From meeting fairytale characters and riding a festive land train to pantomime fun and fish and chips by the sea, Bridlington is packed with family-friendly festive experiences. Whether you're visiting with little ones, grandchildren or the whole family, here's how to enjoy a magical Christmas day out on the East Yorkshire coast.
Local tip: If you're visiting on a weekend in December, council-operated car parks are free, making it even easier to spend the day exploring.
Summary
Location: Bridlington
Category: Christmas
Duration: 1 day with the option to extend your visit with an overnight stay
Best for: Families with young children
Highlights
- Meet enchanting characters inspired by your favourite fairytales at Sewerby Hall and Gardens
- Enjoy a festive family day by the Yorkshire coast
- Tuck into traditional fish and chips by the harbour
- Ride the Santa Express along Bridlington's seafront
- Cheer, laugh and sing along at the Christmas pantomime at Bridlington Spa
- Extend your visit with an overnight stay to enjoy some time in Bridlington's old town
Start your festive adventure at Sewerby Hall and Gardens
Begin your day at Sewerby Hall and Gardens, where this year's Fairytales at Christmas experience promises to bring plenty of festive magic to the whole family.
Taking place on weekends from 21 November to 3 January, plus 21, 22 and 23 December (excludes Christmas Day and Boxing Day), this enchanting experience transforms the historic house into a magical festive wonderland. As you make your way through the beautifully decorated rooms, you'll encounter familiar characters from some of the world's best-loved fairytales, discover imaginative displays and enjoy plenty of opportunities for festive family photos along the way.
The fairytale experience takes around an hour to complete, making it the perfect starting point for your day. Once you've finished exploring the house, there's still plenty more to discover.
Wrap up warm and take a stroll through the grounds, let little ones burn off some energy in the playground, or pay a visit to Sewerby Hall's zoo. Home to a variety of animals, the penguins are always a firm favourite and are guaranteed to put a smile on faces young and old alike.
With so much to see and do, it's easy to spend an entire morning at Sewerby Hall before heading into Bridlington for the rest of your festive adventures.
Local tip: Tickets for Fairytales at Christmas are limited and some dates can sell out, so it's worth booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch
After a busy morning of festive fun, it's time to refuel before heading into Bridlington for the afternoon.
For the most relaxed option, stay at Sewerby Hall and Gardens and enjoy lunch at the Clock Tower Café. Serving sandwiches, jacket potatoes, sausage rolls, cakes and light bites, it's an easy and convenient choice.
When you're ready for the next part of your adventure, make the short drive into Bridlington. With little legs likely to have done plenty of walking already, driving is the easiest way to get from Sewerby Hall to the harbour area and seafront attractions. We recommend parking near Bridlington Harbour or Bridlington Spa, as the remainder of today's itinerary can be enjoyed on foot from there.
If you're craving a traditional seaside lunch, head to the harbour and enjoy fish and chips while watching the fishing boats come and go. For a cosy indoor option, Salt on the Harbour combines harbour views with freshly prepared fish and chips, making it the perfect place to warm up on a chilly winter's day.
Alternatively, Jerome's is a popular family-friendly choice close to the seafront, particularly well known for its large stone-baked pizzas. Travelling with younger children? MontyZoomers is right next door, giving little ones the chance to burn off some energy while the grown-ups enjoy a well-earned sit down.
Local tip: Once you've parked near the harbour or Bridlington Spa, you won't need your car again until it's time to head home, making for a relaxed and stress-free afternoon.
It's panto time!
After lunch, make your way to Bridlington Spa for one of the highlights of the festive season, this year's magical production of Cinderella.
Packed with show-stopping musical numbers, spectacular costumes, laugh-out-loud comedy and plenty of audience participation, this retelling of the classic fairytale is a proper festive treat. Cheer on Cinderella and boo the wicked Ugly Sisters as the story unfolds on stage.
Expect plenty of laughs and more than a few cries of "Oh yes it is!" along the way.
Local tip: Most afternoon performances take place at either 1pm or 5pm, making it easy to build them into your day out. Check performance times before booking and plan the rest of your itinerary around the show.
Hop aboard the Santa Express
After enjoying the pantomime, it's time for the final festive adventure of the day.
Departing from the land train platform below Bridlington Spa, the Santa Express is much more than just a festive train ride. This year's adventure invites families to help Mrs Claus solve a Christmas crisis after Santa's magical reindeer mysteriously disappear just weeks before Christmas Eve.
Climb aboard and travel to the North Pole, where you'll work together to track down the missing reindeer and help save Christmas. Along the way, little ones can become part of the story before arriving at a North Pole packed with festive fun.
Once you've completed your mission, there'll be plenty of opportunities to continue the Christmas magic. Decorate your own gingerbread, enjoy festive activities, visit Mrs Claus's Kitchen for seasonal treats and, of course, meet the big man himself, Santa Claus.
Children aged 2 to 12 will even receive a special gift from Santa to take home, providing a lovely souvenir from their festive day out in Bridlington.
The full experience takes around an hour and is available on weekends between 28 November and 20 December, as well as 22 and 23 December.
Local tip: Be sure to wrap up warm. While much of the experience is under cover, you'll still be spending some time outdoors and the seafront can be chilly and windy during the winter months. Tickets are limited and must be booked in advance.
Make a weekend of it
If you're staying overnight, why not spend a little more time discovering another side of Bridlington?
Beyond the seafront, Bridlington's historic Old Town offers characterful streets, independent shops and a packed programme of festive events over Christmas. It's a completely different experience to the bustling promenade and provides the perfect setting for a winter wander.
Depending on when you visit, you may be able to enjoy the annual Christmas Tree Festival at Burlington St John Methodist Church, where beautifully decorated trees fill the church with colour and creativity.
You could also time your stay to coincide with the popular Ye Olde Town Yuletide Fayre and Lantern Walk, when the historic High Street is transformed into a festive winter wonderland. The event features market stalls, street entertainment, live music, independent shops and the spectacular lantern parade, where more than 100 illuminated lanterns make their way through the Old Town.
Local tip: If you're lucky enough to visit during the Ye Olde Town Yuletide Fayre and Lantern Walk, arrive early to enjoy the shops, cafés and festive entertainment before finding a spot to watch the lantern parade.
