WHILE Christmas is an expensive time of year, visiting winter attractions doesn’t have to break the bank.
We’ve rounded up some of the best free family-friendly Christmas attractions taking place across the UK this winter.
From London to Cardiff – here is everything you need to know.
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Christmas Carols at St Paul’s Cathedral, London
While Christmas carolling may seem like an activity that’s reserved for films and TV shows, there are plenty of free carol services taking place across the UK.
One of those is the Christmas Carol service that takes place at St Paul’s Cathedral in central London.
Free family carol services start on December 2, 2023, and they will last until December 24, 2023.
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Tickets for carol services at 4pm on December 23 and December 24 must be reserved in advance.
Inflatable snow globe at Fenchurch Street Station, London
If you’re travelling back from a festive event in the capital, you may want to swing by Fenchurch Street Station where you’ll find a giant inflatable snow globe.
For just three days, from December 5, 2023, until December 8, 2023, families will be able to take an Instagram-worthy photo inside the snow globe.
While no tube lines pass through Fenchurch Street Station, Fenchurch Street Station is a 10-minute walk from Monument tube station and a 7-minute walk from Tower Hill.
Direct trains from Leigh-on-Sea and Southend Central also operate to the London Station.
Elf Street Party, Weymouth
For the last three years, thousands of Elves have been heading to Weymouth Town Centre for the largest elf street party in the South West.
This year, there will be an elf parade, complete with a marching band, elf dancing troupes, stilt walkers and elf workshops, and even an appearance from Father Christmas himself.
There will also be live musical performances and a Christmas Light Switch On.
The Elf Extravaganza will take place on November 25, 2023, from 10am until late into the evening.
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Christmas by the Sea, Blackpool
Christmas by the Sea is coming back to Blackpool, transforming the promenade near the beach into “a breath-taking festive village”.
Among the rides and activities, there will be a free ice skating rink, which has been described as the “sparkling centrepiece” of the Christmas village.
Those who want a skate simply have to turn up and ask, with no prior booking required.
The ice skating rink will be open from 12pm until 9pm every day, except Christmas Day.
Christmas by the Sea will be found on the festival headland near Blackpool Tower and will run from November 17, 2023, until January 1, 2024.
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Festive Tractor Parade, Guernsey
While plenty of light shows and festive parades take place across the UK every year, none promise to be more unusual than Guernsey’s.
The Christmas Tractor sees the island’s tractors come together to parade through the streets of Guernsey.
Last year, more than 70 tractors took part in the festive parade.
This year, the unusual light show will be held on December 16, 2023.
Snowman Walking Trail, London
The Snowman, Raymond Brigg’s classic children’s book, is most certainly a Christmas staple.
In addition to watching the short film on the telly, Brits will be able to enjoy The Snowman in real life.
Along the trail, which runs through Fleet Street Quarter families will be encouraged to spot the 12 individually-painted Snowman sculptures.
The ‘Walking with The Snowman’ trail will run for 10 weeks from Tuesday, November 21, 2023.
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The Victorian Christmas Market, Stratford-Upon-Avon
The Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market is home to over 300 stalls where traders dress up in authentic Victorian clothing.
At the market, visitors can expect to find stalls selling festive street food, mulled wine, cider, and hot chocolate.
Other attractions include a traditional Victorian carousel ride, live music, choirs, dance groups, and stilt walkers.
Visitors will need to plan their break carefully, because the market is only open for four days from December 7, 2023, to December 10, 2023.
While the Christmas market is free to enter, Brits will need to pay for any purchases they make during the day.
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St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff
St Fagans Castle and Gardens is a late 16th-century manor house, which was donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of Plymouth in 1948.
Entry to the museum is free throughout the year, with two free festive events taking place in December.
Christmas Traditions: The Mari Llwyd Performance is one of those free festive events.
The ancient Welsh tradition includes singing, dancing, and a horse’s skull, and it will be held for one weekend on December 16, and 17, 2023.
The Welsh castle is a 30-minute drive from Cardiff City Centre, and it can also be reached on public transport – although journeys can take around one hour.
The National Waterfront Museum, Swansea
Entry into the National Waterfront Museum, which tells the story of the Welsh industry, is free throughout the year.
On December 3, 2023, the museum will be hosting its Big Waterfront Christmas event, with a life-sized polar bear lantern, live music, donkeys, and crafts.
Here are the 25 best ice rinks to visit in London and the South East.
And, these are the best Christmas markets to visit in the UK.
