AROUND TOWN
Here’s a list of fun events for families to put in their calendars:
HOLIDAY EVENTS
■ GARDENS MALL: Santa’s dance party at The Gardens Mall, 3101 PGA Blvd., starts 6 p.m. Nov. 17 with a DJ, jugglers and stilt-walkers. Santa Claus’ dancing elves will accompany him into the mall for his grand entrance at 6:30 p.m. The North Pole crew will mingle with guests in the Grand Court on the lower level, and children can pose for keepsake photos in Santa’s Enchanted Garden from 7 to 9 p.m. For admission, bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the Salvation Army.
■ DOWNTOWN AT THE GARDENS: 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., will have its free tree lighting celebration 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 25. There will be Polar Express-themed train rides, a special visit from Mrs. Claus, a cookies-and-milk station, holiday letter-writing station, festive stilt-walkers and more. The party also marks the start of the nightly light show featuring more than a quarter-million LED lights synchronized to holiday music. The show is hourly 6 to 9 p.m. every night.
■ CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS: The city will have its tree-lighting festival 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Burns Road Recreation Center, 4404 Burns Road. In addition to the tree lighting, there will be musical entertainment, Santa’s Village on the trail, children’s games and activities and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Bring your camera.
■NORTH PALM BEACH: The North Palm Beach Country Club lawn, 951 U.S. 1, will be open for viewing the holiday boat parade 6 p.m. Dec. 2 on the Intracoastal Waterway. The village tree lighting is 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Veterans Park, 303 Anchorage Drive, where there will be Santa’s Jolly Trolley Rides at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15. Santa will visit throughout the village from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 16.
■ EISSEY THEATRE: The Dance Theater of Florida will present “The Bell” at 7 p.m. Dec. 16 and 2 p.m. Dec. 17 at the Eissey Campus Theatre, 11051 Campus Drive. It’s a re-imagined version of the classic children’s story “The Polar Express.” One child’s struggle to believe is told through dance with beautiful costumes, creative staging and stunning choreography, according to the theater. Tickets are $25 for general admission and $22 for students and seniors. Buy them online at www.dancetheaterofflorida.com.