Where to get a free Christmas dinner in your community this year

Charities, grassroots groups and restaurants around the UK are offering free food and festive cheer for people in their community on Christmas Day.

Christmas might be the most wonderful time of the year for most of us but this year, with the cost of living crisis, millions of people will find it tough. And for people experiencing homelessness it can be particularly difficult.

Many people without a home are often excluded from the festivities and left alone on the streets. Loneliness can be a big issue.

Missing out on Christmas dinner is a sad reality for many – but that’s where hundreds of people have offered to step in this year.

If you don’t have the facilities or the funds to cook, restaurants, grassroots groups and charities are opening their doors to offer up free food for those who need it.

Here’s a round-up of everywhere we know is offering a free Christmas dinner.

Where to get a free Christmas dinner across the UK

Large homelessness charities also offer up hot food on Christmas Day in various locations across the country and you can volunteer to help them. Crisis and The Salvation Army are just two of the charities offering vital support, shelter and food on Christmas Day.

Aldi, in partnership with social enterprise Company Shop, is giving away free Christmas dinners in low-income areas across the country. Aiming to better last year’s effort of donating 2,000 Christmas meals in the lead up to Christmas, members of Community Shop will be welcomed to their branch for three free courses supplied by Aldi between December 17 and 19.

The Christmas Dinner project, backed by the Gold from the Stone foundation, supports a network of community-organised dinners across the country – for young care-experienced people who would otherwise be alone for Christmas. Find a meal near you online.

Where to get a free Christmas dinner in Wales

Cegin Hedyn, Carmarthen – Community canteen and kitchen Cegin Hedyn will be serving up freshly-cooked food and company on Christmas day. It’s open from 12pm at the Lammas Street centre. Reserve a spot online.

The Swansea Wellbeing Centre – The centre is hosting a ‘Big Christmas get-together’ on the day, between 2pm to 5pm. This will include a buffet, hot drinks, socialising and fun activities. Contact Mike on 07931 986168 or mcmbuckley@gmail.com to book a space.

St Collen’s Hall, Llangollen– A free Christmas lunch will be held here for anyone who needs it – with people welcome from 11.30am. The meal, a full traditional Christmas lunch, turkey with ‘all the trimmings’ (or poached salmon), will be served at 1pm. Book in advance by calling Mike Connolly on 07375374914 or emailing mike@t-c-p.co.uk

Ysgol Trefonnen Church, Llandrindod Wells – Enjoy a free Christmas meal with locals of all ages – and a special visit from Santa for kids – on December 21 from 1pm. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, share in the community spirit, and enjoy a warm meal with all the holiday trimmings,” Llandrindod Wells Community Fridge organisers said. Reserve your spot online, for free or with a donation.

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Where to get a free Christmas dinner in London

Novotel London West – Hammersmith & Fulham council will run its annual Christmas lunch for local older people again this year, set to provide good, free food and company to locals who might be feeling isolated this festive season. Over-60s can register online or be nominated for a spot by someone else, and guests will be welcomed from 11am until 3pm on Christmas Day.

Jackson’s Lane, Highgate – Arts and culture venue Jackson’s Lane will be hosting a free sit-down lunch for isolated older adults who would otherwise be alone on Christmas day – now in its 50th year. Contact christmas@jacksonslane.org.uk to refer yourself or another.

Single Homeless Project– This UK-wide charity is fundraising to provide Christmas dinner to people experiencing homelessness across the city this December 25. The organisation helps 12,000 people move out of homelessness each year, and will be giving out hot food, shelter and support this festive season.

The Alexandra, Wimbledon – Pub owners Mick and Sarah will open their doors on Christmas Day to anyone in need of company and a hot meal, completely free of charge.

South and east of England

St Mary’s Church, Aylesbury – People of any age and any belief are welcome to St Mary’s on Christmas Day for a festive event that has been providing comfort to the community for twenty years. A free lunch will be served between 12pm and 3pm, and transport can be arranged in advance for those who need it on 01296 437641.

Bridgnorth Rugby Club, Shropshire – Together at Christmas has been running an annual festive lunch for over a decade and this year’s no different. Anyone in the area who might be facing a tough or lonely Christmas Day is invited for a free lunch in a welcoming atmosphere, and transport is available for anyone who needs it. More information is available from tamsin.preece@btinternet.com.

Oxford Christmas Lunch – The Oxford Christmas Lunch will return for 2024 from 12:30pm to 4pm at the King’s Centre – to book a place, contact Sara on sara@oxfordchristmaslunch.org or call her on 07535 314716.

The Gaskin’s Free Christmas Lunch, Guildford– The Gaskin’s is offering a free sit-down Christmas meal at 1pm on Saturday December 21 at Merris Wood College, and separately a free Christmas meal available for delivery on Christmas Eve to anyone within a 10 mile radius in Guildford.

Caring in Bristol– Caring in Bristol will run a pop-up day centre for people facing homelessness, every day from Christmas Eve until December 30, offering food and support.

North of England

St Wulstan’s and St Edmund’s School Hall, Fleetwood – The local community in Fleetwood will provide a free Christmas lunch for the third year running. From 12pm, volunteers will be serving up a free three-course meal for anyone who might otherwise go without, or who just needs a bit of company on Christmas Day.

“Our eldest guest was 97, our youngest was just 10 [last year],” the organisers said. “Youngest volunteer just nine. We catered to over 90 people in, we had around 40 volunteers over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day including a grassroots football team. Fifteen guests were chauffeured to and from the dinner and one of our guest brought a guitar and serenaded us whilst we tidied up. Along with the dinner everyone left with a bag full of gifts. It was beautiful!” Call Heather on 07958558135 for more details.

Bury Parish Church, Bury – Operated by the Dioceses of Salford, hot food will be served at Bury Parish Church Hall on Christmas Day from 1pm-3pm, with meals available for delivery on Christmas Eve too. Call 07855 306074 for more information.

Lifeshare, Manchester – Lifeshare will be offering a seven-day indoor provision over the Christmas period for rough sleepers and those dealing with food insecurity and social isolation over the age of 18. This includes the provision of free Christmas meals and will run from December 23-29.

They also have drop-ins from various services including, barbers, hairdressers, opticians, doctors, and nurses as well as a representative from the cold weather team to make referrals if Manchester City Council offers cold weather accommodation. They have live entertainment including musical performers each day along with games, Christmas films, and creative expression workshops. 

The People’s Kitchen, Newcastle – The People’s Kitchen is fundraising through its Feed a Friend for a Fiver campaign to offer up a free Christmas dinner to homeless people at its Bath Lane base on Christmas Day. 

Knaresborough Masonic Hall, Knaresborough – Locals in North Yorkshire town Knaresborough will offer Christmas dinners for delivery, collection or dining in from 1.30pm on Christmas Day. Attendees should get in touch directly to book a place by emailing knaresboroughcdd@gmail.com or calling 07958653084.

Where to get a free Christmas dinner in Scotland

Social Bite – Edinburgh-based social enterprise Social Bite is opening its doors on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for those experiencing homelessness across Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow to enjoy a free festive meal. 

Wood Street Social Club, Glasgow – The club is putting on a free Christmas dinner in the east end of Glasgow on Sunday December 22. Places are limited, so contact in advance.

University of Stirling– Students who don’t have anywhere to go for the holidays or can’t afford their own Christmas dinner can order a free two-course meal for collection on Christmas Eve.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Know of any others offering free food on Christmas Day? Let us know at editorial@bigissue.com.

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