Confetti-farting pigs and more to fly into Tysons Corner Center with new ‘Candytopia’ exhibit

TysonsReporter.com March 1, 2023 at 2:34pm

A candy land will soon come to life at Tysons Corner Center.

The temporary, traveling exhibit Candytopia will arrive at the mall in mid-March, filling a 16,000-square-foot space across from H&M that has previously hosted installations dedicated to the Sistine Chapel and Princess Diana.

Like the Dr. Seuss pop-up scheduled to visit the mall in April, Candytopia will feature a variety of interactive sets and photo opportunities — only this time, everything will be made out of or designed to resemble sweets.

And yes, there will be samples.

“We’re thrilled to partner with [Tysons Corner Center owner] Macerich again in bringing this sweet experience to one of its premier shopping destinations,” said John Goodman, CEO of Youtopia Entertainment LLC, which operates Candytopia. “There will be plenty of fun for people of all ages to discover and enjoy at our newest location and I am excited to see guests’ reactions to this unique entertainment experience.”

Candytopia launched in 2018 at Santa Monica Place, a California shopping center also owned by Macerich. The exhibit has since traveled around the country, including stops in San Francisco, New York City, Philadelphia and Miami.

It’s currently open in Houston and Atlanta. Past visitors have included celebrities like singers CardiB and Pink, actors Gwyneth Paltrow and Adam Sandler, and basketball player Kevin Durant, according to a press release.

Elements of the pop-up include an art gallery with pieces made out of candy, a candy confetti room “complete with confetti-farting pigs,” and a pit filled with 250,000 marshmallows. The 14 different interactive sets will feature some touches specifically inspired by the D.C. area, Candytopia says.

Tickets went on sale today (Wednesday). They cost $23 for kids aged 4-12 and $30 for adults. Kids 3 and younger can get free entry.

The exhibit will open its doors in mid-March, though an exact date is still being determined, and it will remain at Tysons Corner Center until the end of May.

Macerich declined to comment on its long-term plans for the space opposite H&M, but temporary exhibits have become a regular sight at the mall, often but not always filling vacant storefronts. A recent Nintendo pop-up, for example, was located in the court outside Macy’s and proved popular over the winter holidays.

“Ticketed attractions are part of how Macerich delivers great entertainment to people in our markets who, now more than ever, are seeking fun, in-person experiences,” Tysons Corner Center Senior Marketing Manager Lindsay Petak said.