If you’re looking for fun things to do this holiday season, the City of Carlsbad has some great options. In addition to getting out on our 67 miles of city trails, you can stroll through our sculpture garden, see the latest exhibit at the Cannon Art Gallery or use this interactive map to explore the amazing public art throughout our city.

We’ve also planned some special activities to help make your season bright:

Attend a holiday concert at the Dove Library
Get into the holiday spirit with a concert featuring the J. Kreml Combo performing jazz standards and holiday classics Dec. 16 at the Schulman Auditorium.

Swinging Holiday Concert
J. Kreml Combo
Saturday, Dec. 16
7 p.m.
Schulman Auditorium
1775 Dove Lane

This Carlsbad-based group specializes in swing, jazz, torch songs and more from the Great American Songbook – an era of timeless favorites like the music of Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Cole Porter. This is the latest concert in our Front Row Saturday series and it’s sure to draw a crowd, so try to arrive a little early. Seating is first come, first served.

Enjoy some fun holiday activities with your kids or grandkids
Do you have little ones in your life who help make the season magical? We’ve got some fun holiday activities you can do together.

Gingerbread Make ‘N’ Take – This program gives children in kindergarten through third grade and their families a chance to make unique gingerbread creations, ranging from houses to gingerbread people.  Supplies are limited, so this event is first come, first served.

Gingerbread Make 'N' Take
Wednesday, Dec. 20, 3:30 p.m.
Dove Library
1775 Dove Lane

Santa's visit and crafts – Enjoy crafts and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus during celebrations on Dec. 21 at two of our library branches. Bring your camera to capture the magic.

Thursday, Dec. 21
10:30 a.m.
Carlsbad Learning Center
3368 Eureka Place

Thursday, Dec. 21
2:30 p.m.
Cole Library
1250 Carlsbad Village Drive

“Noon Year's Eve” Celebration. Kids in kindergarten through fifth grades can celebrate the New Year by exploring traditions from around the world, practicing some cool dance moves and participating in a New Year's Eve countdown to 12 (noon) at the Dove Library.

Saturday, Dec. 30
11:30 a.m.
Dove Library
1775 Dove Lane 

Cozy up with a holiday book or movie from the Carlsbad library

Another great way to celebrate (or recover from celebrating!) is by enjoying some down time and curling up with a good book. The Carlsbad library has put together a collection of great holiday reads, as well as movies and streaming options to warm up your winter nights.

• Visit the Dove library to browse displays of mysteries, cookbooks, thrillers and other genres perfect for the holidays.
• See this list of holiday book recommendations from our library staff.
• Use your Carlsbad library card to access award-winning movies, music, comics and more through Hoopla and Kanopy. (Here’s our latest list of streaming recommendations.)

Need more help finding a book you’ll enjoy? Try the library’s Personalized Reading Recommendation Service.