An open space at the new Village Green features space for concert-goers to congregate as well as a covered stage area. The newly opened Johnny Was is featured in the center.

Bridgeport Village is gearing up for the holidays with a number of special events featuring Santa, holiday characters and choirs.

At the same time, the shopping complex — which is divided between Tigard and Tualatin, with a small piece in neighboring Durham — is celebrating the remodeling or addition of several news stores.

From now until Christmas Eve, Santa Claus will meet with children in Santa’s Cozy Collage, a custom-built structure where children can find out if they are on Santa’s “nice” list.

“I’m wonderfully excited for this,” the jolly old elf said recently inside his cottage, located this year in front of Regal Cinemas. “This has been great. I’ve seen so many kids this year already, and the kids make it special.”

While COVID-19 sidelined Santa the last few years, he returned last year. In addition to listening to children’s wishlists, he will hold family pets as well for photos.

“Santa’s nice list is so long this year,” said the costumed Santa. “(Children) love coming in here and seeing the list, looking for their names.”

Visits and photos with Santa can be arranged at amusemattebooksanta.com/Bridgeport-village.

Unique to Bridgeport Village is a so-called “Silent Santa” experience, where children with sensory needs or who have sensitivities to such things as lights or music can visit Santa in a controlled environment.

“We dim the lights and there’s not music,” said Kimberly Blue, senior regional marketing director for the Pacific Northwest for CenterCal Properties, owners of Bridgeport Village. “We’ve had families who have been coming for years.”

Generally, Silent Santa visits with more than 30 families each year, but the list fills up fast. Currently, slots are only available for Wednesday, Dec. 14. Reservation are available on the same website.

Children can also drop off their letters to Santa via a mailbox at Santa’s Cozy Cottage. Blue said plans are to add even more holiday décor next year, once the refresh is complete.

Other holiday festivities include visits from carolers, holiday music, characters walking around the area and more. Visit Bridgeport’s Holiday Cheer Calendar for dates and times at bridgeport-village.com/event/Holiday-Cheer/2145564932/.

“Next year our commitment is to bring a new holiday décor package to the Village,” she said.

For children who can’t make it to the shopping center but want a holiday experience, there’s storytime with Snowflake the Elf, a virtual experience where children can view five featured virtual storytime videos.

Meanwhile, Bridgeport Village has renovated the complex’s Village Green area, which replaces the Center Court Gazebo area. That includes a space to host concerts and other events, complete with a natural wood canopy covering a stage area that has been installed in the central area of the shopping center.

Along with new concrete paths and landscaping are some grassy open areas — actually, although you probably wouldn’t know it at a look, containing artificial turf that doesn’t need to be watered, weeded or mowed.

One of the areas containing the soft turf is a new play area featuring a natural wooden obstacle course play structure. That structure includes everything from ropes to a variety of climbing elements.

As part of a major “refresh” at Bridgeport Village, several new stores recently opened, including Marine Layer, a San Francisco-based apparel store known for its soft clothing; and Johnny Was, which features bohemian chic and vintage-inspired clothing.

Also opening in December will be Madewell Men’s, Parachute and Unitus Community Credit Union.

“It’s really coming to life,” Blue said of Bridgeport’s renovation efforts, which are scheduled for completion in the New Year.