Skip to main content

Public Library

2023 Winter Holiday Celebrations

Snowflakes and fir trees frame a light blue background. The words “Winter Holiday Celebrations” are center aligned.

During the winter months, our communities come together to celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, winter solstice, the New Year and other special events. We hope that you will join us at one of our celebrations.

 
 

Meet Santa

A corgi wearing a Santa hat sits against a light blue background with snowflakes and trees.

Santa Paws: Doggie Photos with Santa & DIY Paw Print Ornaments!
Saturday, December 9, 2023 | 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Point Loma/Hervey Library

Bring your furry friends and join us in the library's Community Room for a special dog-friendly holiday program. Take a photo of your fur friends with Santa Paws & Mrs. Paws, make a DIY paw print ornament, and mingle with other dog lovers. Bring your cameras. Registration is recommended but not required.

Santa Visits the Library!
Tuesday, December 12, 2023 | 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | College-Rolando Library

Join the elves at College-Rolando Library as we welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus for a visit! After writing a letter to Santa, families will have the opportunity to take photos with Mr. and Mrs. Clause. Mesa Colony Community Group will have crafts and hot chocolate while you wait to meet Santa in the Community Room. They will also host a cookie exchange. Just bring 2 dozen cookies to participate!

Santa @ the Library
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 | 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Pacific Beach/Taylor Branch Library

Santa will be visiting the Pacific Beach Branch Library. Please bring you camera if you would like a picture with Santa. Enjoy a craft and writing Santa letters while you wait to speak with him.    

 

Children’s Programs

A polar bear reads a book against a light blue background with snowflakes and trees.

Holiday Hijinks Puppet Show
Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Ocean Beach Library

In this fun, festive puppet show, Santa takes a spur of the moment vacation and winds up on a zany musical adventure in Halloweentown! A Zombie, Witch and The Five Little Pumpkins offer up the lesson to our hero that sometimes the best way to give, is knowing when to receive.

December Holidays and Traditions
Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Rancho Bernardo Library

Please join us to learn about December Holiday celebrations and traditions: Hanukkah, Kwanza, Yalda night, and Christmas. Participate in different craft activities and enjoy light refreshments.  While supplies last.

Winter Yummyville Craft with Ms. Remi (multiple locations)

Kids ages 3 to 12 are invited to Winter Yummyville! Join us for a winter wonderland workshop where you can make yummy holiday inspired edibles like a snowman and a sled full of presents! All creations can be eaten (just not in the library please). All attendees must always have a parent present. Space is limited and sign-ups are required. 

Session 1: Santa's Cookie Decorating Party!
Tuesday, December 12, 2023 | 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. | San Ysidro Library

Decorate Christmas sugar cookies and drink some apple cider to celebrate the holiday season. Registration required.

Holiday House Craft and a Movie
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 | 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. | University Community Library

Come celebrate the holiday season by decorating your own ornamental (nonedible) house using recycled materials, followed by a winter themed movie.

Hullabaloo: Holiday Concert & Dance Party for Kids
Saturday, December 16, 2023 | 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Mission Hills-Hillcrest/Knox Branch Library

Hullabaloo will perform a special holiday concert, and kids are invited to dance along.    

Gingerbread House Decorating
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 | 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Pacific Beach/Taylor Library

Join us for some winter holiday fun decorating your own Gingerbread House, while supplies last. Please bring a bag of candy for decorating to share with the group.

Winter Holiday Storytime
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 | 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Carmel Mountain Ranch Branch Library

Celebrate the winter holidays at this special storytime! This program is designed for children ages 2-4.
 
Literature Comes to Life: The Littlest Fir Tree
Thursday, December 21, 2023 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Point Loma/Hervey Library

An original holiday story featuring Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, many elves, three little fir trees, and a sweet snowy owl. Sing along to familiar favorites such as Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Children will become the storybook characters and participate in bringing the story to life! Recommended for children ages 3-12 and their families.

 

All Ages Programs

A stack of three penguins sit on a light blue background with snowflakes and trees.

Holiday Make 2023
Monday, November 27, 2023 | 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. | Central Library, 4th Floor

Visit the Central Library IDEA Lab to make an ornament and a greeting card. All ages welcome. While supplies last. Bring your own dye sublimation blank to make a customized gift.

Winter Holiday Cardmaking (multiple dates)
Wednesdays November 29, December 6, 13, and & 20 | 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Ocean Beach Library
Drop-in Wednesdays starting after Thanksgiving to make winter holiday cards! Whatever celebration you're looking forward to, from Krampusnacht to Kwanzaa, we will have supplies for you to make your own greeting cards and envelopes. All ages welcome, but younger children will need assistance from a caregiver. Please note: this is a drop-in DIY program, not an instructional workshop. Materials available while supplies last.

Light Up the Holidays: Family Winter Celebration
Saturday, December 9, 2023 | 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Mission Valley Library

Celebrate the winter season with crafts, games, and cookie decorating in honor of Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the Winter Solstice. Enjoy the season of light and love; all ages welcome.

Vegan Cooking: Holiday Cookie Bake-a-thon
Sunday, December 10, 2023 | 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Pacific Beach/Taylor Library

Learn how to create delicious and satisfying meals using all plant-based food products and ingredients. Supplies are limited so samples are only guaranteed for the first 30 people to arrive at the event; additional tasting samples will be provided as available.  Please note that registering for this event does NOT guarantee that you will receive tasting samples.

Maker Market
Sunday, December 10, 2023 | 2 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | City Heights/Weingart Library

Our popular Maker Market is back this year. It'll be bigger and better. For two days, we'll have various stations for you to make gifts for yourself or anyone you want for this holiday season. This is a free event and open to all ages. Limited supplies, first come first served.

Ukrainian Christmas Craft and Dance Performance
Saturday, December 16, 2023 | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | North University Community Library

Schedule:

  • 4:00-4:30 p.m.: Ukrainian Christmas Star Craft
  • 5:00-5:30 p.m.: Dance Performance by the House of Ukraine
 

Adult Programs

A reindeer wears a scarf and stands on a light blue background with snowflakes and trees.

Winter Holiday Concert: Relative Pitch
Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Balboa Library

Relative Pitch is an a cappella quartet with roots in Barbershop and a penchant for jazz harmonies. Our repertoire spans 20th Century Jazz, Pop, R&B, Doo-Wop, Blues, American Songbook, Show Tunes, etc.  Program sponsored by the Friends of the Balboa Library.    

A Treasury of Christmas Humor with Richard Lederer (multiple locations)

How do cats greet each other on Christmas? A furry meowy Christmas and a Happy Mew Year. Union-Tribune language columnist Richard Lederer will share holiday history, lore, puns, and poems from his brand-new book, A Treasury of Christmas Humor.

 

Resources

 

Booklists