Make It, Don’t Buy It: Creative Holiday Workshops in South Eastern Ontario

There’s something magical about making your own holiday keepsake. Maybe it’s the hum of a pottery wheel, the spark when glass meets flame, or the quiet pride of holding something handmade. Across South Eastern Ontario, artisans are opening their doors to share that feeling with anyone ready to try.

Prince Edward County

County Creative in Picton is a lively gallery and studio on Main Street where you can paint pottery, join artist-led workshops or pick up a take-home kit. Perfect stop for “making” rather than just browsing. There are lots of classes on tap for the winter season.  

Bay of Quinte

At Your Creative Junction, downtown Belleville turns into a winter maker’s playground. Try your hand at painting, crafting, or printmaking with friendly instructors who guide you from blank canvas to finished masterpiece. After class, wander along Front Street for a latte or a peek at the festive window displays.

At Cracked Glass Design in Belleville, you’ll visit a studio where glass pieces are transformed into vibrant, handmade treasures. Sign up for one of their hands-on classes and craft your own fused glass lampshade, suncatcher or ornament. These are perfect for gifting with impact. Afterwards, stroll in the moment of creation knowing you’ve left with something uniquely you.

Frontenac

Maple Ridge Farm in Sydenham workshops aren’t just about making things; they’re about reconnecting. Surrounded by pastures, bees and seasonal flowers, you can join hands-on sessions that guide you to craft natural-inspired gifts while enjoying on-farm hospitality and stunning rural vistas.

Kingston

At the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning, artists open their studios for holiday workshops that invite you to paint, weave, or sculpt something truly personal. From watercolour cards to hand-built pottery, you’ll find inspiration at every corner of this lakeside hub. Cap it off with a stroll through the Springer Market Square, warm drink in hand, and if it’s cold enough, bring your skates! The outdoor rink may be ready to go.

At 4 Cats at Arlington Park place you can roll up your sleeves for a clay wheel workshop, kids’ studio session or adult-group art event. Whether you’re shaping your first mug, hand-building a vase or painting under the guidance of a pro, you’ll walk away with something you made yourself and a little wear-inflict smile.

Crock a Doodle Kingston is a special place to gather with family and friends for art activities and everyday fun. The studio welcomes people of every age and ability, all day long. There are lots of workshops on the agenda in November and December to get you in the holiday spirit with your kids, or without them. There is even a special kids’ event where they can help create a handmade gift for their special someone.

1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways

In the heart of Gananoque, Gan Arts offers creative sessions that make gift-giving meaningful again. Join a class and learn a new skill surrounded by kindred spirits. Afterwards, wander the festively lit main street or pop into the 1000 Islands History Museum for a dose of culture between crafts.

Wiltsie Creek Studio is located just north of Lansdowne in the village of Outlet, where owner/operator, Dawne, has a gift store filled with lots of wonderful surprises. She hosts children and adult painting workshops throughout the year. Drop by her website to discover what’s in store.

At Blackwood Guitar Company in Mallorytown, you’ll step into a workshop where fine acoustic guitars are hand-built from scratch. Join a guitar-making course or schedule a guided tour to select woods, witness the craftsmanship, and maybe even get hands-on shaping a fretboard or body. It’s a maker’s experience that produces a beautiful instrument and a story to tell.

Acorn Pottery and Farm is just outside Westport and offers a peaceful, rural escape where you can get your hands dirty and shape something beautiful from clay. Join a small pottery class to learn hand-building or wheel-throwing techniques, then glaze and fire your own creation. Between sessions, explore the farm, browse their timeless collection, or sip tea while your work dries. It’s calm, creative, and deeply connected to the land.

At Stone Manor Studios in Newboro, art and heritage intertwine in a grand old manor. Take part in holiday writing, weaving, painting or resin class and leave with a timeless treasure. Holiday retreats here are paired with good company, local fare, and plenty of creative cheer.

The Crafty Potter in Brockville invites you to roll up your sleeves and create something special from clay. From wheel-throwing to hand-building holiday ornaments, you’ll shape, glaze, and fire your own keepsake in a relaxed, welcoming studio. Pop across King Street afterward to browse the shops or grab a cozy drink overlooking the river.

SD&G Counties

In downtown Cornwall at Creation Workshop, you’ll dive into pottery or ceramic-painting sessions where you craft your own mugs, bowls or ornaments right then and there. With relaxed studio vibes and friendly instructors, it’s a spot where hands-on gift-making meets laid-back afternoon fun.

Cline House Studio in Cornwall is housed in a historic home. This arts hub offers studio sessions and structured workshops in visual art and writing for all ages. It’s a meaningful place to create a personal keepsake.

The Crayon Box Collective is tucked inside a bright studio just north of Cornwall. The studio atmosphere is inviting for kids, teens and adults as it’s a welcoming art-space where painting, drawing and mixed-media creations come alive. Join a workshop, take home your own piece of art ready for framing or gifting, and soak in the creative energy of this gem.

Priest’s Mill Arts Centre (PMAC) can be found in a historic grist mill and blends gallery, studio and workshop space. You can join stained-glass, glass-fusing, painting or drawing sessions and walk away with your own piece of art.

From the glowing glass of Merrickville to the colourful canvases of Belleville and the cozy craft tables of South Glengarry, South Eastern Ontario shines brightest when makers come together. This season, skip the mall and tap into your creative side instead, and you’ll take home a story about how you made that perfect gift.