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7 Ways You Can Spend Christmas Day Outside

Take the holiday spirit outside this year.

By: Anna Cohen + Save to a List

Christmas day is usually spent indoors, warm and toasty by the fire. But, if you feel like making some new holiday memories this year, try going outside! You’ll likely find the outdoors much less crowded, since most people are bundled up around the tree with their presents. Here are a few ideas for how you can spend Christmas day outside:

Photo: Matt Clark

1. Go Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy. Snowshoes allow you to cover a lot more area when there is snow on the ground. So, your snowy explorations wont be impeded by deep snow drifts and snow-covered trails.

2. Build a Snowman

Whether you are lucky enough to have snow in your own backyard, or you have to drive or hike a bit to find it, building a snowman is a fun way to be outside. It is also a great excuse to play with snow and to feel like a kid again. You can get creative and try to make your snowman look like a certain character or well-known person.

3. Go Hiking

If there isn’t much snow where you are, try going out for a Christmas day hike. You will likely have the trails all to yourself, and the scenery will be different than it is at any other time of the year. It’s a great chance to find isolation in the outdoors.

Photo: Jon Sinclair

4. Go Ice Skating

There are many public ice rinks for you to ice-skate in. But iceskating on a pond is way cooler. Just be sure that the pond is sufficiently frozen with thick enough ice before you start blowing everyone away with your twirls, and always have a buddy with you.

5. Look at Christmas Lights

Bundle up with your loved ones and head out for a stroll around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. It’s a great excuse to get outside, breathe some fresh air, and stretch your legs. Plus, very few things are more festive and Christmasy than Christmas lights!

6. Go Sledding

Grab a sled and head to the nearest hill for some good ol’ fashioned winter-time fun! You can even improvise a sled by using a large piece of cardboard or a garbage bag. Sledding is a cheap, classic way to have a good time.

7. Build an Igloo

If you want to really embrace the season, try building your very own igloo to camp in. There are many great online igloo building how-to’s and, contrary to what you might think, igloos can be very warm and pleasant to sleep in. Or, if sleeping in one doesn’t quite sound like what you are after, you can just spend your Christmas day inside it, sharing hot cocoa and laughs with your loved ones.

Photo: Josiah Roe

Cover photo: Andy Best

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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