Alyssa Hirkaler 
As the days grow shorter and the air gets colder, January is the ideal time to start a new hobby. Instead of mindlessly scrolling on your phone this winter, embrace the season as an opportunity to learn something new. Montclair is brimming with local businesses ready to help you discover your next favorite hobby. Read on to learn more about where to pick up a new winter hobby in Montclair, New Jersey.
Arthur Murray Dance Studio | 365 Bloomfield Avenue
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The Arthur Murray Dance Studio has great instructors ready to guide, whether you are a complete beginner or have dance experience. The studio is a nationwide business, with studios across the country, not just Montclair. Classes include salsa, ballroom, singles classes, or couple classes. The studio even offers a wedding dance class for those who made it through the holiday season newly betrothed. . Dancing is a great way to get in some active movement this winter while staying warm.
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Fine Art Academy of Montclair | 127 Watchung Avenue
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If you’ve always had a knack for drawing or painting, the Fine Art Academy in Montclair is the place for you. Its mission is to bridge traditional ideas with contemporary beliefs when it comes to creating art. FAAM offers 12-week classes for both beginners and advanced students, creating a supportive environment for everyone to tap into their artistic side.
Juniper Yoga + Fitness | 213 Bellevue Avenue
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Winter is a great time for quiet reflection, and yoga allows students to connect with themselves in a peaceful setting. Juniper Yoga offers a diverse schedule that can match your skill level and even your mood or energy level. Hot yoga classes will allow you to sweat and stretch in one of their heated rooms, or a YIN yoga class will offer deeper, more gentle stretches.
Montclair Art Museum | 3 S. Mountain Avenue
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The renowned Montclair Art Museum isn’t just for admiring art; it’s for creating it, too. MAM’s Yard School of Art offers a variety of classes and workshops for adults. This winter, you can explore everything from pottery, drawing, or painting. Many classes begin in mid-January, a well-timed way to kick off the new year with a creative spark.
Montclair Mud Clay Studio | 370 Bloomfield Avenue and 2 Upper Montclair Plaza
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Boasting not one, but two locations in Montclair, Montclair Mud Clay Studio invites everyone, from beginners to experts, to dive into the world of pottery. New students can take an eight-week class that offers unlimited studio time and 25 pounds of clay to work with. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, Montclair Mud Clay Studio offers a welcoming environment to create pottery.
The New York Sewing Center | 535 Bloomfield Avenue
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After opening in Fall 2025, the New York Sewing School is already a popular spot to learn how to sew. The school offers a range of classes for those who know the basics and those who are just getting started. For all skill levels, New York Sewing School has classes such as coat and jacket construction, embroidery, alterations, and even classes for kids.
Yarnia of Montclair | 127 Watching Avenue
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Knitting and crocheting are great hobbies for people on the go, as they can be done from almost anywhere. This local yarn shop offers classes and events to help you get started on your knitting journey. Knitting 101 and Crochet 101 can help you get started, and the shop also offers virtual classes as well as help time if you need assistance with a project.
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