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Got an upcoming end-of-year party but not sure where to start? Discover our Christmas party ideas in Australia! The most memorable festive activities are the ones where people make something, learn a new skill or enjoy food together—and go home a little more connected than they arrived. This year, surprise your team with experiences that are hands-on, thoughtful and totally out of the ordinary.
To make planning easy, we have plenty of in-person and online workshops that will spark joy, whether your crew is fully in-office, fully remote or somewhere in between. Read on for some fun corporate Xmas party ideas!
Shake up things at a mixology night
Swap the standard bar tab for a cocktail class! A professional mixologist will show your team how to muddle, shake and garnish like a pro, and for a bonus, you can even ask your host to theme the drinks to your holiday flavours—think cranberry spritzes, spiced old fashioneds or non-alcoholic cucumber coolers. You can book both in-person sessions and virtual classes with kits delivered to each participant, perfect for hybrid teams.
Top recommendations:
- Try this gin tasting and cocktail session in Sydney
- Lauren S. had a blast at this cocktail masterclass in Brisbane.
“10/10 this was an incredible experience. Ebony (the teacher) was the highlight of our Christmas party. The cocktails were all delicious. Highly recommend, worth every cent!”
Go global with a culinary adventure
Nothing brings people together like cooking. Choose a cuisine and let your group roll, fold, flip and feast. Some Christmas team building activities that incorporate food could look like:
- A dumpling party where everyone learns to pleat gyoza, xiao long bao, or momos before enjoying them hot off the pan.
- Learning how to make pasta from scratch, whether it's pappardelle, pillowy gnocchi, or ravioli with festive fillings.
- A chocolate truffle or gingerbread-making class for that sweet finish and a take-home treat.
Our cooking classes are designed for beginners and foodies alike, with chefs who keep things fun and at a good pace. By the end of the class, you can enjoy the delicious food you’ve made with your team and let the team bonding and party begin!
Some of our top picks:
- This gnocchi, ricotta and rose class in Sydney.
- A chocolate making class in Melbourne, perfect for sweet-toothed teams!
Head to a paint and sip soirée
A paint and sip class is a classic for a reason. It lowers the stakes, sparks conversation and leaves everyone with a piece of art for their wall. Pick a festive landscape, a modern abstract or even a portrait of the team mascot. Your friendly teacher will provide canvases, paints and easels—and yes, they’ll coax creativity out of even the ‘I can’t draw a stick figure’ folks. After the class, everyone can take home a completely new piece of cool art they can take home or bring to the office.
Most loved:
- Do something different on a Thursday night and spice things up with a paint and sip class in Perth
- Play with textured art in Adelaide
Spin the wheel at a pottery class
Pottery ticks all the boxes. It’s tactile, soothing and delightfully messy. Schedule a wheel-throwing taster workshop or a hand-building class to make mugs, planters or even candle holders. It’s a great metaphor for the year—shaping something new with a little patience and a lot of teamwork. Then, your teacher will handle glazing and firing after the session and arrange pickup or delivery so your team gets a polished keepsake to use.
Try these pottery classes:
- If you’re looking for a casual class, this Sydney wheel throwing class might be right up your alley, plus you can BYO favourite beverage!
- If you want to combine nature and clay, this Adelaide class, uses leaves and flowers to imprint them onto the clay, which helps make cool, unique designs on your dinnerware. Georgia S., a recent class-goer, had this to say:
“Such a fun and wholesome class! The teacher was lovely and explained everything clearly. Making the botanical plates was really enjoyable, and everything was set up and easy to follow. It’s a great activity to do with friends.”
Find more creative office Xmas party ideas for every budget here.
Build tiny worlds with a terrarium workshop
Short on time and looking for a calming activity? Terrarium building is low-mess, beginner-friendly and universally loved. Layer pebbles, soil and moss, then arrange succulents or ferns into miniature landscapes. For a festive touch, you could even tie it back to the season with mini ornaments or twinkly fairy lights. Your team will love the idea of relaxing, slowing down and doing something with their hands other than tapping away at a screen!
Spread festive cheer with:
- A Christmas terrarium class in Melbourne. The Climate Council loved this Christmas team-building activity:
“So fantastic. The team were very accommodating, the venue was a vibe, and it was a fun and engaging Christmas party. Thanks so much for having us!”
- A beach terrarium making class in Brisbane
Lean into the virtual world with DIY craft kits
If your people are spread across cities or work remotely, don’t settle for a lonely Zoom toast. Book an online workshop and send festive kits to everyone’s door, complete with materials, snacks and a handwritten note. Some great picks include:
- Cookie decorating with royal icing
- A watercolour or calligraphy class
- Christmas ornament making
- Making flower wreaths
Fan favourites among virtual teams:
- Buy this DIY dried floral Christmas kit and let everyone craft their own!
- Jump on this beginners watercolour painting class at home
Our top tips to help you plan a meaningful Christmas party
- Start with your purpose.
Are you celebrating wins, deepening bonds or saying thanks? Let that guide the format.
- Be mindful of the social balance.
Choose activities with low barriers to entry and offer both hands-on and hang-out options.
- Keep it inclusive.
Provide alcohol-free drinks, consider dietary needs and aim for accessible venues and activities.
- Time it right.
Late afternoon sessions roll nicely into an early evening. For global teams, schedule two smaller sessions across time zones.
- Lock in the logistics early.
If you’re shipping kits, allow extra lead time for holiday delivery.
A great corporate Xmas party is less about spectacle and more about shared experience. When people knead dough side by side, swap paint tips or cheer on a colleague’s first perfect pour, they create new connections that no canapé tray can deliver. Our art and craft workshops make it simple to plug into that magic, bringing in skilled instructors, quality materials and formats that work for every team shape (and size).
So forget the cookie-cutter function room this year. Open the door to creativity, flavour and a little festive sparkle. Whether you end up with a perfect wreath, a wobbly vase or the best dumplings you’ve ever tasted, your team will head into the break with full hearts, new inside jokes and a story-worthy send-off to the year.
