16 December art challenges and prompts 2026

This year's lineup mixes long-running favorites with artist-hosted events. Drawcember turns small December rituals into daily prompts, Decembird slows down with two winter birds a week, and Christmas Creatures fills your sketchbook with candy cane dragons. Short on time? December Doodles turns everyday objects festive, and Cozy December is pure hygge in sketch form.

Most challenges come with our own prompt list, so you can start on December 1 without hunting for ideas. Share your progress with the challenge hashtag and you'll find plenty of artists drawing along with you, mince pie in hand.

Pick one challenge or build your own combo. The first ten are ready for December 2026. We're also on the lookout for fresh December challenges this year and will add them as soon as they're announced. Until then, the last six are from 2025, there for inspiration.

1. Drawcember

Drawcember is the simplest challenge on this list: one drawing a day, any medium, all month long. No themes to decode and no rules to memorize, just you and your sketchbook versus December.

There's no official website or prompt list. Artists share their own suggestions on social media from November, and the Drawcember subreddit is a lively place to see what everyone's making. Or skip the search and use our prompts below.

This year's theme is small December rituals. Each prompt gives you a ritual, and you decide the details. Tangled lights? Maybe there's a cat in there. Maybe it's you.

How to participate

1. Pick your medium, or switch it up every day.
2. Create one drawing each day of December.
3. Share your daily pieces with #drawcember and #drawcember2026.

Drawcember prompts:

1. First advent door: What's behind it? Your call.
2. The decorations box: Something unexpected is in there.
3. Tangled lights: Who or what got caught this time?
4. Bringing the tree home: Picking it, carrying it or wrestling it into the stand.
5. Frosted window: Draw what's on the other side of the glass.
6. The wish list: Who's writing it, and how long is it?
7. Scraping ice off the car: The windshield is frozen and you're already late.
8. The ugly sweater: Design it, then decide who has to wear it.
9. Holiday market: One stall, up close.
10. Baking cookies: Something has gone slightly wrong.
11. The cookie thief: Caught in the act.
12. Hot drink, cold walk: Mittens optional.
13. Wrapping gifts at 1 a.m.: Not enough tape, far too much paper.
14. Hiding the presents: The perfect spot, or the worst one.
15. Writing cards: Who made the list this year?
16. The winter concert: Someone forgot their lines.
17. Snow day: The first footprints.
18. Building a snowman: Give it a personality.
19. The office party: The one person dancing.
20. Last-minute shopping: The final item on the list.
21. Solstice night: The longest night of the year. How is it spent?
22. Packing for the trip home: What doesn't fit?
23. Too many cooks: The family kitchen, two days before Christmas.
24. A snack by the fireplace: Left out for Santa, a reindeer or someone else entirely.
25. Unwrapping: The moment just before the paper tears.
26. Leftovers: Reinvent them.
27. The post-feast nap: Who fell asleep first?
28. New toy, old box: Guess which one gets more attention.
29. Board game night: Someone is definitely cheating.
30. Resolutions: One you'll actually keep.
31. Midnight countdown: The last ten seconds of the year.

Our list is just a suggestion. Pick the prompts you like, mix ideas into your own, or let our random drawing idea generator decide for you.

2. Decembird

Decembird is a community-led bird challenge, and this year we're slowing it down. Instead of a new bird every day, you get two winter birds a week and time to really get to know each one, naturalist style.

Think field journal, not finished portrait. Draw the whole bird, then zoom in on whatever catches your eye. Share digital pieces on Behance, where Decembird already has its own project tag, or join the bird lovers on r/ImaginaryAnimals, r/ColoredPencils and r/Watercolor.

How to participate

1. Keep one sketchbook as your field journal for the month.
2. Study each week's two birds from photo references (or from your window).
3. Spend a few days on each bird: the whole bird first, then the details.
4. Add handwritten notes, like size, colors or a fun fact.
5. Share your journal pages with #decembird and #decembird2026.

Decembird 2026 birds:

• Week 1 (Dec 1 to 7): European robin and snowy owl
• Week 2 (Dec 8 to 14): Bohemian waxwing and northern cardinal
• Week 3 (Dec 15 to 21): Snow bunting and black-capped chickadee
• Week 4 (Dec 22 to 28): Emperor penguin and rock ptarmigan
• Dec 29 to 31: a bird you spotted outside this month, then a journal spread of all your birds

Not sure what to draw next? Try the beak, the feet, a single feather, the eyes, what it eats, its nest or eggs, its tracks in the snow, the bird mid-flight or mid-song, or the male and female side by side.

3. Advent of Art

Advent of Art swaps the chocolate calendar for a sketchbook. Instead of a treat behind each door, you get a new piece of art every day of the advent season (sadly, still no chocolate).

There's no official prompt list, so imagination does most of the work. If you'd like a little guidance, our advent prompts below follow the season from the first snowflake to the big celebration.

How to participate

1. Create one festive piece each day of advent.
2. Treat each drawing like an advent door: small, surprising and seasonal.
3. Share your festive creations with #adventofart and #adventofart2026.

Advent of Art prompts:

1. Snowflake
2. Candlelight
3. Evergreen
4. Cozy socks
5. Hot cocoa
6. Jingle bells
7. Gingerbread
8. Icicles
9. Mittens
10. Star
11. Gift wrap
12. Nutcracker
13. Candy cane
14. Fireplace
15. Sleigh ride
16. Ornament
17. Winter sunset
18. Ice skating
19. Festive lights
20. Snowman
21. Holly and ivy
22. Reindeer
23. Sugar plum fairy
24. Silent night
25. Celebration

Looking for even more festive ideas? Our Christmas drawing prompts will keep you busy well past the 25th.

4. Christmas Creatures & Character Design Challenge

Who says character design can't be festive? The Christmas Creatures challenge fills your winter wonderland with brand-new beings, from gingerbread warriors to candy cane dragons, one character a day.

It's character design practice wrapped in tinsel. Give each creature a personality and a backstory, and think about how it fits into the holiday world. Bonus points if your gift wrapping ninja actually looks stealthy.

How to participate

1. Design a new character or creature each day.
2. Blend fantasy elements with holiday themes.
3. Jot down a line of backstory for each one.
4. Share your characters with #christmascreatures and #christmascreatures2026, or #characterdesignadvent2026.

Christmas Creatures prompts:

1. Snow elf guardian
2. Gingerbread warrior
3. Candy cane dragon
4. Ornament sprite
5. Frost giant
6. Tinsel phoenix
7. Toy maker goblin
8. Mistletoe fairy
9. Snow globe guardian
10. Wreath wyrm
11. Gift wrapping ninja
12. Cookie decorator troll
13. Star-crowned unicorn
14. Polar bear postman
15. Ribbon serpent
16. Hot cocoa brewer
17. Cookie chimera
18. Frost familiar
19. Gift box golem
20. Evergreen elemental
21. Sleigh mechanic dwarf
22. Holly berry hippogriff
23. Ice crystal centaur
24. Christmas eve entity
25. Yuletide yeti
26. Boxing day basilisk
27. Winter wind wyvern
28. New year nymph
29. Party hat designer pixie
30. Countdown cyclops
31. Year-end dragon

Hooked on characters? Our random character generator has endless ideas waiting.

5. Digital December

Digital December is for artists who'd rather hold a stylus than a paintbrush. It's a broad concept art challenge about using digital tools creatively, from pixel art and low poly animals to glitch effects and 3D renders.

Use it to finally try that brush pack, app or technique you've been saving for later. Every prompt is a small experiment, and the undo button is right there if it goes sideways.

How to participate

1. Create one digital piece each day.
2. Try different software, brushes and tools.
3. Share your pixel-perfect pieces with #digitaldecember and #digitaldecember2026.

Digital December prompts:

1. Glitch art
2. Neon city
3. Retro game character
4. Cyberpunk portrait
5. Digital landscape
6. Animated GIF
7. Low poly animal
8. Futuristic vehicle
9. AI-Assisted Art
10. Vaporwave aesthetic
11. Digital collage
12. Pixel art
13. 3D render
14. Vector illustration
15. Digital painting
16. Isometric design
17. Fractal art
18. UI design
19. Digital comic panel
20. Holographic effect
21. Emoji design
22. Digital pattern
23. Surreal photo manipulation
24. Generative art
25. Digital sculpting
26. Motion graphics
27. Augmented reality design
28. Digital graffiti
29. Glowing effect
30. Abstract digital art
31. Future self-portrait

6. December Doodles

The December Doodles challenge gives everyday objects a festive twist. A chair gets a Santa hat, a spoon reflects a Christmas scene, and a paper clip becomes a sleigh runner.

Doodles are quick and low-pressure, which makes this one perfect for busy holiday weeks. Need inspiration? @ella_vagg is one of the most active December Doodles artists on Instagram.

How to participate

1. Pick the day's object from our list below.
2. Give it a festive twist and keep the doodle quick.
3. Share your doodles with #DecemberDoodles and #DecemberDoodles2026, or #DoodleDayDecember.

December Doodles prompts:

1. Chair (maybe with a Santa hat?)
2. Coffee mug (with festive pattern)
3. Pencil (as a tiny candy cane)
4. Book (wrapped in lights)
5. Spoon (reflecting Christmas scenes)
6. Light bulb (filled with snow)
7. Key (as an ornament)
8. Door (decorated for holidays)
9. Clock (counting down to Christmas)
10. Phone (displaying holiday messages)
11. Glasses (reflecting winter scenes)
12. Fork (as a tiny Christmas tree)
13. Umbrella (catching snowflakes)
14. Shoe (as an elf's boot)
15. Pillow (with holiday patterns)
16. Mirror (showing festive reflections)
17. Bottle (as a snow globe)
18. Paper clip (as a sleigh runner)
19. Sock (as a mini stocking)
20. Bowl (filled with ornaments)
21. Scissors (cutting snowflakes)
22. Tape (with holiday patterns)
23. Brush (painting holiday scenes)
24. Button (as a tiny wreath)
25. Box (as a present)
26. Basket (full of pine cones)
27. Stapler (decorated with tinsel)
28. Calendar (counting to new year)
29. Pen (writing in frost)
30. Notebook (with holiday doodles)
31. Watch (striking midnight)

7. December Drawing Reflections

As the year wraps up, December Drawing Reflections asks you to look back through your art. Each prompt is a chance to capture a memory, a lesson or a small win from the past twelve months.

It's a personal challenge, and that's what makes it work. Telling your own story makes for honest art, and your followers get to know the artist behind the sketchbook.

How to participate

1. Create one reflection piece each day.
2. Focus on growth, memories and the people who made your year.
3. Share your reflections with #DecemberReflections and #DecemberReflections2026.

December Reflections prompts:

1. Biggest achievement
2. Favorite memory
3. Personal growth
4. Something new learned
5. Cherished friendship
6. Proud moment
7. Life changes
8. Creative journey
9. Challenges overcome
10. Joy found
11. Lessons learned
12. Hidden blessings
13. Small victories
14. Dreams realized
15. Helping others
16. Skills gained
17. Comfort zone
18. Personal style
19. Important choice
20. Future vision
21. Self discovery
22. Creative growth
23. Memorable places
24. Special people
25. Grateful heart
26. Goals achieved
27. Looking back
28. Moving forward
29. New dreams
30. Year's story
31. Fresh start

8. Elfmas

Elfmas sprinkles some elfin magic into your December. Draw one of Santa's helpers every day and by Christmas Eve you'll have a whole workshop crew, from cookie bakers to chimney inspectors.

Each prompt is a job at the North Pole, so it's great practice for props, costumes and expressions. Who knew list checking could be so dramatic?

How to participate

1. Draw one elf or holiday scene each day.
2. Add your own magical twist to each job.
3. Share your elves with #Elfmas and #Elfmas2026.

Elfmas prompts:

1. Toy workshop
2. Cookie baker elf
3. Mailroom helper
4. Reindeer caretaker
5. Gift wrapper
6. Light stringer
7. Chimney inspector
8. Snow shoveler
9. Sleigh mechanic
10. List checker
11. Music maker
12. Tree decorator
13. Candy maker
14. Pet trainer
15. Weather watcher
16. Star polisher
17. Magic keeper
18. Story teller
19. Hot cocoa server
20. Dream weaver
21. Wish granter
22. Map reader
23. Time keeper
24. Santa's assistant
25. Rest & relax
26. Party planner
27. Resolution helper
28. Joy spreader
29. New Year prep
30. Celebration host
31. Future dreamer

9. Winter Painting December

Winter Painting December turns your sketchbook into a snow-covered landscape. Frozen lakes, icy waterfalls and northern lights: it's a month of winter scenes, one snowflake at a time.

Snow is trickier to paint than it looks. White is rarely just white, so this is a great chance to play with cool blues, warm shadows and glowing light.

How to participate

1. Paint or draw one winter scene each day.
2. Focus on snowy landscapes and seasonal details.
3. Share your winter scenes with #WinterPaintingDecember and #WinterPaintingDecember2026.

Winter Painting prompts:

1. First snowfall
2. Frozen lake
3. Winter forest
4. Snow-Capped mountains
5. Ice palace
6. Winter birds
7. Frost patterns
8. Snow angels
9. Icicle garden
10. Winter sunset
11. Snow-laden trees
12. Winter wildlife
13. Frozen waterfall
14. Northern lights
15. Snow globe scene
16. Winter village
17. Ice crystals
18. Snowy path
19. Winter storm
20. Frozen flowers
21. Winter night sky
22. Snow fort
23. Ice skating rink
24. Winter market
25. Snowy rooftops
26. Winter moon
27. Frozen river
28. Snow sculptures
29. Winter sunrise
30. Ice kingdom
31. Winter dreams

Want more scenery? Our landscape prompt generator has plenty of ideas. Just give them a Christmas-y twist.

10. Cozy December Drawing Challenge

The Cozy December Drawing Challenge is hygge in sketch form. Reading nooks, steaming tea and blanket forts: it's all about the snug little moments that make winter worth it.

Warm light and soft textures are the stars here. Draw from your own home or invent the coziest room you can imagine (a sleeping cat is always a good idea).

How to participate

1. Draw one cozy scene or object each day.
2. Focus on warm light and inviting moments.
3. Share your comfort art with #cozydecember and #cozydecember2026.

Cozy December prompts:

1. Reading nook
2. Warm socks
3. Steaming tea
4. Fireplace glow
5. Comfort food
6. Blanket fort
7. Window seat
8. Candlelight
9. Fuzzy sweater
10. Hot chocolate
11. Baking day
12. Winter sunset
13. Cozy pets
14. Warm bath
15. Movie night
16. Comfort books
17. Knitting corner
18. Sleeping cat
19. Rain on windows
20. Comfort music
21. Fresh cookies
22. Holiday lights
23. Family gathering
24. Festive evening
25. Christmas morning
26. Lazy day
27. Comfort games
28. Winter stories
29. Warm memories
30. Evening ritual
31. New Year's coziness

Last year's ideas: the next six challenges ran in December 2025. We don't know yet if they're coming back this year, but their prompt lists are still a great source of inspiration. If any of them return in 2026, we'll update them here.

11. Festive Friends Holiday Art Challenge

The Festive Friends Holiday Art Challenge is all about cheerful winter vibes and connecting with other artists. Each prompt comes as a little trio, so you can draw one idea, mix two or go wild and use all three.

It was created by @prettyprismatic and hosted with several other artists, and it puts fun over perfection. Patterns, characters and cute winter scenes are all welcome, and you can jump in whenever inspiration strikes.

How to participate

1. Check the date range and choose 1 to 3 words from that prompt set.
2. Create an illustration or pattern in any medium.
3. Post your artwork and tag @prettyprismatic (and the other hosts if you like).
4. Use the challenge hashtag (last year it was #festivefriends25).

12. Yule Be Creative

Yule Be Creative is a festive, all-media December challenge from @inthestudiowithjes. It runs all month with joyful prompts about holiday magic, celebration and cozy seasonal creativity.

There are no strict expectations: do one prompt, all of them or anything in between. Every medium is welcome, from paint and pencils to 3D.

How to participate

1. Check the prompt list and pick the dates you want to join.
2. Create art in any medium: traditional, digital, 3D, anything goes.
3. Share your artwork and tag @inthestudiowithjes.
4. Use the challenge hashtag (last year it was #yulebecreative2025).

13. Holi-Doodle-Day Art Challenge

The Holi-Doodle-Day Art Challenge is a mix-and-match December adventure. Two columns of prompts, plus weekly bonuses, give you 144 possible combinations, so no two pieces ever have to be the same.

It's hosted by @kawaiitash.draws with other artists, and you can join daily, weekly or whenever inspiration strikes. Think of it as a festive slot machine for drawing ideas.

How to participate

1. Choose one prompt from each column.
2. Add the weekly bonuses if you like.
3. Create your artwork in any medium (AI art isn't allowed).
4. Tag @kawaiitash.draws and use #holidoodleday.

14. 7 Days of Creepmas

7 Days of Creepmas is a spooky-festive hybrid for anyone who isn't quite ready to put the Halloween decorations away. It runs through the first week of December, December 1 to 7, with one eerie prompt a day.

It has been running since 2021, and any medium counts: drawing, photography, crafting and more. Haunted gingerbread houses are very much on the menu.

How to participate

1. Create artwork based on the prompt of the day.
2. Use any medium you like.
3. Tag your posts with the challenge hashtag (last year it was #7daysofcreepmas and #7daysofcreepmas25).
4. Share a new piece every day of the seven-day event.

15. Sillycember

Sillycember is a joy-filled, anything-goes December challenge that started in 2024. It's all about silliness, creativity and spreading a bit of cheer during the holidays.

There are no rules and you get full artistic freedom, so it's perfect for anyone who just wants to play. Draw, paint, sew, sculpt or build: if it makes you laugh, it counts.

How to participate

1. Check the Sillycember prompt list.
2. Create anything: draw, paint, sew, sculpt, build or collage.
3. Post your creation, tag the host and use the official Sillycember hashtag.
4. Embrace the creative chaos.

16. Wintery Woods Challenge

The Wintery Woods Challenge brings cozy woodland charm to December with four week-long prompts: festive forests, critters and winter magic, all at an easy weekly pace.

Running since 2023, it's hosted by @elizabeth.leyk.illustration alongside several other artists and welcomes creators of all levels and styles. One piece a week leaves plenty of time for holiday baking.

How to participate

1. Create artwork inspired by the weekly themes.
2. Use any medium (AI art isn't allowed).
3. Tag all hosts and use the challenge hashtag (last year it was #winterywoodschallenge2025).
4. Add the prompt list as slide 2 when posting.
5. Join one week or all four.

However you spend December, these challenges are about exploring, not perfection. Grab your tools, find a cozy spot and end your year on a high note, artistically speaking.