West Edmonton Mall kicks off Santa’s arrival with festive skate

West Edmonton Mall hosted a skate event with Santa Claus on Saturday to kick off holiday festivities for the season.

Santa Claus has come to town, or rather, to the West Edmonton Mall.

The WEM kicked off the festive season on Saturday with a skate with Santa, his team, and a host of characters like Mr. Potato Head, the Monopoly Man and none other than the Grinch himself.

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Santa, who donned a special hockey sweater just for the occasion, said he’s been skating all year at the North Pole in preparation.

The skate kicks off the WEM’s Santa-themed photos and festivities which will run until Dec. 24. Mr. and Mrs. Claus, along with their elves, will be available for photos at the North Pole Place on the mall’s first level.