Feeling the pinch after an expensive festive season? Stay entertained in the bluest month of the year with these free and cheap things to do, says MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry
December through to January always feels like the longest – and most broke – stretch of time of the year. Payday is often a bit early in December and then January is a five-week month, not to mention that we all spend a lot at Christmas. However, January is also the bluest month of the year, so it’s important to find things to do that keep you boosted on cold and wet days. Try these free and cheap activities to get you through to February!
Have an everything goes dinner
Leftover food in the first week of January is often in abundance – and nothing feels like you can quite make a meal of the hotpotch individual items. Make a fun activity of it! Invite some friends over and ask them to bring any ingredients in their cupboard they have no idea what to do with. Then invent recipes and cook them together! It’s a waste-free, cost-free way to spend time with friends as well as clear the cupboard clutter ready for that inevitable January healthy eating kick, too.
Celebrate the Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year celebrations are for the Year of the Snake in 2025. Many cities will have local celebrations to ring in the Chinese New Year, including activities such as parades and community events which are free to attend. In London, on January 29th, activities take place across the West End. There will be live events and foodie opportunities in Chinatown, family entertainment in Leicester Square, and a main stage in Trafalgar Square will host a number of live performances.
Visit a free museum
Museums are always an interesting way to spend a rainy afternoon, and many are free. In January, to entice people through their doors in a down season, paid museums will often run free or discounted days – so if you’ve been meaning to go to your local museum, look up the details.
Museums and art galleries also run free activities and workshops for children, a great way to entertain them at the weekend when your wallet is feeling a little light. They also have picnic areas or places you can bring your own food and drink to keep costs down on a day out – take along some homemade sandwiches and snacks, and some hot drinks in a thermal flask and you’re all set!
Head to the library
If one of your New Year resolutions is to read more, now’s the perfect time to get started! Visit your local community library and sign up for a library card to borrow books for free. What many people don’t realise is that libraries offer so much more free stuff than just books, too!
You can borrow DVDs, CDs, and even board games to keep you and your family entertained on chilly evenings at home. They also will have information about local clubs, which often start up in the new year – so it’s a perfect time to look for the details at your library. Libraries also run book clubs and reading events for young children, and computer time (and often computer training on basic use, too).
Join a Park Run
If your Christmas dinner is sitting heavy around your middle still, get yourself moving with friends at a Park Run. These are free community events across the UK, which take place every Saturday.
They are free to enter, and offer a timed 5km run – but you can jog, speed walk, or walk along, too. Beginners and advanced runners and everyone between is welcome! Find your nearest Park Run at parkrun.org.uk. You can take your children along too – the Junior Park Run is for 4-14 year olds and is 2km long, taking place on Sunday mornings.
You need to register to join in, but just the once – if you decide you want to make it a regular event, you won’t need to register each time. If you’re not a runner but want to support your friends and family who are, you can also join your local Park Run as a volunteer to help each event run smoothly.
Find a free walking tour
Many areas have free walking tours for areas of interest. They might be self-guided or have a tour leader to show you around.
Pop to your nearest Visitor Information office to find out about free walking tours (and other free events!). For self-guided tours, they will have printed maps and booklets of information for you to find waypoints at your own pace. While tours with guides are given for free, it is appreciated if you provide a tip (£5 is a commonly given amount) – especially if they have been particularly entertaining, informative, or helpful.
Visit the ReBalance Bath Wellbeing Festival
From 30th January to 16th February, the ReBalance Bath Wellbeing Festival takes place at a wide range of venues across the city, with everything from free meditation classes and gym passes to a walk around Alice Park to learn about the trees. There are also paid sessions of varying prices to check out.
Send a dree St Dwynwen’s Day card
St Dwynwen’s Day is Wales’ Valentine’s day, taking place on 25th January each year. St Dwynwen was a Welsh princess from the fourth century, living in what we know now as the Brecon Beacons National Park. She spent her life devoted to helping lovers find happiness. You can print off a beautiful free St Dwynwen’s Day card to send to your loved one, and learn more about her legend, on the Visit Wales website .
Head to London’s Twelfth Night Celebrations
Most people associate London celebrations with the New Year’s Eve fireworks – but did you know that on 5th January – also known as Twelfth Night – there is a free festival of events? Combining ancient Midwinter customs and modern festivities, this is a free and accessible event that takes place every year in the Bankside area of London. Try to spot the Holly Man, the Bankside Mummers leading wassail’s by the Shakespeare’s Globe, or follow dancers down the Thames Path to the Kissing Wishing Tree.
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