A Coast for All … to Celebrate Christmas!

Board the Santa Express and explore the glittering North York Moors, have a Dickens of a Christmas in Robin Hood’s Bay and tuck into mouth-watering Yuletide feasts.

Look no further than East Yorkshire, this coast does Christmas spectacularly well! Bridlington is set to sparkle with an Ice Trail open 11am to 5.30pm 15-16 November. Come for interactive displays and live ice carving at this free event with shimmering ice sculptures dazzling in a light display after dark. Stay at SALT on the Harbour, cosy rooms and superb seafood just steps from Brid’s beach.  

The Sewerby Winter Woodland returns 5-23 December, a spectacular display of light and sound, this year’s theme is the Snowman’s Ball. Explore Candy Cane Lane, the giant bauble tunnel, festive snow globe and much more.  

Dine next door to Sewerby Hall at the Ship Inn, dog-friendly and claims the ‘Best Roast on the Coast’ at its Sunday carvery. Nearby, Beverly Minster Christmas Tree Festival, 5-14 December, features 150 real fir trees and children’s activities. 

Have the very best of coast and country, step back in time at Robin Hood’s Bay at its Victorian Weekend, 6-7 December. Expect live music, carols round the tree and Dicken’s style costumes in one of the most picturesque spots on the coast.  

Board the Santa Express on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, visit Whitby Christmas Market 14-16 November, join creative workshops, Christmas Craft Fair, Snowman Trail and much more at Danby Lodge and Sutton Bank. 

Stay at Saltmore in Whitby, a luxury North Yorkshire hotel nestled between the sea and the Moors. For more coast views, tuck into crab and pea risotto or sea bass and chorizo at the Seaview Restaurant in Saltburn or Lobster Thermidore at The Magpie Café in Whitby. Perfect after the Whitby Krampus Run on December 5 or the town’s Boxing Day dip! 

On the Redcar and Cleveland Yorkshire coast, you’ll find one of the most atmospheric settings at Kirkleatham Museum. Meet Father Christmas, enjoy live festive tunes and little ones can get creative in Christmas craft workshops.  On Saturday 12th December a frosty winter adventure arrives in Saltburn. Renowned ice sculptors Sand in Your Eye will once again be creating amazing ice sculptures across the town, creating a one-day ice trail.  Alongside, will be Saltburn Farmer’s Market with theatre performances and music taking place throughout the day.  

If you’re heading to the north east, Newcastle will be far more accessible this year by coach and its Christmas Markets will be bigger than ever with a Christmas Village featuring family-friendly, affordable activities close to the city’s thriving festive food and drink scene.  

Check into Motel One which sits on the cobbled streets of High Bridge and be at the heart of all the action. Or stay at the city’s newest offering, INNSiDE, smart and convenient on the Newcastle’s historic quayside. 

On the north west coast, Christmas by the Sea returns to Blackpool 21 November to 4 January. In addition to the dazzling illuminations, there’s shopping in Alpine chalets, free ice skating, snow ride and festive trams. Elf the Musical is back at the Winter Gardens or step into a world of wonder at Ribby Hall Holiday Village’s Grotto Experience, 14 November to 24 December. 

Wake up to seafront views, have breakfast with Santa or get creative at the castle, sparkle this season with an overnight stay, after all tis the time to be jolly.

Bournemouth certainly has Christmas wrapped this year with its largest-ever Christmas Market, 13 November to 31 December, including a revamped Christmas Tree Wonderland in its Lower Gardens and stunning open-air Ice Rink and cosy Alpine Lodge Bar. 

Throw yourself into the festive spirit on Bournemouth Pier with the Scrooge Dining Experience on Friday 28 November at Key West. Or why not have breakfast with the red-suited man himself? With dates throughout December, there’ll be photo ops, games with the elves, presents from Father Christmas and a chance to post a Christmas Wish List. 

Stay at the Marsham Court Hotel and wake up to sweeping sea views on Christmas Day morning, book its festive packages to dive into all the festivities across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. 

Opposite the hotel, the Russell Cotes Gallery and Art Museum offers a Victorian Christmas, its rooms magically decked out from 18 November to 3 January, follow the Christmas Trail and enjoy Christmas Afternoon Tea. Father Christmas makes an appearance on 29-30 November and there are Victorian Christmas Tours plus candlelight nights on 11 and 18 December. Book all events via the website. 

Close to Christchurch, Highcliffe Castle will be hosting its Christmas Tree Festival, 5 to 23 December, when the castle is transformed into a winter wonderland crammed with Christmas trees, each individually decorated. Its Christmas Market, Creatives at the Castle, returns on 22 and 23 November, come and meet more than 35 artisans and purchase beautiful Christmas gifts. 

Why not step into Christmas aboard Coastal Cruises Poole? Every Friday and Saturday night in December there’ll be a three-hour boat cruise around Poole Harbour, sail past Sandbanks, Brownsea Island, Studland and other Jurassic gems while enjoying mulled wine and two course buffet and disco. Book here. 

Get your skates on for Portsmouth On Ice, back this year at Guildhall Square but there’s also Santa’s Toymaker Workshop, Christmasville at Gunwharf Quays, Christmas markets and much more. 

From 1 November to 31 December Brighton is offering tailored festive food and drink tours. Great for groups of friends or parties, the three-hour tour stops at a range of independent hero outlets and suits omnivores, veggies and vegans, all food and drink included. Book here. 

More than 100 stalls and traders will be offering festive fayre and artisan goodies at Plymouth’s Christmas Market, 27 November to 21 December. 

Bring the kids for the carousel, Helter Skelter and other rides. Plymouth’s Winter Wonderlandreturns to Central Park 15 November to 1 January with Christmas Lights Switch on at the Barbican and Sutton Harbour 15 November and in the city centre 13 November. 

For sheer indulgence and decadent parties, Boringdon Hall Hotel is the place to be, this gorgeous 6th century manor house is offering party nights, Santa’s Grotto, Festive Teas, sumptuous Christmas Eve Dinner and pulls out all the stops out for the New Year’s Masquerade Ball. 

There’s a choice of Christmas Fayres on the Isle of Thanet from the Margate Ceramics Market at the Turner Contemporary on 29 and 30 November to Ramsgate Tunnels Festive Market 22 November and Broadstairs’ Christmas Market at Pierremont Hall, 29 November. 

From 11 December, a magical mix of light, art and music sweeps Ramsgate Royal Harbour as scores of boats are lit up with colour-changing lights festooning the waterfront. 

For a different winter wonderland, there’s Christmas goat walking, German barbecue, a reindeer experience and ice rink on offer at The Elf Experience, Quex Park, Birchington, throughout December while The Old Curiosity Shop Broadstairs is offering afternoon tea with Santa, calendar and wreath making and more. 

Late-night shopping, walking trails, festive shows and Santa appearances are just part of Southampton’s festive celebrations.  Its Christmas Market returns from 13 November with big rides, Alpine bars, bespoke gifts and glittering light show at the Bargate while avid skaters should head to Westquay Shopping Centre’s ice rink from 24 October to 4 January ’26. 

A little further along the Kent coast, Dover Winter Light-up on December 6 promises a Lantern Procession, workshops, entertainment and food village while the annual light switch on in Sandwich with Music4Martha takes place 29 November at the Guildhall forecourt, expect festive stalls, live music and much cheer!