How to Find Low-Cost Christmas Events for Your Family

Discover easy ways to find low-cost and free Christmas events for your family across the UK, from council festivities to community activities, nature trails, and budget-friendly festive fun.

How to Find Low-Cost Christmas Events for Your Family

Christmas is magical, but it can also be expensive—especially when you’re trying to keep little ones entertained. 

The good news? Across the UK, there are countless festive activities that won’t drain your wallet. 

With a bit of planning and some clever searching, you can give your family a brilliant Christmas season without the financial stress.

Look for Free Council-Run Festivities

Many local councils host Christmas light switch-ons, markets, children’s craft sessions, and community carol services at no charge. These can be some of the most joyful events of the season, and they’re usually just a short walk or bus ride away.

Check your council’s website or social media pages, as these often list all upcoming festive activities.

Use What’s On Guides

Regional “What’s On” listings, such as VisitScotland, VisitWales, Visit England, local news sites, and community magazines—regularly publish guides to affordable or free Christmas events.

Search using phrases like “free Christmas events near me” or “cheap festive days out [your county]” for up-to-date listings.

Visit Local Museums and Heritage Sites

Many museums, galleries, and heritage properties offer seasonal workshops, trails, and family days for a small fee—or sometimes free with a pre-booked ticket.

Community museums often run low-cost Santa visits, storytelling sessions, and make-and-take craft activities that are perfect for little ones.

Try Libraries and Community Centres

Libraries are unsung heroes of the festive season. From storytime sessions to Christmas jumper craft clubs, family film afternoons, and even mini pantomimes, libraries offer some of the most affordable events around.

Community centres also host budget-friendly activities such as wreath-making, festive discos, and charity fun days.

Join Local Facebook Groups

Community Facebook groups often share smaller, hyper-local events that don’t appear in official listings. School fêtes, church bazaars, Scouts Christmas fairs, and charity Santa runs are often inexpensive and great fun for children.

Look for “Pay What You Can” Events

Many theatres, arts centres, and charities offer “pay what you can” performances, craft sessions, and workshops around Christmastime. These events are designed to be accessible to all families, regardless of budget.

It’s always worth checking your local arts venue’s website to see what’s available.

Explore Nature-Based Festivities

Not all Christmas outings need a ticket. Many parks, woodlands, and nature reserves run free festive trails, wildlife walks, and outdoor scavenger hunts. Even a DIY Christmas trail, complete with decorated sticks, pinecones, and hidden clues—can turn a simple winter walk into a magical day out.

Take Advantage of Early-Bird Deals

Some ticketed events offer discounted entry if you book well ahead. Early-bird tickets can make attractions like light trails, children’s shows, and Christmas farms more affordable.

Sign up for venue mailing lists so you never miss a deal.

Check Supermarket and Shopping Centre Events

Big retailers and shopping centres often put on free activities such as craft mornings, Santa meet-and-greets, and Christmas parades. These can be surprisingly high-quality and perfect for younger children.

Don’t Forget Local Schools and Churches

Nativity plays, charity fairs, carol concerts, and Christmas raffles are inexpensive, family-friendly, and often support good causes. You’ll also be helping your local community at the same time.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to make Christmas magical. With a bit of searching and a willingness to explore what’s already happening locally, you can create a season full of memories, laughter, and festive cheer—without blowing the family budget.

Fundraising Partnership -Create, Celebrate, and Give Back This Christmas at the Allendale Community Centre

Get into the festive spirit while supporting a good cause at the Christmas Wreath Making Workshops at the Allendale Community Centre, Wimborne, on Wednesday 26th November (2pm to 4pm) and Friday 28th November 2025 (6pm to 8pm).

Sponsored by Poole and Wimborne Woodland Burial Ground, the workshops will provide everything you need to design and take home a stunning, naturally sourced wreath. 

All materials, including fresh greenery, pinecones, berries, and a selection of festive decorations will be supplied, alongside expert tuition from burial ground consultant and qualified florist, Karen, who will be leading the sessions with her team.

"Poole & Wimborne woodland burial ground is more than just a resting place - it's a space that gives back to the community. 

"With strong commitment to supporting local projects and initiatives, the burial ground is proud to sponsor the Christmas wreath making workshops at the Allendale Community Centre. 

"By working with local groups and events, we aim to nurture connections, celebrate creativity, and bring people together in ways that honour both life and nature. Sponsorship of this festive event reflects their dedication to spreading joy during the Christmas season, while continuing to support families and individuals across the local area." Elisa Way, Burial Ground Manager told That's Christmas 365.

Karen and her colleagues are passionate about sharing their skills and will guide participants step-by-step, while encouraging personal creativity to make each wreath unique. 

Workshops will last around two hours, and every participant will leave with a handmade wreath to enjoy throughout the Christmas festivities.

But these events are about more than creativity. Every £30.00 ticket sold will help fund local families and individuals in Wimborne who are in need through the Allendale Community Centre’s Family Christmas Campaign. By joining in, you’ll not only be crafting something special for your home but also spreading festive joy to those who need it most.

To make the experience even more enjoyable, your ticket includes a festive soft (non-alcoholic) drink and seasonal nibbles. The centre’s bar will also be open, serving seasonal cocktails and other drinks to purchase to help the creative flow.

Tickets are limited to ensure a personal, hands-on experience – so early booking is essential.

Book your tickets on the theallendale.org site and help make Christmas brighter for your community!

How Food Companies and Marketing Agencies Can Support Foodbanks This Festive Season

As Christmas approaches, the festive season brings a spirit of generosity, joy, and togetherness.

 However, for many families across the UK, this time of year can also bring financial strain, making it difficult to put food on the table, let alone celebrate with traditional festive treats. 

Foodbanks play a crucial role in supporting those who are struggling, especially during the holiday season when the demand for their services increases dramatically.

Food companies and marketing agencies are uniquely positioned to make a significant impact on alleviating food insecurity during this critical time. By leveraging their resources, expertise, and networks, these businesses can provide much-needed support to foodbanks, helping ensure that no one goes hungry this Christmas. Here’s how they can make a meaningful difference.

1. Donate Surplus Food and Products

One of the most direct ways food companies can support foodbanks is by donating surplus stock. Each year, tonnes of perfectly edible food go to waste due to overproduction, packaging issues, or looming expiration dates. Rather than letting this food go to waste, companies can partner with foodbanks to ensure it reaches those who need it most.

Organise regular donations of non-perishable goods such as canned foods, cereals, and pasta, which are always in high demand.

Donate festive items like Christmas puddings, chocolates, and snacks to bring a touch of holiday cheer to families who might not otherwise afford these luxuries.

Collaborate with logistics partners to streamline the process of delivering surplus food to local foodbanks.

By donating excess products, food companies can not only reduce waste but also provide vital support to struggling families during the festive season.

2. Sponsor Foodbank Events and Fundraisers

Marketing agencies can leverage their expertise to support foodbanks by sponsoring or organising fundraising events. Whether it’s a Christmas charity gala, a food drive, or a digital campaign, agencies can use their skills to create impactful events that raise awareness and generate much-needed funds for foodbanks.

Plan festive-themed fundraisers such as charity bake-offs, virtual raffles, or Christmas markets, with proceeds going to local foodbanks.

Provide pro bono services to promote foodbank initiatives, helping them reach a wider audience and attract more donors.

Collaborate with influencers who are passionate about social causes to amplify the message and encourage their followers to get involved.

Through strategic partnerships, marketing agencies can help foodbanks not only raise funds but also enhance their visibility during the crucial holiday period.

3. Create Special Charity Campaigns

Christmas is a time when consumers are particularly receptive to charitable giving, making it an ideal moment for food companies to launch cause-driven marketing campaigns. By aligning their brand with a charitable cause, companies can engage customers, boost brand loyalty, and make a positive impact on their community.

Introduce “Buy One, Donate One” promotions, where every purchase leads to a donation of a food item to a foodbank.

Launch limited-edition products with a portion of the proceeds going to support foodbanks.

Run social media challenges encouraging customers to donate food items, with the company matching every donation.

These campaigns not only help foodbanks gather essential resources but also allow brands to demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility, which can strengthen customer loyalty.

4. Encourage Employee Involvement and Volunteering

Beyond financial and product donations, one of the most impactful ways companies can contribute is by encouraging their employees to volunteer their time. Foodbanks often face a shortage of hands during the busy festive period, so corporate volunteering can make a significant difference.

Organise volunteer days where employees can help sort, pack, and distribute food parcels.

Offer paid volunteer leave to employees who wish to support their local foodbank during the Christmas season.

Set up internal food drives within the company, encouraging staff to contribute non-perishable goods.

Not only does this foster a culture of giving within the company, but it also provides employees with a meaningful way to give back during the holiday season.

5. Leverage Marketing Expertise to Raise Awareness

Marketing agencies can use their skills to create powerful awareness campaigns that highlight the challenges foodbanks face during the festive period. By raising the profile of foodbanks, agencies can help drive more donations and support from the public.

Develop creative content such as videos, infographics, and social media posts to highlight the impact of foodbanks.

Partner with local media outlets to secure coverage of foodbank initiatives and increase community engagement.

Run digital advertising campaigns encouraging donations and volunteer sign-ups, especially during key shopping events like Black Friday and Christmas sales.

By applying their expertise in communications and branding, marketing agencies can help foodbanks reach more people and secure the resources they need to support their communities.

6. Collaborate on Long-Term Partnerships

Rather than focusing solely on one-off Christmas donations, food companies and marketing agencies can establish long-term partnerships with foodbanks. This could involve ongoing financial support, regular food donations, or collaborative campaigns throughout the year.

Establish annual giving programmes that provide foodbanks with consistent support beyond the festive season.

Offer training or consultancy services to foodbank staff to help them improve their marketing, outreach, and fundraising efforts.

Collaborate on sustainability initiatives to reduce food waste and redirect surplus to those in need.

Long-term partnerships ensure that foodbanks have the resources and support to continue their critical work throughout the year, not just at Christmas.

Conclusion: A Season of Generosity and Community

As we gather with our loved ones to celebrate Christmas, it’s important to remember that not everyone has the means to enjoy the festive season. By supporting foodbanks, food companies and marketing agencies can play a pivotal role in spreading joy and ensuring that no one goes hungry this Christmas.

Whether it’s through donating surplus food, organising fundraising events, or leveraging marketing expertise to raise awareness, there are countless ways businesses can give back. This festive season, let’s come together to support those who need it most and make this Christmas a little brighter for everyone.

By embracing the spirit of giving, we can not only make a difference to those struggling this Christmas but also inspire a sense of community and compassion that lasts all year round.

Trussell Trust reveals new figures on emergency food parcel needs. Learn how you can help

New figures released by the Trussell Trust showed 1.5 million emergency food parcels were provided to people between April and September 2023 by food banks in the charity’s UK-wide network. This is the most parcels the network's ever distributed at this point in the year and represents a 16% increase from the same period in 2022.

Low incomes, especially from social security, debt, health conditions and issues with social security payments such as delays or sanctions were the main reasons people were left with no option but to turn to food banks for help.

A record 540,000 food parcels were provided for over 265,000 children living in families who couldn't afford the essentials. That's an 11% increase compared to the same period last year, reflecting the continuing rise in need for the support provided by food banks.

The new data also revealed 65% of all the parcels provided by Trussell Trust food banks between April and September this year were for families with children.

Furthermore, the charity has reported an alarming 320,000 people have needed to use a food bank for the first time in the past six months, warning food banks are at ‘breaking point’ as more people in communities across the UK find themselves unable afford the essentials.

The Trussell Trust believe the situation is unlikely to change in the coming months with this stark new data leading them to forecast that food banks in their network will distribute more than a million emergency food parcels between December 2023 and February 2024 – the equivalent of providing a parcel every eight seconds this winter.

Jess Holliday, Deputy CEO at Eastbourne Foodbank said: “At Eastbourne Foodbank, our donations are down even as need remains very high. We are deeply concerned about the alarming rise in the number of children needing our support. 

"Last month, 633 of the food parcels we provided were for children. Day after day, people tell us they simply don’t have enough money to buy the basics. A client told me, ‘I have sold my car. I have sold everything and cut everything out. But that’s still not enough. All I want is enough money to pay the basic bills and have some left to buy my own food.'”

In order to reduce these relentless levels of need, the Trussell Trust is calling on the UK Government to use the upcoming Autumn Statement to build on its work to protect households on the lowest incomes.

Emma Revie, CEO of the Trussell Trust said: “These statistics are extremely alarming. An increasing number of children are growing up in families facing hunger, forced to turn to food banks to survive. A generation is growing up believing it’s normal to see a food bank in every community. This isn't right.

“Rising hunger and hardship have devastating consequences for individuals and our communities, damage the nation’s health and hold back our economy. People in work, as well as people who cannot work, are increasingly being pushed into debt and forced to turn to a food bank to survive.

“That’s why the UK Government must build on its work to protect people from increasingly severe hardship and commit to putting an Essentials Guarantee into legislation, to embed in our social security system the widely supported principle that, at a minimum, Universal Credit should protect people from going without essentials."

The Trussell Trust is encouraging people to show their support for people facing hardship by signing a petition urging UK political party leaders to support the introduction of an Essentials Guarantee to ensure that the basic rate of Universal Credit at least covers life’s essentials, such as food and bills.

That's Christmas believes that the spirit of Christmas must be with us all year round. So if you can offer any help to your local foodbank, please do so. Even if it's buying a couple of extra items of food during your regular shopping trips and donating these, as everything helps.

Also, supermarkets such as Morrisons and Tesco offer special schemes to help to ensure food gets to people in need, so do look out for these.

To learn more about The Trussell Trust please visit them here:- https://www.trusselltrust.org