Shopping Stop-Off

Black Friday. It's an inevitable, necessary evil we have to deal with every year—the crowds are insane, but the sales are enough to bring people out in droves. Circling in the car for hours to find parking spaces and waiting in mile-long lines for $10 sweaters is what we do. So while you're out braving the elements and balancing the packages, you should give yourself a break and check out the Grand Tree Lighting ceremonies at Galleria Dallas (Interstate 635 and the Dallas North Tollway). At the 25th anniversary special event, figure skating legend Dorothy Hamill will be joined by Missile Toes (the ice-skating Santa Claus) as the country’s tallest indoor decorated tree—complete with 225,000 twinkling lights and more than 10,000 ornaments—lights up to choreographed music to give you a short and colorful reprieve from the gift-giving madness. The ceremonies take place at noon Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday. Call 972-702-7100 or visit galleriadallas.com.
Fri., Nov. 23, noon; Sat., Nov. 24, 5 p.m., 2007