The 4 Best Workshops at Christmas

1.Salzburg Christmas Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 183 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $72Our pick

In a small cave-style cooking school near Salzburg’s Old Town, an English-speaking chef guides you through apple strudel and Vanilla Kipferl. You stretch pastry, season apples, bake, eat goulash and dessert, then take extra cookies home. Instructors have included Leonardo, Johan, Nonna, and Ishmail.

“This was such a fun activity to do. It was great to learn how to make the strudel and cookies. Nonna and Ishmail were helpful and made the experience enjoyable. Would highly recommend this activity.”

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2.Flavours of Polish Christmas: 4 course dinner + cooking class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · from $120

Join Maria and her small team at Pierogi & More in Warsaw for a December-only Polish Christmas evening. You will make sauerkraut pierogi from scratch, taste beetroot soup with mushroom-filled uszka, enjoy a four-course festive meal, sample Polish liqueurs, and take home recipes and Christmas customs.

“My mom and I did this class and Maria was amazing. It was fun learning to make Pierogi’s and all about Polish culture around the holidays. I would recommend everyone to do this!!”

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3.Magical Private Santa Visit, Reindeer Ride & Elf Workshops

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 8 reviews · 2 hours · from $373

At Apukka Resort near Rovaniemi, an English-speaking elf guide leads you through a reindeer sleigh ride, cookie baking, Christmas-card crafts, and elf games before your family meets Santa privately. The two-hour experience includes winter clothing, snacks, a small gift, transfers from central Rovaniemi or Santa Claus Village, and photos with Santa.

“This activity was AMAZING! Although expensive, they really care about small details for children making it a magical experience that worth the price. Our children were amazed with being amongst elves, playing with them, riding to Santa’s village in reindeers and meeting Santa. The look in our children’s eyes during the whole trip validated the selection of this experience as part of our trip to Finland.”

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4.Prague: Traditional Czech Christmas Cookie Baking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 2h 30m · from $92

Spend 150 minutes at Kuličkário, a short walk from Prague’s historic center, learning four Czech Christmas cookies with a local instructor. Make wasp nests, vanilla crescents, coconut balls, and Linzer cookies, then enjoy hot chocolate or Czech punch. Ingredients, equipment, aprons, recipes, and takeaway packaging are provided.

“We loved the small class size. It was well organized. Very clean space. Easy to find. We had great conversation about Christmas traditions in the Czech Republic and Australia. What a kind and knowledgableyoung man. And the treats were yummy”

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