Table of Contents
Last Updated on December 10, 2024
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. There are so many things you can do to get into the Christmas spirit, especially if you’re a teen, as you’ll always find something going on in your local area that is specifically associated with the festive season. Once childhood is left behind, there’s a transition period for teens as they start to enjoy different activities during Christmas.
Sitting on Santa’s lap will be a thing of the past once a child reaches their teens, so they will need to find different things to do. Luckily, there are a lot of choices out there that can make the build-up just as special. From family outings to fun with friends, this guide will explore the best teen-friendly activities near Christmas.
Please continue reading to find out more about Christmas activities for teens that will get them excited in the build-up to the special day.
*Post may contain affiliate links. Full disclosure can be viewed here.
Best Christmas Activity for Teens
Christmas Markets
Every year, there will be Christmas markets opening worldwide for people of all ages to enjoy from stocking stuffer shopping to festive treat eating to craft beer drinking. It can be the perfect activity to enjoy for teens, as they can go with their friends or family, and it will get them into the Christmas spirit instantly. Local Christmas markets will have a lot to offer, but it’s worthwhile to do some traveling to check out Christmas markets in other communities.
Gift Shopping
Christmas is the time of the year when you exchange gifts with those that you care about and there’s no better way to get into the festivities than by going Christmas gift shopping. Creating a list of all those who mean something to you and taking the time to buy gifts for them will be an enriching experience. As teenagers, it could be the first time that you have such a responsibility.
There are so many great holiday shopping centers that pop up this season all over the globe, like the Victoria Shopping Centre in Leeds. So do a little bit of research on different holiday shops outside of your local community to see if it’s worth making the journey. You may want to try a shopping center that offers a variety of both high-end and affordable stores that customers can navigate to find the perfect gift.
Ice Skating
Visiting an ice rink is a Christmas activity that can provide hours of fun for all ages, especially teenagers. Whether you’re a natural on the ice or not, it doesn’t matter as it can be a hilarious experience to slip and slide all over the place! There are many skating rinks located all over in the winter, many of them opening in November and remaining open until after Christmas has passed.
Light Shows
Christmas lights can be beautiful and make for a great day out if there’s an event that takes place at the same time. In major cities, there are often celebrities or local heroes that turn on Christmas lights which can be a great chance to have a one-in-a-lifetime experience.
Wreath Making
Channelling your creativity by making wreaths can be a nice way to feel festive, as you make something that can also be used for outdoor home decoration. You can do this at home with your family or go to a wreath-making event with your friends, but either way, it will be a fun activity. There are many types of wreaths you can make, so it’s best to get creative and make something unique that you will be proud of.
Bake Cookies
Baking cookies can be done all year round, but there’s something particularly special about doing this in the build-up to Christmas. These can be done in Christmas-themed shapes, such as trees or stars to add to the festive feelings. While teenagers might not want to leave these out for Santa on Christmas Eve anymore, they can still enjoy the bakes for themself.
Movie Marathon
Christmas movies are a classic festive activity for all ages. Whether it’s Home Alone, The Grinch, Elf or an alternative option, you can choose a variety of different films and have a movie marathon with your family or friends. Go buy your favorite treats, turn on the fireplace and wrap up in your coziest blankets while laying on the couch for hours and watching your favorite movies.
Join a Santa Dash
Why not think outside the box and try something different? Joining a Santa Dash could be the perfect activity to try out. This is a really fun event to take part in with your friends, as you all dress as Santa and take part in a mini-marathon. There are often hundreds of people who take part in these and it can be a hilarious experience that gets you into the festive mood.
Alternatively
It always would be worth speaking to your teenagers and asking them what they would like to do to celebrate the season. They might actually want to do something that they did when they was younger to help them feel more in the mood for Christmas. The bottom line is that you don’t truly know what they will enjoy or spark the excitement of Christmas unless you ask them and it could be as simple as baking some Christmas cookies.
But I definitely agree that a range of these activities are teen-friendly and will be successful in bringing the whole family together but give your kids the opportunity to do something they want to do to celebrate the holidays as we all know eventually that urge to do these things isn’t forever. It’s the perfect way to spend those years together and give them a happy relationship toward Christmas each year.
Wrapping Up
Christmas offers a variety of activities for teens beyond traditional traditions. Explore festive markets, shop for gifts, enjoy ice skating, admire Christmas lights, create wreaths, bake cookies, watch classic movies, or join a Santa Dash. These activities offer a mix of tradition, excitement, and community engagement, ensuring a memorable Christmas season.
