As the holiday season approaches, Christmas party planning is in full swing! Are you looking for fun, creative, and unique ways to celebrate with your staff and team members? 

Staying local to celebrate is not only great for the community but also adds a personal touch to your Christmas party experience. Whether it’s enjoying local produce, learning from talented artisans, or celebrating in stunning local venues, your team will experience the best the Ballina Coast & Hinterland has to offer. To make sure you have the latest options, explore our suggestions on what local businesses can offer for Christmas parties, from workshops to venues, activities, and classes.

Let’s make this holiday season one to remember, filled with creativity, connection, and local flavor!

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WORKSHOPS & CREATIVE EXPERIENCES

We are spoilt for choice with plenty of local businesses ready to help you create memorable, hands-on experiences for your team or staff this Christmas. Here’s a snapshot of what’s on offer:

• Byron Bay Cacao: Indulge in a fun chocolate-making workshop where you can craft your own gourmet treats. Perfect for teams looking to get creative and leave with a sweet souvenir!

• Sea Silks Gallery: Create your own hand painted silk artwork with world renowned artist Kim Michelle Toft. In the 4 hour workshop you will complete a silk painting 30cm x 40cm.

• Pisco & Ceviche Masterclass: Learn how to make authentic Pisco Sours and how to prepare and serve the classic Peruvian dish - Ceviche with the amazing team at Bonito Peruvian. A skill to take home & impress all your friends.

• Paint and Sip Classes: Book in a painting workshops where your team can unleash their inner artist. A sip of wine, laughter, and creativity make these classes a hit.

• Wreath Making Workshop: Design your own stunning Christmas Wreath. Lots of decorations to choose from, enjoy an afternoon relaxing, creating, sipping and nibbles making your very own gorgeous wreath.

• Cocktails & Contour Workshops:  A group makeup lesson that covers all bases when it comes to your makeup application. Learn all the tricks of the trade while sipping on a delicious cocktail.

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FUN ACTIVITIES TO BRING YOUR TEAM TOGETHER

Looking for a little adventure or team bonding to bring your Christmas party alive? Find activities that are both fun and memorable:

• Heel Hook Line Dancing: Book the team into Line Dancing! The enjoyment definitely outweighs the initial nervousness and Bec can run a private class just for your team.

• Paintball Ballina Byron: Let the team battle it out on the field. No doubt you will see who is the most the competitive team member.

• Virtual Golf: Book the entire complex for the work function or just a single golf bay. They can even help with catering requirements plus have a fully licensed bar that will help make the event one to remember.

 • Behind the Barrel: No better way to explore the breweries & distilleries in the region than on board the bus where no staff member has to drive!

 • Barefoot Bowls: With jacks, bowls & mats supplied, this an affordable and fun way to bring the team together.

 • Ballina Boat Hire: This is a great one for the smaller teams - hire a BBQ boat and explore the Ballina waterways.

• Byron Bay Motorcycle Tours: Enjoy a short tour from 30 minutes up to 5 hours. Customise your own tour to create the ultimate ride to remember!

 • Maxime Willems - Therapy and Training : Elevate your team with an unforgettable Equine Team Wellbeing session led by professional Maxime Willems and her expert facilitators. Together, you’ll embark on a transformative experience that will inspire, strengthen, and unite your team in ways they’ll cherish forever. To make the day even more special, add a unique poolside lunch or dinner at Sugar Beach Ranch, where your team can relax and unwind in a beautiful, serene setting. It’s the perfect combination of growth, connection, and celebration!

• Brookie's Rainforest & Gin Tasting Tours: Experience the spirit of the rainforest with a Brookie’s gin & tonic in hand while hearing Brookie's story and learning the history of the Big Scrub. See, smell and touch the different native rainforest botanicals that are used to make their award-winning spirits. Finish with a guided tasting and learn about the art of distillation.

• Hot Air Ballooning: An ultra special treat for your team, enjoy the views of Ballina and Byron Bay region from a unique vantage point. After the flight, end your magical morning with a gourmet breakfast. Balloon Aloft are offering a 10% discount for group bookings and can take up to 20 people at a time.

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VENUES FOR YOUR SPECIAL EVENT

Ballina and the surrounding areas boast a wide range of venues perfect for hosting your Christmas party, regardless of your group size or event style. Find a list below of uniqur venues you can hire for your special event. Alternatively, if you are looking for a place to dine, visit our Eats & Drink page

 • Sugar Beach Ranch: Celebrate your team with an extraordinary poolside Christmas lunch or dinner at Sugar Beach Ranch! Relax together in a stunning natural setting, enjoy the pristine beach, and indulge in a luxurious meal by the pool. For an even more memorable experience, add a powerful Equine Team Wellbeing session with Maxime Willems - Therapy & Training, where your team can connect, grow, and unwind like never before. It’s a day of relaxation, bonding, and unforgettable moments!

• Byron Bay Wildlife Sanctuary: BBWS have a number of event spaces, each with a special quality, one of which is guaranteed to be perfect for your corporate event. The BBWS team will work with you on a high-quality food and beverage experience, styling, audiovisual, and everything else you envisaged for your event. Download the packages for inspiration HERE

•  Shelly Beach Cafe  offer Indoor and outdoor dining space for your Christmas function with the deck overlooking the beautiful pacific ocean this would be a perfect way to celebrate with staff or family.

•  Buckley's Chance  is Inspired by modern Australiana style and from the beautiful Northern Rivers region, they champion local produce and native flavours. A beautiful venue to Celebrate your pre Christmas work or family function. 

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