Make the most of the season by organizing these fun-filled Christmas activities. There's a little something for everyone!
55 Christmas Activities to Do for a Fun Holiday Season
Paint nutcrackers
Here’s a festive and creative Christmas activity for the kids: Let them paint their own nutcrackers! Grab a DIY wooden nutcracker kit and let their imaginations run wild with Christmas colors—reds, greens, whites and beyond. It’s a fun way to keep them entertained while adding personalized charm to your holiday decor.
Play Christmas movie trivia
Sure, watching Christmas movies is great, but why not take it up a notch with a Christmas movie trivia game? Host a cozy movie night, watch your favorite holiday flick and follow it up with some trivia questions about classic Christmas films. The winner takes home the biggest present under the tree—talk about holiday excitement!
Attend church service
For many, Christmas is a time to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. Attending a Sunday service is a meaningful way to worship, share religious Christmas quotes and reflect on the true spirit of the season.
Shop at a holiday market
And who can resist a little Christmas shopping? Head to a store that’s open on Christmas or stroll through a holiday market to find charming Christmas decor—something you can keep up not just for the season, but maybe all year long! After all, who says a Christmas wreath can’t brighten your door year-round?
DIY a non-traditional Christmas tree
Another Christmas tradition to try? Skip the store-bought Christmas tree and DIY your own! Get creative with materials around the house—paper straws, construction paper, anything goes—and let the kids make their own mini Christmas trees. It’s a fun way to keep the crafting spirit alive!
Also, find out about the legend of the Christmas spider and why you might want to add one to your holiday decor this year.
Make an advent calendar
Sure, you can buy an advent calendar, but why not make it more fun and personal by creating your own? Try using a pegboard to hang little surprises and treats for each day—an easy and creative way to build excitement for Christmas!
Have a backyard bonfire
S’mores on Christmas Day? Absolutely! Set up an outdoor bonfire in your backyard or a nearby park (if allowed) and have all the fixings ready—graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate. Pair it with other festive nighttime treats for a cozy, unforgettable Christmas evening under the stars.
Visit a botanical garden
Botanical gardens aren’t just for spring and summer! Many host magical Christmas events featuring model trains, twinkling lights and festive indoor holiday displays. It’s a perfect way to soak in some seasonal beauty while enjoying nature.
Dress up your pet
Don’t forget your pets this holiday season! Get the kids involved in a fun DIY project by making Christmas costumes for your furry friends. You could even host a doggy Christmas costume contest—who knows, your pup might just steal the show! Who knows, the photos might turn into adorable Christmas memes!
Host a Christmas story night
The best Christmas activities for kids are the ones that spark their creativity while having a blast! Try hosting a Christmas story night where everyone makes up their own holiday tale. It’s a fun way to get the imagination flowing and create new family traditions!
Make a festive snowman
Make Frosty the Snowman festive! Make a snowman with your family and dress it up for the holidays, complete with a hat, scarf and pipe. Dress him up with items you have at home.
Bake Christmas cookies
Is it really the holidays if you don’t bake some delicious treats? This is a classic Christmas activity everyone in the family can participate in. Bonus points if you use fun Christmas-themed cookie cutters. Cookies can even be a great gift for her or him if they have a sweet tooth.
Make Christmas ornaments
Making DIY Christmas ornaments is a great way to get everyone together for a fun, craft-filled day. Get some blank ornaments and left the decorating begin!
Read a Christmas book (or two)
‘Tis the season to get your hands on a few great Christmas books and get lost in merry words. Start with a classic, like Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, and don’t forget to grab a children’s Christmas book to read to the little ones in your life.
Listen to Christmas music
One of the fundamental Christmas activities to do is listen to holiday tunes. Create a playlist with the best Christmas songs, stream it on your favorite device (like an Amazon Echo Dot) and let the sound of cheer fill your home. Need some inspo to get you started?
Go ice skating
This is a great winter activity to do with loved ones. Go to a local rink, lace up those skates and show off your skating skills, or learn to skate if you’ve never done it before. Make it extra fun by rocking some ugly Christmas sweaters at the rink.
See a Christmas play
Check if your local theatre company is putting on a Christmas play, like The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol, and take the family to see it. You’ll create fun memories and support a community group all at once. Then conclude the night by playing a fun Christmas game at home.
Make a gingerbread house
Making gingerbread houses is one of those classic and edible Christmas crafts for kids that never goes out of style! Grab a gingerbread house kit and have your loved ones help you build it. Talk about festive and fun!
See Christmas light displays
Drive around a Christmas town and marvel at the lovely outdoor displays residents put up.
Host an ugly sweater party
One of the most fun Christmas activities to do is host a party where everyone must wear an ugly sweater. The uglier, the better.
Make eggnog
Make this classic Christmas beverage from scratch this year and add your own twist to it. It’s sure to be a hit at holiday parties! Just make sure you have a whisk handy.
Volunteer in your community
One of the most rewarding Christmas activities is volunteering, which allows you to give back to your community. Reach out to homeless shelters, animal shelters, churches and other local organizations to see how you can help this holiday season.
Have a Christmas movie marathon
Make family movie night festive by streaming all the best Christmas movies. Grab the popcorn, snuggle up on the couch with a warm throw blanket and enjoy. Make it extra special by watching your favorite holiday films on a projector.
Host a Christmas game night
Invite friends and family over for a holiday-themed game night this year. All you need are some fun Christmas games (don’t forget Christmas bingo) and great company to create a memorable festive game night. Include some classic board games, like Elf-themed Monopoly too!
Do a random act of kindness
Celebrate the season of giving by doing a random act of kindness. The smallest kind act can make all the difference to someone, especially around the holidays. It can be something as simple as paying for someone’s coffee or complimenting someone on the street.
Send Christmas cards
Let your loved ones know you’re thinking of them during the holidays by sending them a lovely Christmas card. This can be a family Christmas card, a printed Christmas card or a card you made by hand. Take the time to write a meaningful Christmas message in each card before sending them off to friends and family.
Host a Christmas party
Who doesn’t love a good Christmas party? Pick a theme, gather some fun party games, break out the festive decor and let the fun begin. Don’t forget to throw favors like fun Christmas glasses into the mix—everyone will want to take pictures wearing them.
Make a Christmas quilt
If you know your way around a sewing needle, a great Christmas activity is creating a lovely Christmas quilt. You can keep it for yourself or give it to a loved one as a gift. Create your own pattern or download one to reference.
Cook a Christmas meal from another country
Cooking a Christmas meal that’s popular in another country is a great way to learn about other cultures (and get your family to try a new dish). Get those pots and pans ready!
Make a Christmas wreath
DIY Christmas decorations are a blast to make, and one of the best is a festive Christmas wreath. Make it with ornaments, ribbon, glitter or all of the above.
Go on a Christmas hike
After you’ve opened Christmas presents, take the family on a nice hike on Christmas (weather permitting, of course). It’ll get your family out of the house on Christmas and help you work up an appetite for dinner.
Have a Christmas pajama night
Break out the holiday jammies for a festive (and fun) night in with the family. Eat snacks, build forts and make lovely memories with your matching pajamas.
Go Christmas caroling
Use your pipes to sing some classic Christmas carols around the neighborhood this year. Get a group together to spread the holiday cheer in harmony! Sport classic Santa hats for a festive touch.
Host a Christmas craft night
Christmas is a great time of year to get crafty. Gather some craft ideas for adults and kids and host a fun Christmas craft night. The possibilities are endless, so bring any idea you’ve got to the table.
Go sledding
This is a perfect Christmas activity if you live in a snowy area. You’ll have a blast zipping down the snowy hills in a sled while laughing with the ones you love most.
Go to a Christmas parade
See if your town is putting on a Christmas parade and, if so, take the whole family. It’s a fun way to see the community come together for the holidays, plus you’ll get to see the wonderfully decorated floats. Also, make sure to check out these Christmas pickup lines just incase you bump into a special someone.
Organize a White Elephant gift exchange
This is a really fun Christmas activity to organize. Get your family and friends together for a White Elephant gift exchange, where the name of the game is to “steal” gifts strategically. Everyone will have a blast and walk away with something new—a real holiday win-win. Stock up on your White Elephant gifts now so you’re prepared.
Have a Christmas scavenger hunt
Hide Christmas-themed clues around the house that lead to something special, like a small gift or sweet treat.
Have a Christmas photoshoot
Capture precious Christmas memories by doing a photoshoot with your family. Plus, you’ll have plenty of photos to choose from for your family Christmas card. Bonus points if you wear matching Christmas sweaters.
Get a picture with Santa
Head to your local mall and have the kids get a couple of pictures with St. Nick himself. They’ll be excited to meet Santa, and you’ll get pictures to use for your Christmas card. Have the kiddos wear a sweet Christmas sweater to make the picture extra special.
Participate in a Christmas-themed race
Many areas put on Christmas-themed 5Ks and other races. If you’re looking for Christmas activities that help you stay active, this is definitely one to consider this year. Grab new sneakers for the race and start training!
Set up a Christmas village
Have some fun with your holiday decor and set up a small Christmas village in your home. You could even add some magic to it by making up a fun Christmas story about the village for your kids.
Have a Christmas-themed slumber party
The night before Christmas Eve, have a slumber party in the living room to capture the Christmas magic. Stay up telling Christmas stories and drinking hot cocoa, and eventually fall asleep in a cozy fort—or even under the Christmas tree.
Donate to a toy drive
While you’re Christmas shopping, buy a couple of extra toys to donate to a local toy drive. Have the kids help wrap them and drop them off so they see the impact of giving back to the community.
Share Christmas memories
This is a great Christmas activity for kids and adults to do on Christmas Eve. Gather with loved ones and tell stories of Christmases past, detailing your greatest memories with your favorite people.
Start a Christmas scrapbook
Start recording your favorite Christmas memories in a festive scrapbook so you can relive them down the road. This also makes a great Christmas gift for everyone in the family (especially mom and dad).
Take a Christmas trip
Have you always wanted to travel somewhere around Christmas? This year, take the leap and plan that special Christmas trip (and use these holiday travel tips to help everything go smoothly).
Write letters for future Christmases
Create something fun for your future self by writing a letter for future you to open on Christmas. Fill it with whatever you want, whether it be advice, predictions, wishes or all of the above.
Make a popcorn garland
Get to popping! This is a fun Christmas activity to do with the whole family. The best part? You can snack as you work.
Put up fun Christmas inflatables
Have your loved ones help you decorate the yard with fun and festive Christmas inflatables. Go with classics like a snowman or Santa, or get a little silly and put a Christmas-themed dinosaur on the lawn.
Knit Christmas hats
Show off those knitting skills by whipping up adorable Christmas hats for your loved ones. Make sure to grab plenty of red yarn to work with.
Visit a Christmas tree farm
Getting a real Christmas tree this year? If so, bring the whole family to a Christmas tree farm so they can help pick out a tree. Some tree farms also have fun family-themed events and tasty treats ready!
Take a Christmas train ride
Take inspiration from The Polar Express and hop on a Christmas-themed train ride. Some trains have Santa aboard, along with family-friendly Christmas activities. Plus, it’s a great way to have the family explore your area.
Set up an Elf on the Shelf
Putting up an Elf on the Shelf is a beloved Christmas activity many families do each year. Grab an Elf on the Shelf of your own and let it work its mischievous holiday magic.
Take a neighborhood stroll
If you’re looking for things to do on Christmas Day, something low-key is to take the family on a neighborhood stroll. Admire your neighbor’s yard decorations and embrace the winter wonderland (if you live in an area that gets snow around Christmas) before sitting down for Christmas dinner. If you run into other neighbors, wish them happy holidays!
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