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We get it, winter can sometimes feel like you want to hibernate and not leave your house all season. But what if we told you there are actually so many things to do in Sydney right under your nose? From making a delicious, warm bowl of ramen to painting with watercolour, you can discover so many cosy craft workshops right here in your local neighbourhood.
Before you spend another weekend scrolling from the couch, round up your group chat. These winter activities in Sydney are exactly the kind of plans worth leaving the house for.
Try glassblowing in Marrickville
Head upstairs inside a rustic woodworking studio in Marrickville and you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled into one of Sydney’s coolest hidden winter spots: a glassblowing class. That’s right, glassblowing!
Under the guidance of glass artist Mark Elliot, you’ll learn how to shape and melt glass using a hot torch, watching it soften, stretch and glow (kind of just like molten toffee!). By the end, you’ll leave with your own unique glass art and a steady winter warmth from the class.
Whether you’re planning a date night, a group catch-up, or just trying something new by yourself, it’s the kind of experience that pulls you completely out of your usual routine for a few hours.
Before the workshop… Make a coffee stop at Stitch Coffee Marrickville, just down the road on Sydney Street. Grab a hot coffee and ease into the slower Marrickville pace before heading upstairs to play with fire and glass.
Make fluffy tufted coasters in a cosy craft studio
If your ideal winter afternoon involves soft textures, warm drinks and crafting indoors, this tufting workshop with Dreamie Craft Studio delivers exactly that energy.
Held in Haymarket, you’ll create your own small tufted coaster (of your own unique design) while using a tufting gun. Even if you’ve never heard of a tufting gun before, don’t worry. Tufting is perfect for beginners, and you’ll be guided step-by-step by a friendly teacher.
The best part? You’ll leave with your own handmade coaster, perfect for setting your warm matcha or coffee on.
Tip: Think about your design and what you want to create, then send the teacher a quick photo (that way, they can guide you to bring out your vision!).
After your tufting class… Take a short stroll through Haymarket and ease into the neighbourhood’s lively winter buzz. Wander towards Dixon Street, where steaming bowls of noodles and quick dumplings are never far away, and grab something warm to refuel while you soak up the bustle before heading on with your day.
Winter is the perfect time to get your digital detox on!
Swap cocktails for paint and tea
Sydney winters are made for quieter catch-ups, which is why we recommend this watercolour paint and tea workshop.
Hosted at Zensation Teahouse in Waterloo, this workshop combines watercolour painting with carefully brewed tea, making it feel more like an afternoon retreat than an art class. Instead of loud music and packed venues, you’ll spend a few hours painting watercolour artworks while settling into a calm, welcoming space with a cup of tea.
Watercolour is also a great medium to get started on. There’s no pressure to paint perfectly, which makes the class feel approachable even for people who haven’t painted since high school.
For Sydneysiders constantly bouncing between busy schedules, this workshop offers a rare excuse to properly switch off for an afternoon. Add cool weather and a warm cup of tea into the mix, and it becomes the perfect winter activity to do by yourself or with friends!
Still can’t get enough of tea? Browse through the teahouse and pick a favourite tea you tried from the class, then take it home with you. Ideal for future cosy nights in!
Learn how to make proper tonkotsu ramen
In winter, we naturally start craving warm soups, steaming noodles and anything that feels like it can thaw you out from the inside, which is exactly why this ramen noodle soup cooking class with Culinary Studio Dekura is such a great seasonal pick.
Held in Chatswood, this hands-on class walks you through making rich tonkotsu broth and fresh ramen noodles from scratch. It’s relaxed and guided, so instead of feeling technical, the whole process unfolds step by step—slow simmering, mixing, tasting and building something that feels genuinely rewarding.
By the end of the class, you’ll get to sit down to a steaming bowl of ramen that you’ve made yourself, the perfect meal to escape a cold day.
Spend the rest of your afternoon at… Kinokuniya! Recently opened in Chatswood, you can easily find yourself getting lost in a book or two and leaving with a few new favourites.
Taste your way through NSW wines
You know what else warms you up? A wine tasting class, the perfect winter activity to do in Sydney.
Head to the Art Syndicate on Bourke Street in Surry Hills and you’ll step into a relaxed wine bar-style setting, the perfect backdrop for discovering NSW wines. You’ll taste your way through local varietals while learning about flavour profiles, regions and what actually makes each wine distinct.
The setting feels warm and relaxed rather than overly formal, making it approachable whether you already know your way around a wine list or usually just pick bottles based on labels.
It’s the kind of winter activity in Sydney that works especially well for after-work plans or long weekend catch-ups when everyone wants something social without ending up in a noisy bar.
After being warmed up… Wander down to NOMAD Sydney on Foster Street, where the warm lighting and seasonal share plates make it an easy continuation of the evening. It’s close enough to keep the mood relaxed, and the kind of place where a glass of wine often turns into staying for “just one more” dish.
Why winter might secretly be Sydney’s best season for workshops
Summer tends to dominate Sydney conversations, but winter quietly becomes the city’s best season for experiences that happen indoors. People slow down a little. Conversations stretch longer.
That’s why hands-on classes work so well this time of year. Instead of another dinner and a movie, you leave with an actual memory attached to the night—whether that’s a handmade coaster, a new cooking skill or a slightly wonky watercolour painting you become weirdly attached to.
The best winter activities aren’t necessarily the loudest or most extravagant ones, either. Sometimes they’re simply about warmth, connection and doing something that breaks up the routine of work-home-repeat during colder months.
So if you’re searching for winter activities in Sydney that feel creative and genuinely fun, this season might be the perfect excuse to finally try something new.
6 years in business
Runs regularly
Chatswood & Sydney
1 to 15 guests
$160
