37 Fun Christmas Activities to Do With Family & Friends in 2023

Finding the perfect Christmas activities to enjoy with family and friends can make for a especially fun holiday season. Whether it’s throwing a Christmas party or finding a new holiday tradition, there are tons of ways to make this time special for everyone. You can even involve your team in fun team building activities at work to spread the holiday cheer.

How do you celebrate Christmas in a fun and meaningful way? Stanford emphasizes the importance of memorable experiences over mindless consumption this time of year.

One of the best ways to engage your family and friends this holiday season is with fun Christmas activities that prioritize quality time together. 

Jump to Section

• Creative Christmas Activities
• Foodie Christmas Activities
• Christmas Team Building Activities
• Christmas Activities at Home
• Christmas Activities for Kids

Creative Christmas Activities

1. Pottery Classes

Book pottery classes to design your own DIY home décor for the holidays. Talented artists will help you learn your way around the pottery wheel for fun artwork. Save your piece for DIY home décor or gift it as a handmade Christmas present.

Find cool pottery classes in Chicago, pottery classes in Austin or pottery classes in Minneapolis to get started. There are tons of pottery classes near you for a creative activity this winter season.

2. Paint and Sip

Ring in the holiday season with paint and sip for fun Christmas party activities for adults. A professional artist will guide your crew step-by-step through fun sip and paint ideas as they create beautiful artwork and enjoy their favorite adult beverage.

Discover paint and sip in NYC, paint and sip in Washington, D.C. and paint and sip in Denver to get started. Wherever you’re located, there are tons of exciting paint and sip near you.

3. Online Painting Classes

Take online painting classes for one of the best Christmas activities you can enjoy at home. A knowledgeable instructor will lead you in a live, virtual session so you can create from your home studio.

Explore fun Christmas painting ideas to add holiday decor to your home. If you’re looking for virtual paint party ideas for adults, online painting classes are sure to be a hit!

4. Art Classes

If you’re looking for exciting arts and crafts for adults, check out art classes for one of the best Christmas activities. From holiday-scented candle making to handmade jewelry perfect for gifts, beat the cold by staying creative indoors during the holiday season.

Discover unique art classes in Portland, art classes in the Bay Area or art classes in Boston for a fun activity. Wherever you’re located, find art classes near you to connect with your community and be creative.

5. Make Holiday Cards

What activities do you do at Christmas? Why not make fun Christmas crafts like cards to ring in the holiday season? As one of the most creative Christmas activities, handmade holiday cards are an excellent way to help people feel loved.

Send your cards to long-distance loved ones or military servicemembers to help them feel special during the holiday season.

6. Create a Holiday Photo Booth

Create a fun photo booth for unusual things to do on Christmas Day. As one of the most unique Christmas activities, grab lights, costumes and fun props to make exciting holiday cards.

Whether you host your photo booth at a holiday party or just among your family and friends, this activity is a great way to capture your holiday memories.

7. Go Caroling

Go caroling for fun Christmas event ideas in your community. Join a local group or gather your family and friends for one of the best Christmas activities.

There’s nothing quite like singing Christmas music to spread the holiday cheer!

8. View a Christmas Performance

Attend a local performance for fun Christmas event ideas. From viewing a synchronized Christmas light show in your neighborhood to watching a performance of A Christmas Carol, this activity is a fun way to gather your loved ones together. 

Foodie Christmas Activities

9. Cooking Classes

Invite your friends to hands-on cooking classes for one of the best Christmas activities. Skilled chefs will teach you a delicious recipe incorporating fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods.

Learn a new way to bake Christmas cookies or discover a recipe for your Christmas dinner. Find exciting cooking classes in Houston, cooking classes in Los Angeles or cooking classes in Portland to get started.

Explore cooking classes near you for a fun activity with your friends and family. If you’re looking to involve your virtual friends and long-distance relatives, discover online cooking classes to stay in touch this holiday season.

10. Virtual Wine Tasting

Relax with virtual wine tastings for one of the best Christmas activities you can do at home. World-renowned sommeliers will guide you through a collection of the best wines for a unique experience. Sip and sample wine for fun winter date ideas to stay warm and cozy inside with your date.

11. Online Mixology Classes

Level up your bartending skills with exciting online mixology classes for fun Christmas activities. Professional mixologists will help you practice your shaken and stirred methods and learn how to make your favorite drinks. Elevate any Christmas party by learning this cool set of skills.

12. Make Hot Cocoa From Scratch

Discover how to create fresh hot chocolate for festive holiday party ideas. Host a hot cocoa bar with everyone’s favorite toppings, such as whipped cream and marshmallows. Provide rum or bourbon if your guests want to make a sweet adult beverage.

13. Bake Holiday Desserts

What is the most popular activity at Christmas? Almost everyone is familiar with the plethora of delicious desserts during the winter season.

As one of the best indoor Christmas activities, beat the cold by creating warm pastries and desserts. From decorating Christmas cookies to baking a creamy Christmas cake, everyone will love indulging in these sweet treats.

14. Create a Gingerbread House

Build a gingerbread house for fun Christmas activities with your friends. Add gumdrops and icing to decorate your holiday home.

Invite your crew to compete for the best-looking gingerbread house. Save your artwork for a few days as a cute DIY home décor during the Christmas season.

15. Host an Eggnog Tasting

If you’re looking for group activities for adults, host an eggnog tasting for an elegant affair. As one of the most fun Christmas party activities for adults, invite your guests to sip and sample different brands and flavors for a tasteful event.

Christmas Team Building Activities

16. Christmas Cookie Decorating Contest

Challenge your team to a Christmas bake-off for fun team building activities near you. Whether you’re looking for exciting team building activities in NYC, team building activities in Miami or team building activities in Atlanta, there are plenty of fun challenges to engage your team during the holidays.

An entertaining host will guide your team through demos and activities to strengthen their bond and have some fun.

17. Have a Gift Wrap Race

Invite your team to a gift-wrapping race for one of the most fun Christmas activities. Offer wrapping paper for your team to prepare their gifts under the tree.

They’ll have fun competing with one another and checking off an item on their list! Another fun option for teams is to exchange Secret Santa gifts. 

18. Christmas Song Bingo

For unique Christmas team building activities, host a Christmas song bingo at your holiday party. Play classic Christmas songs that your team can check off on their boards. Provide gift cards or sweet holiday treats as prizes for winning the games.

19. Decorate the Office Holiday Tree

Get your team into the holiday spirit by decorating the office tree for one of the best Christmas activities. Invite your team to bring in ornaments or provide supplies to create their own for the special tree. Offer sweet treats and refreshments during the tree lighting ceremony.

20. Christmas Scavenger Hunt

If you’re looking for thrilling work Christmas party ideas, challenge your team to a scavenger hunt. Scatter clues around the office and set the clock for the ultimate Christmas race. Offer prizes for the team members who complete the scavenger hunt.

21. Volunteer Together

Spread the Christmas cheer by volunteering with your team for Christmas event ideas in your community. Host a Christmas Toy Drive at the office and take your team to deliver the gifts.

Serve warm food together at a local food kitchen to help those in need for a Christmas activity that gives back. 

22. Hold a Cookie Swap

For fun gift exchange ideas, invite your team to bring their favorite holiday cookies for a delicious cookie swap. As one of the most fun Christmas team building activities, your team can sample different cookies and take home their favorites.

23. Ugly Sweater Competition

Break out the ugly Christmas sweaters for fun theme party ideas. Ask your team to vote for the ugliest Christmas sweater to win a grand prize. As one of the best Christmas event ideas, this activity is sure to get everyone into the Christmas spirit!

Christmas Activities at Home

24. Virtual Flower Arranging Classes

Get creative with your friends with virtual flower arranging classes for one of the best Christmas activities for DIY holiday décor. A knowledgeable florist will teach you how to create beautiful arrangements and centerpieces for your home.

Discover how to create a decorative wreath for the holidays or build a fun terrarium to gift to a loved one on Christmas Day.

25. Decorate the Christmas Tree

What activities do families do over Christmas? Almost everyone decorates a family tree for traditional Christmas activities at home. String pretty lights and hang ornaments to spread some holiday cheer. Place an angel or star at the top of the tree for the ultimate decoration.

26. Bake Christmas Cookies

While it’s not one of the most unusual things to do on Christmas Day, baking Christmas cookies is surely a holiday favorite.

Whether you bake gingerbread men or classic sugar cookies, this fun activity is a great way to warm up the house and indulge your sweet tooth.

27. Build a Blanket or Pillow Fort

Invite your family to build a cozy fort for one of the best indoor Christmas activities. Grab tons of pillows and blankets for the ultimate setup. As one of the best winter activities, snuggle inside with your loved ones while reading a book or watching a Christmas movie.

28. Take Family Photos

Gather your family around the holiday tree for family photos for one of the best Christmas activities. Start your New Year's resolution ideas off right by having cute new photos to take into the new year with you.

29. Watch a Holiday Movie

Select a holiday movie for one of the best Christmas activities at home. From classics like White Christmas to new Hallmark favorites, there’s bound to be something everyone in your family will enjoy.

Christmas Activities for Kids

30. Build a Snowman

Gather your crew to build a snowman for fun Christmas activities for kids. Throw on your jackets and gloves to build your own Frosty or Olaf.

Collect sticks and rocks to create arms and a welcoming face. Remember to take photos of this cute memory with your family.

31. Go Sledding or Tubing

Grab your jacket and take your kids sledding or tubing for one of the best Christmas activities. Find a gradual hill with a lot of snow for the ultimate ride. They’ll always treasure this thrilling activity on a snowy winter day.

32. Play Games by the Christmas Tree

What better way to celebrate the holiday than by playing games around the tree? As one of the most relaxing Christmas activities, your kids will have a blast hanging out by the Christmas decorations and competing in fun games.

33. Write Letters to Santa

For fun Christmas activities for kids, invite your kids to write a letter to Santa. Tell them to write down their Christmas list or describe their year to Mr. Clause. What better way for them to get excited about the holiday than by communicating with Santa?

34. Go Ice Skating

If you’re looking for a fun family outing or cute Christmas date ideas, head out to an ice skating rink. Put on your winter gear and rent ice skates for a fun outside activity.

If you’re searching for fun indoor activities in NYC, there are several options for this activity as well!

35. Fill In Christmas Coloring Pages

Keep your kids engaged with cute coloring pages for one of the best Christmas activities. Supply them with a variety of markers or colored pencils to spark their budding artist. After they’re done coloring, hang their artwork on the fridge.

36. Create Salt Dough Ornaments

Captive your kids with a fun DIY home décor idea. Create salt dough ornaments to decorate your tree for one of the best Christmas activities. After making a fun shape, invite them to paint their personalized piece. Once the ornament is dry, hang it on the Christmas tree.

37. Visit a Christmas Tree Farm

Take your family to a Christmas tree farm for one of the most unique Christmas activities. With the fresh smell of pine and the soft pine needles, your kids will never forget the opportunity to pick out the Christmas tree!

From visiting a Christmas tree farm to taking delicious cooking classes together, there are tons of fun Christmas activities you can do with your family and friends this holiday season.

Whether you’re looking for a creative activity to keep the kids entertained or you’d like to create a new tradition, make sure to slow down to spend extra time with your loved ones.

For even more fun Christmas event ideas, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!