In this story:
Tinsel, carols and sugar-sifted mince pies... It’s that time of year again! HR departments start brainstorming Christmas party ideas in Sydney. Santa’s red chair is rolled out as the centrepiece of every shopping mall. Pine cones, bells and glitter adorn shopfronts, schools and even some public buses. Distant relatives’ arrival dates are scrawled onto calendars. Parents scramble for gift wrapping paper, festive-looking napkins and blow dust off abandoned recipe books. And employees receive the anticipated work e-mail: the end of year work Christmas party for 2024.
This year, plan a staff Xmas party with a twist thanks to our curated collection of Christmas work party ideas. From cooking classes to art workshops, these fun experience will encourage colleagues to unwind and let loose after a challenging year. Stuck for ideas? Busy your hands in an aroma-filled wreath-making workshop. You'll have a fun time socialising and also walk away with some DIY Christmas décor to hang on your door. Why not de-stress in a resin art workshop or candle-making class? There are so many Christmas party ideas to consider. Here are some of our faves...
Try DIY wreath-making in Glebe
Embrace the festive spirit in a crafty Christmas Wreath-making workshop. Assemble an Australian inspired wreath, and twist and weave twigs, flowers and leaves artfully around wire. Setsuko Yanagisawa, a talented florist with over 13 years of experience, will invite you into her Glebe floristry and guide you to create your own unique take on the traditional wreath - and you'll have lots of creative fun along the way. The minimalist, contemporary aesthetic wreath has potential to compliment the modern Australian home or gifted to friends and family, with added artisan value.
Shake cocktails at a mixology masterclass
Whether your team loves a tipple or they're more sober-curious, cocktail-making classes are one of the most popular ideas for work Christmas parties in Sydney. Re-invent the work Christmas party with an educational mixology workshop that will have everyone shaking, mixing and laughing as they pour pro-level cocktails. We have some top bars in Sydney like Brix Distillers and Stitch Bar running cocktail classes that are perfect for teams. Mix, muddle and shake-up some of the most popular cocktails like Cosmos, Margaritas and Moijtos. Sip on your favourite beverage with your colleagues in a relaxed and interactive environment. Walk away with brand new recipes under your belt and impress your relatives at upcoming festive events.
Splash and paint a sculpture in Chatswood
Experience the joy of wearing a raincoat as you splash paint freely! Get messy with colleagues and express yourself through physical motion as you create stunning art in this Messy Splatter Painting and Roman Sculptures Painting class in Chatswood. Whip, flick and swish your paintbrush against the canvas and sculpture and take home your unique creation. Piper did this class in 2024 and says "our host was very accommodating and helpful and the venue was very well organised. Painting the sculptures was very fun and while we were shown lots of techniques we still had lots of creative freedom to do what we liked, I will definitely be recommending this to my friends and family and cannot wait to pick up my finished piece."
Try juggling in Tumbalong Park, Sydney
The end of the year is the time to unwind and relax. And what better way to de-stress than by taking part in a Juggling workshop. Juggling has the ability to sharpen focus and concentration, acts as a form of stress-relief, maintains and increases range of motion in the arms and shoulders and improves coordination. But most importantly, it's FUN!
Scoop, drop and attempt to master a fluid rhythm with juggling whizz Kenny Cheung in his stress-free Group Juggling Class. Juggling is the ideal Christmas party idea for colleagues looking to unwind and laugh as they miscalculate throws, master new skills and embrace their inner child. Leave with a neat new party trick to amuse the kids on Christmas day.
Learn to make superfood Sushi in Mosman
Rich ham, steaming Christmas pudding with thick custard, sugar-sifted mince pies and copious amounts of wine. We love to fill our bellies with hearty foods before the New Year's resolutions kick in. But what if we incorporated some healthier options into our festive fare? According to chef Yoshiko Takeuchi, healthy food doesn't have to be boring or tasteless!
Maintain your health during the testing festive months with Yoshiko’s Superfood Sushi class. With over twenty years’ experience, Yoshiko has published two healthy Japanese cookbooks and is a frequenter of some of Sydney’s top kitchens. In this hands-on class, you'll use only top quality Japanese ingredients and follow traditional methods to create something amazing. Make mounds of sushi rice, nigiri and nori rolls whilst sipping on Japanese tea. Learn essential Japanese seasonings, cooking techniques and recipes that you can incorporate into a well-rounded and delicious Christmas dinner.
End of year work Christmas parties don’t have to be predictable evenings, but opportunities to channel energies into interactive and rewarding workshops and bond with colleagues in leisurely and stress-free environments. Explore more Christmas party ideas on our workshop page for the best alternatives.