HO Ho hold on to your Santa hats, festive season is fast approaching and some of these cheap Christmas days out will get snapped up quicker than the last mince pie in the pack.
If you want to find a festive family day out that won’t break the bank, Sun Travel have compiled our very own ‘nice list’ of winter days out, including free grottos, games and fairy light trails.
We’ve rounded up some of the best affordable Christmas attractions this winter, including Santa-Paws at Croxteth Hall – a grotto for our furry friends[/caption]
There are affordable Christmas events across the UK ranging from ice rinks to winter light festivals[/caption]
We’ve put together our pick of budget-friendly events and activities around the UK to keep little kids and the big kids happy.
Most are free, but check if you need to book in advance or pay extra for parking.
YORKSHIRE & NORTH EAST
1. Explore alpine chalets filled with sweet treats, mulled wine, thoughtful gifts and handmade crafts at the always popular York Christmas market.
This festive wonderland is free for all to enjoy, but fully supports local Yorkshire businesses, with 85 per cent of traders from within the Yorkshire region, with 100 per cent of food vendors proudly representing Yorkshire.
2. Go for a skid on the ice and meet Santa after, by booking the Tinsel Tots experience at Stockeld Park.
From Monday – Friday between 1st and 17th December, you can book a festive activity, including the Playhive, Forest and Maze or Ice Skating, for £8.50.
Then, you can add extra activities for £3.50 each if you want to make a day of it.
The Tinsel Tots deal also lets you also book into Santa’s Grotto for only £12 (usually £25).
3. The Otley Snowman Trail in West Yorkshire is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit for free.
Families pick up a trail leaflet from participating businesses, and find snowmen that have been designed and decorated by homes and businesses in a festive town-wide display.
4. The free Scarborough Lights Trail runs from Friday 14 November to Sunday 21 December.
Admire the sparkling town centre illuminations including Westborough’s LED light tunnel, the Dino-bouts on Vernon Road and Aquarium Top roundabouts and take in the shimmering harbour lights.
There are also some affordable paid-for events in the area too. See for a full calendar of special events, such as the drone display at Scarborough Castle from 19 – 23 November.
NORTH WEST
5. In Blackpool, you can go ice skating next to the beach and in front of Blackpool’s iconic tower totally for free.
Running daily from 15 November until 5 January 2025, the Blackpool Tower rink is part of the free Christmas by the Sea event and will be open daily from 12 – 9pm (excluding Christmas Day).
No advance booking is required, simply turn up, change to your free rental skates and take to the rink.
After your skate, head into the cosy cabins and warm up with a cup of mulled wine or hot chocolate before exploring the rest of the Christmas By The Sea village, which includes fairground rides, installations and illuminations.
6. Also in Blackpool, book an Illuminations Tram Tour at £10 for adults and £5 for kids.
You’ll have the best seats in the house for the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations as you take a trip from one end of the lights to the other and back.
7. There’s a ‘pawsome’ grotto in Liverpool just for our four-legged friends – but we’re pretty sure families will love it too.
At Santa-Paws in Croxteth Hall, pup parents can bring their pets of all shapes and sizes to a specially made grotto.
Doggies will receive a tasty treat, meet Santa and can pose for a festive photo.
Be sure to dress your pups in their best winter coats, collars, or festive neckerchiefs! Tickets from £4.40.
8. This one comes in at slightly more than £10 but it’s great value for a family trip to the panto.
The Ribby Hall Village pantomime is a production of Cinderella in the chilled out Woodland outlet this year.
Tickets are £14 per person and under-2’s go free, which is one of the more affordable Christmas shows on this year.
The West Midlands Winter Glow is one of the best light festivals in the area[/caption]
A Santa Run is a great way to feel festive and get outdoors[/caption]
MIDLANDS & EAST
9. The fantastical West Midlands’ Winter Glow opens at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern from November 21 to December 31 2025.
If you book before the end of October, kids (aged 3 – 10) can go free when accompanied by an adult.
The luminous light trail isn’t the only reason to make the trip to Malvern this Christmas.
Your ticket also includes free access to a local Christmas market, an indoor fairground, and Winter Glow’s very own Winter Bar.
10. Nottingham’s Old Market Square is being transformed into Nottingham Winter Wonderland from November 12 and will feature an Ice Rink, with a dedicated children’s rink for younger skaters to join in the fun.
Visitors can also enjoy live music, ride the Observation Wheel, go into the themed Ice Bar and soak up the atmosphere at the festive Christmas Market (Entry is free, but some activities are priced separately).
11. A great way to get outdoors and into the Christmas Spirit is the Northampton Santa Run on Sunday December 7.
Everyone taking part wears a silly Santa outfits and runs between 2.5k and 5k.
It’s £12 per adult and £7 for children and everyone gets a santa suit and medal. (Family Concession of £32 for 2 adults and 2 children.)
You can run, jog, walk, amble, push a buggy or wheelchair or travel in your mobility scooter.
Well-behaved dogs on leads can join in the fun too.
12. In Lincolnshire, head over to Winterfest at Tattershall Lakes, which turns into a winter wonderland for the Christmas period.
Kids can get hands-on with crafty workshops, make their own snow globes, whip up some elf slime (it all makes sense to the under-10s), and send a letter to Santa.
There are also live entertainment shows on during selected dates.
LONDON & SOUTH EAST
13. Not strictly a Christmas activity since you can spot Santa’s helpers all year round in Richmond Park, where over 630 red and fallow deer have been roaming free since 1637.
However, this is the perfect free activity for families in the lead up to Christmas, especially on a bright day.
Don’t tell the kids, but the deer population here aren’t technically reindeer…
However they do have the distinctive antlers, so parents can use a bit of poetic license for some pre-Christmas magic and a free day out.
Just be safe and stay 50 metres away from them for their welfare and yours.
14. There is plenty to do in London at Christmas and the city’s festive markets are all free.
The Southbank Centre’s winter market has wooden chalets lining the River Thames, live music and plenty of mulled wine stalls for a festive tipple as the sun goes down.
The Christmas market at Leicester Square in central London[/caption]
The Christmas market on the Southbank is always very festive in November and December[/caption]
15. Or head to Leicester Square’s Christmas market, it’s free to enter but you may have to swerve the sweet treat stands if you’re on a budget.
This year, Leicester Square has an ice rink for the first time. A family ticket (two adults and two children) is £40.
Booking is recommended and for a more relaxed visit, skip the weekend crowds and explore earlier in the day – perfect for soaking up the festive atmosphere.
16. While city breaks can sometimes be very expensive, visiting London at Christmas is actually pretty cost-effective.
During the day, check out the incredible shop windows at Fortnum and Mason, Selfridges, Harrods and Liberty.
Then, at dusk, take a budget “self bus tour” of the Christmas lights.
How? Hop on the 139 bus, which goes along Oxford Street and Regent Street.
It’s only a few quid for a ride and kids are free. If you get the front seat upstairs, consider it a win.
17. At Westfield London in Shepherd’s Bush, Here We Glow is a light-up gallery featuring works by local artists.
There is a map online to help you follow the route to get the full experience.
18. The German Market at Meadowcroft Garden Centre in Essex hosts more than 30 stalls.
Each one features handpicked artisan products including carved wooden decorations, delicate glassware and baubles, traditional cuckoo clocks, Scandinavian gonks and much more.
They also serve lots of specialist German foods and drink at their food hut.
This year, they have added a Bavarian Curling game so you can enjoy one of the oldest winter sports for £10 per game.
It’s free to attend and open 7 days a week. You don’t need tickets and there is plenty of free parking too.
19. Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent is bringing back their Winterland event this year.
The magical extravaganza has winter-themed rides, games and attractions as well as festive treats and drinks, including mulled wine, spiced cider and hot chocolate.
You can also go for a ride on the Observation Wheel for unbeatable views across Kent.
The event runs from November 8 to January 11 and entry is £3 per person (booking required). Ride tokens are £20 for 25 when booked online.
Children under 18 months can go for free but still require a free ticket at the point of booking.
20. The Fairy Tale Christmas Trail at Lathcoats Farm in Great Baddow, Chelmsford is a magical self-guided, interactive event for kids.
Collect your activity booklet and then follow the trail as you discover Christmas fairy tales, find the hidden letters and use the puzzles to help you figure out the secret word, before collecting your prize from the farm shop.
Prices are from £5 per participant (Or you can book a Christmas trail with animal experience for £12 per participant).
All kids taking part in the trail need a ticket – it includes an activity booklet, pencil and a Christmas treat as well as access to the trail. Accompanying adults don’t need one.
SOUTH WEST
21. Step into the magic of Christmas at The Bishop’s Palace Illuminations in Wells.
Stand under the mesmerising lantern tree, stroll through an illuminated woodland and an extended light tunnel.
Inside, the medieval Bishops Palace will be adorned with seasonal foliage and roaring fires, while outdoors, visitors can grab some festive food and drink from the café.
This year, extra dates have been added throughout December and into January. Adults are £10 and children (5 – 17) £6.
22. The Bath Christmas Market is always a very festive affair, set out along the picturesque, Georgian streets like a scene from Bridgerton.
Hundreds of twinkling chalets entwine some of the city’s most iconic monuments. From November 27 to December 14, and entry is free.
23. Christmas arrives in Lyme Regis in the form of the Big Christmas Weekend.
This free event includes a Christmas Tree Festival, Santa’s Grotto, makers market, best-dressed window competition and special Big Christmas Weekend deals in the local shops and restaurants.
Plus, children can meet Santa for just £5.
The Christmas parade through Swansea City Centre (pictured) is always a fun night.[/caption]
Edinburgh has Christmas lights and festivities, including a skating rink in St Andrews Square[/caption]
WALES
24. Swansea’s festive switch on is always a fun night, with a brass band parade and one of the best local events in the country.
Wave at princesses and superheroes in magical light up costumes and hundreds of young people from city community groups.
And it’s completely free.
The carnival features light-up reindeer, tractors, musicians, characters from much-loved films and most importantly, see Santa arrive to switch on the Christmas lights throughout the city centre.
25. Each year, Cardiff Museum puts on an Elf Adventure Trail for kids. It’s £4 to join and families can explore the museum in search of magical elf clues. Once completed, head to the front desk and claim your Christmas Prize.
Northern Ireland
26. The Marble Arch Caves in Enniskillen always has fun and unique Christmas events on.
The Mrs Claus Cottage workshop costs slightly over a tenner (£12 for adults and £15 for kids) but you get a lot included with your ticket.
Inside the cottage this Christmas, the fire crackles and the scent of freshly baked cookies fills the air as Mrs Claus herself shares heartwarming festive stories.
Children can also join the elves in their workshop to create special keepsakes, make tree decorations and decorate a delicious gingerbread man to take home. Lasts 1 hr 30 mins.
27. If you have a guests with extra sensory needs, Marble Arch Caves also do a fun and inclusive Elf Escape Sensory Space with low-lit blue lighting and interactive sensory stations, designed for relaxed enjoyment with a fun Christmas theme.
Up to eight visitors will follow a guided mini-trail within the audio-visual space, engage with gentle Elf activities, and even hunt for hidden elves with a special activity sheet.
28. The Belfast Christmas Market is a biggie, with 100 international and local traders in the festive village, set against the magnificent backdrop of Belfast City Hall.
Grown ups can sip on a warming mug of Glühwein, or indulge in Italian chocolates and speciality cheeses while kids go for a whirl on the vintage helter-skelter (some fairground attractions are priced separately).
Children can meet Santa in his grotto.
Tickets do need to be purchased in advance and cost £15 per child, with each visitor getting a gift. The market opens on the November 15, entry is free.
SCOTLAND
Edinburgh christmas market is beautiful against the backdrop of the city[/caption]
A Santa experience with children’s stories is a a lovely way to start the Christmas fun[/caption]
29. Edinburgh has its own Santa Fun Run around West Princes Street Gardens on December 7.
Get the whole family and friends dressing up as Santa on a crisp Winter’s morning and take on 2.5km to raise money for a worthy cause.
All money raised from the Edinburgh Santa Fun Run & Walk will be used to help fund Wishes, a charity for children who are aged 4 – 16 and who live with a life threatening illness.
Adults are £15, kids aged 5 -11 £5 and mini joiners are £2.50.
Every participant gets a Santa costume and finisher medal (minis get an elf hat).
30. Take little ones to Santa’s Stories in St Andrews Square.
You’ll meet the man himself at his grotto and get to enjoy a special Christmas story.
Father Christmas welcomes groups every half hour and the visit lasts 20 minutes.
It costs £12 for one adult and one child and additional guests are £6 each.
31. The Scottish Deer Centre in the Bow of Fife offers a pay as you please admission policy, which is fantastic for families looking for a budget day out.
At Christmas, the sanctuary has its own take on Santa’s Grotto, instead inviting kids to the Reindeerinch’s Grotto for a bit of mischief…
There is a mini winter wonderland to explore before you head down to meet the resident grumpy Reindeerinch.
Be prepared for inappropriate jokes and laughter.
Children who visit Reindeerinch will receive a fun gift that will make everyone giggle.
It costs £19.95 per child but that covers two adult entries to the sanctuary too, so you can have a whole day out and won’t need to pay anything more.
Afterwards, be sure to sample one of the excellent Christmas crepes along with a winter warming hot chocolate and warm your hands round the open fire, whilst toasting marshmallows listening to Christmas stories, read by one of Santa’s elves.
