The Trains at NorthPark. Photo by Carter Rose

Holiday shopping is stressful. While I hope to do much of my shopping among our neighborhood’s excellent local businesses, I sometimes find myself at the mall in a procrastination-induced rampage to find the perfect gift for everyone in one hour.

NorthPark has a calendar full of events to (hopefully) ease the shopping stress and make your holiday season a bit more enjoyable. Check the website for details on hours, dates and prices for each event.

Fitness: Now through Nov. 24, de-stress at the Nike Training Club every Saturday at 9 a.m. in the CenterPark Garden, or at MoMe Yoga Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. in Bookmarks, the library on level one between Nordstrom and Macy’s.

Books: Saturday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Bookmarks hosts performances, readings and book signings of “Noah’s Magic Shoes” by Jane Bynum.

Angel tree: Now through Dec. 11, stop by the Salvation Army angel tree on level one near Macy’s to choose an angel and drop off a gift.

Designer dog houses: Forget designer clothes for a moment and browse designer dog houses Nov. 11-24 on display between Dillard’s and Macy’s, courtesy of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Texas. Tickets are $5 and dog houses will be raffled off.

The Trains at NorthPark. Photo by Kristina Bowman

Trains: The display comes back Nov. 17-Jan. 6 with 1,600 feet of track winding through a miniature State Fair of Texas, Grand Canyon, Times Square, White House, Golden Gate bridge and more. Tickets are $6, $3 for children ages 2-12. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.

Window displays: As homeowners decorate houses the day after Thanksgiving, participating stores and restaurants decorate their windows. The holiday window display competition runs Nov. 23-Dec. 10.

Parade, Santa, pets and Scrooge: Also Nov. 23 is the annual NorthPark holiday parade, which circles around the center. Santa Clause arrives at 10:30 a.m. on level one in NorthCourt to tell stories of North Pole adventures and take pictures with children. Santa will be on hand until Dec. 24. After visiting with Santa, the kids can drop by the SPCA pet adoption center to look at—and possibly adopt—a furry friend. The Scrooge Puppet Theatre tells the holiday classic tale at the bottom of every hour Nov. 23-Dec. 24 on level one in EastCourt near Dillard’s.

Camp Gingerbread. Photo courtesy of NorthPark

Concerts: The Dallas Symphony Orchestra choirs perform at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 24. More than 180 orchestras, choirs and dance groups will continue the performances through Dec. 24.

Gingerbread: And finally, Gingertown Dallas—the village made of gingerbread, licorice and candy canes—is on display Nov. 27-Dec. 3. Watch the town be constructed Nov. 27 from 5-9 p.m. on level one in Nordstrom court. This year’s theme is Gingertown University. Camp Gingerbread runs Dec. 1-2, but that’s all for November events, folks.