The Santa Clarita Public Libraries are providing families with plenty of occasions to embrace the spirit of the holidays through the month of December.

The Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library, Old Town Newhall Library and Valencia Library invite you and your family to come decorate cookies, enjoy holiday stories and so much more.

December 2­­ – 4, the Friends of the Library are hosting the Annual Gingerbread Contest at the Valencia Library. All gingerbread house submissions can be brought to the Valencia Library, at 23743 W. Valencia Blvd, on Friday, December 2, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

All gingerbread houses will be on display for the public to view on December 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and December 4, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Winners of the contest will be announced at 10:15 a.m. on December 4.

On Wednesday, December 7, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., the family can enjoy a holiday-themed, musical story time and craft at the Valencia Library, at 23743 W. Valencia Blvd.

Roll up your sleeves and decorate cookies on Friday, December 9, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Old Town Newhall Library, located at 24500 Main Street.

Saturday, December 10, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library, at 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, is welcoming families to the Make and Take Holiday Cards event. Come design handmade greetings for your family and friends.

The Old Town Newhall Library is offering a special Christmas story time, reindeer games and holiday crafts on Tuesday, December 13 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Old Town Newhall Library is located at 24500 Main Street.

Children, ages kindergarten to 5th grade, are invited to decorate gingerbread cookies at the Valencia Library, at 23743 W. Valencia Boulevard, for the fourth year in a row. This event is set for Wednesday, December 14, 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Registration is required and will be available starting Wednesday, December 7 at 8:00 a.m.

Wednesday, December 21, is going to the elves at Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library, located at 18601 Soledad Canyon Road, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Elf Ball celebration will have fun activities like making marshmallow shooters, elf hats and more. Come fish with candy canes and participate in other elfish games. It doesn’t matter if you come late or leave early, but parent supervision is required. This event is going to be a lot of fun for the entire family.

Hanukkah Storytime with Wendy Hersh and Rabbi Mark Blazer will be taking place December 27 – 29 at each of the Santa Clarita Libraries. On Tuesday, December 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Storytime can be enjoyed at the Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library, located at 18601 Soledad Canyon Road. On Wednesday, December 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Hanukkah Storytime will be at the Valencia Library, 23743 W. Valencia Boulevard. Storytime will be at the Old Town Newhall Library, at 24500 Main Street, Thursday, December 29, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

To finish off the month of holiday activities, author Greg Wolfe will be reading his story, Shmelf the Hanukkah Elf. This event will be on Friday, December 30, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Old Town Newhall Library, 24500 Main Street.