If you are a parent, the Christmas holidays can be a hectic time. 

You're excited to spend time with the family and have a break yourself, but filling the time for your kids without breaking the bank can be difficult. This is especially true as many Christmas markets or Santa's grottos end by the time children finish school for a few weeks.  

Don't fret! We are here to give you some inspiration for cheap (or free!) things to do in Stockport over the festive period.  

Stockport Christmas concert  

Fancy some carols? A Christmas concert is being held in Stockroom in Merseyway on the 23rd of December, with carols and Christmas songs being performed by local musicians.

Bramhall park 

While Bramhall hall is closed from the 22nd of December to the 2nd of January, a walk round the lovely park is an inexpensive way to get the kids out (weather permitting of course).  

Throughout the festive period, many of Stockport's local libraries are hosting Christmas story-time and sing-along events.

These are free.

On 22 December Edgeley library is hosting one at 1.30PM.

And on the 23rd, Hazel Grove and Reddish library are hosting one at 11am; and Heatons library is hosting one on the same date but at 2PM. 

Paper chains  

Arts and crafts don't have to be an all-consuming expensive activity! Instead give your kids some paper cut up into strips, some colouring pencils to decorate and some glue.

If you have multiple children, great! Tell them to race to make the biggest paper chain, put your feet up and leave them to it.   

Christmas films 

The light cinema is showing A Paw Patrol Christmas and a Muppet's Christmas Carol (the best Christmas film ever!) in the morning on Christmas eve to get into the Christmas spirit. 

As well as many other Christmas classics like Die Hard and the Polar Express.  If you'd rather not shell out the money for a cinema ticket (and the inevitable popcorn, snacks and drinks), you can show these films at home!

A Muppet's Christmas Carol is available to stream on Disney+ and A Paw Patrol Christmas is available on Paramount+. 

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Whatever you decide to do over Christmas, we hope you have a lovely time and that this list could give you a bit of inspiration!