1, 2003: A Chorus Tree
New York City is famous for its holiday attractions and The Chorus Tree at South Street Seaport is one of the city's most popular. During the holidays, the Seaport is transformed into a winter wonderland and the Chorus Tree is at the center of activity. The beautifully decorated Chorus Tree, with thousands of white lights, will stand over 50 feet tall and this year will feature live performances by The Big Apple Chorus.
Times: Friday - Sunday, 6 performances per weekend. Performances last for approximately 45 minutes each. Friday: 6:00PM & 7:00PM, Saturday and Sunday: 3:00PM & 4:00PM
Special performances on Christmas Eve, Tuesday December 24th & New Year's Day, Wednesday, January 1st.

December: Christmas in the Austrian Alps
This holiday season, shop for your gifts at the Austrian Christmas Market, reminiscent of the charming old towns of Austria during the month of December. Stroll through beautifully decorated kiosks and discover traditional glass blown products, hand crafted wood works, hand painted ceramics, Swarovski crystal and holiday ornaments from different Austrian regions.

Philadelphia: Gallery at Market East
November 29: Santa Express
Start Your Holiday Celebration Early--The Gallery at Market East and SEPTA have joined together to create a holiday event for the whole family. On Friday, November 29, join SEPTA and The Gallery at Market East for fun-filled holiday train rides and a festive parade to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to The Gallery. Celebrate with us as we kick-off the holiday season. Visit www.galleryatmarketeast.com for train ride departure locations.

November 29: Family Fun Day
Be a part of Philadelphia Holiday Festival's first-ever Family Fun Day on Friday, November 29th (Black Friday). Begin your day by taking SEPTA's Santa Express to the Market East Station and welcoming Center City's only Santa Claus to The Gallery at Market East. Be sure to grab your free holiday shopping bag and head over into The Gallery's concourse area for Creation Stations (1-3pm), where they can make their own free police and firemen holiday costumes. They can then show their costumes off at the Holiday Costume Bash (3-4pm) in The Gallery Food Court. There will be light refreshments, entertainment and a parade of costumes.

December 2-24: Center Citys ONLY Santa
From Black Friday through Christmas Eve in the Gallerys Center Court. Santa will be available from 10am to 8pm (12/2-12/6); 10am to 9pm (12/7-12/23); Sunday 11am to 6pm; Christmas Eve 10am to 5pm. Bring your little ones with their wish lists and a smile -- Santa's ready for a photo.

December 4: Santa's Climb into the "Magic Window"
On Wednesday evening, December 4th, Philadelphia will be having its annual Holiday Festival Parade down the East side of Market Street. The Gallery at Market East's "Magic Window", on the corner of 9th & Market, will be one of the stops along the parade route. Watch in amazement as Santa climbs the fireman's ladder up into the "Magic Window"!

Phoenix: Arizona Center
December 16-21: Holiday Concerts and Choirs
Weekday performances 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Grand Staircase.

Seattle: Westlake Center
November 29, 5pm: The Westlake Center Tree Lighting Celebration
The annual program includes the lighting of the spectacular Westlake Center holiday tree, the downtown Carousel, The Bon Marché star, and a fireworks display that builds to a festive, musical celebration. In a word, wow. Its perfect for holiday family fun.

December 6, 5pm: The Great Figgy Pudding Street Corner Caroling Competition
Caroling groups (some dressed traditionally, others not so) sing carols on the streets of downtown Seattle. The party continues back at Westlake Center Plaza as audience members vote for their favorite group. The event benefits Pike Market Senior Center/Downtown Food Bank.

December 8, Jingle Bell Run/Walk
8:40am Children's Fun Run and 9:10am Adult Run/Walk
For children under 10, there's the "Run for the Elves" - a 1K fun run. It's super cute. The 5K adult fun run/walk will begin and end in the Westlake Center Plaza. Many of the walkers and runners dress in holiday-themed attire (hint). And everybody gets a long-sleeved t-shirt and jingle bells for their shoes. Proceeds benefit the Arthritis Foundation.

For more information on these, and all holiday events taking place at The Rouse Companys Premier Marketplace centers, visit www.premiermarketplaces.com and click on any marketplace.

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