Ho-ho-ho. Time to wrap the little ones up tight. Despite the nip in the air there's tons of family-friendly stuff happening — just in time for the kids getting out of school. This week's got more Christmas parties going on than Kris Kringle's had milk and cookies. Think Santa Clause hangouts, baking, and other festive shenanigans to yoga, workshops, and meditation.

Weekday

Aussie Christmas Lunch

Dec 18, 2-8pm @ The Westin (Bund Center)

The Bruces over at AustCham are doing a down-under style Christmas lunch. Expect lots of food and drink, an activity room for the kids to go wild, and even a guest appearance from Saint Nick himself. Admission is all-inclusive and costs 1,288rmb per person for members, 1,888rmb for non members and 600rmb for kids under 12.

RTA Christmas Party

Dec 18, 4.30-6pm @ Rainbow Tree Academy

Proving that you can turn any situation into a learning opportunity, Rainbow Tree Academy are hosting a STEM-themed Christmas Party. Kids get to engage in fun science experiments involving candy, give their crafting skills a go while making Christmas ornaments, and compete in a "Rudolph" race. The world's jolliest man will also be there to hand out gifts.

LEGO Christmas Party

Dec 18, 5.30pm @ Legoland Discovery Center

Here's an activity sure to win you some major parenting brownie points — a party at Legoland Discovery. Musical performances, a LEGO building workshop, games to play, and a meeting with the big dude from the North Pole. Admission is 238rmb and comes with food and beverages to enjoy.

Weekend

STEAMVenture Worksop

Dec 19, 2-3.30pm @ Golden Gate Academy

Here's another STEAM-related workshop, this time from the folks over at Golden Gate Academy that aims to work on those entrepreneurial skills — teamwork, leadership and communication. Suitable for kids aged 11-16 years. Admission costs 200rmb.

Winter Solstice in Mogan Mountain

Dec 19-21 @ Mogan Mountain

Green Steps has organized a quick getaway for the Winter Solstice (12/21) in Moganshan. It's no beach in Bali but it's a change of scenery! The weekend is packed with hikes, theater workshops, community games, and time to enjoy nature and stuff. Tickets cost 1,200rmb for adults and 2,700rmb for kids which come with special activities for those aged 18 months to 15 years. Accommodation options vary but cost on average 1,000rmb for the entire three days. Pick-up is at 8.30am this Saturday from People's Square.

Santa Dash

Dec 19, 9am @ Saffron Grill

This Saturday, Saffron Grill is hosting a Santa-themed family fun-run where participants race in their most Christmas-y clothes. Adults can run 5km while kids can walk 1km. There will be a special post-run brunch and prizes will be given out to the best family and individual costumes. Participation costs 50rmb for individuals and 120rmb for families and all be proceeds will be donated to charity.

Brunch With Santa

Dec 19-20, 10am-noon @ Geneva

For kids who have yet to share their Christmas list, Geneva is having brunch this weekend with the Big Man. There will be gingerbread cookie decorating, photos with Mr. Claus, and a bit of Christmas card crafting. Psst. Parents! Brunch includes free-flow! Price is 188rmb for adults and 128rmb for kids. Children under 1 meter are 68rmb.

Family Christmas Yoga

Dec 19, 10.30-11.30am @ Jitterbugs

Jitterbugs is hosting a Christmas yoga class for both kids and adults, because nothing says Christmas more than the warrior pose. Costs 150rmb for one parent and one child or 200rmb to take two kids with you. Registration ends Friday.

Awesome Christmas Fun Fair

Dec 19, 4.30-6pm @ Awesome Kids Club

Joining the growing list of places celebrating the season with a festive shindig is Awesome Kids Club. There will be games to play, cookies to decorate, gifts from Santa to accept, and fun to be had. Parents are free to join but kids will be charged. Members of AKC and AKA can go for 188rmb, while non-members will be charged 258rmb.

Speckled Frogs' Christmas Party

Dec 20, 10am-noon @ Speckled Frogs

Speckled Frogs has its own morning celebration happening for Shanghai's youngest, including tree decorating, gifting, Christmasy, artsy crafty stuff, zumba — Santa's got a belly to shift — and holiday games. Regular price is 220rmb or 200rmb if you can get in there fast enough for early-bird.

Dance Party & Meet Santa

Dec 20, 10-11.30am @ Dance Box

The Dance Box is hosting a zumba style party — it's Father Christmas' latest fixation — with games, photos with you-know-who, and goodie bags for the kiddies to take home. Guests at the party earn themselves a free dance trial-class. Admission costs 449rmb.

Ugly Sweater Family Christmas Party

Dec 20, noon-6pm @ Boxing Cat Brewery (Sinan Mansions)

Another ugly Christmas sweater event! Unlike The Pearl's gig though, Boxing Cat's is not a contest but more of a "rock up in your ugliest Christmas jumper and wear it with pride" deal. Afternoon will include crafting, more gingerbread accessorizing, silly photo ops with the father of the season and more. Tickets for adults are 188rmb or 286rmb to include free-flow drinks. Kids under 12 get to eat for free!

Sound Healing Meditation

Dec 20, 4.30-6pm @ Fitspace

This sound healing session at Fitspace aims to reduce all that gift-purchasing, turkey-cooking, party-organizing stress and anxiety and encourage restful sleep. Class is conducted in English and welcomes of all levels of meditation. Costs 188rmb per person.

Cooking Class: Christmas Log & Chocolate Mousse

Dec 21, 9.30am-1pm @ Shanghai Young Bakers

Shanghai Young Bakers are hosting a holiday-special baking course, where youngsters learn how to make a Bûche de Noël (which is fancy speak for "Christmas Log") and a chocolate mousse. Registration costs 420rmb. Final day to sign-up is Friday (12/18), so make sure you book in advance!

Yoga Mindfulness Retreat

Dec 21-24 @ Anji Mountains

For those who can't be bothered with the usual Christmas chaos, a mindfulness retreat might be just what the doctor ordered. This three-day escape to the Anji mountains includes a bit of yoga, self-reflection and space away from the city, and for folks that need more adventure, the mountain resort also has snowboarding and skiing. Price is all-inclusive and starts at 4,000rmb. Accomodation has underfloor heating, a fireplace and hot springs, to keep everyone warm and cozy.

For more things to with the kids in Shanghai check out the SmSh events page