Winter Things to Do With Friends (Outside, and Worth It)

The best winter things to do with friends outside are short, social and built around a warm finish: a holiday lights walk, a ski or snowboard day, a bonfire night, a New Year's Day hike, a meteor shower watch, or the Christmas Bird Count. Plan shorter outings, start later in the morning, and end somewhere warm.

Winter outings that work with a group

• First Day Hike (January 1): state parks across the country host guided New Year's Day hikes. Start the year outside, then go to brunch.
• The Christmas Bird Count (December 14 – January 5): Audubon's long-running count needs volunteers, and beginners are paired with experienced birders. It's a ready-made group day with a purpose.
• Geminid meteor shower (December 13–14): the year's best shower, under a thin moon in 2026. Blankets, thermoses, somewhere dark.
• Ski or snowboard day: carpool to the nearest mountain and take a lesson together if anyone's new.
• Holiday lights walk or drive: a decorated downtown, a light show or a lit trail.
• Bonfire or fire-pit night: s'mores, a playlist and everyone brings a chair.
• Winter hike to a waterfall or overlook: clear air and long views, with no leaves in the way.
• Ice skating: a seasonal rink is low-skill fun for mixed groups.
• Soup supper club: everyone brings a pot after a short hike. See supper clubs.
• Polar plunge: many towns hold one around New Year's, often for charity. Never cold-water swim alone.

How to stay warm (and keep people coming)

• Layers, not one big coat: a wicking base, a warm middle and a windproof shell. Pull off a layer before you sweat.
• Hands, feet, head: warm gloves, wool socks and a hat matter more than the jacket.
• Shorter and later: plan 1–2 hours, starting mid-morning when it's warmest. Daylight ends early, so be back well before sunset.
• Always a warm finish: a café, brewery or someone's living room. It's the part people remember.
• Have a backup: pick the indoor plan before you need it, and say so in the invite.

Keep the group going until spring

Groups lose momentum in winter because plans get canceled one at a time. Pick a standing day, say the second Saturday of every month, and keep it, adjusting the activity to the weather rather than canceling. In the Tri-Cities, start with holiday lights and winter outings.