Hello everyone, I am your dedicated public holiday assistant. Recently, a little friend consulted me about how busy Westfield Century City was during the 2017 holiday season. Now I will summarize the relevant problems, hoping to help the little friends who want to know.
You know, the holidays in Los Angeles are already a zoo, but Westfield Century City? That place takes the cake. Back in 2017, the mall had just gone through that massive renovation, adding a bunch of new stores and a fancy dining terrace. So everyone and their grandma wanted to check it out, especially between Black Friday and New Year’s. I’m talking crowds so thick you could barely walk past the Apple Store without bumping into someone’s shopping bags. If you’re trying to figure out if it was worth braving the chaos, or you just want to reminisce about the madness, let me break it down for you.
First off, parking was a nightmare. I mean, it’s always tough at Century City because it’s right in the middle of office towers and condos, but during the 2017 holiday season, people were circling the garages for 20, 30 minutes just to find a spot. The valet lines stretched out onto the street, and I heard stories of folks giving up and parking at the nearby movie theater lot just to walk over. If you didn’t arrive before 10 a.m. on a weekend, you were basically out of luck. And even on weeknights after work, the mall was packed with people grabbing gifts and dinner at Eataly or the new restaurants upstairs.
One thing that made Westfield Century City especially busy in 2017 was the new dining options. The rooftop terrace with places like Momofuku and open-air seating became a hangout spot, not just for shoppers but for families and couples looking for a festive night out. So the crowds weren’t just in the stores—they were spilling into the common areas, blocking escalators, and filling up every bench. I remember walking through the main corridor near the Christmas tree setup in the center court, and it felt like Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Kids were running around, people were taking selfies, and the noise level was through the roof.
Another factor: Century City is close to Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, so it pulls in tourists too. In 2017, the holiday season brought a lot of international visitors who wanted to experience an American mall at Christmastime. Plus, the mall had those giant holiday decorations and a live music calendar, which made it a destination. Stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and the Apple Store had lines wrapping around the corners, especially the weekend before Christmas. People were waiting 20 minutes just to check out at Zara. And forget about returns—the customer service desk had a line that snaked past three storefronts.
Now, if you’re wondering about specific days: Black Friday 2017 was absolutely insane. The mall opened at 6 a.m. and by 7 a.m. the parking was full. The energy was high, but so was the frustration. I heard security had to redirect traffic multiple times. And then the week between Christmas and New Year’s? That’s when everyone with gift cards and returns showed up. It was still crowded but slightly more relaxed—like a post-holiday calm before the New Year’s Eve rush. Overall, if you went in 2017, you probably left with a headache but also with some good deals and maybe a nice meal.
Questions related to how busy Westfield Century City was during the 2017 holiday season
Q: Was Westfield Century City busier than other malls in LA during the 2017 holidays?
A: Absolutely. Because of the renovation and new stores, it was one of the hottest spots in town. The Grove and Beverly Center were also packed, but Century City’s unique mix of luxury, dining, and a new layout made it a standout. Plus, it didn’t hurt that they had a massive Christmas tree and holiday events almost every night. People came from all over the city just to see what the hype was about.
Q: What were the worst times to go to Westfield Century City in December 2017?
A: Weekends from noon to 5 p.m. were pure hell. Also, the evenings after 6 p.m. on weekdays were surprisingly bad because office workers from nearby buildings would stop by for dinner and shopping. The best times were early mornings (before 10 a.m.) or late nights after 8 p.m. on weekdays. But even then, some stores like the food court stayed busy until closing.
Q: Did the mall have any special events that made it even busier in 2017?
A: Yes, they had a “Holiday on the Rooftop” series with live music, a Santa meet-and-greet, and a pop-up market. Those events drew huge crowds, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Also, the week before Christmas, they extended store hours until 11 p.m., which kept the crowds coming in waves all day long.
To sum it up, Westfield Century City in the 2017 holiday season was a total madhouse. The combination of a shiny new mall, tons of dining options, and LA’s love for Christmas shopping turned it into a human traffic jam. But if you went prepared—with patience, a plan for parking, and maybe a snack in your bag—you could still have a good time. The stores were stocked, the decorations were gorgeous, and the energy was contagious. Just don’t expect to get in and out quickly.
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