Tips on where to go for a free Christmas dinner in your community

Christmas dinner is a time to celebrate the festive period with your friends and family. It’s a time of bring people together, yet, many people are not so lucky to have this opportunity.

Each year, many people are faced with loneliness or unable to afford Christmas dinner. We understand the benefits of not only having a nutritious meal during the festive period, but also the health and wellbeing benefits of being around others.

Many organisations offer support and free Christmas dinners for those in need.

Our team and service users have created this guidance highlighting the initiatives and organisations to support you this festive season.

Where to get a free Christmas dinner

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.

Free Christmas dinners in London

The Alexandra pub, Wimbledon, south London: The Wimbledon pub will be welcoming anyone who turns up alone from 12pm to 3pm on Christmas Day the chance to tuck into a free dinner.

Cummin’ Up restaurant and takeaway, Lewisham – For the 14th year in a row, the Caribbean restaurant and takeaway will offer all a free Christmas dinner. Call 07831423163 for more details.

Brixton Soup Kitchen, south London – Brixton Soup Kitchen will be providing turkeys, Christmas presents, food packages, toys and Christmas trees on 23 December at Pop Brixton from 1pm to 4pm.

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. Contact christmas@jacksonslane.org.uk to refer yourself or another.

Free Christmas dinners in South and East of England

Oxford Christmas Lunch – The Oxford Christmas Lunch from 12:30pm to 4pm – 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 Christmas meal to be delivered for anyone within a 10 mile radius in Guildford.

Community Voluntary Services Tendring – CVST are opening their doors on Christmas Day between 11.30am to 2pm for anyone in need of some hot food and company.

Free Christmas dinners in the North of England

Cornerstone, Manchester – The day centre operated by the Dioceses of Salford on Denmark Road will serve hot food on Christmas Day – get in touch with them directly 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.

The People’s Kitchen, Newcastle – The People’s Kitchen has been fundraising through its Feed a Friend for a Fiver campaign throughout December 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 1pm on Christmas Day. Attendees should get in touch directly to book a place – the cut off date is 23 December.

Babul’s, Darlington – Babul’s in Darlington will be open between 11am and 3pm on Christmas Day to provide meals, hot drinks and supplies to the homeless, vulnerable and anyone else in need.