Things to Do

Ultimate List of Fun Things to Do in Winter

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Ah, that time after Christmas and the holidays when the long cold winter stretches out in front of you. After all the fun and festivities of the holidays are over, the rest of the winter can seem bleak and dreadful. Winter is personally my least favorite season, so I definitely need a lot of activities to lift my spirits during the coldest months on the year. It turns out, winter doesn’t need to be so miserable after all! Below I’ve put together a long list of all the fun things you can do during the cold season, including indoor activities, outdoor activities, things to do at home, night-out ideas, and weekend trip ideas. Check out the list below for some awesome activities to get you through this winter season!

Things to do Indoors in Winter

Visit Coffee Shops and Cafes

Coffee shop counter with white hues and edison bulb hanging lights

What’s more cozy on a cold winter day than stopping by your favorite local cafe and grabbing a warm cup of coffee and a scone? Seriously though– coffee shops bring me happiness. And if you’re a coffee fan (or just a fan of cozy atmospheres), I’m sure you can relate. I love going with friends to our favorite coffee shop in town, grabbing a hot drink and a baked treat, and sitting down to catch up. On a winter day, it’s even fun to bring a book to the coffee shop and read for a while as you sip. If you find yourself with nothing to do on a winter weekend day, I definitely recommend you give this a try!

Breweries

Things to do in winter: Brewery bartender filling a beer glass with beer from a tap

Another great place to warm up on cold winter weekends is a brewery. Whether you’re going with friends or on a date, a brewery is always a good time. Many breweries have warm lighting, a friendly and festive atmosphere, a young crowd, and of course plenty of beer to warm you up! 

Baking Party

Assorted pastries on a wooden cutting board next to a wooden rolling pin

One of my favorite winter activities that truly brings me joy is baking. I mean, baking brings people joy all year long…but especially in winter when you need a pick-me-up on a cold gray day. Browse Pinterest, pick a baked good that looks delicious to you, and make that your activity for the day! You can pop over to the supermarket and pick up your ingredients, go home and turn on some music that makes you happy, roll up your sleeves, and get to work. 

Check Local Events

Two men playing guitar on stage performing live music

When I’m looking for something fun to do, no matter what time of year, I always hop onto Google to see what events are happening locally that week. I almost always find something interesting I never would have known about, whether it’s live music, some sort of festival, or a local paint and sip night. 

Indoor Farmers’ Markets

Things to do in winter: Bunches of fresh leeks and carrots displayed for sale at an indoor farmers' market

Farmers’ markets are definitely one of my favorite weekend events during warmer months. But did you know many areas have indoor farmers’ during the winter season? Just google “winter farmers’ markets near me” and with some luck, you might find one in your local area. I personally love winter markets almost as much as outdoor farmers’ markets. They usually feature winter produce, other local goodies like cheeses and breads, and often have a spot to get a delicious cup of local coffee. 

Explore Artisan Food Shops

Various rustic breads displayed for sale at a bakery

On the topic of markets, another place you can go to escape the cold and surround yourself with delicious food is a local artisan food shop. At places like these you can usually find things like cheeses, breads, jams, preserves, and more. You can explore all the interesting foods, shop around and pick up some stuff for a wine and charcuterie night later in the day. To me, browsing little local spots like these is a really fun activity in itself!

See A Show

Dimly lit and historically designed theater

Winter is the perfect time to settle down in a snug theater and enjoy a play or musical. If you live in an area close to major theater productions (I live not far from New York City), then a Broadway or off-Broadway show is always a good option. If not, check out your local theater offerings– there’s bound to be something going on near you!

Try an Escape Room

Neon red sign reading "ESCAPE ROOMS" in all capitals

An escape room is a great indoor weekend activity when the weather is less than ideal. I’ve done escape rooms with friends on both rainy and winter days, and it was a fun way to pass the time! You’ll spend about an hour in a room solving riddles, piecing together clues, and working together to “escape” the room with your team. Most of the rooms are pretty cleverly done, so it’s usually entertaining and even challenging.

Thrifting/Antiquing

Rack in a thrift store displaying suit jackets

Thrifting is a great way to spend a couple of hours on a winter day. My favorite things to thrift are actually big cozy sweaters, so winter is the perfect time to visit thrift shops in my opinion. Antique shops can also be a lot of fun to explore and a great place to pick up some items if you’re in need of some home goods.

The Bachelor Viewing Party

Winter night-in: Two women watching tv on a laptop, laughing, drinking glasses of red wine, sitting in bed

Everyone who’s a fan of the show knows that winter is The Bachelor season. Believe it or not, this show has gotten my friends and I through many a winter. Aaand many a rough Monday (for those who don’t watch, the show airs on Monday nights). My friends and I have had so much fun getting together on Monday nights, putting together cheese boards, drinking wine, cozying up, and watching the newest episode of the reality tv show. Is the show ridiculous, laughable, and insanely dramatic? 100% Do we love it? Yes. 

Things to do Outdoors in Winter

Go on Winter Hike

Things to do outside in winter: Young woman with a beanie and hiking backpack looking out onto a winter landscape

It’s important to try and get outside in winter as much as you can, especially if you’re prone to low moods during the winter months. Exposure to nature and the fresh air are guaranteed to lift your spirits. If you enjoy nature and hiking, a winter hike is the perfect choice for an outdoor winter activity. If you’ve never hiked a trail or up a mountain in the snow, you’ve gotta try it out! The snowy woods, evergreens, and crisp air makes a winter hike pretty magical.

Winter Sports

Group of friends in snowboarding gear smiling on a winter mountain

An obvious choice for winter recreation is participating in winter sports. Winter sports are the reason so many people love the cold season. I wish I was into winter sports. It would definitely make the winter more enjoyable for me. But I never got into skiing or snowboarding. It’s never too late to give it another go though! Don’t underestimate the fun of snow tubing or sledding either. I just went sledding with my nephew the other day on a huge hill and we had a blast! I felt like a kid again. If you haven’t gone sledding in a while, give it a try again. You’d be surprised to remember how much fun it can be. 

Try Ice Fishing

People ice fishing on a frozen lake

Now for this one you’ll need special equipment and someone who knows what they’re doing. But if you’re able to get a hold of those two things, I definitely recommend giving ice fishing a go! I tried this once and it was definitely an experience to remember. You’ll need to bundle up really well and of course use tons of caution out on the frozen water.

Have an Outdoor Fire

Outdoor things to do in winter: Roasting marshmallows over an outdoor firepit

Nothing will warm you up more in the middle of winter than a roaring fire. Sure you can snug up by an indoor fireplace, but it’s even more fun to gather for a fire outside. We actually sat around our firepit for a couple of hours for New Years this year and it was so much fun. Grab some friends, some music, and maybe some smores makings, and warm up by the flames.

Winter Sunsets

Beautiful winter sunset over snowy mountains by a mountain town

One of my favorite things to do outside in winter is catching sunsets. Outdoor fun is limited in the winter time, but sunsets never go away! Every time I watch a sunset in winter, I feel like I’m getting a little taste of summer. Of course, you’ll have to get to your favorite sunset spot early with the sun setting so early in the winter months. I love driving to the beach a half hour before sunset and staying until it’s almost dark to get the full experience. In my opinion, sunsets are good for the soul, no matter the time of year.

Things to Do at Home in Winter

Movie Marathons

A young man and woman sitting on a couch watching Netflix

When the winter weather is so crummy you don’t want to leave your couch, it’s time for a movie marathon. Whether alone or with friends, you can’t go wrong getting comfy on the couch with some snacks and turning on your favorite movie series. Some movie categories to consider: wintery movies, mysteries, and psychological thrillers. As for wintery movies, here are some of my personal favorites: Les Miserables, Harry Potter, Little Women, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Revenant

Murder Mystery Party

Winter at-home activity: A table with articles of evidence such as fingerprints, detective notes, and crime scene photos

I’ve always wanted to do one of these with my friends. Having everyone dress up in character and act out a murder mystery just sounds like so much fun. This would be the perfect night in during a cold winter weekend. The cold night outside would definitely add to the air of mystery and spookiness. For free murder mystery games and scripts, check out this post on The Spruce.

You can totally make this even more fun by sending out awesome customized invitations to your murder mystery dinner party.

Hunt A Killer

A bulletin board displaying photos, newspaper clippings, and maps, connected at various points by red yarn

In the same vein as a murder mystery party is the immersive game kit, “Hunt a Killer.” I’ve never played this myself, but it looks like a ton of fun. Basically, in the kit you are given a storyline, a bunch of evidence, and even physical items related to the crime. The task, of course, is to solve the murder at hand. The game can make for a unique at-home date night or a fun night with friends. There’s tons of different storylines to choose from as well. You can order individual “episodes” on Amazon. This one is called “Death at a Dive Bar“. If you love the concept of Hunt a Killer, you can even order a box set of six connected “episodes” delivered all at once. One of the box sets, called “The Class of ’98”, takes place at small town high school reunion which turns deadly.

Game Night

Group of friends playing a board game around a table and laughing

If you’re not feeling the murder mystery vibes, then a regular game night is always a great time. Gather with friends or family, choose your favorite group games, and let the fun commence. Some of my favorite games for a hilarious game night are Pictionary, Scattergories, and Heads Up! Now if you’re really into board games, then you HAVE to try out the game Catan. This board game is intense, competitive, and cut-throat. If you want to give this addictive game a go, you can purchase a Catan set here.

Read a Book by the Fire

Things to do in winter at home: Book lying open in front of a warm fire place

If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace in your home, then curling up with a great book by the fire would be an amazing indoor winter activity. Even if you don’t have a fire, dedicating a cold winter day to getting lost in a book is a great way to pass the time. Check out this blog post for a list of cozy winter reads. One book that I plan to read this winter is The Silent Patient, a psychological thriller that I’ve heard lots of people raving about. I can’t wait to cozy up and dig in to this one.

Make Winter Cocktails with Friends

Whiskey cocktail with an orange twist garnish

Who doesn’t love a fancy cocktail? If you’re looking for something fun to do with friends at home this winter, try hosting a winter cocktail tasting party! Each member of the group chooses a wintery cocktail and makes one for every other member of the party. For a list of delicious winter cocktails check out this post.

Make Your Own Pizza Night

Homemade pizza topped with basil sitting on a wooden cutting board

Another awesome way to spend an evening-in with friends, family or a significant other is a homemade pizza night! Everyone makes their own unique homemade pizza with their favorite ingredients. When the cooking is done, everyone samples each other’s pizzas and the group can even vote on which tasted best. Make the cooking super simple by getting pre-made pizza dough in the freezer section of the supermarket. 

Watch Football and Eat Apps

Various appetizers, snacks, and alcoholic drinks spread out over a wooden table

Admission: I’m not a huge football fan. Not that I don’t enjoy it when I watch…I just don’t really think to follow it like other people do. That being said, I actually really enjoy sitting down with some family or friends and watching a game while sharing some delicious apps. This is a great way to spend a cold winter Sunday. Who says you need the Superbowl to enjoy some tasty apps?!

Night Out in Winter

Look for Bars/Restaurants with Outdoor Firepits

Dark wood rustic bar with warm lighting

For a cozy night out in winter, search your local area for restaurants and bars with outdoor firepits. Even outdoor heaters will do the trick! I once went to a brewery in winter that had firepits and heaters outside and it was super fun. Perfect for a date night or a night out with friends.

Igloos

Night out in winter: Plastic Igloo structure in the middle of a city covered with snow

For a more unique wintry evening out, make reservations at a restaurant that has set up fun individual igloo structures outside. If you’ve never done this, I recommend giving it a try! Sipping on drinks inside of an igloo with friends feels pretty cool and luxurious.

Axe-throwing

Two axes crossed over each other

Another night-out activity I’ve been wanting to try is axe-throwing. Throwing some axes at targets with a couple of friends would be the perfect way to warm up on a frigid winter night. Most axe-throwing places also double as a bar so you can enjoy some brews while flexing your timber sports skills.

Winter Weekend Trips

Explore a New Town

Blue storefront with colorful lamps inside and an old-fashioned bike parked outside

One of my favorite weekend activities is to drive and explore a new town somewhere. I love discovering new areas, visiting local shops and restaurants, or even going for a hike nearby. These kinds of day trips are always a fun way to spend a winter Saturday.

Rent a Cozy AirBnb with a Hot Tub

Person lies on a couch in a living room of a rustic home with a Christmas tree and fireplace

Last on this list is one of my all-time favorite things to do in winter. I’ve done this both with family and friends and every time it has been so much fun. Pick a nice winter location within driving distance, browse through AirBnb or Vrbo, and look for the coziest home you can find! My family loves a hot tub, so we look for rentals with that added feature. Gathering with people you love in a rustic mountain house, with snow outside and a blazing fire inside is probably one of the most magical things you can do all winter.

So there you have it, a comprehensive list of fun things to do in winter. Hopefully these activities will keep you cozy, busy, and happy all winter long! For more ideas on fun things to do during all seasons, be sure to follow me on Pinterest.

If you have any other awesome winter activities to add to this list, please comment below! I’d love to hear your ideas.

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About thetwentythirtysomething

9 thoughts on “Ultimate List of Fun Things to Do in Winter

    1. Thanks CJ! I live in New York so some towns I’ve visited in NY that I’ve loved are Saratoga Springs, Sleepy Hollow, New Paltz, Cold Spring, Mattituck, Shelter Island, Jamesport, and Cutchogue.

  1. So many ideas in this post.
    I just have a look at your profile.
    I’m 27 too and I also have so many things to struggle with my life, mostly regarding money.
    Hope everything will be okay~
    Thank you so much for the nice post!

    1. Thanks for your comment Hang! Yes, it’s a tough time of life but we will survive 🙂 All the best to you!

    1. Thanks for your comment! I tried to include lots of no spend/low spend activities on this list, since I know so many of us are on tight budgets. Some of my favorite no spend activities on this list are winter hikes, outdoor fires, baking parties, and game nights.

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