The Shops at Hudson Yards Unveils Holiday Décor and Experience Featuring Augmented Reality North Pole with Virtual Santa

NEW YORK (November 13, 2020) - Hudson Yards today unveiled new holiday décor, concierge services and activations offering touchless and socially distant experiences for New Yorker’s most beloved holiday shopping traditions. Beginning November 22, Hudson Yards’ seasonal activations will transport shoppers to the North Pole and Santa’s Workshop, with a direct video chat to Mr. Claus, through the FREE augmented reality, geolocation Membit APP that has designed a holiday channel exclusively for Hudson Yards. Additional new offerings for this holiday season include: virtual personal styling, contactless holiday shopping services, free parking, an exclusive neighborhood gift guide, day packages, and an all new, one-of-a-kind décor display, “Shine Bright,” featuring more than 115 miles of twinkling string lights throughout the neighborhood.

“New York City’s famous holiday charm has always brought people together, and having a place to safely celebrate traditions is more important than ever this year,” said Stacey Feder, Chief Marketing Officer, Hudson Yards. “With many people staying closer to home this holiday season, it was important to us to create a destination that combined the most iconic seasonal activities—from visiting Santa, to experiencing the City’s breathtaking light displays, to holiday shopping—with services that maximize ease and flexibility for visitors from the Tri-State area.”

Beginning November 22, visitors to Hudson Yards are invited to experience:

Shine Bright: Hudson Yards’ all new holiday décor program will illuminate the Public Square and Gardens, The Shops at Hudson Yards, Vessel and Edge adorned in 2,050,000 white lights, 725 evergreen trees and larger-than-life set pieces that invite New Yorkers to rediscover the magic of the holidays in New York City.

Hudson Yards Santa Station, A Virtual Visit: After downloading the FREE Membit APP guests will be transported through augmented reality to the North Pole and Santa’s Workshop where they will be able to walk through mounds of snow, along candy cane lanes, pose for pictures alongside animated polar bears, elves, penguins, Rudolph, and more. Stepping inside an open-air phone booth, guests can enjoy a special video chat with Santa Claus through the Membit APP. Membit is available for download on iOS devices and the exclusive Hudson Yards geolocation holiday channel will appear when guests arrive at The Shops.

Contactless Personal Shopping: Hudson Yards has created a concierge service that allows shoppers to email their holiday wish list to a team of professional shopping “elves” who will do all your shopping for you at The Shops at Hudson Yards. There is no fee for the personal shoppers and gifts can either be picked-up on site or delivered to your door, courier service fee not included.

Day Packages & Neighborhood Gift Guide: Hudson Yards takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list with the Hudson Yards Gift Guide featuring items at every price-point, including many that cannot be found anywhere else. We have also curated the perfect holiday afternoon in a variety of themed day packages, including:

• “Afternoon For Two” package featuring a welcome gift, 30-minute personal styling consultation with a Hudson Yards stylist, a pre-fixe three course lunch at the renown Estiatorio Milos, and Vessel Flex Pass Tickets for $110.

• “Wellness Escape” package featuring welcome gift, two-in-one guided meditation manicure and pedicure at Sundays, a Lululemon individualized fit styling session, and Vessel Flex Pass Ticket for $170.

• Personalized styling sessions with Hudson Yards’ Style Director, Kate Powell starting at $375 for a two-hour session.

Free Parking: Hudson Yards will also offer free parking throughout the holiday season for guests who spend $300 or more from 11a.m.-7p.m. in same day receipts at The Shops and Restaurants. The participating parking garage, MPG Parking, is located at 545 W 30th St, New York, NY 10001 and the Concierge Desk on Level 1 will validate tickets.

The Shops at Hudson Yards are open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. Joining The Shops leading brands in every category from luxury to fast-fashion, are new stores from Forum by B8ta, Goodlife, Levi’s, Marli New York, Sunglass Hut, Therabody and more. Spanish Diner at Mercado Little Spain, Milos, Peak, Queensyard Café and Shake Shack are all open for indoor dining. Miznon’s newest location is opening soon on Level 4 of The Shops for indoor dining and grab-and-go. Miznon joins Hudson Yards’ array of fast casual dining offerings including Fuku, Blue Bottle Coffee, Bluestone Lane, Jack’s Stir Brew, Sweetgreen, Teak Tearoom at The Conservatory, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream that are all open for to-go orders.

Hudson Yards has been working in close collaboration with the Mount Sinai Health System to implement enhanced health and safety measures that meet or exceed current public health guidance from local, state and federal authorities, including requiring face coverings at all times and reimagining the visitor journey to offer a socially distanced and almost completely ‘touchless’ experience. Additional safety protocols include: increased, rigorous cleaning procedures; timed tickets at Edge and Vessel with staggered arrival to minimize queues; temperature screenings at Edge; floor markings throughout to encourage social distancing; touch-less elevators operating at reduced capacities; and more.

Images and B-roll of Virtual Santa are available for download here.

For more information about the holidays at Hudson Yards, including a complete listing of shopping and dining offerings and to book day packages and personal styling appointments, please visit www.HudsonYardsNewYork.com.

ABOUT HUDSON YARDS:

Hudson Yards is a new neighborhood on Manhattan’s West Side developed by Related Companies and Oxford Properties Group. Hudson Yards is home to a collection of leading retail brands in every category from luxury to fast fashion, including new experiential concepts and first-ever stores from popular online retailers. The neighborhood features restaurants and food experiences by chefs and restaurateurs José Andrés, David Chang, Michael Lomonaco, Costas Spiliadis, Stephen Starr, rhubarb hospitality collection, D&D London and more; dynamic cultural institutions; state-of-the-art modern residences; more than five acres of public plazas, gardens and groves; the world’s first Equinox Hotel; commercial office space for industry leaders including Facebook, WarnerMedia, BlackRock, and more; and eventually a new 750-seat public school–all offering unparalleled amenities for residents, employees and guests. For more information on Hudson Yards, please visit www.HudsonYardsNewYork.com.

PRESS CONTACTS:

Related Companies
Kathleen Anne Corless
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Optimist Consulting
Luke Matheney
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