Newlife Church in Sequim is throwing a Jingle Jam Family Christmas event to kickoff the first day of winter break for Sequim Schools.

The event runs 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Sequim Middle School cafeteria and features a “Christmas Carnival” with crafts, games for children and Santa Claus to hand out candy canes.

“It’s a really fun family event,” David Lyke, Newlife Church campus lead, said. “It’s one of the things we love to do for the community.”

Lyke said the event is geared toward preschool and elementary school children up to fifth grade but middle schoolers are also welcome.

He said there are Christmas-themed crafts and entertainment for children such as creating ornaments for the Christmas tree and making edible snowmen.

This is the church’s second year hosting the event and Lyke said last year there was a gathering of more than 70 people.

“We’re hoping for a great turnout,” he said.

Newlife Church also is hosting a Christmas Eve gathering at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 24, at the Sequim Middle School cafeteria.

For more information, visit http://www.newlife.tv/locations/sequim/.