The Merry Hill shopping centre in the West Midlands has officially unveiled its spectacular plans for the 2025 festive season, promising a Christmas bigger than ever with extended shopping hours, new retail pop-ups, and a brand-new family event headlined by Santa himself.
Extended Festive Opening Hours and New Retail Line-up
To help shoppers get everything they need for the big day, Merry Hill will be operating on extended opening hours from 24th November to 23rd December 2025. The centre will open from 9am until 9pm on weekdays, from 9am to 8pm on Saturdays, and from 11am to 5pm on Sundays.
Shoppers have even more choice this year with the recent arrival of new brands including Flying Tiger, Select, Lovisa, and a fully transformed M&S. Adding to the festive cheer, two new Christmas pop-up stores have appeared. The Christmas House pop-up, located on the lower mall opposite Boots, opened on Friday 21st November, offering a range of decorations and gifts. Another seasonal outlet, the Christmas Shop, has opened near Asda.
After a busy day of shopping, visitors can unwind in the centre's recently completed leisure mall, which now features Burger & Sauce alongside popular eateries like Wagamama, Wingstop, and Toledo Lounge.
A First for Merry Hill: The Festive Artisan Market
Making its debut this year, Merry Hill's first festive artisan market is set to be a major attraction. Running for a 21-day Christmas spectacular from Monday 1st December to Sunday 21st December, the market will feature 20 beautifully decorated traditional wooden chalets.
Visitors can browse a wonderful selection of handcrafted arts, unique gifts, seasonal treats, and local produce from a rotating mix of nearly 40 traders. The market will be open from 11am each day, offering a perfect opportunity to find that special, one-of-a-kind present.
All Aboard The North Pole Express
In a highly anticipated return, Santa is coming back to Merry Hill for the first time in over a decade with the arrival of The North Pole Express. This unique festive train-style experience for families will run from Friday 5th December to Tuesday 23rd December.
Tickets for this magical event are priced at £7.50 per adult and £15 per child and are available for purchase online now via the official Merry Hill website.
The centre itself has undergone a merry transformation with a bespoke decoration scheme titled 'The Flight Before Christmas'. This display features a range of handmade hot air balloon decorations, inspired by the original Jules Verne Food Court, which float throughout the mall, immersing visitors in a festive atmosphere.
Jonathan Poole, centre manager at Merry Hill, said: "Christmas at Merry Hill is always a special time of year, but this year is set to be bigger than ever as the centre continues to transform. With our brand-new North Pole Express bringing Santa to Merry Hill for the first time in a decade, families can meet the man himself, followed by a fun-packed family day out."
He added, "For those looking for the perfect gift, the Festive Artisan Market is set to host 20 stalls, with almost 40 traders taking part in the run up to Christmas, and with extra shopping time, there’s plenty of shops on offer to find the perfect gift at Merry Hill."
