13 New Hobbies to Try in London for Creative Colour Lovers

Unleash your inner rainbow in 2026 with our huge range of fun activities in London!

Ditch the monochrome and dive into the capital's most vibrant creative scene! Whether you’re looking for a high-energy crafty explosion or a mindful afternoon of serenity, there's plenty of options if you're looking for colourful new hobbies to try in London this year.

From neon life drawing to colourful pottery painting, explore our curated guide to the boldest, brightest workshops in the capital. Ready to embrace the kaleidoscope?

Why you should find new hobbies to try in London in 2026

Ready to swap your screen time for some me time? There’s never been a better time to shake up your routine and dive into London’s buzzing creative community. Whether you're looking to de-stress after a long week, meet a group of like-minded makers, or finally master that craft you've been eyeing on your feed, 2026 is all about getting hands-on. From hidden studios in Peckham to cosy workshops in Camden, the city is overflowing with local experts ready to share their secrets. It’s not just about the finished product (though that handmade mug will look great on your shelf!); it’s about the laughs, the lightbulb moments, and that amazing feeling of creating something from scratch.

Here’s why you should grab a seat at a London workshop this year:

• The ultimate digital detox: In our hyper-connected world, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of clay on your hands or the focused flow of a calligraphy pen to help you switch off. It’s the perfect way to silence the notifications and reconnect with yourself.

• Boost your wellbeing: Science says it’s true – getting creative lowers cortisol and gives your brain a happy hit of dopamine. Whether it's the mindful repetition of kintsugi or the bold energy of a neon life drawing class, your mental health will thank you!

• Support your local heroes: When you book a class, you’re supporting the incredible independent artists, florists, and chefs who make London so special. You’re not just learning a skill; you’re helping a local creative business thrive.

• Socialising without the small talk: Forget awkward networking! Learning a new hobby is the easiest way to meet people. You’ll be too busy comparing your pottery glazes or laughing over a messy painting session to worry about what to say next.

• Customise your world: Why buy mass-produced when you can make it yourself? In 2026, the coolest things in your home will be the ones with a story – like that tufted rug you spent three hours perfecting or the custom perfume you blended yourself.

1. Embrace your inner maximalist with a tufting workshop

Ever dreamt of creating your own technicolour rug or wall hanging? Tufting classes are where it's at! These workshops offer an enjoyable and accessible way to learn the basics, and you’ll find yourself weaving a tapestry of colours, crafting a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects your personality.  These creative experiences are perfect for beginners and seasoned crafters alike, offering a space to unleash your inner maximalist in a riot of glorious colour.  

The workshop:

Location: Nine Elms, South West London

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

Price: £128 - £150

The ClassBento top tip:

Don't be afraid to go bold! Tufting is the perfect medium for vibrant, chunky designs that really pop. When picking your yarn, choose high-contrast colours to make your pattern stand out – and remember to wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be standing while you bring your masterpiece to life with the tufting gun!

2. Play with colourful blooms at a seasonal flower arranging class

Flowers are nature's confetti, so if you're looking for new interests in London that smell as good as they look, you've come to the right place! Immerse yourself in a floristry workshop, where expert florists will guide you through selecting blooms, colour combinations, and different techniques, empowering you to craft a masterpiece worthy of a Monet painting.  You’ll leave the workshop with a hand tied bouquet or floral arrangement bursting with colour, ready to brighten your home or surprise a loved one. 

The workshop:

Location: Dalston, East London

Duration: 1 hours 30 minutes

Price: £65 - £75

The ClassBento top tip:

Keep an eye on the seasons! Choosing a workshop that uses seasonal stems doesn't just mean your bouquet will be fresher and last longer (and tick the sustainability box!); it also gives you a chance to play with nature's ever-changing palette – from the soft pastels of spring peonies to the rich, burnt oranges of autumnal dahlias.

3. Create vibrant art at an acrylic paint pouring class

Feeling the urge to get messy?  If you’re looking for new interests that will really let you dive into creativity, paint pouring sessions are what you’re looking for. These workshops are perfect for anyone who wants to unleash their creativity without the pressure of traditional painting techniques; simply choose your colours, learn the pouring method, and watch as mesmerising swirls and patterns unfold on the canvas.  

The workshop:

Location: Stepney, East End

Duration: 2 hours 

Price: £38 – £88, with various options

The ClassBento top tip:

Embrace the happy accidents! The beauty of fluid art is its unpredictability, so don't try to over-control the paint. For that professional 'cell' effect, ask your teacher about adding a drop of silicone oil to your mixture – it creates those gorgeous, bubble-like pops of colour that make every single pour a total one-off.

4. Get a glow up with a bendy candle making class or candle painting workshop

Looking for a more relaxing and therapeutic way to embrace colour?  Candle making and painting classes offer a delightful sensory experience for the colour-obsessed. Led by a crafty pro, you’ll either learn the art of crafting beautiful, scented candles from scratch – choosing from a rainbow of dyes and fragrances – or discover how to decorate and twist existing candles to perfection. 

The workshop:

Location: Vauxhall, South West London or Spitalfields, East London

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes 

Price: £38

The ClassBento top tip:

If you’re opting for candle painting, think of your candle as a tiny, 3D canvas! Use thin layers of wax, paint or specialised pens to build up your design – trendy motifs like Mediterranean lemons, wavy squiggles, or dainty wildflowers are super beginner-friendly and look absolutely stunning when flickering on your dinner table.

5. Craft dazzling delights with a mosaic or creative fused glass workshop

If you crave something more structured, consider a glass art class. Hosted in a stunning artists studio, you’ll learn the art of glass fusing or kiln-forming, using sheets of coloured glass to create stunning mosaics, jewellery, or even decorative plates. These workshops are perfect for beginners and allow you to create unique keepsakes that explode with colour.

The workshop:

Location: Tower Hamlets, East London

Duration: 3 hours 

Price: £110 – £180, depending on whether public or private

The ClassBento top tip:

Think about how your piece will catch the light! When layering your glass, try overlapping transparent and opaque pieces; it creates beautiful new shades and depth once it comes out of the kiln. Don't worry if you've never touched a glass cutter before – your teacher will show you how to score and snap like a pro in no time.

6. Create a ceramic rainbow with a pottery painting class

Ready to give your kitchen cabinets a glow-up? Pottery painting is the ultimate low-pressure way to play with a massive palette of glazes. Whether you’re decorating a pre-made mug or a custom dinner plate, you’ll learn how different pigments transform in the kiln. From speckles and splatters to intricate patterns, it’s a meditative way to drench your morning coffee cup in your favourite shades.

The workshop:

Location: Southwark, Central London

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Price: £45

The ClassBento top tip:

Glaze colours often look pastel and chalky when you apply them, but they’ll emerge from the kiln as glossy, vibrant masterpieces! Don’t be afraid to layer up your coats to get that deep, saturated wow factor.

7. Stitch something special with a beginner sewing class

Modern sewing is all about bold fabrics and personality! Dive into a world of vibrant prints and neon threads as you learn to create anything from a statement tote bag to a bespoke garment. It’s a fantastic way to take control of your wardrobe or home decor and ensure your style is as colourful as you are.

The workshop:

Location: Brockley, South London

Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes

Price: £60

The ClassBento top tip:

Start with a project that uses fat quarters – these are pre-cut fabric squares that come in curated, high-contrast bundles. It’s the easiest way to mix and match clashing prints for that perfect maximalist vibe!

8. Get hooked on knitting and crochet classes

Texture meets technicolour in these cosy workshops! Crochet and knitting have moved far beyond the grandma stereotype; think chunky neon scarves, variegated yarn cardigans, and adorable amigurumi creatures. You’ll find the rhythmic clicking of needles or the hook's flow incredibly soothing as you watch your vibrant yarn transform into a 3D work of art.

The workshop:

Location: Tower Hamlets, East London

Duration: 2 hours

Price: £35

The ClassBento top tip:

If you want to see magic happen, choose a self-striping or ombre yarn. These clever skeins do all the colour-changing work for you, creating a beautiful rainbow effect without you having to tie a single knot!

9. Create a tapestry of hues at a weaving workshop

Channel your inner artisan with a weaving workshop. Using a table or frame loom, you’ll blend different wools, ribbons, and even recycled fabrics to create a textured wall hanging. It’s all about the 'more is more' approach here – mix chunky rovings with shimmering threads to create a tactile piece that’s bursting with personality and life.

The workshop:

Location: Deptford, South East London

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Price: £95

The ClassBento top tip:

Incorporate roving (unspun wool) into your weave to add massive pops of texture. It looks like colourful clouds trapped in your tapestry and gives your wall hanging a gorgeous, professional depth!

10. Make a mark with a screen printing class

If you love bold, flat blocks of colour and graphic designs, screen printing is your perfect match! You’ll learn how to pull ink through a mesh screen to create crisp, vibrant prints on paper or textiles. It’s incredibly satisfying to lift the squeegee and see your neon pink or electric blue design perfectly transferred in an instant!

The workshop:

Location: Hackney, North London

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Price: £55 - £65

The ClassBento top tip:

Try 'split-fountain' printing! By placing two different ink colours side-by-side on the screen, you can create a stunning gradient or sunset effect with a single pull of the squeegee.

11. Dive into the magic of a fabric dyeing workshop

Transform plain white cotton into a kaleidoscope of colour with fabric dyeing! From the ancient art of Indigo shibori to the nostalgic fun of ice dyeing and bright tie-dye, these workshops are all about the reveal. There’s nothing quite like the excitement of unwrapping your fabric to see the unique, psychedelic patterns you’ve created.

The workshop:

Location: Wapping, East London

Duration: 2 hours

Price: £60 - £65

The ClassBento top tip:

For a modern twist on tie-dye, try ice dyeing. Placing dye powder over a bed of ice on top of your fabric allows the colours to melt and bleed slowly, resulting in ethereal, watercolour-like patterns that look like high-end designer prints.

12. Carve and create with a colour-filled lino printing class

Lino printing is a fantastic way to create bold, repetitive patterns – you’ll simply carve your design into a soft linoleum block before inking it up in your favourite hues. Easy peasy! It’s a tactile, hands-on process that’s perfect for making your own colourful stationery, wrapping paper, or framed prints for your gallery wall.

The workshop:

Location: Borough, South East London

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes 

Price: £40

The ClassBento top tip:

Don't stick to just one colour! Try reduction printing, where you carve a bit, print a light colour, carve some more, and print a darker colour over the top. It’s a fun puzzle that results in a multi-layered, colourful masterpiece!

13. Knot your way to boho heaven with a macrame class

Think macrame is just beige? Think again! Modern macrame workshops use vibrant, recycled cotton cords in every shade of the rainbow. Learn the essential knots to create plant hangers, wall art, or even chic handbags. It’s a fantastic way to add a pop of bohemian colour and texture to any corner of your home or wardrobe.

The workshop:

Location: Nine Elms, South West London

Duration: 2 hours

Price: £55

The ClassBento top tip:

Incorporate wooden beads that you’ve hand-painted in clashing neon shades into your knots. It adds an extra layer of maximalist detail and makes your plant hanger truly one-of-a-kind!

The capital is a kaleidoscope waiting to be explored; from crafting vibrant masterpieces to finding serenity in the gentle glow of a homemade candle, there's something for anyone looking for colourful new hobbies to try in London. Ready to paint your own rainbow in the city? Start planning your trip to the capital this week and discover the vibrant world of colour-filled experiences waiting for you!