Christmas outings really don’t need to be expensive. You and your family can have an amazing time and keep the magic of Christmas alive at free and low-cost events. Local light switch ons and garden centres with their fabulous Christmas displays are great for you and your family to get into the Christmas spirit and, best of all, they are free! So do check out the ones in your local area.
There are also other free and low-cost Christmas events including festive trails and illuminations. Here is a list of my top free and low-cost (under £10pp) Christmas events in the Midlands. For more information, click on the title of each event and it will take you directly to the corresponding website or Facebook page.
Have fun! X
Birmingham & The Black Country
Walking with the Snowman Trail
How much? Free
When? Wednesday 17th November 2021 to Thursday 6th January 2022.
Where? Birmingham City Centre. See map for details (click to enlarge).
Echills Wood Railway – Bright Lights for Winter Nights
How much? £9 each (under 2s free).
When? Saturday 4th December 2021, Saturday 11th December 2021, and Sunday 19th December 2021.
Where? Echills Wood Railway, Kingsbury Water Park, Bodymoor Heath Road, Sutton Coldfield, B76 0DY.
How much? Free
When? 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 17-23rd, 27th-31st December then 1st and 2nd January. (4pm-8pm).
Where? Sandwell Valley Country Park, Salter's Lane, West Bromwich, B71 4BG.
Festive Evenings at the Valley
How much? £8 per adult (12 years and over), £5 per child (2-11 years), under 2s free.
When? 18th and 19th of December 2021, 6pm - 9pm.
Where? Sandwell Park Farm in Sandwell Valley Country Park, West Bromwich, B71 4BG.
How much? £3.50 per adult, £5.50 per child (2-14 years), under 2s free. Family adult (2 adults and up to 3 children) £17.
When? 27th and 28th November, 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 17th - 22nd December 2021.
Where? Forge Mill Farm, Forge Lane, West Bromwich, B71 3SZ.
Sedgley Adventure Centre - Woodland Christmas Special
How much? £8 per child and £2 per adult. Babies under 1 are free with a paying child. Spaces fill fast.
When? December 21st and 22nd 1:30-2:45pm.
Where? Sedgley Adventure Centre (within premises of the Mark Butler Golf Academy), Sandyfields Road, Sedgley, Dudley, DY3 3LA.
Himley Christmas Festival
How much? Weekdays Monday to Thursday £12.50 per car, Weekends Friday to Sunday £16.50 per car. Walk in £5 per adult, £3 per child, or £12.50 per family (2 adults and 3 children). Walk ins do not include parking. Please make sure to purchase the correct ticket depending on whether you plan to park at Himley Hall or walk to the park. Ticket price includes booking fee and parking (Ice Rink and Funfair have additional charges e.g. Funfair £1 per token, 1 token per ride, and Ice Rink £4 per 25-minute session).
When? Friday 26th November 5:00 PM - Sunday 12th December 2021 9:00 PM.
Where? Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands, DY3 4DF.
Himley’s Magical Christmas Portal
How much? £10 per child (2-15 years), £5 per adult, under 2s free.
When? 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th December 2021 from 4.30pm.
Where? Himley Hall, Dudley, West Midlands, DY3 4DF.
Candlelight Evening at Oak House Museum
How much? £2pp (under 3s free).
When? Friday 10th December 2021 from 4pm.
Where? Oak House Museum, West Bromwich, B70 8HJ.
Worcestershire
How much? £5 per adult, £2.50 per child. No pre-booking required.
When? Saturday 26th November 2021 to Tuesday 21st December 2021.
Where? Whitlenge Gardens, Tearoom and Plant Nursery, Hartlebury, DY10 4HD.
Bodenham Arboretum Nativity Trail
How much? £6.50 per adult, £3.50 per child, under 5s free. Or Family Ticket (2 Adults, 4 Children) £18.00. Pre-booking not required.
When? Saturday 27th November 2021 - Sunday 2nd January 2022.
Where? Bodenham Arboretum, Wolverley, Kidderminster, DY11 5TB.
Arley Arboretum Naughty Elves Trail
How much? £6 per adult, £3 per child (Under 3s are free but if you would like a trail sheet, booking a child admission is required).
When? Friday 3rd December 2021 to Thursday 23rd December 2021.
Where? Arley Arboretum, Lion Lane, Upper Arley, Worcestershire, DY12 1SQ.
Lume Cinema - CBeebies Christmas Show: The Night before Christmas
How much? £8 per adult, £5 per child.
When? 4th and 5th December 2021 (different screen times available).
Where? Lume Cinema, Green Street, Kidderminster, DY10 1JF.
Warwickshire
Santa's Enchanted Light Trail and Festive Outdoor Disco at Wethele Manor
How much? £7.50pp or Family Ticket (2 adults and 2 children (under 4) £25.
When? Wednesday 15th December 2021
Where? Wethele Manor, Wethele Manor Farm, CV33 9DD.
Luminate Leamington Lantern Parade
How much? Free
When? Sunday 5th December 2021 at 4.15pm-8pm.
Where? Pump Room Gardens, Leamington Spa, CV32 4AA.
Severn Trent Naughty Elf Trail at Draycote Water
How much? Activity sheets are available to buy for £4 each and each completed sheet gets a selection box. No pre-booking required.
When? Wednesday 1st December 2021 - Friday 24th December 2021. 10am to 3pm but will finish at 2pm on Christmas Eve.
Where? Draycote Water, Kites Hardwick, Rugby, CV23 8AB.
Staffordshire
Severn Trent Naughty Elf Christmas Trail
How much? Activity sheets are available to buy from the visitor centre for £4 each and each completed sheet gets a selection box. No pre-booking required.
When? Wednesday 1st December 2021 - Friday 24th December 2021. 10am to 3pm but will finish at 2pm on Christmas Eve.
Where? Tittesworth Water, Meerbrook, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8SW.
Biddulph Grange – Festive Nights
How much? £7 per adult (includes a hot drink), £4 per child. If you would like your child to see Father Christmas it is £13 per child which includes entrance fee ( includes Christmas Cottage and gift).
When? 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of December 2022. The event runs from 4.30pm-8.30pm, time slots are allocated for visits to Father Christmas.
Where? National Trust - Biddulph Grange Garden, Grange Road, Biddulph, ST8 7SD.
Shropshire
Winter Wonderland at Coalbrookdale
How much? £10 per child (2-16 years). Each ticket includes a gift from Santa and entry for up to 3 accompanying adults. Children under 2 are free and don’t need a ticket, when accompanied by a paying child, but won’t receive a gift from Santa.
When? 27th and 28th November, 4th, 5th, 11,th 12th, 18th-23rd December 2021. Sessions run every 45 minutes from 10am to 3.45pm.
Where? Coach Road, Coalbrookdale, Telford, TF8 7DQ.
Nottinghamshire
Totally Magical - Rufford Abbey
How much? Choose between the daytime or evening illuminated trail. Daytime - £8.95 pp (Under 2s free). Illuminated Trail - £11.95pp (Under 2s Free) - from 3.00pm.
When? 27th & 28th November, 4th, 5th, 11th-31st December (excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day), then 1st - 3rd January 2022.
Daytime or illuminated night-time trails.
Where? Totally Magical, Rufford Abbey, Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, NG22 9DF.
Derbyshire
Garden King Festive Woodland Walk
How much? £1 per adult, £2 per child (1-15 years), under 1s £1.
When? Every day until 31st December 2022 (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
Where? Garden King, Park Road, Newhall, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 0TX.
Heritage Wood - A Winter Woodland Walk
How much? Adults £9pp, Children £6pp, under 5s free.
When? 16th - 21st December, from 4:30pm.
Where? Heritage Wood, Hollington Lane, Ednaston, Ashbourne, DE6 3AE.
Severn Trent Naughty Elf Trail at Staunton Harold Reservoir
How much? Activity sheets are available to buy from the café for £4 each and each completed sheet gets a selection box. No pre-booking required.
When? Wednesday 1st December 2021 - Friday 24th December 2021. 10am to 3pm but will finish at 2pm on Christmas Eve.
Where? Staunton Harold Reservoir, Calke Road, DE73 8DN.
Severn Trent Naughty Elf Trail at Carsington Water
How much? Activity sheets are available to buy from the visitor centre for £4 each and each completed sheet gets a selection box. No pre-booking required.
When? Wednesday 1st December 2021 - Friday 24th December 2021. 10am to 3pm but will finish at 2pm on Christmas Eve.
Where? Carsington Water, Ashbourne, DE6 1ST.
Other free/ low-cost ideas:
Garden centres
Christmas fayres
Christmas markets
Local light switch ons
Christmas workshops
Local ice skating rinks
Pantomimes at local performing arts theatres
Breakfast with Santa at local pubs and restaurants
Percy Park Keeper Winter Wander Trail at selected National Trusts (Biddulph Grange, Kinver Edge and Rock Houses, etc.)
This list is not exhaustive.
Booking fees and parking charges may apply. Please see individual websites for more information.
All information correct at time of posting (24/11/2021).
Please make sure to book in advance where required.
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