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Christmas · 2026

Best Christmas Days Out Under £50 UK 2026

Twelve Christmas days out across the UK with a verified family cost below £50, including free community events, Santa experiences, museums and festive trails.

By Carol, FamilySave UK · Updated 2026-10-07

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Christmas days out can still cost less than £50 for a family of four. We found 12 confirmed 2026 events across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, from free community celebrations to Santa visits and full museum days.

Our family cost is based on two adults and two children. It covers the admission or event tickets needed for the experience described. Travel, food, shopping and parking are excluded unless we state otherwise. Age bands vary between venues, so check the ticket rules for your children before paying.

Prices, dates and inclusions were checked by FamilySave on 4 October 2026. Availability can change, particularly for Santa sessions, so always check before travelling.

Quick Comparison

Experience Location Approx. Family Cost Best For Booking
Christmas in the Park Wimbledon, London Free A local outdoor celebration Official event page
Armagh Georgian Festival Festive Family Fun Armagh, Northern Ireland Free Fairground-style family fun Official event page
A Victorian Christmas SEND Sunday Rochdale, Greater Manchester £4 A quieter SEND-friendly session Official event page
Santa's Workshop at Birmingham Museum Birmingham £14 A short Santa visit with a gift Official event page
Winter Festival at The Black Watch Perth, Scotland £27.50 Larger families and mixed ages Official event page
Christmas on the Farm Leeds £28.75 plus parking Farm animals, play and crafts Official event page
Christmas at Cotehele Cornwall £30.50 including up to four hours parking A historic house, mill and trail Official event page
Father Christmas at Wicken Fen Cambridgeshire £30.50 plus parking A traditional Santa experience Official event page
Christmas Make and Take at Chepstow Castle Monmouthshire, Wales £33.30 plus parking Crafts and castle exploring Official event page
Festive Tales at Woodhorn Museum Northumberland £40 Storytelling and relaxed sessions Official event page
A Dorset Christmas at The Tank Museum Dorset £48.80 online A full museum day Official event page
Christmas at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens County Down, Northern Ireland £49 with Santa A winter trail and Santa add-on Official event page

FamilySave Picks

FamilySave Pick: Full Day Out

Why we picked it: A Dorset Christmas includes the main Tank Museum, more than 100 craft stalls, a children's trail, soft play and Santa arriving in an armoured vehicle. Paid tickets also provide free return visits for a year.

Best for: Families who want enough to fill most of the day, especially children interested in vehicles or military history.

Watch out for: The family total is below £50 only when booked online. The same two-adult, two-child tickets cost £61 on the door.

Family cost: £48.80 online.

Booking: The Tank Museum

FamilySave Pick: Larger Families

Why we picked it: The Black Watch family ticket covers two adults and up to four children for £27.50. The programme combines a Santa tour, Elf Training Workshop, cookie decorating, crafts and a museum trail.

Best for: Families with three or four children who can use the same family ticket.

Watch out for: Sessions run at set times and must be prebooked. Every child must attend with a paying adult.

Family cost: £27.50 for two adults and up to four children.

Booking: The Black Watch Castle and Museum

FamilySave Pick: SEND-Friendly Session

Why we picked it: Rochdale Town Hall's special SEND Sunday combines gentle Victorian Christmas crafts and games with beanbags and sensory toys for children who need a calmer space.

Best for: Families with children aged three and over who have SEND needs.

Watch out for: Children need booked tickets. Accompanying adults are free and do not need tickets.

Family cost: £4 for two children.

Booking: Rochdale Town Hall

FamilySave Pick: Free Outdoor Event

Why we picked it: Armagh's free afternoon includes swing boats, a Ferris wheel, traditional games, Santa's reindeer, hot chestnuts and fire performers.

Best for: Families who want plenty of included activities without buying admission tickets.

Watch out for: It is an outdoor city event. Allow separately for travel, food and any shopping.

Family cost: Free.

Booking: Visit Armagh

Free Christmas Days Out

Christmas in the Park, Wimbledon

Location: Haydons Road Recreation Ground, Wimbledon, London SW19 1AN.

Dates: Saturday 5 December 2026, 1pm to 7pm.

Price: Free.

Best for: Families wanting a relaxed local event rather than a timed attraction.

What you get: Live choirs, a DJ, festive entertainment, Christmas lights and decorations. Children can visit Santa and join arts and crafts in Santa's Workshop.

Things to know: Food, drinks, market purchases and the charity raffle cost extra. This is outdoors and parking at the recreation ground is limited.

Booking: Christmas in the Park

Armagh Georgian Festival Festive Family Fun

Location: The Mall, Armagh, Northern Ireland.

Dates: Saturday 28 November 2026, noon to 6pm.

Price: Free.

Best for: Fairground-style fun with no admission charge.

What you get: Swing boats, a Ferris wheel, hoopla, hook-a-duck, coconut shy, Santa's reindeer, hot chestnuts and evening fire performers.

Things to know: The event is outdoors. Food, travel and any purchases are not included in the free admission.

Booking: Festive Family Fun

Christmas Days Out Under £20

A Victorian Christmas SEND Sunday, Rochdale

Location: Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ.

Dates: Sunday 6 December 2026, 2pm to 4pm.

Price: £2 per child. A two-adult, two-child family pays £4 because accompanying grown-ups are free.

Best for: Children aged three and over with SEND needs.

What you get: Victorian Christmas crafts and games, plus beanbags and sensory toys for children who want time away from the activities.

Things to know: Booking is required for each child. Adults do not need tickets.

Booking: A Victorian Christmas SEND Sunday

Location: Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3DH.

View FamilySave venue details (general museum admission)

Dates: 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19 to 23 December 2026, with sessions at 1pm and 3pm.

Price: £7 per participating child. Two children cost £14 and up to two adults can accompany them. General museum admission is free.

Best for: Families wanting a short city-centre Santa visit that includes a gift.

What you get: A 45-minute session with Santa, an elf-led craft activity, a gift for each ticketed child and a photo opportunity.

Things to know: Prebooking is strongly advised. Babies under 12 months do not need a ticket when accompanying a paying child unless they need the full experience and gift. The workshop is on Level 2.

Booking: Santa's Workshop

Christmas Days Out From £20 to £35

Winter Festival at The Black Watch Castle and Museum

Location: Balhousie Castle, Hay Street, Perth PH1 5HR.

Dates: Saturday 5 December 2026, 10am to 4pm.

Price: £27.50 for two adults and up to four children.

Best for: Larger families and children who enjoy several short activities.

What you get: A Santa tour through the galleries, Elf Training Workshop and certificate, cookie decorating, crafts, a Christmas trail and festive object handling.

Things to know: Choose a timed morning or afternoon session when booking. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Booking: Winter Festival

Christmas on the Farm at Temple Newsam

Location: Temple Newsam Home Farm, Temple Newsam Road, Leeds LS15 0AE.

Dates: 1 to 24 December 2026. Check the opening hours for your chosen day.

Price: £28.75 for two adults and up to three children. Under-threes are free. Parking costs extra.

Best for: Younger children who like farm animals, play spaces and simple crafts.

What you get: Home Farm and Play Barn admission, a Christmas tree trail and booklet, seasonal displays, a living nativity and self-led crafts.

Things to know: Guided tours, workshops, food and paid parking are additional. Use the Farm Car Park accessed from the North Entrance.

Booking: Christmas on the Farm

Christmas at Cotehele

Location: Cotehele, St Dominick, near Saltash, Cornwall PL12 6TA.

Dates: The decorated house and family trail run from 21 November 2026 to 5 January 2027, closed 25 and 26 December. Cotehele Mill opens on selected dates from 21 November to 4 January.

Price: £27.50 without Gift Aid for two adults and up to three children. Non-member parking is £3 for up to four hours, making £30.50 in total, or £6 for a longer stay. National Trust members enter and park free.

Best for: Families who enjoy historic buildings, gardens and a walk between activities.

What you get: The 60-foot flower garland, decorated rooms, an eight-activity Christmas trail and, on Mill opening days, toys, dressing-up and family crafts in the Victorian mill.

Things to know: You do not need to book a standard family visit. The Mill is not open every day and has no parking of its own, so check its dates before travelling.

Booking: Christmas at Cotehele

Father Christmas at Wicken Fen

Location: Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Lode Lane, Wicken, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 5XP.

Dates: 29 November, 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19 to 23 December 2026.

Price: £15.25 per child, so two children cost £30.50. Adults pay no extra admission when visiting Father Christmas. Non-member parking costs extra.

Best for: Families wanting crafts, play and a traditional Father Christmas visit.

What you get: An elf-led craft, games and dressing-up in the Elf Workshop, a photo opportunity and a present for each ticketed child.

Things to know: Booking is essential and the National Trust says this event usually sells out. The optional Winter Trail is not included and normal admission charges apply to that part of the reserve.

Booking: Christmas at Wicken Fen

Christmas Make and Take at Chepstow Castle

Location: Chepstow Castle, Bridge Street, Chepstow NP16 5EY.

Dates: Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 December 2026, 10am to 3pm. The Reindeer Trail also runs on both dates.

Price: £33.30 for two adults and up to three children. Both activities are included in normal admission. Parking costs extra.

Best for: Families who want a hands-on activity as part of a castle visit.

What you get: A festive decoration to make and take home, plus a seasonal clue trail around the castle.

Things to know: Both activities are drop-in and do not require advance booking. The site has slopes, steps and exposed areas, so wear suitable footwear and bring waterproofs if the forecast is uncertain.

Booking: Christmas Make and Take

Christmas Days Out From £35 to £50

Festive Tales at Woodhorn Museum

Location: Woodhorn Museum, Queen Elizabeth II Country Park, Ashington, Northumberland NE63 9YF.

Dates: 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19 to 24 December 2026.

Price: £10 per child, including the booking fee. Adults attend the event without an extra charge but need valid annual passes. Two child tickets and two adult passes without the optional donation cost £40. If both adults already hold passes, the family pays £20.

Best for: Storytelling, a Father Christmas meeting and families who prefer a relaxed session.

What you get: Festive story time, a meeting and photo opportunity with Father Christmas, a gift for each ticketed child and family art activities between noon and 3pm.

Things to know: The 3pm session each day is relaxed. No more than two adults can accompany a booking unless additional carers are arranged. A baby accompanying a ticketed sibling needs a ticket only if they are to receive a gift.

Booking: Festive Tales

A Dorset Christmas at The Tank Museum

Location: The Tank Museum, Linsay Road, Bovington, Wareham, Dorset BH20 6JG.

Dates: Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2026, 10am to 4pm.

Price: £48.80 online for two adults and two children aged three to 15. The equivalent door price is £61. Under-threes are free and on-site parking is free.

Best for: A full indoor day with a Christmas event added to a large museum.

What you get: Full museum entry, more than 100 craft stalls, Santa arriving in an armoured vehicle at noon, a walkabout meeting and photo opportunity, a children's elf trail, soft play and live entertainment. Paid tickets include free return visits for a year.

Things to know: Book online to keep the family total below £50. This is not a private grotto and no Santa gift is advertised. Food, drinks and shopping cost extra.

Booking: A Dorset Christmas

Christmas at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

Location: Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Hillsborough, County Down BT26 6TY.

Dates: The Christmas programme runs from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, excluding 24 to 26 December. Santa sessions run on 28 and 29 November, 5, 6, 12, 13 and 18 to 23 December.

Price: Gardens-only admission without the optional donation costs £13 per adult and £7.50 per child aged five to 17. A two-adult, two-child visit costs £41. The family Santa add-on is £8, bringing the total to £49. Under-fives enter the gardens free and parking is free.

Best for: Younger children who enjoy story trails and families wanting a Santa add-on at the top of the £50 budget.

What you get: All-day gardens access, The Gruffalo's Child trail and selected film screenings. The Santa add-on includes a meeting, a family photo opportunity and reindeer food.

Things to know: Santa must be prebooked, including for members, and does not include a toy. Castle admission is a separate upgrade and is not included in the £49 total.

Booking: Christmas at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens

How to Spend Less

  • Compare the family ticket with individual admission. The Black Watch, Temple Newsam, Cotehele and Chepstow all offer family tickets that cover more than two children.
  • Book The Tank Museum online. Buying the same tickets at the door takes a family of four above the £50 limit.
  • Check parking before choosing between two similarly priced events. Temple Newsam, Wicken Fen and Chepstow charge separately, while Hillsborough Castle and The Tank Museum include free parking.
  • Use the no-donation ticket price if £50 is a firm limit. Optional charitable donations at Cotehele, Woodhorn and Hillsborough are worthwhile when affordable, but they are not compulsory.
  • Take food to venues that allow picnics, or check current Kids Eat Free offers before travelling.
  • For a no-ticket-cost day, compare these events with FamilySave's free museums around the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the family cost include?

It is the lowest standard 2026 cost we could verify for two adults and two children to take part in the experience described. We state when an online rate, no-donation rate, annual pass or family ticket is needed. Food, travel, shopping and parking are excluded unless noted.

Do adults need tickets for every Santa experience?

No. Birmingham Museum allows up to two accompanying adults with the child's ticket, Wicken Fen does not add admission for adults visiting Father Christmas, and Woodhorn charges no adult event fee but requires each adult to hold an annual pass. Check the individual entry before booking.

Should I book Christmas events in advance?

Book timed Santa sessions as soon as you know your date. Rochdale, Birmingham, The Black Watch, Wicken Fen, Woodhorn and Hillsborough all require or strongly recommend advance booking. Free community events and the Chepstow drop-in activities do not currently require tickets.

Are parking costs included?

Only the Cotehele comparison price includes up to four hours of parking. Wicken Fen, Temple Newsam and Chepstow charge parking separately. The Tank Museum and Hillsborough Castle provide free parking. Always recheck local charges before travelling.

Which options are suitable if the weather is poor?

Birmingham Museum, The Black Watch, Woodhorn Museum and The Tank Museum offer substantial indoor time. Outdoor events and historic sites can change plans in severe weather, so check the venue's update before leaving home.

Are there quieter or SEND-friendly sessions?

Rochdale's Victorian Christmas SEND Sunday is designed for families with children aged three and over who have SEND needs. Woodhorn also offers a relaxed Festive Tales session at 3pm on each event day. Contact the venue before booking if your family needs specific access arrangements.

Compare more seasonal events on Christmas Days Out 2026, find year-round ideas in Free Museums UK, or reduce the cost of eating out with the latest Kids Eat Free offers.

Sources

Related FamilySave guides