Christmas activities can cost a fortune, can’t they?

£60 for a Santa grotto. £80 for a Christmas show. £100 for an ice-skating trip for four. Before you know it, you’ve spent £300 on Christmas activities alone – and that’s before presents and food.

But here’s the thing: You don’t need to spend loads to have a magical Christmas with the kids.

I’ve spent the past few years finding free and cheap Christmas activities across the UK. Things that feel special without costing a fortune. Activities the kids actually enjoy and remember.

This year, I’ve put together over 40 activities split into three categories: completely free, under £20, and under £50. All of them are genuinely fun and festive.

Let’s get into it.

Completely Free Christmas Activities

These cost absolutely nothing except maybe petrol to get there.

1. Christmas Light Displays

Every major town and city in the UK has free Christmas lights. Some are better than others, but they’re all free to look at.

Best free light displays:

• Oxford Street and Regent Street, London
• Covent Garden, London (massive tree and decorations)
• Trafalgar Square Christmas tree, London
• Princes Street, Edinburgh
• Deansgate, Manchester
• Buchanan Street, Glasgow
• Birmingham Christmas lights
• Liverpool city centre
• Your local high street!

Make it special:

• Go at dusk when they first switch on
• Take a flask of hot chocolate
• Let the kids wear their Christmas jumpers
• Take photos in front of the displays

2. Window Shopping at Christmas Markets

You don’t have to BUY anything at Christmas markets. Just walking round soaking up the atmosphere is free.

Best UK Christmas markets:

• Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London (free entry, just pay for rides/food)
• Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market (free entry)
• Manchester Christmas Markets (free entry)
• Edinburgh Christmas Market (free entry)
• Bath Christmas Market (free entry)

Kids love the lights, the smells, the festive stalls. You can browse without spending a penny.

3. Free Carol Services

Churches, cathedrals, and community centres run free carol services throughout December.

Check your local church website or community noticeboard. Most are drop-in, family-friendly, and completely free.

Some even include mince pies and juice after!

4. Christmas Films at Home

The most obvious one but easily forgotten: free Christmas films on TV.

Where to watch free:

• Freeview channels (Film4, ITV, BBC)
• YouTube (loads of old Christmas films)
• BBC iPlayer and ITVX (free streaming)

Make it special: Pyjamas, hot chocolate, popcorn, blankets on the sofa. Total cost: about £5 for snacks.

5. National Trust Christmas Walks

If you’re a National Trust member, Christmas walks and trails at NT properties are often free or included in membership.

Even if you’re not a member, many NT properties have free access to grounds where they’ve added Christmas decorations.

6. Free Christmas Activities at Libraries

Most libraries run free Christmas activities in December:

• Story time with Christmas books
• Craft sessions
• Meet Santa (yes, actually free at some libraries!)

Check your local library website for their December programme.

7. Looking at House Decorations

Drive or walk around neighbourhoods known for going overboard with Christmas decorations.

Some areas become famous for it – Google “Christmas lights near me” to find local spots.

Total cost: Nothing except petrol if you drive.

8. Free Christmas Craft Afternoons

Community centres, churches, and children’s centres often run free Christmas craft sessions:

• Making decorations
• Card making
• Wreath making (sometimes a small charge for materials)

9. Baking Christmas Cookies Together

If you’ve got basic ingredients at home (flour, butter, sugar, eggs), making Christmas cookies costs about £2-3.

Let the kids cut out shapes, decorate with icing and sprinkles. They’ll remember this more than an expensive day out.

10. Christmas Nature Walks

Wrap up warm and go for a winter walk. Look for:

• Holly and ivy
• Pine cones (collect them for decorations)
• Robins
• Frost patterns

Parks, woods, and nature reserves are free and magical in winter.

Christmas Activities Under £20

These cost something but won’t break the bank.

11. Pantomime (£10-20 per person)

Pantos at smaller local theatres are way cheaper than big productions:

• Community theatre pantos: £8-12 per ticket
• School pantos: £5-8 per ticket
• Amateur dramatic societies: £8-10 per ticket

Still great fun, just less fancy than the £40 West End shows.

12. Santa’s Grotto at Garden Centres (£5-10)

Garden centres run cheap grottos:

• Usually £5-10 per child
• Includes a small gift
• Often has free activities (colouring, seeing reindeer)
• No booking needed

Way better value than £30+ grottos at big attractions.

13. Christmas Crafts at Museums (Free-£5)

Many museums run free Christmas activities but charge small amounts for special craft sessions:

• Making decorations: £2-5
• Christmas card workshops: £3-5
• Usually includes all materials

14. Ice Skating (£8-15 per person)

Local council-run ice rinks are much cheaper than touristy ones:

• Local leisure centre rinks: £6-10
• Temporary rinks at shopping centres: £8-12
• Big city rinks: £15-20

Book online in advance for cheaper prices. Go off-peak (weekday afternoons) for best rates.

15. Christmas Bingo at Community Centres (£5-10)

Community centres and social clubs run Christmas bingo nights:

• £5-10 for a few games
• Small prizes
• Festive atmosphere
• Often includes refreshments

Kids love bingo, and it’s genuinely fun.

16. Christmas Film at the Cinema (£5-10)

Kids’ morning cinema showings are cheaper:

• Morning screenings: £5-7
• Kids’ clubs: £2-5
• Standard screenings: £8-12

Look for Cineworld Kids Club, Showcase Cinemas Kids Club, or Vue Mini Mornings.

17. Soft Play Centre Christmas Sessions (£5-8)

Soft play centres often do Christmas-themed sessions:

• Special decorations
• Visit from Santa
• Christmas music
• Same price as normal (£5-8 per child)

18. Christmas Themed Pottery Painting (£8-15)

Pottery cafés let you paint Christmas decorations:

• Paint a bauble, plate, or mug
• Usually £8-15 including materials
• Take it home as a decoration or gift

19. Feed the Ducks with Christmas Treats (Free-£2)

Buy bird-safe food (peas, oats, seeds) for £1-2 and feed ducks at your local park or canal.

Wrap up warm, make it a festive walk.

20. Christmas Themed Escape Room (£10-15 per person)

Some escape rooms have Christmas themes:

• Cheaper than regular activities
• Usually £10-15 per person
• Great for older kids and teens

Christmas Activities Under £50

These are for when you want to do something a bit more special without spending £100+.

21. National Trust Christmas Experience (£20-35 per family)

Many NT properties do Christmas trails and activities:

• Decorated houses
• Christmas trails
• Activities and crafts
• Usually £20-35 for a family ticket

NT members get discounts or free entry to some.

22. Farm Visit with Santa (£15-25 per child)

Local farms run Santa experiences cheaper than big attractions:

• Meet farm animals
• See Santa
• Includes gift
• Often includes activities like tractor rides

Check local farm websites rather than big commercial Santa experiences.

23. Christmas Train Ride (£10-20 per person)

Heritage railways run Christmas trains:

• Santa Specials
• Polar Express themed
• Mince pies and hot chocolate included
• Beautiful countryside views

Search “Christmas train rides near me” for local options.

24. Swimming Pool Christmas Sessions (£15-25 for family)

Leisure centres do special Christmas swimming sessions:

• Christmas music
• Inflatable decorations
• Sometimes a visit from Santa
• Usually family swim prices (£15-25)

25. Bowling (£20-35 for family)

Ten-pin bowling with Christmas music and decorations:

• Family deals: £20-35 for four people
• Includes shoe hire
• Some centres offer Christmas food deals

Hollywood Bowl and Tenpin do family packages.

26. Smaller Theme Park Christmas Event (£25-40)

Smaller theme parks have Christmas events that are much cheaper than big ones:

• Paultons Park: from £32
• Drayton Manor: from £28
• Flamingo Land: from £25

Way cheaper than £60+ at Alton Towers or Thorpe Park.

27. Afternoon Tea (£10-15 per person)

Garden centres and cafés do Christmas afternoon tea:

• Sandwiches, cakes, festive treats
• Christmas decorations
• £10-15 per person

Wyevale Garden Centres and local cafés often have deals.

28. Christmas Workshop (Wreath Making, Gingerbread House) (£20-35 per person)

Craft workshops are expensive but create lasting memories:

• Wreath making: £25-35
• Gingerbread house decorating: £15-25
• Christmas flower arranging: £20-30

Check local craft shops, garden centres, and community spaces.

29. Trampoline Park Christmas Session (£30-40 for family)

Trampoline parks do Christmas jump sessions:

• Christmas music
• Festive lights
• Same jumping, festive atmosphere
• Family packages available

30. Christmas Treasure Hunt Experience (£25-40 per family)

Some companies run Christmas treasure hunts in towns:

• Follow clues around the town
• Solve puzzles
• Find Christmas treats
• Usually £25-40 for a family

Regional Christmas Activities

London and South East

Free:

• Covent Garden Christmas tree
• Trafalgar Square tree
• Oxford Street lights
• Southbank Christmas market (free entry)

Cheap:

• Natural History Museum ice rink: from £15
• Christmas markets at Greenwich
• Kew Gardens lights (from £22 adults, kids cheaper)

North West (Manchester, Liverpool, Lancashire)

Free:

• Manchester Christmas markets
• Liverpool city centre lights
• Albert Dock decorations

Cheap:

• Blackpool Illuminations (still on in December, free to view)
• Chester Christmas market
• Local pantomimes: £10-15

North East (Newcastle, Durham, Yorkshire)

Free:

• Newcastle Christmas market
• Durham Christmas lights
• York city centre decorations

Cheap:

• Beamish Museum Christmas: from £20
• Whitby Christmas market
• Local Santa grottos: £8-12

Midlands (Birmingham, Nottingham)

Free:

• Birmingham Frankfurt Market
• Nottingham Winter Wonderland (free entry)
• Coventry Christmas lights

Cheap:

• Drayton Manor Christmas: from £28
• Local ice rinks: £8-12
• Cadbury World Christmas: from £19

Scotland

Free:

• Edinburgh Christmas Market (free entry)
• Glasgow lights
• Stirling Christmas displays

Cheap:

• Edinburgh Castle Christmas: from £18
• Glasgow ice rink: from £10
• Local pantomimes: £8-15

Wales

Free:

• Cardiff Winter Wonderland (free entry)
• Swansea Christmas lights
• Local community events

Cheap:

• Folly Farm Christmas: from £16
• Welsh castles at Christmas: £10-15
• Local Santa experiences: £8-12

How to Do Christmas Activities on a Budget

Set a total budget: Pick a number (£50, £100, £150) and stick to it for ALL Christmas activities.

Do more free activities, fewer paid ones: Instead of 5 expensive activities, do 10 free ones and 2 special paid ones.

Go off-peak: Weekday mornings and early December are much cheaper than weekends and late December.

Book in advance: Online advance booking is almost always cheaper than turning up on the day.

Look for family deals: “2 adults + 2 kids” packages are usually a better value than individual tickets.

Use discount codes: Google “[attraction name] discount code” before booking. You’ll often find 20% off codes.

Groupon and Wowcher: Check these sites for local Christmas activities. Often 50% off or more.

Ask about concessions: If you’re on benefits, ask if they offer reduced rates. Many attractions do but don’t advertise it.

Making Free Activities Feel Special

Just because something’s free doesn’t mean it can’t feel magical:

Build anticipation: Talk about it beforehand. “We’re going to see the AMAZING lights on Saturday!”

Make it an occasion: Wear Christmas jumpers, take hot chocolate in a flask, sing carols in the car.

Take photos: Capture the memories. Print one photo and frame it (£2) for lasting memories.

Add a small treat: Stop for chips on the way home (£10 for family). Makes it feel more special.

Create traditions: Do the same free activity every year. It becomes “our thing” and kids love traditions more than expensive one-offs.

What Kids Actually Remember

Here’s what my son remembers from last Christmas:

• Making gingerbread cookies together (cost: £3)
• Driving around looking at house lights (cost: £0)
• Hot chocolate before bed every night (cost: £5 for the week)
• Opening his Advent calendar (cost: £1)
• Watching Elf together in pyjamas (cost: £0)

You know what he doesn’t remember or even mention?

• The expensive Santa experience (cost: £35)
• The panto we took him to (cost: £60)

Kids remember time together, atmosphere, and experiences. Not how much you spent.

Final Thoughts

Christmas activities don’t have to cost a fortune.

For every £60 Santa grotto, there’s a £8 garden centre one that’s just as magical to kids.

For every £80 ice skating trip, there’s a £25 local leisure centre session.

And loads of the best Christmas activities – lights, films at home, baking together, Christmas walks – are completely free.

Set a budget. Mix free and cheap activities. Make everything feel special with hot chocolate and Christmas jumpers.

Your kids won’t remember how much you spent. They’ll remember the time you spent together.

Merry Christmas.

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Helpful Resources:

• Kids Pass – Discount codes for family activities

Last updated: October 2025