Happy Holidays

Brighten your season with reading recommendations, festive events, holiday history, and more from your library.

Explore the Holidays

Hanukkah
December 14-22

Christmas
December 25

Kwanzaa
December 26-January 1

New Year's
December 31-January 1

Discover more December holidays with Britannica and Explora. Begin now using your library card.

Britannica Library

Britannica Library

The classic encyclopedia, plus Internet Guide, Merriam Webster Dictionary & Thesaurus, video and media collection, and more.

Explora Library

Explora Public Libraries

Designed to meet the unique needs of its users, Explora supports both student research and classroom instruction.

Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night 👹
A traditional European celebration on the evening of December 5, where a half-goat, half-demon creature known as Krampus punishes misbehaving children during the Christmas season.


The Feast of Saint Nicholas, or Saint Nicholas Day 🎅
Saint Nicholas Day
 is celebrated on December 6 in Western Christian countries during the Advent season. Saint Nicholas was a bishop of Myra in the 4th century.


The Feast of Saint Lucy, or Saint Lucia Day 🕯️
Saint Lucia's Day is a festival of lights observed on December 13 in Sweden, Norway, and Swedish-speaking areas of Finland. The observance commemorates Lucia of Syracuse, an early-fourth-century martyr under the Diocletianic Persecution.


Las Posadas, or "The Inns" 👼
Las Posadas is a religious festival celebrated in Mexico and some areas of the United States from December 16 to 24. It commemorates Joseph and Mary's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem as they sought a safe place for Mary to give birth to the baby Jesus.


Boxing Day 🎁
Boxing Day
is celebrated in Great Britain, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand on December 26. Traditionally, it involved giving gifts to those less fortunate, but by the 21st century, it became primarily associated with shopping and sporting events.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah, or Chanukah, begins on the 25th day of the Jewish calendar, opens a new window month of Kislev, at sundown. Lasting eight days, Hanukkah usually occurs during December, but sometimes begins in November. This Jewish holiday is known as the Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 164 B.C. after three years of war. Hanukkah means "dedication."

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Read More About Hanukkah

Books on Hanukkah

The Winter Solstice

The winter solstice takes place on the shortest day - and longest night - of the year. In 2025, the winter solstice will happen at 10:03 a.m. on Sunday, December 21, in the Washington D.C. area. Pagan Scandinavia and Germany had a 12-day midwinter festival called Jul (pronounced Yule). Modern pagans following in these traditions continue to observe Jul. Yule logs come from this celebration.

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Read More on Traditions

Christmas

Christmas is an annual festival that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, primarily observed on December 25. It is celebrated as both a religious and cultural event by billions of people around the world. The holiday is filled with classic traditions, such as decorating a Christmas tree, visits from Santa Claus, attending religious services on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, enjoying delicious food, and more.

Nutcracker Sweets

Learn the origins of the Nutcracker ballet, and check out our Nutcracker Stories, Treats, and Crafts resource list.

Memories of Christmas Trees Past

Learn about the history of the Christmas tree, and check out some books on crafting traditional ornaments.

When St. Nicholas Came to Troy, New York...

It's a holiday mystery! Who wrote "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" -- the poem that popularized Santa (Saint Nicholas) across America?

A Civil War Christmas

If we lived during the Civil War, what kinds of memories would we have? Learn a bit more about Christmas during the years 1861-1864.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa, celebrated between December 26 and January 1, is a time for families in the African American community to come together and enjoy their heritage. Unlike many holidays, Kwanzaa was created by one person, Maulana Karenga, opens a new window, in 1966. He named the celebration Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits" in Swahili.

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Read More About Kwanzaa

New Year's

"New Year's" refers to the holiday that marks the beginning of a new calendar year, celebrated on January 1st according to the Gregorian calendar. While it is often associated with the parties and celebrations of New Year's Eve on December 31st, the term can also describe New Year's Day itself. This day is typically a time for festivities, fireworks, and making personal resolutions for the year ahead.

New Year, New Me

New Year, New You

Whether you’re a stickler for resolutions or prefer to go with the flow, the new year is always a great time to hit “refresh.”

Move Your Body

Check out these library resources to build mobility, flexibility, and strength for the body and soul.

My Librarian: Writing Your Memoir

Books on planning and writing memoirs.

Book Corner: Books to Prompt Self-Reflection in the New Year

If you are in the mood for a self-help book, either this month or someday, here are some books to jumpstart your self-discovery

Prepare for the season of giving and light with library events, blogs, and book lists, create tech-savvy gifts, delicious baked goods, and more.

Events at the Library

Holiday Open House

December 9th & 10th
Salem Church & Porter Branches
Celebrate different holidays of the season with crafts, activities, and refreshments. Enjoy a personal visit with Santa. All ages.

Cookie Exchange

Various Dates
Bake up a delightful batch of cookies—two dozen, to be exact! Bring a printed copy of the recipe so we can all share in the deliciousness.

Grow a Reader Special: Happy Hanukkah, part of a series

Celebrate Hanukkah with stories, songs, and activities! Suitable for all ages when accompanied by a caregiver.

Grow a Reader Special: Countdown to Christmas

Various Dates
Various Library Branches
Celebrate Christmas with stories, songs, and activities!

Fabulous Friday: Holiday Book BINGO

Various Dates
Various Branches
Join us for an exciting holiday Bingo extravaganza filled with fun and fabulous prizes! For grades K-6.

Holiday Hosting

Whether you're short on time or want a dish that's been simmering for hours, a sit-down meal is a wonderful way to spend a frosty evening.

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Winter Feasts: Fast or Slow

Are you in charge of organizing a party this season? Planning and pacing yourself can help, as can these excellent books.

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Plan a Winter Party

Cookies and pies, oh my! Holiday gatherings of family and friends are the perfect time to share some special baked treats.

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Holiday Baking at Its Best

Fast and easy, boards are the perfect solution for creating stunning appetizers for gatherings or casual family meals.

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Festive Boards & Cocktails

Imagine gumdrops and candy canes, frosted windows and doors- here's how you can create a delicious gingerbread house with these fun tips.

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Make a Gingerbread House

Decking the Halls

Transform your home into a reflection of holiday joy with these decorating tips. Whether you prefer a formal style or a cozy atmosphere, you'll discover ideas in this book list to brighten your season.

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Check out the list

Personalize Those Gifts

Create unforgettable, personalized gifts using MakerLab equipment available at IdeaSpace, along with creative kits borrowed from our Library of Things. Don't forget to capture those special moments with high-tech gear from our Tech on the Go collection!

Holiday & Winter Reads

Grow a Reader: Holiday Stories & Traditions

Check out one of these picture books for growing readers that highlight multicultural winter holiday traditions and tales.

My Librarian: English Christmas Stories

Celebrate Christmas in England with Dickens, Jane Austen, and other favorite characters and authors.

Observing the Winter Solstice

Whether you are interested in its scientific or cultural aspects, you'll likely find much to discover here. For all ages.

Grow a Reader: Christmas Time with Your Favorite Characters

Christmas Time is here! Celebrate with your favorite book and movie characters with these board books, picture books, and beginning readers.

Coming soon: Holiday-themed streaming video collections and hoopla digital music collections ❄️🎄🎅🦌🌟⛄

eBook & eAudio

Coming soon: Holiday-themed eCollections ❄️🎄🎅🦌🌟⛄

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