Have you taken your children to see Santa Claus yet? No? What are you, some kind of Birkenstock-wearing, free-market-hating hippie? You probably don't let your kids watch TV either! Would it help if I told you that NorthPark Santa Carl Anderson bears a striking resemblance to legendary Band keyboardist Garth Hudson? It should, because Garth Hudson is awesome. What if I told you he's also a psychology professor at the University of Texas and your children would be helping him with his decades-long research? If that doesn't impress you, then try local puppeteer John Hardman's portrayal of Scrooge, which basically consists of him poking fun at shoppers and children while intermittently squirting the audience with a water bottle--trust us, it's hilarious. Santa and Scrooge wrap up the season Thursday at NorthPark from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., respectively. Get there early--tickets to see Santa in Macy's Court are available beginning at 9 a.m., and there's always a wait. Scrooge's new digs can be found on Level One in the hallway between Forever 21 and Loft. Visit northparkcenter.com for more info.
Mondays-Saturdays, 12-8 p.m.; Sundays, 12-6 p.m.; Thu., Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Starts: Nov. 27. Continues through Dec. 23, 2009