What to Do When It Gets Cold: 12 Social Activities for Autumn and Winter

By November, we’re switching on the lights in the afternoon. By December, the sofa and a blanket can feel like the best plan for the evening. Then a message arrives: “Fancy doing something?” We do. We just need to work out what that “something” might be.

The colder months have their own places to come together: a table with room for a board game, a bowling lane where nobody minds a wayward first throw, an exhibition that gives you plenty to talk about afterwards. On AroundYou, shared experiences don’t depend on hiking boots or good weather. You can find company for indoor activities too, and a simple idea can turn into an evening you’ll want to repeat.

These 12 ideas include quiet catch-ups as well as livelier, playful outings. The suggested group sizes and timings are starting points for planning: adapt them to your venue and the people joining you.

1. Board game night: an easy way to break the ice

Sometimes the hardest part of meeting new people is the first ten minutes. An easy-to-learn board game gives everyone something to share straight away: you can ask questions, think together and laugh at an unexpected turn. A short party game or a cooperative game, where you work towards a shared goal, makes a good starting point.

How to organise it: plan for 4–6 people and around two hours. Say in the invitation that beginners are welcome, and make sure someone can explain the rules. If you’re going to a board game café, ask about table reservations, game fees and any minimum spend.

2. Bowling: even a gutter ball is part of the fun

One of the pleasures of bowling is that there’s time to chat between turns, while the game keeps the evening moving. You don’t need an established team or a sporting background. In a group of beginners, that first awkward roll is often exactly what helps everyone relax.

How to organise it: 4–6 people per lane is a useful starting point, but check the venue’s rules. Before booking, agree on lane hire, shoe rental and how you’ll split the costs. Meet 15 minutes early so introductions don’t eat into your booked playing time.

3. Pool: a slower pace and more time to talk

If you’re picturing a relaxed weekday evening, a game of pool could be just right. Playing in pairs makes it easier for people to join in, even if they’re still learning how to hold the cue. Conversations develop naturally around the table, without every minute needing a plan.

How to organise it: allow four people per table and agree on a simple set of rules at the start. Switch partners so everyone gets to play with different people. Make it clear in the invitation that the aim is to enjoy the game together and that beginners are welcome.

4. Darts: short rounds and plenty of cheering

A darts night takes a little curiosity and some patience with your own aim. Short rounds keep things moving, and playing in pairs takes the pressure off individual performance. That first bullseye will still get a cheer.

How to organise it: find a suitable venue for 4–6 people and ask in advance about reserving a board, borrowing equipment and any fees. Start with a simple points game. Keep the throwing area clear, and only collect the darts once everyone has finished their turn.

5. Karaoke: join a duet or enjoy the audience

Some people grab the microphone for the first song; others only start singing quietly by the third chorus. A good karaoke night has room for both. Choosing songs, cheering people on or joining a group number can be just as much a part of the experience.

How to organise it: with 6–10 people, a private karaoke room could be an option if the venue offers one. Check the booking terms and song selection. Say upfront that singing is optional and enthusiasm doesn’t require a great voice. Duets and familiar songs make it easier to take part.

6. A museum visit: one object can start a great conversation

You don’t all need to know about the same things to enjoy a museum together. Often, the interesting part is that someone notices a detail the rest of you missed. Pick a theme together – history, science or design, for example – and leave room for everyone to explore at their own pace.

How to organise it: plan for 4–8 people, a 60–90-minute visit and an optional coffee afterwards. Check opening hours, ticket prices and whether advance registration is required. Choose a precise meeting point, such as outside the main entrance.

7. An exhibition and coffee: no art history degree needed

After a photography or art exhibition, it’s easy to start a conversation: “Which picture would you have spent longer looking at?” There’s no need for expert analysis. Personal impressions, different tastes and the stories an artwork brings to mind give you plenty to discuss.

How to organise it: choose one exhibition and a nearby place where you can comfortably talk afterwards. Make the coffee stop optional. Alongside admission and any cloakroom fee, mention that the café visit involves a separate spend.

8. Cooking together: dinner starts with the preparation

One person chops vegetables, another stirs the sauce, and someone asks the evening’s most important question: “Does it need more garlic?” Cooking together is as much about the time spent making the meal as the food itself. A simple pasta dish, soup or homemade pizza can be all you need.

How to organise it: pick a short, straightforward menu for 4–6 people. Discuss allergies, dietary requirements, shopping and the budget in advance. For a new group, a bookable community kitchen or an organised cooking session can be a comfortable starting point. Share the clearing up too.

9. A creative workshop: try something new together

Pottery, painting, candle making or perhaps festive decorations in December: a creative session gives everyone something to focus on. There’s no pressure to keep talking, yet it’s easy to strike up a conversation about what’s taking shape at the next table.

How to organise it: look for a workshop aimed at beginners, then check availability and the full participation fee before anyone signs up. Ask whether materials are included, when you can take your work home and which cancellation terms apply.

10. Cinema and a chat: stay together after the credits

A cinema screening doesn’t leave much room for getting to know people, but adding a conversation afterwards turns it into a whole evening together. You don’t need a film-club analysis: everyone can simply share a scene that stayed with them or say who they’d recommend the film to.

How to organise it: with 4–8 people, choose a film together and confirm the screening time, language and subtitles before buying tickets. Agree on how you’ll book so nobody is left holding an uncertain reservation. Find somewhere nearby for a 45–60-minute chat afterwards.

11. A language practice meetup: make room for mistakes

Often, what’s missing isn’t vocabulary but a chance to use it. A relaxed language practice afternoon only needs a few easy topics: films, food, travel stories or weekend plans. The aim is to give everyone a turn and help people feel comfortable speaking.

How to organise it: choose a language and an approximate level for a group of 4–6 people. Bring a few conversation starters and switch partners occasionally. Explain that it’s informal practice rather than a lesson, and only correct someone if they’re happy for you to do so.

12. Quiz night: everyone knows something the others don’t

One person knows films, another recognises the music, and a third remembers an unexpected geography fact. That’s what makes a quiz such a good group activity: you quickly discover how much different people bring to a team. Sometimes the wrong answers make better stories than the ones that win points.

How to organise it: for a local quiz night, check team sizes, registration and entry fees in advance. To run your own, 4–8 people, a few short themed rounds and a quiz host can be enough. With a new group, mix up the teams and allow time to discuss answers together.

Turn your idea into a plan people feel comfortable joining

A good invitation answers the questions that might otherwise make someone hesitate. It doesn’t need to be long; it just needs to help newcomers know what to expect.

• Give it a clear title: for example, “Board game night for beginners – six people, two hours of games”.
• Include the venue, time and meeting point. At a large building, be more specific than “by the entrance”.
• Explain the likely costs: admission, lane hire, materials or refreshments. If the amount depends on group size, say so.
• Make it clear who’s welcome: beginners, people coming on their own or speakers at a particular language level, for example.
• Agree on bookings and cancellations. Clarify whether signing up for the meetup also secures a venue booking or ticket, or whether participants need to arrange those separately.

For a first meetup, a short, straightforward activity is plenty. After two hours of board games, you can always decide to stay and chat. In November and December, it’s worth checking with the venue early, especially for a larger group.

Good company is in season all year

You don’t have to wait until spring to meet new people or try something you’ve never got round to. A bowling turn, a quiz question solved together or a slightly wonky pottery mug can be the start of a new friendship, just as a shared hike can.

Pick an idea, explore events on AroundYou or organise your own indoor meetup. And feel free to add this to the invitation: “You’re welcome to come on your own.” Someone might be waiting for exactly those words.