Dec. 23
‘Elf’
Buddy the Elf says, “Stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup,” and bring the family to a 6 p.m. screening of this 2003 holiday classic. Among many others, the library also offers these programs in December: Lego challenge, for elementary students, starts at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17. “Trivia King” for teens, adults and seniors starts at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19; teams can have two to five players. A “ladies sweet social,” offers an introduction to the library’s adult programming. Have tea and sweets and get to know your neighbors, starting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.
Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal, 214.670.7128, dallaslibrary.org, free
Through Dec. 23
Storytime with Santa
Santa has been a lot of places and seen a lot of things — that means he has a lot of great stories. Listen to his tales Monday-Saturday at 10:30 a.m. or Sunday at 12 p.m. on level one near Macy’s.
NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central, 214.363.7441, northparkcenter.com, free
Through Jan. 3
The Trains at NorthPark
Mini trains traverse 1,600-feet of track in this exhibit benefitting Ronald McDonald House. The trains follow miniature cityscapes including Dallas, Washington, D.C., New York City and San Francisco, plus the Grand Canyon, the fall foliage of New England and more.
NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central, 214.363.7441,
thetrainsatnorthpark.com, $3-$7
Dec. 4
Acoustic Americana
Twangtown Paramours bring acoustic harmonies and top-notch singing in an 8 p.m. show. They’ll blend the sounds of Nashville and Austin in their Dallas showcase.
Uncle Calvin’s Coffee House, 9555 N. Central, 214-363-0044,
unclecalvins.org, $15-$18
Dec. 14
Ken Rove
The political mastermind called “Bush’s Brain” brings his new book, “The Triumph of William McKinley: Why the Election of 1896 Still Matters” to a 6:30 p.m. book signing and talk.
George W. Bush Presidential Center, 2943 SMU Boulevard, 214.200.4300, bushcenter.org, $30-$45
Dec. 17
‘Train to Warsaw’
Two survivors of the Warsaw Ghetto return to Poland 40 years later in Gwen Edelman’s second novel. A reception for the author and book signing begin at 5:30 p.m. Edelman’s talk, presented by the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance, begins at 6:30 p.m.
Jewish Community Center of Dallas, 7900 Northaven, 214.739.2737, jccdallas.org, free
The Orpheus Chamber Singers
Dec. 17
Christmas choral music
The Orpheus Chamber Singers perform holiday music, including carols, ancient melodies and motets and sing-alongs.
Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, 14115 Hillcrest, 214.871.5000, orpheuschambersingers.org, $10-$40
Dec. 26
Nutcracker puppetry
S&D Puppetry presents “Nutcracker in a Nutshell,” a new twist on the seasonal classic, starting at 2 p.m.
Bookmarks in NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central Expressway, 214.671.1381, free
