Cheap and free activities and ideas for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
From fireworks to trips to the theatre, we've picked some great things you can do with the family over the New Year period without spending a fortune.
If you're feeling the financial squeeze and want to escape the house after being cooped up with too many relatives, why not get out and about?
We reveal free and cheap things you can do over the New Year period.
New Year fireworks
You can see them on the telly, but as lots of fireworks events are free, why not wrap up and get out and about to welcome in the New Year?
In Manchester, you can enjoy a free fireworks display outside Manchester Cathedral on Deansgate/Victoria Street.
Alternatively, welcome 2020 with fireworks over Newcastle's picturesque bridges, where entry is free.
While the tickets to watch London's fireworks up close have now sold out, you can get a great view from Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath or Primrose Hill.
While Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations can get rather expensive, the Bairns Afore event is a good option for families.
From £8.50 a ticket, you’ll get live music and a spectacular fireworks display over Edinburgh Castle.
For more information about free fireworks displays in your area, check your local council website.
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Free things to do
Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park is open until 5 January.
It's free to get in and soak up the atmosphere, but you’ll need to buy tickets if you want to go on the rides, visit the ice kingdom or go ice skating.
You can join a huge torchlit procession through Edinburgh on 30th December – it's £14 for a flaming torch, but if you don't need a torch it's just £3.
Also, 50p from every ticket bought will be donated to OneCity Trust, a charity that aims to fight inequality and exclusion in Edinburgh.
It’s a good idea to check out what your local museum has to offer over the New Year.
The V&A in London, for example, has several exhibitions running over the holidays, as well as free Christmas-themed events for families.
Get some exercise
Blitz your New Year’s hangover with a free 5k free park run at various locations across the country.
But you should check first as some locations may not hold any special events New Year’s Day and starting times can vary.
You can bring your dog, buggy or even walk around – and if you like it you can go along every week!
You can also enjoy a stroll along one of the many piers in England and Wales, which may have free or discounted entry this time of year.
Southend is home to the longest pleasure pier in the world and even has a train if you don't fancy the walk. Or you can find your nearest pier at the National Piers Society.
Cheap eats
If you’re out with the family, lots of places do free kids meals, helping to cut the cost of eating out.
At Crown Carveries, kids under the age of 10 eat for £1 on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, if you buy an adult carvery meal.
If you’re staying in a Premier Inn over the festive season, you can get breakfast free for up to two children under the age of 16 when you order a full breakfast or meal deal.
Go to the theatre
You can search for special offers on plays, musicals and comedy nights across the UK at ATG Tickets.
ShowFilmFirst offers free and discounted tickets for a range of shows, but what you get offered depends on your genre preferences and location.
You’ll usually pay an admin fee for any tickets bought via ShowFilmFirst and have to apply for free membership, which is not guaranteed.
Watch a movie
Fed up of Christmas repeats on the telly?
If you want to go to the cinema, chains such as Cineworld, Vue and Odeon offer cheap tickets for families at weekends and during school holidays.
Check out How to get free and cheap cinema tickets for more information.
Sites such as ShowFilmFirst can offer free tickets for movie previews and screenings, but there’s no guarantee you’ll get tickets on demand.
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This article has been updated
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