7 Radically Awesome Mall Events from the 1980s

Though mall traffic has dipped in recent years, the 1980s were a golden age for shopping centers. With everything from bustling food courts to trendy stores full of JNCO jeans, plus iconic water fountains at the center, it was a shopper's paradise.

Malls weren't just about shopping—they had schedules packed with events. With steady foot traffic, show promoters knew malls were prime spots for showcasing entertainment and other attractions. Let's dive into some of the most unforgettable spectacles from the golden age of shopping malls in the ‘80s.

1. Tiffany Live in Concert

In the 1980s, the mall was the heart of the teen music scene. Record stores were stocked with albums from stars like Debbie Gibson and New Kids on the Block, and some lucky shoppers got to see live performances. Tiffany is credited with kickstarting the mall tour trend, performing hits like “I Think We’re Alone Now” and signing autographs for fans. Her Tiffany Shopping Mall Tour '87, organized by MCA Records' then-vice president Larry Solters and spanning 14 locations, helped propel sales of her debut album. Solters mentioned that the mall events allowed Tiffany to connect with audiences beyond the typical teen demographic. (Tiffany was only 15 and entering her junior year of high school at the time of the tour.)

2. Nintendo Showcases

Nintendo’s success in the '80s was sparked by live demonstrations at malls. | mr_morton/iStock via Getty Images

When the Nintendo Entertainment System launched in the United States in 1985, the video game industry was struggling. With Atari's oversaturation of the market with poor-quality games, retailers were hesitant to invest in a new console. To generate excitement for the NES, Nintendo began a campaign in the New York City area. This included a mall tour in both New York and New Jersey, where shoppers could try games like

Duck Hunt or Baseball. The event also featured R.O.B., the robot that came with the early consoles (though his slow movements failed to impress). Sega, Nintendo's competitor, followed up in 1988 with their own mall tour to promote their game lineup.

3. Meet the Characters in Costume

During the '80s, kids queued up to take a photo with Spider-Man. (The image shows comic book writer Matt Fraction.) | Kelly Sue DeConnick, Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0

For kids in the '80s dreaming of meeting their favorite pop culture icons, the mall was the place to be. Popular characters like He-Man and Barbie made appearances, ready for photos and autographs. Fans could also encounter Spider-Man, Captain America, Wolverine, Doctor Doom, and Ariel from The Little Mermaid.

4. Nick at Nite’s TV Land Mall Tour

For those in the ‘80s who longed for the nostalgia of the ‘50s and ‘60s, Nickelodeon had the perfect answer. The channel’s Nick at Nite block of classic sitcoms received a major boost with the launch of the TV Land Mall Tour in 1989. Visitors had the chance to engage with trivia and check out a replica car from Car 54, Where Are You? along with a Mr. Ed puppet.

5. The NBA Mall Tour

In the '80s, the NBA brought its excitement to shopping malls. | XinXinXing/iStock via Getty Images

Basketball fans got their fix when the NBA launched an event in 1988, inviting visitors to compete in everything from free throw contests to sneaker-tying races. Highlights from slam dunk contests were also on display.

6. The Jedi Adventure Center

Star Wars fandom received a boost in shopping malls. | Film Publicity Archive/United Archives via Getty Images

Although the Star Wars saga didn’t need more exposure, it received the mall tour treatment in 1983 with the launch of the Jedi Adventure Center, promoting the release of Return of the Jedi. Visitors had the opportunity to see original production artwork, behind-the-scenes materials, photo backdrops, and take part in costume contests. Fans could also stroll through a mini Ewok forest, though it’s safe to assume using Stormtrooper helmets as drums was off-limits.

7. Patrick Duffy

Actor and mall icon Patrick Duffy. | Alan Band, Keystone/Getty Images

Actors from both primetime TV shows and daytime soap operas were regulars at malls, as their appearances served as great publicity for their series. Third-party promoters could pay upwards of $2000 for a few hours of a celebrity's time. In 1982, Dallas star Patrick Duffy went on a mall tour, drawing a frenzy of excited fans. “Oh my God, he’s gorgeous,” fan Aggie Usedly told The Detroit Free Press. “He has beautiful dark hair, wore cowboy boots and jeans, and is taller than I ever imagined. I was just as excited as any other fan to meet him.” One fan even reportedly sat in Duffy’s lap and began kissing him before being escorted away by security.