Dartmouth Mall Holiday Flash Mob Still Brings Joy 10 Years Later

The holiday season always invokes feelings of nostalgia. It reminds us of a simpler time when the magic of Santa Claus and the hopes of a white Christmas was all we needed to keep our spirits high. Even the hustle and bustle of busy shopping malls, decked out in the same holiday lights as the year before, manages to spark excitement in me for this time of year – but will bustling shopping malls be silenced by the ease of online shopping?

Going to the Warwick Mall with my dad during the holidays was one of my favorite things to do. I couldn’t wait to see the illuminated decorations in the food court and the giant wreath hanging in center court, and of course, Santa, sitting patiently in his big, red chair for children to tell him their holiday wishes. There was something so exciting about all of the holiday shoppers, shuffling from one store to another, trying to finish off their Christmas lists.

As an adult, I see now that holiday shopping isn’t always fun and carefree, but there is a sense of camaraderie amongst fellow shoppers as we all swipe our credit cards in hopes of making the holidays a little more special.

Shopping in 2021 is a bit different. I completed most of my Christmas list on Cyber Monday from the comfort of my couch in my holiday pajamas watching the Hallmark Channel. No camaraderie there, just mediocre television and PayPal receipts.

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That’s why, when I came across an old video of the Dartmouth Mall from 2011, it gave me a warm feeling inside. Hundreds of SouthCoast families flocked to the mall to participate in a flash mob, singing Christmas carols and sharing the joy of the holidays together.

If you need some inspiration to get into the holiday spirit, take a trip down memory lane and enjoy this flash mob from 2011.