Along with the festive food and spending time with family and friends checking out a local holiday light display or Christmas market, two of my favorite things to do during the yuletide season are decorating and searching for the perfect gifts for the people I love. And while I do like shopping for décor and gifts (honestly, I spend more time combing the aisles than I care to admit), there’s something special about making both by hand, whether it’s paper snowflakes to hang in a window or a hand-knit hat or scarf. That’s where Rochester-area holiday craft classes come in!
Not only do you get to be proud of the finished product, knowing that each piece is a true labor of love, but the memory of the creative process is something you can enjoy again and again each time you pull out a decoration or see someone using your creation. You might even come away with a new Christmas tradition you can share with those you hold dear. Whatever your reasons for getting crafty, you’re in luck! Much like Santa’s bag of tricks, the greater Rochester area is chockful of festive craft classes and other artsy activities that are sure to make your season merry. Just make sure to register in advance! I’m not the only one who goes crazy for crafting during the holidays, so classes can fill up quickly.
Ornaments, Art and More
Fused Glass: Holiday Ornaments
At this Rochester-area holiday craft class, choose from eight different designs to decorate and personalize two fused glass ornaments. The class fee covers instruction and supplies, as well as firing for each ornament. Each additional ornament costs $10 each. Eye protection is required and not provided. Participants must be at least 16 years of age or be accompanied by an adult if between the ages of 12 and 15.
Where: Northrop Community Education Center, Rochester, MN
When:
How Much: $55 each
DIY Holiday Door Hanger
Greet your guests this Christmas season with a festive handmade door hanger. Created by you, this holly, jolly piece of holiday décor is the perfect way to deck the halls with a personal touch.
Where: Corner Bar & Grill, Goodhue, MN
When:
How Much: $30 each
Winter Wonderland Paint Class
Paint a serene snowy scene with frost-kissed trees and an iced-over lake to grace your walls in this hands-on art class. Step-by-step instructions are provided throughout the class, as are the 11×14 canvas and other materials. Paint colors are customizable. Bring your own snacks or something to sip on while you paint. Although there isn’t a hard-and-fast age cutoff, this session is suggested for those ages 9 and up.
Where: Art Heads Emporium, Rochester, MN
When:
How Much: $35 each
Paint Your Own Ceramic Ornaments
Add some creative flair to your Christmas tree with customized ceramic ornaments. Choose four different designs to make your own. Then, pass off your completed projects to be fired by George Pottery. The finished products will be available for pickup in roughly two weeks, just in time for Christmas night. Materials and firing are included. Class is accessible for crafters of all ages.
Where: Art Heads Emporium, Rochester, MN
When:
How Much: $65 each
Christmas Tree Luminary
Light up your home with a (s)elf-made, Christmas tree-shaped ceramic luminary. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, participants will use different techniques to shape and cut clay to decorate their trees.
Where: 125 LIVE, Rochester, MN
When:
How Much: $45 each for social members, $57 for fitness and non-members
Dried Floral Hoop Wreath
Bring the outdoors in this holiday season with a simple yet rustic wreath featuring dried botanicals sourced from a local flower farm and Trader Joe’s. Step-by-step instructions are provided throughout the class, as are all materials. Bring your own snacks or something to sip on while you work. This class is perfect for makers ages 8 and up, though younger artists are also welcome.
Where: Art Heads Emporium, Rochester, MN
When:
How Much: $45 each
Arctic Solar Storms Paint Class
Shimmering hues dance across the 11×14 canvas in this wintry paint class inspired by the northern lights. Step-by-step instructions are provided throughout the class, as are all materials. Paint colors are customizable. Bring your own snacks or something to sip on while you paint. Although there isn’t a hard-and-fast age cutoff, this session is suggested for those ages 10 and up.
Where: Art Heads Emporium, Rochester, MN
When:
How Much: $35 each
Floral Resin Ornament
Capture the beauty of Mother Nature in a Christmas tree ornament during this beautiful craft session. Dried florals and greenery are encased in crystal-clear resin, with flecks of gold leaf adding a touch of glam. Step-by-step instructions are provided, as are all materials. Recommended for those ages 12 and up.
Where: Art Heads Emporium, Rochester, MN
When:
How Much: $50 each
Winter Solstice Lanterns
Make spirits bright on the longest night of the year with a unique glass lantern painted by you. Although support is provided, creativity is encouraged with a variety of paint colors and patterns to choose from. All supplies and materials are included, and crafters of all ages are welcome.
Where: South x SouthEast Brewing Company, Pine Island, MN
When:
How Much: $45 each ($5 off if you bring a friend)
Winter Solstice Paint Class
Bring some color and light to the darkest day of the year with a snow-covered forest scene during this Rochester-area holiday craft class. Step-by-step instructions are provided throughout, as are the 12×12 canvas and other materials. Paint colors are customizable. Bring your own snacks or something to sip on while you paint. Although there isn’t a hard-and-fast age cutoff, this session is suggested for those ages 9 and up.
Where: Art Heads Emporium, Rochester, MN
When:
How Much: $35 each
Festive Fun for Little Ones
Snowy Penguin Family Paint Class
Perfect for children as young as 6 years, this polar-iffic paint class features a pre-drawn penguin stencil. Step-by-step instructions are provided throughout the class, as are all materials. Paint colors are customizable.
Where: Art Heads Emporium, Rochester, MN
When:
How Much: $35 each
Spinning Snowflake Ornament
Each snowflake is unique, just like your child. During this DIY-U workshop, budding builders discover the beauty of symmetry and motion when building sparkling snowflake ornaments for their Christmas trees. Mesmerizing embellishments and a spinning mechanism make this a charming addition to your holiday décor.
Where: Lowe’s Home Improvement, Rochester, MN
When:
How Much: Free
My Wee Christmas Tree
It wouldn’t be the holidays without a Christmas tree. Along with decorating their own pint-sized pine to take home, kiddos will also listen to a reading of the children’s book, Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree. The class fee covers supplies for the activity and a snack. Wee Wednesday activities are intended for Pre-K-aged children, and an adult must accompany participants.
Where: Sargent’s on 2nd, Rochester, MN
When:
- Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 9:30-10:30 AM and 10:30-11:30 AM
How Much: $15 each
Christmas in Candy Land
Holiday crafting has never been so sweet. At this Rochester-area holiday craft class, children get hands-on at an ornament-making station and make their own Christmas in Candy Land keepsake craft. Kids can also write letters to Santa Claus, strike a pose with candy-themed photo ops and indulge in a sweet treat station. Tickets are for children only, and each child must be accompanied by an adult.
Where: CRAFT LAB, Stewartville, MN
When:
- Friday, December 6, from 4-5 PMÂ and 6:20-7:20 PM
- Wednesday, December 11, 2024, from 9-10 AM
- Friday, December 13, 2024, from 9-10 AM
- Monday, December 16, 2024, from 5:10-6:10 PM
- Saturday, December 21, 2024, from 11:10 AM-12:10 PM
How Much: $20 each
Christmas Cookie Decorating
Cookie Decorating with Red Barn Bakery
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a sweet spread of festive cookies to snack on. Brush up on your decorating skills with guidance from cookie extraordinaire Amanda Digmann. In addition to 12 seasonal sugar cookies (which are shared during Adult and I classes) in shapes like an ornament, Christmas light and snowman, participants also receive all the tools they need to make their cookies shine, including buttercream frosting, piping bags, six different professional pastry decorating tips and sprinkles. Instruction on techniques for using each product is provided. The cookie decorating kit can also be purchased for $30 if you can’t make the class.
Where: Rochester Recreation Center, Rochester, MN, and Crossings Art & Community Education Center, Zumbrota, MN
When:
- Monday, December 9, 2024, from 6-8 PM – Rochester (Adult and I class)
- Friday, December 13, 2024, from 6-8 PM – Zumbrota (Adult and I class)
- Monday, December 16, 2024, from 6-8 PM – Rochester
How Much: $50 for one adult or one adult and one child for Adult and I classes
Cookie Decorating Class
Carry on the timeless tradition of festive cookie decorating during this hands-on class. Learn tips and tricks to turn each treat into an edible work of art. Perfect for beginner bakers and seasoned pros alike.
Where: Chosen Valley Golf Course, Chatfield, MN
When:
How Much: $45 each
What Rochester-area holiday craft classes are you doing this year? Leave a comment below!
Have a Christmas activity near Rochester, MN to add to our calendar? Submit your event here!
