Beach cleans, bagpipes, light displays and more to get you into the festive spirit this December.
1. Clean the beach
Broughty Ferry, Dundee | 7 December
Start the festive season by helping out at the Broughty Ferry Beach Clean. Organised by Plastic Free Broughty Ferryin association with Surfers Against Sewage, it aims to raise awareness of litter and plastic pollution (facebook.com/PlasticFreeFerry and instagram.com/plasticfreebroughtyferry).
2. Say Ciao to Christmas
Portmeirion, Gwynedd | 5-7 December
The Italianate village of Portmeirion presents its annual Christmas Fair, with artisan stalls showcasing the best Welsh produce, gifts and crafts. There’s also a programme of entertainment for everyone to enjoy (portmeirion.wales).
3. Walk with Winter Wildlife
Minsmere, Suffolk | 4 and 14 December
Discover the coastal lagoons and woodland habitats of Minsmere in winter with a guided RSPB walk. Some of UK’s rarest wildlife calls this nature reserve home, so expect a fun, educational day out for the whole family (events.rspb.org.uk).
4. Be Enchanted by Lights
English riviera, Devon | 28 November – 2 January
This Christmas season, the Bay of Lights Illumination Trail, featuring 19 incredible light installations along a 1.5 mile walk, returns to Torquay. Further sparkling English Riviera displays can be seen in Paignton and Brixham (englishriviera.co.uk).
5. Have a Joyful Season by the Seaside
Blackpool, Lancashire | 21 November – 4 January
Blackpool gets into the festive spirit with its Christmas by the Sea festival. You can enjoy illuminations, projections, light installations and snowfall simulations – it’s a wonderful way to celebrate the season at the seaside in the best traditional-meets-modern style (visitblackpool.com).
6. See the Festive Creel Tree in Oban
Oban, Argyll and Bute | 14 November – 21 December
The coastal community of Oban in Scotland’s West Highlands celebrates winter with a festival, filling the town and surrounding areas with lights, markets, entertainment and plenty of cheer. Don’t miss the Creel Tree – a community-created Christmas tree, made from fishing creels to honour Oban’s maritime history and shared culture (obanwinterfestival.com).
7. Move to the Music of Scotland
Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute | 4 December
With a sound rooted in Scottish tradition, the Ross Miller Trio play music with foot-stomping rhythms and electrifying live energy. World champion piper Ross’s bagpipes take centre stage as they mix classic tunes and original compositions at the An Tobar and Mull Theatre (antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk).
8. Celebrate Cornish food and drink
Padstow, Cornwall | 4-7 December
Padstow Christmas Fayre launches this year, offering a new free-to-attend event. This magical celebration of the season showcases the best in Cornish food and drinks and seeks to bring the community together with a varied programme to appeal to all the family. Look out for appearances by a host of local culinary celebrities, including Paul Ainsworth and Rick Stein (padstowchristmasfayre.co.uk).
9. Swim on Christmas Day
Porthcawl Beach, Bridgend | 25 December
This annual splash event celebrates its incredible 60th year in 2025 – join well over 1,000 swimmers taking part in the Porthcawl Christmas Morning Swim to raise funds for local charities. Come in fancy dress – or not. Either way, it’s sure to be a great way to wake up on Christmas Day (christmasswim.org).
10. Celebrate in Victorian Style
Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire | 6-7 December
Step back in time to celebrate the season at the Robin Hood’s Bay Victorian Weekend. Enjoy traditional Christmas carols sung on charismatic cobbled streets as the entire local area is transformed into a typical Victorian village. Cafés and pubs will serve traditional fare and in the shops, you’ll find unique buys, including a wide selection of homemade cards, toys, jewellery, homewares and tree decorations (robin-hoods-bay.co.uk).
Discover more things to do by the coast, check out the best Christmas Breaks by the Sea, get gift ideas from our Christmas Gift guide or pick up the latest copy of coast magazine for the latest news and inspiration.
