Mall of America Black Friday 2025: Sneak Peek & Mom's Guide

Black Friday at Mall of America: What Moms Need to Know (Plus BIG Prizes, JoJo Siwa & Free Fun!)

Black Friday is almost here, which means… let the holiday craziness begin!

But honestly? If I’m going to brave the crowds anywhere, it’s going to be Mall of America—because nobody does the holidays bigger (or more fun!) than MOA.

And good news: just like every year, Mall of America is staying closed on Thanksgiving so families (and moms like us!) can enjoy the day not running around stores. The Mall officially opens at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, November 28th, and yes—there are some seriously fun perks if you’re an early bird.

The Early Morning Fun (AKA: actually worth getting out of bed for!)

If you show up early at the North Entrance, you’ll walk right into a mini celebration:

Music and hype from Nur-D and DJ Hayes
Live carolers
Free hot chocolate (my love language)
Hand warmers for those of us who refuse to wear our real winter jackets yet

They’re really trying to make the waiting experience feel festive—and honestly, I’m here for it.

Mystery Cards, Doorbusters & Prizes

Everyone entering through the North Entrance gets a Mystery Card from the Minnesota Lottery. You’ll either win:

a Silver Prize (redeemable at MOA stores), or
the biggie: a Doorbuster Prize, worth up to $600

If you snag the Doorbuster, you’ll be ushered to the “Doorbuster Zone,” where giant characters literally bust through a door to bring you your prize. MOA does not play around.

First 200 guests (18+) also get:

a Spot it! game
a $25 MOA gift card
AND one very lucky person from that group wins $5,000!

Again… getting up early is kind of sounding worth it?

JoJo Siwa Fans, Rejoice

If your kids are JoJo fans (or you secretly are), you may want to plan a post-nap visit.

At Noon, JoJo Siwa is performing live in the Rotunda and debuting her new holiday single. Afterward, 100 fans get a meet + greet, a signature bow, and a poster.

Plus—her Bow Shop pop-up is coming back with bows, t-shirts, necklaces, and more JoJo-themed merch.

Live Music, Performances & More Free Fun

Throughout the day, you’ll find more family-friendly entertainment—including:

Bells2Go musical performances (10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.)
The Rotunda filled with ongoing shows all weekend long

If you need a break from the shopping, this is where to hang out.

Deals on Attractions (Moms: THIS is where we save big!)

If you’re shopping with kids—or you’re planning future mom survival outings—these are HUGE:

💥 40% off Nickelodeon Universe Annual Passes (Nov 17 – Dec 1)
💥 BOGO free tickets at Crayola Experience (Nov 28 – Dec 1)

These alone are worth a trip. Seriously.

And they’re available both online and in person.

Holiday Rewards (Earn Free Stuff Just by Shopping)

Through the MOA app, you can upload receipts and earn rewards for:

attraction passes
dining perks
VIP experiences
and more

Bonus points kick in after certain purchases, plus Double Point Tuesdays now through Dec 16th. And MOA Insiders Premium members earn points five times faster.

Don’t Miss the Candy Cane Institute

Opening Black Friday! Think: an adorable “holiday research lab” run by Santa’s elves.

You can:

buy a photo package (includes photos, a Santa call, a postcard, and in-person Santa visit)
OR do free walk-up visits when available

This is one of the cutest Christmas experiences at the Mall.

Planning a Budget-Friendly MOA Day? I’ve Got You.

If the Mall feels overwhelming (same!), remember:

I already put together a super helpful guide:
👉 “15 Free Things to Do with Kids at the Mall of America” with a free printable scavenger hunt.

I even chatted about it on Fox 9 TV, and on the Mall of America podcast just last week, which was such a fun experience!

So if you’re bringing the kids with you on Black Friday—or honestly any day—check that out first. It’ll save you money and keep the kids entertained while you sneak in some shopping.

Black Friday Mall Hours

Thanksgiving (Thurs): CLOSED
Fri, Nov 28: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sat, Nov 29: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sun, Nov 30: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Mon, Dec 1: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Final Thoughts from a Frugal Mom

Mall of America really leans into the festive magic this time of year. Whether you go for:

✔ the deals
✔ the prizes
✔ the entertainment
✔ or the family traditions

…it’s one of those holiday experiences that feels special, even on a budget.

And hey—if you win the $5,000 Spot it! prize, I fully expect you to DM me so I can celebrate with you.

Psst…

I have a Black Friday Price Comparison Sheet 2025 to help you with your Black Friday shopping too!