Music in the Malls (and Elsewhere)

When Christmastime starts turning a little blue, try one of these videos to lift your spirits. Most of these are "flash mobs" in shopping malls and other public spaces, others inspired by the flash mob movement.

Videos added in 2016

US Air Force Band 2016 Holiday Flash Mob- A special tribute to veterans, from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. December 2016.

Gospel Choir - Feliz Navidad- Wishing German shoppers a "Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart." December 2016.

Halleluja im Kaufhaus- A flash mob gathers in a Berlin shopping mall. November 2016.

Christmas Flash Mob in Russia- The mall looks familiar, but enjoy these singers from churches in Saratov. January 2016.

US Air Force Band World War II FLashback- A special holiday musical presentation from Union Station in Washington, DC celebrating the service and sacrifices of our nation's World War II veterans and commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of the war. December 2015.

Videos from first list in 2015

EDEKA - Kassensymphonie - November 2014 - Fun in a German grocery store as checkout aisle scanners ring out "Jingle Bells." November 2014 (This is a new link, as the original one no longer worked)

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob - More than 100 participants surprised unsuspecting shoppers with this performance of the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah. November 2010

Musical Interruption - Alphabet Photography, the producers of the Food Court Flash Mob above, return but not with a flash mob. This time, warehouse workers break into a "Musical Interruption" that sounds like "Carol of the Bells." November 2012

Gloria! - Flashmob der Berliner Stadtmission zum Advent - A flash mob gathers in a Berlin shopping mall. December 2014

Christmas Flash Mob in Bethlehem Square - The Magnificat Choir, from a school in Jerusalem, gathers in Bethlehem Square with their rendition of "Gloria." December 2014

Flash Mob the best of Christmas 2011 - The American Festival Chorus sings and dances its way into the Cache Valley Mall in Logan, Utah with "Ding Dong Merrily on High" - Simpson College sings"Hallelujah Chorus" at Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines, Iowa followed by "Ode to Joy," "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Go Tell it on the Mountain," and "O Holy Night" by an unidentified group at an unknown location. - December 2011

Flashmob of British Army musicians surprises Christmas shoppers in Gateshead's Metrocentre - "A Winter's Tale" (made famous by David Essex), followed by "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." December 2013

U.S. Air Force Band at the National Air and Space Museum - A first for the Air Force Band, with a flash mob performance of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Joy to the World" at one of my favorite museums, the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. December 2013

Ode to Joy - Flash Mob Started by One Little Girl - To pay homage to the town they love and to celebrate their 130 anniversary Sabadell Bank in Spain delighted the townspeople with an incredible symphony flash mob. Watch as they play Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and sang Ode to Joy, filling up the town with joy and beautiful music! April 2013

Chanukah Flash Mob in Freehold - Rabbi Brooks Susman and the Congregation Kol Am of Freehold, New Jersey choir kicked off a singing flash mob. Voices rang throughout both levels as 175 singers joined in singing "Feast of Lights medley" and “Jingle Bell Rock.” December 2014 

Bagpipe Holiday Flash Mob 2014 - Members of the Pacific Coast Highlanders Pipe Band, Gold Coast Pipe Band, and the Santa Barbara Sheriff Pipe Band came together for the 3rd year to perform a holiday bagpipe flash mob at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks, California on Thursday, Dec 18th, 2014.

Harbour City Christmas Flash Mob- A shopping mall in Hong Kong presents its own flash mob on Christmas Eve 2014.

Finally, this one is not a flash mob performance, but a report on Tuba Christmas across the United States.

It's Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Tuba Christmas - On CBS Sunday Morning Bill Geist traveled around the country to experience the magic and mirth of Tuba Christmas. December 2013