Photo-illustration by Jennifer Albarracin Moya. 9 Cooking and Drink Courses to Sharpen Your Kitchen Skills in the DC Area Master how to make the perfect paella, decorate a cake, or Italian dish.   6 Classes to Build Your Performance Skills in the DC Area Learn improv, how to hit a high note, guita r, and more.   3 Plant Classes to Cultivate Your Inner Botanist in the DC Area Grow your botanical knowledge with these classes.   6 Sport Classes in the DC Area to Level Up Your Knowledge Take recreation to the next level with pickleball clinics, scuba certification courses, and bike repair lessons.   6 Dance Classes in the DC Area to Elevate Your Moves Learn to twirl, pop, and shimmy on the dance floor–even if you have two left feet.   Build Your Outdoor Knowledge With These 3 Activities in the DC Area Demystify the outdoors and get ready to explore.   7 Art Courses to Develop Your Creative Eye in the DC Area From knitting sweaters to developing film, create your own masterpieces.   Want to Learn a New Hobby? Here’s How to Start. Ulrich Boser, a DC education researcher and the author of Learn Better, shares some tips.   How 3 Washingtonians Found Their Hobby. For these locals learning a new skill has opened their lives to a new world. This article appears in the December 2024 issue of Washingtonian. The post 40 New Hobbies to Pick Up This Year first appeared on Washingtonian. ...read more read less