From cookies to crafts: Mumbai’s Xmas workshops are a hit

For a city that thrives on movement, Mumbai is embracing a quieter, more hands-on way of celebrating Christmas this year. Across neighbourhoods, festive workshops — from gingerbread making and mulled wine sessions to stitching, puppeteering and even painting on cake — are becoming the season’s most sought-after experiences.Gingerbread, Mixology & Culinary CraftingCulinary workshops continue to lead the trend, with hotels reporting unprecedented enthusiasm. At Sofitel Mumbai BKC, the Gingerbread House Masterclass has emerged as a favourite for families. “These workshops spark conversations, laughter, and festive camaraderie,” says Sidney Dcunha, Director of Food and Beverages & Culinary. Across the city, Christmas-centric culinary sessions — from mulled wine counters to plumpudding-making and festive mocktail mixology — are drawing eager participants.

Meenanath Pawar, Executive Chef, The Orchid Vile Parle, shares, “People want hands-on experiences that blend tradition with fun. The core idea behind curating these workshops is to bring people together, fostering a sense of community through food, creativity, and celebration.

Such experiences amplify the festive cheer, allowing participants to take home not just recipes, but joy and connections."Content creator Harsha Pardasani went for a Gingerbreakmaking workshop at Hyatt Centric , Juhu with her twin daughters.

She tells us, "Decorating the gingerbread houses with marshmallows, gummies, colorful gems, and icing them is something my daughters did. These kind of activities also strengthen a family's bond during such festive times." Across the city, Christmas-centric culinary sessions — from mulled wine counters to plumpudding-making and festive mocktail mixology — are drawing eager participants. Meenanath Pawar, Executive Chef, The Orchid Vile Parle, shares, “People want hands-on experiences that blend tradition with fun." Crafting, Puppeteering & Kid-Centric CreativityFor children, experiential Christmas has taken a charming turn. At The Hab by Usha in Khar, the STITCHMAS Wonderland workshop invites kids to stitch puppets, explore puppeteering, and find joy in hand-made creations. “From stitching their own puppets to discovering the basics of puppeteering, kids engage in ways that spark imagination and build confidence. These experiences are increasingly popular in Mumbai as parents seek meaningful, interactive activities that combine creativity with learning, giving children space to explore while making joyful memories while also imbibing and appreciating the value of ‘hand-made’," says Brand Head Amaara Sangam.A similar intention drives Santa’s Workshop at Food Square, designed as a slow, tactile space for young creators. “Every year, we notice that people want to do more than just shop; they want to experience Christmas. Our aim was to let children make things with their hands, write letters to Santa, and leave with something uniquely their own. Christmas today is about giving kids a chance to create, giving parents a moment to breathe, and letting everyone share in a meaningful celebration," says Nidhi Karnavat Chopra, Founder of Boop, an event company.

Sip & Paint on Cake & Playful New ConceptsCreative workshops for adults have also exploded in popularity. Baked Bouquets’ Sip & Paint on Cake session at Don Mai is one of the city’s most innovative formats. “People are craving warm, shared, hands-on experiences,” says founder Shreenal Badiani. “Painting on a cake adds a playful twist — it’s festive, fun, and helps strangers celebrate as a community.” Culinary curator Ish Patil, from Don Mai, echoes the shift toward immersive, artistic celebrations.

“Mumbaikars want to slow down and create something meaningful with their own hands. Workshops turn the season into shared moments of laughter, creativity and connection," she says. BOX: Mumbaikars are also engaging in different workshops such as tufting. Student Ananya Agarwal who attended a tufting workshop at The Clumsy Studio, Prabhadevi, says, "It’s intimate, it’s a new skill learned & it’s therapeutic it’s something out of the regular cafe hopping, with endless options, it’s custom, for you by you, so it feels very personal, a real testament to the holiday season.

It was a perfect winter escape into a slow, hands-on creative experience.

I took myself on a solo date and spent 3 uninterrupted hours creating my own piece from scratch. I picked red and white festive tones and tufted a yin yang wreath, getting into the holiday spirit. Choosing the colours, designing the shape, and bringing it to life myself was an enriching experience. I had entered a little bubble of Christmas, one that was rather thoughtful, creative and most certainly magical."