The holidays are meant to be the most magical stretch of the year, but they can also be one of the priciest.
And it’s not only presents draining your wallet. There are plane tickets to visit relatives, ingredients for a special meal and a sparkly new outfit for the office party. You want to savor the season, but you probably don’t want to stare at your bank account afterward wondering where all the cash disappeared.
Fortunately, there’s a remedy: zero-cost holiday activities. Round up grandma and grandpa or that troop of nieces and nephews and head to one of these complimentary events. You might discover a fresh perspective on your own neighborhood.
29 Free Things to Do During the Holidays
These merry ideas won’t cost you a penny.
1. Run (Or Walk) in a Holiday Run
A festive race — yes, actual running — is an energizing way to kick off fitness goals. Some holiday runs have free registration, so you can bring the whole family without spending anything. Just be ready to work up a sweat.
2. See a Holiday Parade
If you prefer a more relaxed outing, a parade is ideal. Tune in on Jan. 1 to the Rose Parade to enjoy ornate floats in Pasadena, California. If you’d rather experience something locally, search for nearby holiday parades. Bring a folding chair and a thermos of something warm and you’re set.
3. Go on a Local Scavenger Hunt
This pastime takes a little planning but yields big fun. Want to feel like a visitor in your own town? Craft a scavenger hunt with riddles that send your crew exploring. Use clues that require actions — for example, snap a selfie at the town welcome sign — not just finding an item. Scavify provides a helpful walkthrough to get you started.
4. Play Bingo, but Make it Holiday
Who doesn’t enjoy Bingo? Holiday-themed Bingo is a thing — and it can be totally free. You can generate your own cards online and print enough for the whole group.
5. Schedule Some Holiday Reading Time
A day off is the perfect excuse to visit your library. What better way to embrace the season than to pull out a beloved holiday tale? Make it interactive by letting each person pick a favorite book and take turns reading passages aloud.
6. Take a Trip to a Scenic Overlook
Whether you’re near mountains, coast, city skyline or wide-open plains, your town likely has a picturesque spot to sit and soak in the season. Spread a blanket, bring your people and share what you’re grateful for this time of year.
7. Breathe in, Breathe Out With Some Yoga in the Park
If intense cardio isn’t your thing, yoga offers gentle exercise with big mental benefits. Free YouTube classes make it easy to join without spending a cent. We recommend Yoga with Adriene, which has routines for every level. You can also look for free community yoga sessions nearby.
8. Participate in a Neighborhood Clean-Up
The holiday spirit goes beyond presents and treats — it’s also about giving back. Organize a community clean-up to spruce up your surroundings. Beautifying where you live can lift spirits and make daily life nicer for everyone.
9. See the Light Displays
Twinkling lights announce the season. Each display has its own charm. Stroll your neighborhood, drive past elaborately lit streets or explore downtown storefront decorations.
10. Attend a Local Festival
Cold weather doesn’t cancel fun. Many towns host winter festivals to celebrate the season. If you can resist buying from vendor booths, these events can be an enjoyable, free outing. Check community calendars or social media for local happenings.
11. Go Caroling
Assemble a merry group and sing your favorite seasonal songs. Bring along hot cocoa afterward for extra cheer.
12. Write Thank-You Notes
Gather everyone to write thank-you notes to relatives and friends who sent presents. With the excitement of unwrapping, kids can easily “forget” they received gifts — this is a nice way to send warm wishes to those who live far away.
13. Have a Photoshoot
Freeze the moment with an informal, festive photoshoot. Use your seasonal decorations as a backdrop or find a scenic snowy spot for outdoor portraits.
14. Enjoy the Snow
If snow is part of your winter, embrace it. Build a snowperson, stage a snowball skirmish, go sledding and relish every snowy day you get.
15. Have a Holiday Dance Party
The seasonal playlist won’t be around forever. Crank up some festive tunes and dance around the tree.
16. Make Holiday Crafts
Pull out all the glue sticks and glitter and turn Pinterest ideas into reality. This is an ideal activity to keep kids busy during winter break. A quick search will reveal craft projects suitable for every age.
17. Make DIY Gifts
Still hunting for a present? Gifts don’t need to be store-bought. A handmade item can be just as meaningful. Look through lists of do-it-yourself gift ideas for inspiration.
18. Bake Holiday Treats
It’s cookie, pie and cinnamon-roll season! Bake trays of your favorite treats to share with loved ones or to snack on throughout the holidays. If you’re ambitious, try constructing a gingerbread house from scratch.
19. Try Out a New Recipe
Perfect a new dish or a handed-down family favorite to bring to your next gathering. Or experiment in the kitchen to add your own spin to a traditional recipe.
20. Host a Cookie Swap
Invite friends who love to bake and ask each to prepare a few dozen of their best cookies. Then meet up to swap and sample everyone’s creations.
21. Host a Toy Exchange
If your children have toys they’ve outgrown, arrange a toy swap with other families. Each kid leaves with something “new” without you spending anything.
22. Host a Potluck
Rather than footing the entire bill for a holiday dinner, organize a potluck. Guests bring dishes (or drinks or paper goods) so the cost and effort are shared.
23. Attend a Free Performance
December is full of community concerts and seasonal shows. Even if you don’t know the performers, attending supports local groups — and many of these performances are free.
24. Sing Karaoke
You don’t need to be a great vocalist to enjoy karaoke — just be game for fun. If you don’t have a machine, play karaoke or instrumental lyric videos on YouTube.
25. Have a Game Night
Dust off board games and playing cards and invite friends for a game night. Ask people to bring their favorites so there’s a variety to choose from. The winner earns bragging rights for the year.
26. Have a Movie Night
Make a lineup of favorite holiday films and host a movie night. Or skip the seasonal theme and pick films by genre. Don’t forget the popcorn and treats!
27. Break Out the Conversation Cards
Deepen connections with conversation cards to spark meaningful discussions. You can buy card decks or find free printable conversation prompts online. Bring them out during the big holiday meal.
28. Volunteer
Share your time with a local charity during the holidays. You can help serve meals at a soup kitchen, deliver gifts to youngsters in need or participate in other community service opportunities.
29. Create a Vision Board
With a new year on the horizon, it’s a great moment to map out resolutions. Make your goals tangible with a vision board made from magazine clippings, stickers and photos. Host a vision-board party so friends and family can craft their goals together.
Maya Lewis is a senior writer at Savinly.
Contributor Jenna Morales often covers selling goods online and personal finance topics for Savinly Readers. Her work has appeared in publications like Teen Vogue, Smithsonian Magazine and regional newspapers.
