Photos of the week: Sensory Sundays with Santa

For the first three Sundays in December, Layton Hills Mall created a special environment for children and families who could benefit from a sensory-friendly Santa Claus experience.

During the first-year event, the mall staff carefully modified lighting and reduced noice levels for a more comfortable visit at the North Pole.

The result was “an overwhelmingly positive response from the community” according to Helen Langan, spokesperson with the Layton Hills Mall.

“We felt it was a very successful event and are planning to do it again next year and thinking about ways we could expand it in the future. Many of the families who attended expressed their deep appreciation to Layton Hills Mall for hosting such a positive event for the community. Some of the parents who attended even told us this was the very first time their children had been able to visit Santa” Langan added.

Langan said “since acquiring Layton Hills Mall in August 2024, Second Horizon Capital has been working to enhance the center’s shopping experience, community programming, and entertainment offerings to support its role as a vibrant destination and central hub for the local community.”

Other holiday activities at the mall included photos with Santa, a letters to Santa station, pet photos along with pet adoptions.

According to the mall’s press release “throughout the holiday season, kids can drop off their letters to Santa at Santa’s Mailbox in Center Court. Santa will also be handing out special postcards to children when they visit him and they can fill them out and put them in Santa’s mailbox to ensure every letter makes its way to the North Pole.”

Deseret News photojournalist Brice Tucker captured the holiday excitement during the last Sensory Sunday of the season.