Handmade Holidays DIY Workshops
Celebrate the holiday season in Downtown Harrisonburg! Make holiday decorations, gifts, and more at a variety of business locations throughout the months of November and December thanks to these workshops organized by our downtown retailers.
Make a day out of your Handmade Holiday adventure by knocking out some holiday shopping (We have plenty of gift ideas to get you started!) and enjoying a meal or refreshment from nearly 40 restaurants, cafes, breweries, and bakeries just a short walk away. Discover something new on our Downtown Directory!
Grief Stone Painting Workshop
Thursday, Nov. 10 from 7pm | Led by Jules Myers at Great.full Goods
Are you grieving the death of a loved one? Grief can be a lonely, invisible experience. Sitting in the company of others who are also grieving can be comforting. We would love to have you join us on November 10 as we make grief stones to honor our loved ones who have died and to remind ourselves of why we are grieving – because we love them and miss them. During this workshop, we can be seen, we can share stories of loved ones – or sit quietly and just listen. Stones, paints, and tissues provided. Facilitated by Jules Myers, who is not a therapist, but a fellow griever who creates spaces to share stories of loved ones and just be.
Price: FREE event but limited to 15 people
Mommy & Me Bubble Powder Workshop
Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 4:30 – 6:30pm | Led by Ashley Cheney “Boujie Hippie” at Great.full Goods
Children and parents are invited to Great.full Goods to make Bubble Powder! Bubble Powder is a dry powder that foams up when it hits the bath. It’s like a bath bomb in powder form. Families will be able to choose from different plant-based dyes to color their powder and add bio-glitter too! This DIY is the perfect stocking stuffer, gift or just plain fun!
Price: Make Four 1 ounce test tubes with cork lid for $15 (Limited to 15 people)
Cut & Package your own Punny Soap Bar
Thursday, Nov. 17 at 10am until sold out | Led by Melissa Nguyen at Great.full Goods
Customers will cut and package their own soap! Punny soap tags will be available too such as “Soap Cool” “I used to be addicted to Soap, but I’m clean now” “I like handmade soap I cannot Lye” and more!
Price: $1.50 per ounce of soap until Soap is SOLD OUT
Wild and FREE: Holiday Centerpiece Gathering
Sunday, Nov. 20 from 1 – 4pm | Led by Melissa Nguyen (Great.full Goods) and Amy Strunk (Rocktown Yarn) at Shops at Agora
Create a table setting out of wild branches and weeds! Bring some to share if you’ve got them too!
We’ll have plenty of jars to make centerpieces, just be sure to bring a box or large bag to bring home yours.
Price: Free, $5 to add 5 dried flower stems from Harmony Harvest Farm, $2 to add a cup of tea. Add Pom Pom Turkey for $5
Make Your Own Button
Friday, Nov. 25 from 2 – 5pm | Led by Ellen Fairchild-Flugel at OASIS Fine Art & Craft
Come out to OASIS to design your 2 ¼ “ Button You can bring a picture to cut out (2 ¼” circle) or you can decorate your circle with your name, a design, drawing, and maybe some glitter!! Buttons come with a pin to attach to whatever suits your fancy. Age 5 years and up.
Price: $7
Creative Reuse Day
Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 10am – 6pm | Led by Melissa Nguyen (Great.full Goods) and Amy Strunk (Rocktown Yarn) at Shops at Agora
Rocktown Yarn and Great.full Goods will have tables FULL of crafting supplies that would have otherwise ended up in the landfill. You’ll see examples of what you can make or get creative and make whatever you want! We’ve got yarn, jewelry supplies, DIY supplies, and lots of computer wiring for upcycling that will work great for bracelets, necklaces and more! Feel free to donate things you don’t use anymore too!
Price: $6 to make as much as your heart desires.
Make a Wooden Ornament
Saturday, Nov. 26 from 3 – 5pm | Led by Monsalvat Woods, (Paul Thieberger) at OASIS Fine Art & Craft
Using a mobile wood shop, Paul will bring precut 4″ pine tree round cuts, 1/4″ thick. You will choose your ornament design and Paul engrave it for you.
Price: $20 per ornament
Winter Wonderfest
Saturday, Dec. 3 from 12 – 6pm | Downtown Harrisonburg
The most magical day in Downtown Harrisonburg is back and bigger than ever! Enjoy carriage rides, photos with Santa, carolers, holiday shopping, performances, a holiday movie, and more!
Cost: FREE!
Rustic Tree Centerpiece Workshop
Sunday, Dec. 4 from 2pm | Sage Bird Ciderworks
Looking for a fun activity that will bring out your creative side this holiday season? Grab your friends and join us for a hands-on workshop and create your very own Rustic Holiday Tree that will bring natural cheer to your holiday and beyond.
Decorate your Rustic Tree with living succulents, dried flowers, preserved moss and other botanical bits including an airplant tree topper. Long lasting and easy to care for, once you’ve learned the technique, you won’t want to stop until you have your own mini wooded landscape.
Registration per person includes instruction, one 6 inch tree, up to 5 succulent cuttings, one airplant, a selection of dried flowers and botanical bits, and moss. One glass of cider is also included. Nonalcoholic options are available for folks under 21.
Price: $40
Holiday Happy Hour + DIY Bath Snow
Friday, Dec. 9 from 6 – 8pm | withSimplicity
‘Tis the season for spreading love, joy, and hope. Join us in celebrating the holiday season with free bubbly, an amazing charcuterie spread by Irina, DIY Bath Snow station for the kiddos (and adults)! At the end of the evening, we’ll be raffling off a “Holiday Self Care Kit valued at $50+
Wreath-Making Workshop
Friday, Dec. 9 7pm | Sage Bird Ciderworks
Welcome the winter season with a beatiful handmade wreath for your front door. Led by Sparrows Flowers, you’ll have everything you need to build an 18″ fresh greenery wreath.
Registration per person includes instruction for one 18 inch wreath form & 1 glass of cider. Nonalcoholic options are available for folks under 21.
Fix-a-Bear
Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10am – 2pm | Led by Dr. Jerri Alexiou (Harrisonburg Dermatology) and Dr. Maureen Ward (Harrisonburg Animal Hospital) at Charlee Rose Boutique
The event is FREE to the public but we will be accepting donations for Cats Cradle. Appointments are necessary and will need to be made ahead of time through Eventbrite.
Price: FREE
Shibori Scarves!
Saturday, Dec. 10 from 2 – 4pm | Led by Gemma Amendola at OASIS Fine Art & Craft
Dye your own silk scarf using the shibori method. You can buy an already made silk Shibori scarf or you can make your own! Anyone can make a beautiful scarf with the colors of your choice, no experience needed. They take about 10 minutes to make!
Price: $20
Creating Keepsakes
Friday, Dec. 16 from 10am – 12pm | Led by Explore More Museum Staff at Explore More Museum
Explore More would like to invite preschoolers and their caregivers to drop-in on December 16th anytime between the hours of 10:00 AM -12:00 PM to create a variety of Christmas Tree Ornaments sure to don your family’s tree for years to come!
Price: This special program is free with your membership or paid museum admission.
Wax String Bracelets
Saturday, Dec. 17 from 11am – 2pm | Led by Anna Stegmeier at OASIS Fine Art & Craft
Come out to OASIS to design your Adjustable Wax String Bracelet. You will be able to pick out your stings and charms. There are steps that will be DIY, and steps that Anna Stegmeier will assist you with. A personally designed bracelet should take 20 minutes to make. There will also be pre-made bracelets on sale if you are not feeling crafty!
Price: $6 for a pre-made bracelet OR $8 to design/craft your own
Stained Glass Angels
Saturday, Dec. 17 from 12 – 3pm | Led by Barbara Camph at OASIS Fine Art & Craft
Design and make your own stained glass crazy angel! We’ll have precut body shapes in all colors. You’ll apply the copper tape, Barbara will solder her together, you will clean and patina (if desired).
Price: $7
Want more holiday fun? Make sure to check out these resources for more events and promotions in Downtown Harrisonburg this season:
Winter Wonderfest
The most magical day in Downtown Harrisonburg is back and bigger than ever! Join Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance Saturday, December 3, for Winter Wonderfest. Enjoy carriage rides, photos with Santa, carolers, holiday shopping, performances, a holiday movie, and more!
Downtown Harrisonburg Gift Guide
Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance welcomes you to our historic shopping district where you can shop for everyone on your list! Check out our gift guides for inspiration from over 20 local and independently owned businesses.
Shop Small & Win Big!
We’re making shopping small even sweeter this holiday season! Shop locally in Downtown Harrisonburg on Small Business Saturday and during Winter Wonderfest to win big in downtown gift certificates and other fun prizes.