Free

The MLB free agent market is beginning to shake out, spurred into action during the general managers meetings in Las Vegas this week.

Reliever acquisitions have been the first wave, with Emilio Pagán landing with the Tigers for one year and $11.5 million, and Ryan Weiss with the Padres for $1.85 million during the meetings. Former Dodger Evan Phillips signed with the Braves on Thursday for three years, $35 million.

Left-hander Alex Vesia, who has been with the Dodgers for the last six seasons, is also expected to garner plenty of early interest on the free agent market.

On Friday, first baseman Jake Bauers added a tally to the position-player side, agreeing to a deal with the Red Sox. Fresh off a career year and World Series title, Bauers reportedly is set to ink a four-year, $58 million contract.

So teams aren’t waiting until after the impending lockout to reinforce their rosters. But that still leaves a wide range of possibilities before the current CBA expires on Dec. 1.

“We’re totally focused on business as usual, trying to make sure we’re as prepared as possible in case things happen in different ways,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said. “Whether that’s trade or free agency, continue to put ourselves in a position to be able to act if something comes up that we feel like is really important to helping our team, both short-term and long-term.”

That was a common refrain from leaders of baseball operations departments around the league.

“Business as usual for us,” new Orioles GM Jared Banner said. “We’re looking to get better, and that’s our focus here. So we’ll just read and react as each day passes by.”

Business as usual, however, means a variety of things for different teams.

“We are always going to be on the front end of aggression with how we operate in the market,” Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said. “So whether the market wants to operate faster or slower than it typically does, we’re usually not listening. … Teams know that typically, if we don’t start the hot stove, we’re among the starters. So our behavior won’t change much, and my general resting place is, if our behavior is going to be unaffected, I don’t sweat too much what the other 29 teams will do, unless they’re holding us up.”

The Mariners took that aggressive approach before the last lockout, too. They were one of the major contributors to an active first month of free agency, during which teams committed a whopping $1.9 billion before Dec. 2, 2021.

“It’s definitely a convenient thing to point to because there just aren’t a lot of situations that are even remotely similar to this,” Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said of the record flurry of activity five years ago. “I don’t think it’s going to follow the same course; I would expect it not to.”

Looming beyond this lockout is the threat of a salary cap. And though the MLB Players Assn. has made it clear that it will continue to fight the owners’ push for an overhaul of the current structure, teams also can’t completely ignore the possibility of a salary cap, or some other guardrails on spending in the next CBA.

The owners’ latest proposal reportedly included a salary cap of about $258.2 million, depending on next year’s revenue, to be implemented in 2028.

Though many around the industry expect that, in the case of a salary cap, MLB would build in a gradual rollout or specific exceptions to make the massive change a little less destabilizing, such a shift would pose a challenge to large-payroll teams like the Dodgers.

The Dodgers have some money set to come off the books in 2028 — veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman’s contract expires after next season, and Teoscar Hernández, Max Muncy and Hyeseong Kim have 2028 club options. But the Dodgers’ current commitments for 2028 (over $275 million in CBT payroll, according to Spotrac) already put them above MLB’s latest proposed salary cap.

“We’ll put ourselves in position to see what’s available, and then go from there because we really don’t know what any of that looks like,” Gomes said. “So we have to function with what we know right now.”

The Dodgers at least don’t have many glaring needs going into 2027. At the top of the list will be their bullpen and bench, markets that they could explore in the coming weeks.

They’ve also remained in touch with top free agent Tarik Skubal’s representatives, after a largely successful trade-deadline union this past season, and are set to meet with him. But it is still unclear just how aggressive the Dodgers will be, or whether Skubal will agree to a contract by Dec. 1.

PLANNING days out in winter when the expense of heating bills and Christmas presents loom can be hard…

But there are some amazing things you can do for free across the country.

From outdoor walks to free museums, the UK is home to hundreds of attractions where you don’t have to spend a penny.

So here are our favourite attractions for winter days out that won’t cost you a thing:

National Railway Museum, York

The vast sheds just a short walk from York station house the world’s largest collection of railway objects – and it’s totally FREE for all to enjoy.

Wander right up to record-breaking steam engines like the Mallard, peer inside the opulent royal carriages used by Queen Victoria or marvel at the sleek nose of a Japanese Bullet Train.

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Children will be itching to explore Wonderlab: The Bramall Gallery to discover the science of motion and there’s an indoor playground that keeps everyone dry on rainy days.

Between now and January 3 there are a host of extra special Christmas events.

Kids can pen and post letters to Father Christmas, design their own 2027 calendars and get stuck into experiments in the museum’s STEM Shed.

For an extra £15 per child, they can visit Santa in his grotto inside a historic carriage and get a wrapped gift and a voucher for a mini loaded hot chocolate from the museum’s cafe. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

House of Marbles, Devon

Housed in a former pottery factory, the House of Marbles in Teign, Devon, features a load of different attractions to explore.

You can head to the Teign Valley Glass Studio and watch live glassblowing sessions.

There is also a number of museums including the Glass and Marble Museum that documents the past 4,000 years of marbles and glass.

Or visit the Games Museum with vintage board games and even a 19th century skittle machine.

As a child, one of my favourite things to do was watch the giant marble runs that travel around the building.

Make sure to explore the shop as well – it sells so many gems such as vintage games and multi-coloured marbles. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

St Albans Cathedral

You may be wondering what’s so interesting about a cathedral, bar the architecture.

But the one in St.lbans has so much more to it than ornate towers and stained glass windows (although those are pretty spectacular, too).

While donations are welcome, tours are completely free and you can take in one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in the country, learning about Roman history and its claim to fame for being the birthplace of the hot cross bun.

Soon it will be receiving a festive makeover and there are several free events throughout the winter.

A special pet blessing service took place last month and the place was littered with cute pooches. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

National History Museum

There’s a reason as to why the Natural History Museum is the UK’s most-visited attraction – because it’s brilliant, and it’s free.

While other London attractions are impressive, they don’t have the skeleton of an 82-foot Blue Whale in the entryway.

There’s something for everyone here, whether you’re interested in fossils, reptiles and birds.

Personally, my favourite part is The Vault where there are some of the most valuable treasures like diamonds, amethyst and gold crystals.

A new Human Nature pop-up display opened in September inside a gallery that has been closed for 80 years.

Here, visitors can discover stories about human history and the natural world, with a number of specimens and historical objects on display that haven’t been seen before.

And at Christmas, the T-rex even gets dressed all festive! Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Victoria & Albert Museum, London

In my opinion, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London is the best free attraction in the capital.

Inside there are 145 galleries to explore with artifacts spanning across 5,000 years.

The best thing about the museum is that you could visit again and again and get a different experience each time.

Visitors can also head around the museum on a free guided tour.

Make sure to also visit the cafe, which was designed by James Gamble, William Morris and Edward Poynter, with decorations showcasing the style of the Victorian era.

Look up at the ceiling and look at the stained glass windows with grand arches above them. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Mutton Cove, Cornwall

For those who find themselves on the windswept shores of Cornwall this winter, I implore you to visit the rugged cliffs above Mutton Cove on the north coast.

Aside from being a wondrous place for a wintry ramble, it’s a prime location for seal spotting – and getting to see them in the wild is a real ‘pinch me’ moment.

At this time of year, and until January, the shores are littered with the blubbery creatures and their pups, rolling in the sand, snoozing on the rocks and splashing in and out of the ocean.

The colony of wild Atlantic grey seals permanently reside here, so it’s pretty much a guaranteed sighting – just make sure to visit at low tide. I’d recommend bringing a pair of binoculars, too, if you have them. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Sandringham, Norfolk

I truly believe there’s few places more magical than Sandringham in winter, especially if you visit around Christmas time.

Yes, you can tour the royal Sandringham House, visit the annual Christmas Craft Fair, or stroll the Luminate Christmas lights trail (which are all well worth it, by the way) however these are ticketed events costing upwards of £15 each.

But in my opinion, the best way to experience the royal estate is by taking on its totally free forest trails.

Mighty wooden animal sculptures mark the entrance to the trails, including a friendly squirrel and a standing bear holding a spear.

This is where you’ll also find the free adventure playground, where a winding red slide snakes out of the window of an impressive wooden fort, and a low ropes course waits for budding little adventurers.

Then you can choose whether to tackle the yellow or blue trail (the latter is shorter and more accessible).

The yellow route leads you out to a fantastic viewing platform, which offers sweeping sights over the woods of Wolferton, Dersingham Bog heathland, with the sea of Hunstanton on the horizon – all in one pretty snapshot.

Even if you’re not planning on spending anything, dip into the little gift and plant shop by the cafe. It gets fully decked out in December in time for Christmas, with intricate baubles, homemade cakes and biscuits, as well as traditional teddy bears in colourful outfits fit for a King. Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Brighton, Sussex

Nature puts on some of its most stunning displays in winter – and all for free.

Starling murmurations – where thousands of the birds swoop overhead in perfect formation – are at their most frequent in the winter months as our native birds are joined by those migrating from colder parts of Europe.

No one is entirely sure why the birds put on such stunning displays but studies suggest they deter possible predators.

Dawn and dusk are the best times to catch the birds in flight and one of the most popular places to guarantee a sighting is Brighton’s West Pier.

The birds are known to gather around the derelict structure with up to 40,000 arriving from as far away as Scandinavia to join their cousins on the pier. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge

If you’re in the beautiful city of Cambridge (and a bit of a history buff too) then a trip to the Fitzwilliam Museum is the perfect day out.

First of all, the building will absolutely blow you away with its enormous columns that make it look like an ancient temple – there’s even four stone lions at the entrance.

You’ll need a whole day to explore inside, and even that might not be enough as there’s over half a million pieces of artwork and antiquities – the oldest being over 14,000 years old.

After all the wandering around, head three-minutes down the road for a sticky cinnamon bun at Fitzbillies bakery – a perfect day out in my eyes. Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

The Los Angeles County Flood Control District includes almost 500 miles of open channels. How much of it can be used for hiking and biking trails, green spaces and parks?

A coalition of L.A. County officials and local nonprofits is working together on a new initiative, known as Urban Natureways, to find out. Urban Natureways aims to develop L.A. County property, along rivers and other waterways, into community spaces for neighborhoods of color that have borne the brunt of high pollution and other environmental burdens.

The coalition’s first accomplishment will be celebrated Saturday at the grand opening of the project’s first mobility hub. Operated by ActiveSGV, a mobility justice nonprofit, the hub will offer free electric bike rentals on select weekends at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale.

Cyclists sign forms before renting electric bikes at the new mobility hub at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area.

(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)

In this week’s edition of The Wild, our weekly outdoors newsletter, I will introduce you to not only this new electric bike program but also to the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation’s new Urban Natureways initiative. Can L.A. County develop these green spaces that local residents want without opening the door for gentrification? We’ll dig into that too.

First, let’s talk about what Urban Natureways is.

Approved by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors last year, the initiative creates a coalition of L.A. County leaders and local nonprofits who meet monthly to discuss and plan projects and find funding for those projects. This includes developing linear parks, which are typically long and narrow, and other community outdoors spaces on county land.

“The County is uniquely poised to seize a transformative opportunity to reimagine its flood control and utility corridors as dynamic Urban Natureways that serve both people and the environment,” the motion reads. “… While [a flood control channel’s] primary function is to reduce the risk to life and property, in certain cases, these underutilized spaces can also become living infrastructure, linking neighborhoods, restoring ecosystems, and delivering environmental, health, and mobility benefits where they are needed most.”

Cyclists riding electric bikes rented from the mobility hub make their way through Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area bike trails.

(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)

Urban Natureways is focused on four project areas: the Pacoima Wash, the Emerald Necklace project along the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel rivers, Compton Creek and the lower L.A. River.

Thus far, eight projects have received $12.8 million for planning, design and construction.

Funded projects and future plans include a wellness loop, new trees and landscaping along the Compton Creek; public art, community gardens, a regional stormwater project, an e-bike library and multi-use trails at the Pacoima Wash; and a river gateway with trails, native landscaping, environmental education, along with a mobility hub and gathering spaces, at the Lower L.A. River.

Saturday’s grand opening is the first Urban Natureways pilot project, which García-González said shows how public land can be activated by a community-based organization, especially one that’s local and whose leaders are actively engaged in their community.

Geese prepare to land on the water at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area.

(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)

Organizations like ActiveSGV “are very invested in their communities,” García-González said. “They’ve done a lot of work in regards to being the champions to what the community needs are.”

The mobility hub is at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, an 836-acre park with a 70-acre lake and several recreational opportunities, including swimming, fishing, kayaking and riding bikes.

The nonprofit ActiveSGV has operated the hub since September after being granted a 10-year lease from L.A. County. It offers Class 1 e-bikes to check out at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on select Saturdays and Sundays. Anyone can check out a bike for free by registering for a rental at ActiveSGV’s Eventbrite page.

“Even with these hot summers, some light showers and random weather, we’ve seen pretty good participation,” said ActiveSGV executive director David Diaz. “Tickets continue to be sold out. That’s been encouraging.”

Riders drop off and pick up e-bikes at the new mobility hub at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area.

(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)

Other cyclists have stopped by the hub to simply rest and hang out after taking a long ride to the Santa Fe Dam, he said.

ActiveSGV’s next mobility hub will be at Peck Road Water Conservation Park in Arcadia.

Diaz said residents have shared that they don’t feel safe riding bikes alongside vehicle traffic. The mobility hubs help encourage people to enjoy cycling along car-free paths, he said.

“We want to be able to activate and provide opportunities for people to discover the Rio Hondo and the San Gabriel River and parallel and adjacent parks and areas in a positive way that is currently not available to them,” he said. “It’s really important to be able to provide opportunities for people to safely recreate and build community in the community that they live in.”

Although I am ecstatic over new opportunities for people to be outdoors, I still remain cautiously optimistic. One of my biggest questions for García-González was: How do you ensure these new community-led green spaces and projects don’t lead to gentrification?

Riders stand near the ActiveSGV e-bike they checked out through a new free bike rental program.

(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)

Part of it, she said, is learning from other projects’ mistakes.

A few years ago, a delegation of officials from L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation, the county Department of Public Works and the county Department of Economic Opportunity, which specifically works with small businesses and “high road” employers, traveled to Georgia to learn from leaders involved in the Atlanta Beltline. The project, organized over unused railroad lines, will be a 22-mile loop of trails and parks when complete, stretching through dozens of neighborhoods, “creating a vibrant public space for recreation, commerce, and cultural expression. Along the path, you can find new restaurants, breweries, art galleries, local businesses, and experience moving arts and cultural exhibits and programs,” according to the Beltline website.

The main criticism of the Atlanta Beltline has been how its leaders failed to effectively finance and build affordable housing within and around the project and how rents and property taxes skyrocketed, displacing Black residents who lived in and around the project area.

A cyclist takes an electric bike from ActiveSGV’s new rental booth at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area for a ride.

(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)

The Beltline “lost its way from a transit and trails project to this transformative real estate development project,” Daniel Immergluck, a professor emeritus at Georgia State University who was a co-author of the 2017 study on home values, told the New York Times.

Development of green spaces along the L.A. River has raised similar concerns.

Times contributor Jireh Deng spoke to Jon Christensen, director of the Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies at UCLA, who said river revitalization can be part of a “green gentrification cycle” as new development pushes out old communities.

Deng wrote that this creates a “chicken-and-egg paradox” where it’s difficult to discern which came first: “the amenities surrounding the L.A. River or the more affluent people seeking them.”

A drone photo of the Los Angeles skyline and Los Angeles River.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“When people are more connected to nature, they want to support nature more,” Christensen said of his studies on how people connect to the outdoors. “It’s really kind of a virtuous cycle there.”

García-González said gentrification was “front and center” for the L.A. County group when its members visited the Beltline.

She said part of what she learned from studying the project is that the Beltline evolved into more of an infrastructure project, and the private sector jumped at the opportunity to buy land, housing and businesses around the project, contributing to the gentrification of local neighborhoods.

That’s part of the reason that L.A. County is focused on small projects and not securing “huge infrastructure dollars,” García-González said, and is working with longtime community organizations, meeting monthly to discuss funding opportunities, project ideas and more.

A bicyclist rides on the L.A. River Path near Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park along the Los Angeles River.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“I will also say that a key piece is making sure there can be, in the future, land banking for housing and affordable housing that comes as we’re activating community spaces and utilizing these rivers,” she said, referencing the public L.A. County Land Bank.

As a journalist, I think it’s important to hold government accountable while also acknowledging when a government initiative seems to be on the right track. I hope to do both with the Urban Natureways project. I hope this project opens up opportunities for residents, regardless of ZIP Code, to have a green space near them where they can find reprieve from heat and are able to find joy in being outdoors.

3 things to do

Cyclists travel down a car-free street in Pasadena.

(CicLAvia Los Angeles)

1. Pedal through car-free Pasadena
CicLAvia will host a 2.7-mile car-free street festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday in Pasadena. Guests can walk or roll (or dance) along a closed segment of Colorado Boulevard, visiting local businesses and community organizations along the way. Only people-powered vehicles are allowed, with specific rules for e-bikes. It has been 11 years since CicLAvia had an event in Pasadena. Learn more at ciclavia.org.

2. Venture through history near Mountain Center
The Friends of the Desert Mountains will host a hiking tour of Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail corridor from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday around Mountain Center. Participants will hike short segments at various points of interest along Highway 74, learning about history, culture and politics along the way. Register at eventbrite.com.

3. Take field notes in Calabasas
The Santa Monica Mountains Fund will host an archaeology day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center (26876 Mulholland Highway in Calabasas). Guests will hear from Indigenous cultural leaders and can practice throwing an atlatl spear, view local artifacts and become a junior archaeologist (with a special patch). Register at eventbrite.com.

The must-read

(Kaitlin Brito / For The Times)

The winter holiday season is rapidly approaching. No, I haven’t bought any gifts either! If you’re already feeling behind, I have good news: The Times published its annual Gift Guide earlier this month, and it includes 24 recommendations that I put together, with my colleague Deborah Vankin, for the best gifts for hikers, walkers and campers. The list includes smaller items such as a loupe and “backcountry bidet” and bigger-ticket items including Topo Designs’ Klettersack, the backpack I take with me on most Wild hikes. As I mentioned in our guide: “Over the last four years, I’ve easily hiked over 100 miles with the Klettersack on my back — including once when I dropped it off the side of a mountain and into a river — and it was fine!”

And as a bonus: Check out our 2024 and 2025 outdoor gift recommendations, which we still stand by!

Happy adventuring,

P.S.

I camped in tents this past weekend in rural Oklahoma with several dear friends. The first night, the temperature dipped to the low 40s (maybe lower). After we went to bed, my friends started talking about how cold they were. I stayed silent, as I didn’t want to rub in how warm I was. In fact, I was a little hot. I’ve learned a lot since becoming an outdoors journalist about how to camp comfortably — after camping plenty of times uncomfortably (including one particularly frigid night near Weaverville while writing a guide to the Trinity Alps). I wanted to share a few quick tips as we head into winter. A common mistake people make is going to bed in sweaty clothing they’ve worn all day, including that day’s socks and underwear. I always save a fresh set of clothes when car camping that I will only sleep in. My tent pajamas usually include an ethically sourced wool long-sleeve shirt as my base layer, some fleece or wool base thermal underwear, and wool socks (usually these that I wrote about in the 2024 Gift Guide). I hope this information helps keep you cozy on your next camping trip!

For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.

LAS VEGAS — The Dodgers’ early offseason to-do list includes a meeting with top free agent Tarik Skubal, the two-time Cy Young winner who they acquired at the trade deadline this year.

Other than the Dodgers’ National League Championship Series exit, the three-month fling was as happy of a partnership as either side could have hoped.

Skubal jelled with the group immediately, becoming especially close friends with fellow lefty Blake Snell, who promised that he’d worked to recruit Skubal back this offseason. And after posting a 2.61 ERA in 10 starts, Skubal, the Dodgers’ Game 1 starter in both playoff series, limited postseason opponents to a total of three runs.

“I know that he enjoyed his time here, we loved having him, so I think that’s certainly helpful as far as these conversations go,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Tuesday at General Managers meetings. “And outside of that, he’s earned the right to be in this position and figure out what’s best for him and his family.”

That position, while it guarantees him a highly lucrative contract, is complicated by the impending lockout. Skubal’s agent, Scott Boras, when asked during his media availability Wednesday whether he’d consider a shorter deal with a higher average annual value, said he wouldn’t discuss contract negotiations. But creativity around the structure of a deal could help counter teams’ anxieties over a possible salary cap in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement.

It’s clear already that CBA uncertainty won’t fully freeze the market in November. But executives and agents alike have expressed skepticism that the expected lockout will inspire the same kind of spending flurry that arose in 2021, the end of the last CBA cycle.

Boras, however, argued against the notion that salary cap talk could put a damper on the superstar market before Dec. 1, when the lockout is expected to go into effect.

“Much like 2021, there’s a clear intent on a group of players, and we have no reservations by any teams that they’re going to operate within their abilities and freedoms because they want they don’t want to lose to their competitors,” Boras told reporters. “They want the market to be what it is for them, and they’re utilizing their rights to compete. I think they’re very concerned about losing the opportunity to sign select, key players, and they’re pursuing it aggressively.”

The Dodgers are among the teams planning to meet with Skubal, a group that reportedly includes the Mets, Padres and others.

The Dodgers certainly have a track record of splashy offseason deals with eye-popping numbers. Look no further than last offseason, when they broke records with their signings of closer Edwin Díaz (three years, $69 million, highest AAV for a relief pitcher) and right fielder Kyle Tucker (four years, $240 million, highest present-day AAV).

Even the Dodgers’ trade-deadline acquisition of Skubal appeared to be superfluous at the time. Once two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani’s health forced him to give up on pitching for the rest of the season, however, Skubal’s addition maintained the Dodgers rotation’s status as one of the most talented in MLB history.

They were not, however, among the most aggressive teams before the last lockout. And their approach to Skubal’s free agency will hinge, in part, on how they evaluate their starting pitching needs.

That picture isn’t clear, either.

“We’ve talked about the different paths that you can go down, and what does that look like,” Gomes said. “Do you need it? I don’t know. Do you want it? Maybe. You may not know that you need it until it’s too late. So I think it’s balancing all of this, as different scenarios play out. … The floor right now is really high. We do have a good amount of depth in our pitching. So now it’s just taking into account, what makes sense for us based on different avenues of how things shake out.”

As the Dodgers project out the potential of their rotation, they can reasonably expect improvement from some of their younger pitchers. They were pleased with the step forward that right-hander Roki Sasaki took this year.

“Expect him to take another big step forward,” Gomes said, “and really become the front-line-type guy that he knows that he can be and we know he can be.”

Regardless of lefty Justin Wrobleski’s second-half regression, he earned his first All-Star nod with a dominant first half. Though right-hander Emmet Sheehan had an up-and-down season, the Dodgers continue to believe in his upside. And they expect Gavin Stone, who last pitched in the majors in 2024, to be part of the equation, after a long road back from shoulder surgery.

They still have the star power of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a two-time All-Star and 2025 World Series MVP, Snell, a two-time Cy Young winner, and Tyler Glasnow.

Ohtani’s return to the mound, however, raises the most questions. The Dodgers expect him to return to two-way duties, that much is clear. But they have yet to lay out a plan for how to keep him healthy for the season while doing so.

“I think it’s just making sure that we are taking all of the information into account and trying to set up a system that allows him to pitch and be successful and be healthy towards the end,” Gomes said. “Because we know how dominant he can be on the mound.”

Grammy Award-winning artist Macklemore said he is getting pushback from concert venues as he brings his Free Palestine benefit concerts to the U.S.

The rapper behind hits including “Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us” said on Instagram that nine U.S. venues told him in mid-September that they had available dates for concerts, but “once they found out these were my benefit shows for Palestine, those dates were suddenly off the table. The doors were closed.”

Macklemore performs in 2024 in Australia.

(Morgan Hancock / Getty Images)

The nine venues include Inglewood’s Kia Forum, L.A.’s Crypto.com Arena and Madison Square Garden in New York.

Earlier this year, Macklemore said he was removed from Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour after venue owners told Sheeran they would not host him at their stadiums if Macklemore was still part of the concert. Sheeran has said his promoters made the decision, according to the BBC.

Macklemore launched his Free Palestine tour in October, playing in Dublin, Paris and London. The concert proceeds benefit organizations supporting the Palestinian movement, according to the tour’s website.

Fans pose as they make their way into the “Macklemore & Friends “Free Palestine” Tour last month at Wembley Arena in London.

(Alberto Pezzali / Getty Images)

Representatives for the Kia Forum and AEG, which owns Crypto.com Arena, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

MSG Entertainment, which owns Madison Square Garden, said that Macklemore is “not an arena level act.”

“We have some of the busiest venues in the world with extremely limited availability,” MSG Entertainment, said in a statement.

Spokespeople for the talent agency that reps Macklemore did not immediately return a request for comment.

Weighing in on the Palestinian issue can be a sensitive subject in Hollywood, as some people in the entertainment industry have received backlash on their social media posts on the topic.

Aerial view of Crypto.com Arena and the L.A. Live sports and entertainment district.

(AEG)

In 2023, a prominent agent at Creative Artists Agency stepped aside from her leadership roles at the company after she reposted inflammatory comments on Instagram calling Israel’s response to Hamas “genocide.” That same year, actor Melissa Barrera was dropped from her role in “Scream VII” after she shared pro-Palestinian statements on Instagram.

DON’T overpay to escape the cold with the kids this winter – we’ve listed all the cheap and free family days out you’ll need.

Keeping the kids entertained in winter can get expensive. But before you drop £30 each on tickets to indoor attractions, you’ll want to read this list as our ultimate family days out guide for winter is packed with cheap days out.

Our helpful list includes everything to keep the kids entertained, from inflatable obstacle courses, ice skating and trampolining.

There’s also half-price bowling, indoor tropical gardens and more.

Whether your budget is £15 or zero pounds, here are the best cheap and free family days out to book for winter.

Which means you’re saving some much-needed extra cash for Christmas presents…

Under £15pp

Clip ‘n Climb Toddler Sessions – multiple locations

If you’ve got kids aged 2-4, you can take them on a 60 minute mini climbing session at Clip ‘n’ Climbs across the UK from £13.50 per child.

You can also book in for a Mini Mountaineers session for ages 2-4 at certain locations, which includes a free snack pot, for £10.50 per child. The deal also includes free soft play use. Click here to see locations.

Legoland Discovery Centre – Manchester/Birmingham

The Legoland Discovery centres include indoor rides, massive Lego build zones, a 4D cinema, and a dedicated Duplo farm for the little ones.

During term-time weekdays, an adult and a toddler (under five) can get combined entry for £10.50, which is a massive saving on standard ticket prices (£19pp when booked online).

Bovington Tank Museum – Dorset

Explore massive indoor hangars packed with over 300 military vehicles at the brilliant Bovington Tank Museum in Dorset. There’s also a soft play area, a dress up zone and interactive activities, like building your own tank.

While individual tickets can be pricey, if you go for a family ticket for four it works out to a bargain £11.99pp. Plus under-fours go completely free.

Paradise Island Crazy Golf – multiple locations

Shelter from the rain and take on an indoor tropical crazy golf course. You can find these massive indoor courses in locations including Manchester, Sheffield, Cheshire Oaks, Glasgow, and Livingston.

Tickets cost £11.50 per adult, £9.25 per child aged five to 16 and £6 per child under five. Click here for all locations.

Zip World – multiple locations

While Zip World is known for its thrilling zipwires, climbing and cavern experiences, little ones can get in on the fun, too – all for under £15.

Mini thrill seekers can take on the Tiny Trek treetop adventure £12) and the Treetot Nets (£5), while the grown-ups with them can take on the Treetop Drop £15) – a terrifying freefall experience through the trees.

Indoor trampolining at Air Unlimited – multiple locations

This two-hour jump session is the perfect chance for kids to burn off that pent-up energy, with wall-to-wall trampolines, tumble tracks, giant slides plus a jump tower with a giant airbag to land on.

You can book via Groupon for a 32 per cent discount, taking the price down to £14.95pp.

Under £10pp

Ninja Warrior UK – multiple locations

Take on the TV-famous Ninja Warrior obstacle course from £9.95 for ages five plus, or take on the mini ‘Ninja Toddlers’ for £2.

You can visit in the following locations: Bristol, Chatham, Chelmsford, Guildford, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Swansea, Teesside, Walsall and Watford.

Skating at Planet Ice

A family trip to the ice rink is perfect in the winter – and Planet Ice sessions start from £8 per adult or child, £3.20 per child under 4.

You can also book in for seasonal events like the Sub Zero Disco, Penguin Club skating classes for under fives and Stick and Puck ice hockey skill sessions. Click here to find your nearest rink.

Tenpin Half-Price Tuesdays

When the weather plays up this winter, head to Tenpin for a few rounds of bowling. The Tenpin Tuesdays offer gives you 50 per cent off bowling and selected drinks (from £4.98 per adult & £4.25 per child).

There’s also a family deal, where you can bag a game for a family of four from £8.75 – plus you can add on a burger meal for £3.80pp.

High Ropes Adventure – Birmingham

Another great indoor option for burning off some energy indoors is the Gravity High Ropes experience in Birmingham.

Tackle rope bridges, climb platforms and weave through webs high up in the air from only £8.76pp with this Groupon deal.

Under £5pp

Soft play at Everyone Active – multiple locations

Ditch the £15pp private indoor play centres and check out your local, council-run leisure centre.

Places like Everyone Active run dedicated toddler soft play sessions starting from just £2. Click here to find a location near you.

Cinema – multiple locations

Cinema trips are still a fantastic option for killing a couple hours indoors, where the kids are kept warm and entertained for only a few pounds.

Upcoming family-friendly movies include a new, animated The Cat in the Hat as well as The Angry Birds Movie. In fact, Sun Club members can even bag free Cineworld tickets on select dates this November. Click here to redeem yours.

Big Pit National Coal Museum – Blaenavon, Wales

Pop on your head torch and visit a real coal mine with its own museum for an adventurous family day out, with galleries where you can get up close to machinery and watch underground movies on mining history.

While the museum is free to visit, you can book an underground tour for only £5pp. The tour takes you 300 feet underground with a real miner, through tunnels stepped through for hundreds of years.

Swim for all – multiple locations

Ditch overpriced waterparks and simply visit your local leisure centre to enjoy a heated pool, inflatables for hire and more for a fraction of the cost.

Swim for All sessions cost around £5 per adult and £2.85 per child. Click here to find a pool near you.

Free

Tropical Winter Gardens

Warm up inside a giant, tropical indoor jungle in Sheffield or Sunderland. Stay sheltered with warm temperatures inside a giant glass dome, with plenty of lovely plants to look at.

Sheffield’s also has its own cafe and gift shop, while the Sunderland site hosts free weekly activities such as a forest school for kids.

Forestry England Character Trails

If your kids are fans of Room on the Broom, Stick Man or The Gruffalo, your next winter walk is about to get a lot more interesting.

Forestry England have themed trails across the UK, stretching from Northumberland to Cornwall. Click here to find a themed trail near you

Go Geocaching

Turn a boring winter walk into an exciting treasure hunt for free just by downloading the Geocaching app to your smartphone.

Work together as a family to track down the secret ‘caches’ hidden in local parks and woodlands. Just wrap up warm, pack a pen to sign the logbook, and let the GPS guide you.

Winter wildlife spotting

Wrap up warm and take the kids outdoors to get to know local wildlife this winter. Download Merlin Bird ID to track bird by their calls, or print out a free activity sheet from Wildlife Watch UK.

To spot adorable seal pups on the beach, head to Donna Nook in Lincolnshire or Blakeney in Norfolk. Watch wild deer roam in spots like Richmond, Holkham and Cheshire, or watch the incredible winter swan feeds at the WWT Wetland Centres across the UK.

National Railway Museum, York

You don’t have to pay a penny to walk into the biggest train museum on the planet.

Get up close to legendary locomotives like the Mallard and Flying Scotsman, before taking ta ride on the miniature railway and checking out the massive model train setups.

Discovery Museum, Newcastle

Dedicated to Tyneside’s maritime and industrial history, this free attraction is complete with a massive 34-metre ship (called The Turbina) right at the entrance.

Inside there’s a brilliant hands-on ‘Science Maze’ play area, with interactive screens, experiments and more.

Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds

This free-entry museum is stocked with unique armour including that of Henry VIII, samurai swords and even the world’s only remaining suit of elephant armour from India.

There are even historical live demonstrations, including knights duelling in medieval long sword fighting, as well as time for the kids to handle special objects and dress up.

AS the glass lift descended the cliff face, green umbrella pines gave way to craggy sandstone  before the epic golden sands of Praia da Falesia were revealed.

My friend Rosie and I were in awe.

“This place is stunning”, was our first impression — and it was one that held true throughout our three-day autumn sunshine break at the 5H Pine Cliffs Resort on Portugal’s Algarve coast.

From the bottom of the lift, we strolled down the boardwalk to beach restaurant Maré, which serves the freshest seafood.

As we enjoyed shrimp mango tacos and spritz cocktails, then chocolate ice cream, we deliberated over which sunloungers on the private beach we should aim for the next morning.

Despite our early-morning flight, the quick transfer meant we were in the mood for exploring and after lunch, we got back in the lift to head back up to the resort and get our bearings.

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Across the 178-acre estate there are options for every budget or group size, from apartments and suites to villas and townhouses. But our home for the weekend was the resort’s original focal point, the 217-room Pine Cliffs Hotel.

Strolling from the beach to the hotel we passed under the many pines that shade the cobblestone walkways and gardens and give the resort its name.

The clifftop hotel, unlike the resort’s newer residential zones, has a traditional style. Terracotta floors, hand-painted ceramic tiles and whitewashed archways give way to leafy courtyards, as Moorish-style architecture pays homage to the region’s historic Arabic influences.

It’s a theme that continues into the hotel’s bedrooms. The beds have bespoke headboards featuring more of those hand-painted tiles, in elegant constrast to the rooms’ calm, white walls and all the mod cons you could wish for.

Guests can join a free Tiles Tour to learn more about the Algarve’s decorative tiles, or azulejos, in the hotel and grounds.

Once you’ve soaked up the back stories, about how this traditional art has survived earthquakes and invaders down the centuries, you head off for a workshop to design your own creations.

Armed with a blank tile, fine brushes and traditional mineral paints, you learn the technique of glazing from scratch.

Your work of art is then fired for you to safely pack into your suitcase.

Meanwhile, across the resort’s grounds, sport is also front and centre.
A scenic nine-hole golf course hugs the cliff edge and features the hair-raising Devil’s Parlour hole, where players must drive a ball straight over a deep ravine.

Then there’s the Annabel Croft Tennis and Padel Academy. We had a fantastic time here, being taught the basics of Padel on one of the resort’s beautiful courts — even though our backhands didn’t quite match the facility.

If you work up a thirst, and appetite, then good: the resort has 18 fabulous bars and restaurants.

The Mirador Champagne Bar was the perfect place for us to sit and watch the sunset with a glass of fizz and bowls of salty snacks before dinner.

We kicked off our first evening at lively steakhouse Piri Piri, one of the Algarve’s top spots for meat lovers, with gourmet cuts from all corners of the globe.

We enjoyed fillet steak and fresh lobster salad with local wines and ended the night with a glass of Amarguinha, a local almond liqueur which was dangerously delicious.

On our second night, we went to seafood restaurant O’Pescador, where guests choose their catch from the tank before having it grilled on the barbecue. For lunch, we loved the Corda Cafe and healthfood spot Zest, where we mixed it up with salads, wraps and pizzas.

Day two was all about recharging in the resort’s Serenity Spa where we were treated to massages before sampling the outdoor Jacuzzi and the saunas, ice pool and steam rooms in the spa itself.

The resort’s health club also features two big gyms, a Pilates studio and an indoor pool.

If you prefer unwinding under the sun, the resort has seven outdoor pools.

There is no adult-only pool but those after a quiet spot should visit the pools near the spa, one of which has a swanky swim-up bar.

Families will find the best areas for kids in the Porto Pirata Children’s Village — the biggest kids’ club in the region.

If you fancy a spot of shopping, there’s a strip of boutiques selling handmade gifts and jewellery or, in the hotel lobby, there are several high-end shops.

Outside the resort, the coastal city of Albufeira is just a 15-minute drive away, with a huge selection of bars, restaurants and nightclubs as well as a pretty old quarter.

But with their clifftop sundowners, world-class dining and golden sands, we were not in a rush to leave our hotel and its glorious grounds and beach.

GARDEN centres are no longer just a place to pick up some plants – they’re a whole day out for the family.

This only ramps up when Christmas rolls around, and one has been named the best for a festive visit.

Garsons Garden Centre in Esher was named The Best Christmas Garden Centre in the UK 2025, having won it for a number of years before as well.

The garden centre has a new themed area every year, with last year seeing a huge The Wonderful World of Oz event, complete with massive hot air balloon display and green decorations throughout.

This year, themed areas at the garden centre include Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, The Queen of Hearts, Sing a Song of Sixpence, Little Miss Muffet, Down at The Station, Jingle Bells, We Went to the Animal Fair and Sing a Rainbow.

You can expect fully decked out scenes with fake snow and twinkling lights.

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In previous years, scenes have included the tin man from the Wizard of Oz as well as a multicoloured igloo.

Of course, you can meet Father Christmas and his elves as well, inside a cabin decked out with colourful lights.

Each child who visits Santa will get a gift as well as a chance to snap a photo.

The experience costs £15.50 per child.

Across the festive period, there are a load of workshops visitors can attend as well including wreath making sessions and calligraphy classes.

After exploring the garden centre and all the Christmas attractions make sure to visit the farm shop with Christmas food, gifts and seasonal products.

For a bite to eat, you can visit The Orangery restaurant which is inspired by Garsons 150-year farming history as a supplier to Borough Market in London.

The restaurant is inside a huge glass conservatory and serves up full-English breakfasts as well as Sunday roast dinners.

YOU don’t need to spend a fortune to treat the family to a magical winter getaway this year, with breaks from as little as £2.44pp a night.

So instead of stressing over hosting at home during the festive season, you could be kicking back in a cosy lodge.

We’ve found breaks where there’s loads to do for the whole family, including free pantomimes, Christmas lights trails and magical visits to Santa’s Grotto.

Whether you’ re after a pre-decorated cabin with a private hot tub, or a full Christmas dinner cooked for you, here’s our pick of budget-friendly Christmas breaks to get booked in now.

Away Resorts Winterfest

November 20 – December 20, 2026

Away Resorts go all-out on Christmas, with action-packed Winterfest celebrations across Tattershall Lakes, Sandy Balls, Retallack Resort, St Ives Bay and Mill Rythe resorts.

Festive activities on offer include writing letters to Father Christmas, stuffing a Christmas teddy and creating your very own snow globes (these activities are at an additional cost).

There’s also spectacular free Christmas entertainment shows.

This includes festive candlelight concerts, the ‘bonkers’ Elves Misbehaving show, and the Forest of Light illuminations walk in the New Forest location.

Breaks start from £112 for three nights, based on a three night break for eight people in a luxury sea view caravan at St Ives Bay.

That works out to £7.46pp per night.

Parkdean Resorts Winter Wonderland

November 27 – December 30, 2026

Parkdean Resorts’ Winter Wonderland celebrations are made with families of all ages in mind, with extra toddler-specific activities added new for this year.

Spend your days as a family making baubles or training for Christmas at the Elf Academy (at an extra cost) or settle down to watch this year’s family pantomime, Aladdin.

Little ones will love the free Festive Tots activities like The Big Christmas Party 4 Tots or the Festive Tots & Tunes sing-a-long sessions.

Plus you can meet Father Christmas himself, as well as Mrs Claus and the elves – or even book in to have breakfast with them at an additional cost.

Breaks start from £129 for four nights in a bronze caravan sleeping six, working out to £5.38pp per night. Go all inclusive from an extra £100 per adult or £40 per child add-on per break.

Or stay over the big day itself to tuck into a Christmas dinner as a family – minus the washing up. A three-course meal on Christmas starts from £49.99 per adult and £29.99 per child.

Butlin’s Festive Wonderland Breaks

November 23 – December 30, 2026

Butlin’s are putting on the ultimate sleigh-cation during December, with extra, festive-themed shows and activities added to an already action-packed programme.

Themed experiences include a festive movie night, a silent disco and the interactive Christmas Chaos games showdown, all part of your break.

Stay over on Christmas itself and you’ll get extra perks, like a special fireworks display and a four-course Christmas dinner (£58 per adult, £38 per child).

Meeting Father Christmas is a free activity that is part of every Christmas break.

The 30-minute Express Delivery experience includes an opportunity for kids to write a letter, before posting it and wandering through a fully decked-out Christmas zone to meet the main man himself.

Festive Breaks start from £39 for four nights across their locations, based on a family of four. This works out to £2.44pp per night.

Festive breaks at Haven

November 28 – December 30, 2026

Escape to a cosy seaside caravan with its own pre-built, pre-lit Christmas tree on a Haven festive break.

This year, parks are putting on Jack and the Beanstalk for their festive panto, and the Seaside Squad are teaming up with Santa’s elves for free Christmassy live entertainment shows.

There’s plenty to do during the day, too, including themed pottery workshops, stocking workshops and the opportunity to meet Santa in his Grotto. These pre-bookable activities come at an additional cost.

Food menus get a makeover for the festive season too, with takeaway stands offering festive smash burgers, on-site pubs cooking up hearty roasts, plus the option for a three-course meal with a welcome drink on Christmas day (adults £59.99, kids £14.99).

Participating parks include Craig Tara in Scotland, Primrose Valley in Yorkshire and Cala Gran in Blackpool. Click here for a full list.

Festive breaks start from £49 for four nights in November or December, working out to £3.06pp per night. Or you can stay from £335 for four nights over Christmas week.

Hoseasons Christmas Lodge Getaways

November – December 2026

Whether you fancy a holiday lodge, a cosy cottage or a full-on family holiday park break, Hoseasons have collected them all neatly on their Christmas getaways page.

You can sort the holidays by pre-decorated stays, places with an open fire or woodburner, lodges with hot tubs as well as dog-friendly options.

Some of our favourite options include this cosy lodge with a hot tub in Cargill, as well as this pre-decorated farmhouse in Lincolnshire.

Seven night breaks over Christmas start from £249. Split a six-berth caravan between a group, and that works out to £5.93pp per night.

Park Holidays Cosy Winter Breaks

November 2, 2026 – March 4, 2027

If you want an affordable winter break in a quiet corner of the UK, look no further than a Park Holidays cosy winter break.

During this period, most of these holiday parks are open for accommodation only – meaning that you can bag yourself a seriously cheap stay. Just pack your Christmas snacks and games to bring along with you for a seriously cosy escape.

And if you want to make use of a heated pool, spa facilities and on-site bars and restaurants that do stay open, look at breaks for Brynteg in Wales or Rye Harbour in Sussex.

A three night winter break at Brynteg in Wales in a gold caravan sleeping six starts from £179, working out to £9.94pp per night.

Shorefield Christmas Cracker Weekends

4-7 & 11-14 December, 2026

Retreat to a glamorous woodland lodge this winter, where days are filled with festive live music, shows and plenty of family activities.

Shorefield’s Christmas Cracker weekends see all the Christmas classics such as festive quizzes, pantomimes, carolling and more.

If you’re bringing the kids along, there’s craft workshops plus a Father Christmas meet and greet, plus the park’s restaurants sees a festive menu takeover.

Click here to see all the activities you can book, with free options as well as workshops at an additional cost.

Christmas Cracker Weekendsstart from £224. For three nights in a flexifleet caravan sleeping four, that works out to £18.67pp per night.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

DOGS may not be able to speak, but mine didn’t have to – the eyes said it all.

As Ernie watched me skip over to the outdoor hot tub armed with kindling and firelighters, he clearly thought I’d gone mad.

While I waited for the water to warm with a glass of wine and a good book, he took himself off inside our cottage for a nap — and went on to snooze away the majority of our three-day stay.

Never in his 11 years have I seen him so relaxed away from home, and I have to say, I felt pretty zen, too.

We were at Rowley Farm Holidays — an award-winning family-run retreat in Worcestershire.

It specialises in luxurious self- catering stays, and everything about the site has been designed with dogs and their owners in mind.

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You won’t find any annoying pet fees here or rules about which breeds are welcome.

And whether you choose to stay in one of the three beautiful cottages or hidden-away shepherd’s hut, you will have access to your own enclosed garden, a secure dog field and the cute Muddy Paws Wash Room, which comes complete with a range of doggy shampoos.

Dog bowls, blankets, treats, poo bags and throws for the beds and sofas are provided in every type of accommodation, too.

I was staying in The Old Dairy, all on one level bar a couple of steps up from the entrance hall — handy for an older boy like Ernie who sometimes struggles with his back legs.

The open-plan cottage, which sleeps two, was, as the name suggests, the farm’s former dairy but it has been given a stylish makeover since then, kitted out with all the mod cons but retaining a country-chic feel throughout.

I loved the gable ceiling and large windows that allowed light to flood in.

And just like Ernie, I slept like a baby, snuggled up in luxurious linen in the comfy king-sized bed.

While The Old Dairy has underfloor heating beneath its easy-to-clean stone slabs, it also boasts air con — a great perk for pet owners staying during future heatwaves.

We had a welcome basket of local produce waiting for us and the kitchen was incredibly well-equipped.

Although if you don’t fancy cooking, there are a whole host of dog-friendly farm shops and places to eat within a few miles of Rowley Farm.

You’ll find traditional pub grub at The Holt Fleet and the Lenchford Riverside Inn, while The Red Lion serves up cracking Indian cuisine.
Quiet time

In its car park, you’ll also find the quirky Whole Moo World vending machine and tuck shop, which I was quite taken with.

Here, you can get fresh milk, milkshakes and snacks like sandwiches and Scotch eggs 24/7 — handy if you get a case of the midnight munchies.

While all the other cottages were booked during our stay, we barely heard a peep from any of them.

And, on a stroll through the quiet site, we saw that like us, many other guests had opted to just chill out — reading, lounging around in the complimentary robes and enjoying some quiet time while their dogs roamed safely in their gardens.

At Rowley Farm, you really can just kick back and relax — but if you do decide to venture out, there are lots of things to see and do nearby.

Witley Court, just up the road, is a must if you like your history.

This once-grand stately home was destroyed by a fire in the 1930s and while only the shell of the building remains, it’s easy to imagine how it would have looked in its heyday.

Dogs on leads are welcome to explore, and Ernie and I spent a good couple of hours wandering around the ruins and grounds.

Don’t miss seeing the Perseus and Andromeda fountain blast jets of water into the sky, either. This normally happens on the hour in the summer months.

We also went into Worcester, around a 20-minute drive away, where we enjoyed a stroll alongside the River Severn, visited Gheluvelt Park, feasted at Kyndfolk and popped into the Cathedral to have a word with the Man Upstairs.

I couldn’t say if Ernie asked for peace on Earth and good will to men (and dogs), but I think it’s probably more likely he asked for a return visit to Rowley Farm.

THE Sun are giving away 3,000 FREE tickets to the fantastic Land of Lights trail at Gulliver’s World

Full price tickets to this festive event cost £23 per person at the gate – but if you’re a Sun Club member, you can bag two tickets for free.

Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.

Simply sign up to Sun Club for £1.99 per month, and head to the Offers Hub to unlock your free tickets.

The fantastic lights trail is available at Gulliver’s World Milton Keynes, Warrington and Rotherham.

Helen Wright visited Land of Lights with her two children, a festive night out which would have costed £69 for the family.

Here’s what it’s like to take the family along to the Gulliver’s World Land of Lights trail.

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“THE nights are drawing in and there’s a nip in the air – the perfect time to light up your life with some festive fun.

“And Gulliver’s World is the perfect place to embrace the winter season with its fantastic Land of Lights Experience at its parks in Milton Keynes, Warrington and Rotherham.

“Fairytale characters welcomed us to Gulliver’s World in Milton Keynes, as I’m quickly struggling to catch up with my kids, Finn (nine) and Isobel (seven) as they burst through the gates.

“We’ve visited Gulliver’s World before. It’s the perfect day out for younger children, with gentle rollercoasters, log flumes and classic fairground fun, as well as thrill rides for adrenaline seekers like Dragon Siege.

“But this time, we’re here to enjoy the separately ticketed Land of Lights.

“This is a joyful trail through brilliantly illuminated lands, complete with giant light installations, larger-than-life lanterns and cute photo opportunities.

Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.

“We start in Dinosaur Land, where the park’s life-size Jurassic monsters are joined by some extra residents, including a luminous T-Rex and Triceratops.

“Alongside the brightly coloured beasts are some fun facts and a few entertaining special effects.

“Following the path through a fairy garden and animal farm, complete with a glowing tractor, we wander open-mouthed through the luminescent Under the Sea exhibit.

“Halfway through, we stop to toast marshmallows on a bonfire. There is an extra cost of £5, but my kids love it and it’s a great way to warm up.

“There’s also a little food court for a break along the way if you’re feeling peckish.

“Bolstered by our marshmallow feast, we arrive at the Christmas-themed kingdom, complete with appearances from Santa and his elves.

“I’m just as captivated as the children, skipping along the sparkly path of lights.

“For families who want to make a weekend of it, you can stay on resort in themed cabins, including a Dinosaur Lab and a Wild West Saloon.

“The next morning, we head into the theme park for some thrills.

“The Land of Lights may have been far more relaxing, but Isobel is beaming at finally being tall enough to ride upside down on Dragon Siege.

“Stepping off, our cheeks have a different kind of glow.

“It’s such a great way to keep everyone entertained. A little weekend with something for everyone is a winter win”.

The Sun has teamed up with Gulliver’s World to give Sun Club members an exclusive chance to experience the magical Land of Lights for FREE.

We are giving away 3,000 FREE tickets across all three Gulliver’s locations, and Sun Club members can claim two tickets each.

Land of Lights is running until Saturday, January 30 in Warrington and Rotherham, and Saturday, February 27 in Milton Keynes.

Your free tickets can be used on any date, excluding Thursday, December 31.

Entrance to Land of Lights costs £23 per adult and £23 per child on the gate, so signing up to Sun Club means big savings.

To get your tickets, simply join Sun Club and book from today before tickets sell out.

Free entry applies to Land of Lights only. Entrance to Gulliver’s Theme Park and overnight accommodation are priced separately.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: 

18+ UK only. Digital subscription required. Online access required. Offer ends at 23:59pm on 06/12/26. 3,000 tickets available across 3 locations. Non-transferable & non refundable.  T&Cs apply, see club.thesun.co.uk/sun-club.  New customer offer: £2.99 per month for 3 months, £6.99 thereafter unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. Full T&Cs apply, visit thesun.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.

LIGHT up your winter with this exclusive Sun Club offer. Save up to £46 with two FREE tickets to Land of Lights, the spectacular family-friendly lantern festival taking place at Gulliver’s World this festive season. 

With 3,000 tickets available across three Gulliver’s World locations, you can choose from Milton Keynes, Warrington and Rotherham. 

Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.

Plus, you can also grab an extra two tickets at half price. Just look for the exclusive discount code when you claim your free tickets. 

Land of Lights is returning brighter than ever for 2026, with giant lantern displays, glowing tunnels and immersive themed worlds creating a magical after-dark experience for all ages.

Guests can explore illuminated trails, with brand-new lanterns, light displays and effects added across the event this year.

Each location offers its own unique route and atmosphere, with magical photo opportunities, marshmallow toasting, food and drink stops and plenty to discover along the way.

Whether you are visiting Land of Lights for the first time or making a return trip, there is plenty to enjoy. 

So wrap up warm and make a night of it with friends and family as you take in the lights and stop for a few treats along the way.

Land of Lights is running until Saturday, January 30 in Warrington and Rotherham, and Saturday, February 27 in Milton Keynes. Your free tickets can be used on any date excluding Thursday, December 31.

With tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis, you will need to be quick to avoid missing out, so bag yours before they are gone.

Join Sun Club to book

To claim your tickets, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Join thesun.co.uk/club for just £1.99 a month or £12 for the first year, then £19.99 thereafter.

Step 2: Go to the Offers Hub and select the Gulliver’s Land of Lights page. You do not need to collect Sun Savers codes.

Step 3: Booking opens at 11am on Saturday, November 7.

18+ UK only. Digital subscription required. Online access required. Offer ends at 23:59pm on 06/12/26. 3,000 tickets available across 3 locations. Non-transferable & non refundable.  T&Cs apply , see club.thesun.co.uk/sun-club.  New customer offer: £2.99 per month for 3 months, £6.99 thereafter unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. Full T&Cs apply, visit thesun.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.

DID you know that the UK’s oldest carnival dates back nearly 180 years – and has one of Europe’s biggest float processions?

Bridgwater Carnival first started in 1847, taking place on the first Saturday of November.

The carnival – which is free to attend – is a full-day celebration starting at 10.30am with circus performances, live bands, dances and fairground rides.

These will be held at spots across the town like the High Street, Cornhill Stage and at St Mary’s Church.

This part ends at 6pm, before the two-hour long procession then start.

Down the main streets are huge parades where locals can show off their illuminated floats and there will be marching bands too.

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The biggest FREE firework displays across England to go to this Bonfire Night

Afterwards, there’s a tradition called ‘squibbling’ where around 150 people line up along the roads carrying a long pole which holds a large firework.

All at once, these are set off with the fireworks lighting up the sky.

It’s expected that 150,000 people will descend on the town this year to see the celebrations.

One visitor who previously attended said: “All of the Somerset carnivals are magical, however Bridgwater is the largest and most spectacular. “

Another added: “I wish my own home town could put on such a display.”

While the event is free, it is encouraged to ask for donations as it’s run by volunteers.

The origin of the Bonfire Night celebrations in Bridgwater can be traced back to the year of the foiled Gunpowder plot in 1605.

Bridgwater celebrated heavily as most of its residents at the time were protestant.

However, it wasn’t until later on in 1847 when the celebrations turned into a carnival by the Victorians who even made their own squibs fireworks.

If you want something even grander to visit this weekend, the world’s largest bonfire night with 40,000 visitors is set to be even more popular this year and it starts tomorrow.

HAVING a cosy weekend away to look forward to makes winter all the more exciting.

But it’s especially fantastic when you can save an extra 15 per cent on your stay with The Inn Collection Group.

Claim an extra 15% off (+ dogs stay free) with code ICG_WOOF15

Whether you’re after a coastal escape to a seaside castle, a Snowdonia staycation with waterfalls on your doorstep, or an Edwardian manor with manicured gardens – we’ve got you covered.

We’ve hand-picked these UK breaks in spots like Yorkshire, Wales and the Lakes because they make for fantastic winter escapes, plus all of them are dog-friendly, too.

If you do bring the pooch along, they can even have a bite to eat from Sir Woofchester’s dog menu, where they can have their own mini roast dinner, fish and chips or even a Paw Star dog martini.

Here’s the winter staycations you can book today and bag an extra 15 per cent off – plus bring the dog along for free.

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The Wateredge Inn, The Lake District

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly base to explore the Lake District, The Wateredge Inn in Ambleside is a great pick.

This waterside pub with rooms sits right on the shoreline of Lake Windermere, with a waterfront dining terrace perfect for a pint with a view.

In the restaurant, dine on everything from hot honey chicken burgers (£18.95) to ‘our famous lasagne’ (£17.50) – just make sure to save room for the sticky toffee brownie sundae for dessert (£8.50).

Rooms start from £80.10 per night on a B&B basis.

Claim an extra 15% off (+ dogs stay free) with code ICG_WOOF15

The Swallow Falls Inn, Snowdonia

Sitting steps away from a waterfall in Snowdonia National Park, The Swallow Falls Inn is worlds away from the everyday grind.

The charming inn provides your pick of 39 cosy rooms to return to after a day’s exploring the outdoors, plus a pub with a popular Thursday steak and wine night (£25pp).

The hotel is only two miles away from Betws-y-Coed, a gorgeous village with dense forests and lakes sitting on the Conwy Valley railway line.

Rooms start from £85.50 per night on a B&B basis.

Claim an extra 15% off (+ dogs stay free) with code ICG_WOOF15

The Tynemouth Castle Inn

This sprawling Castle Inn has stood overlooking the the shore of Tynemouth‘s Longsands Beach for over 80 years.

There’s 72 plush bedrooms here, with the option to stay in a sea-view rooms, offering you a front-row view to glorious seaside sunsets.

Whether you’re up for a breezy winter beach walk, or prefer dipping into the shops and cafes in the charming local village, it’s a great spot for a calming weekend away.

Rooms start from £89 per night on a B&B basis.

Claim an extra 15% off (+ dogs stay free) with code ICG_WOOF15

The Ripon Inn, North Yorkshire

Stay in a restored Edwardian hotel in the North Yorkshire countryside, just steps from the charming city of Ripon and its impressive cathedral.

The property sits on six acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, giving making it feel like a country manor retreat. Inside is all grand staircases and original fireplaces, as well as a stylish, botanical-themed bar.

This hotel prides itself on its hearty Sunday roasts, which are served carvery-style with a selection of tender meats and giant Yorkies.

Rooms start from £89 per night on a B&B basis.

Claim an extra 15% off (+ dogs stay free) with code ICG_WOOF15

The Stables, Whitby

Visit the scenic North York Moors with a stay at this 17th century farmhouse-turned cosy countryside inn.

Stay in a courtyard room with far-reaching field views, and enjoy traditional meals in The Stables, the warm and friendly on-site Yorkshire pub.

You’ll be based in Whitby, with its picturesque seaside harbour, Gothic abbey ruins and dramatic coastal paths on your doorstep.

Rooms start from £84 per night on a B&B basis.

Claim an extra 15% off (+ dogs stay free) with code ICG_WOOF15

Discount code: ICG_WOOF15 expires on 30/11/2026 11:59pm (BST)
Terms and Conditions:
Valid for stays from 11/09/2026-03/10/2026 for stays arriving before 17/03/2027. Special rate includes: 15% off our flexible Bed & Breakfast rate and up to two dogs per room, per night free of charge. Subject to availability and choice, excludes black out dates.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

FROM festive discos to free Santa meets – there are lots of reasons to book a Butlin’s break this Christmas.

And the holiday park has just announced two new shows this year as well.

Santa himself will be in his festive grotto at all three Butlin’s resorts as the Father Christmas Express Delivery returns for 2026 – and it’s included in the price.

During the 30-minute experience, families will take a magical journey in a lift to Santa’s grotto where they’ll write their Christmas Day wish list.

Of course, children will get to meet, chat and have a photo with Father Christmas too.

New for this year at all three resorts are two festive shows, the first being a live band playing classic Christmas tunes with a rock twist.

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The second will be the Robbie Williams tribute show Rock DJ who will play his biggest hits.

Across the parks will also be two weekly pantomime performances of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Also included in all breaks are festive arts and crafts sessions, Christmas-themed pool parties, discos, Christmas film showings and character photoshoots.

Not to mention all the usual perks too like access to the Splash Waterworld pools, the rides at the fairground, SKYPARK playgrounds in Minehead and Skegness, and the Skyline Gang Soft Play centre in Bognor Regis.

The year-round Butlin’s entertainment will continue like Peppa Pig-Nic Celebration featuring Evie Pig and Animals and Mythical Beasts.   

Four-night Christmas Festive Wonderland breaks start from £39 which works out to just £10 per person.

These Festive Wonderland Breaks can be booked between November 23 and December 30.

For those who fancy a break over December 25, there’s an option to book the Christmas Day Breaks.

These can be booked between December 23 and December 27 and start from £184 or £46pp.

It doesn’t stop there either with New Year Breaks available to book too.

These will take place between December 30 to January 2 with prices from £313 or £79pp.

Mike Godolphin, Entertainment Director at Butlin’s, said: “As we wrap up an incredible year of celebrating our 90th birthday, we’re ending it on a festive high.

“The most wonderful time of the year is made extra special at Butlin’s, with non-stop festive shows and activities, all included in the price of breaks. 

“While most families will be heading to the sofas after their Christmas lunch, our guests can whizz down the slides at Splash Waterworld. Where else can you swap your Christmas jumper for a swimsuit on Christmas Day?

“There’s no better place for a well-earned festive getaway, and we can’t wait to welcome thousands of guests across our three resorts.” 

For those who want to guarantee no extra costs, Butlin’s also offers all-inclusive packages.

Dining plans with unlimited breakfast and dinner start from £25.95 per adult, per day, £15.50 per child (6-14), per day and £7.25 per child (2-5), per day.

All Inclusive drinks packages with a range of unlimited Costa Coffee, alcoholic and soft drinks start from £25.95 per adult, per day, £10.50 per child (6-14), per day and free for under 5’s.

Wondering if it’s worth the cost? One Travel Writer tested out the drinks package to see what she could get in one day from Prosecco to beer and Costa Coffee.

IMAGINE kicking off your holiday with unlimited Prosecco, a buffet meal, and a pre-flight massage.

And you can have it all without forking out thousands on a First Class flight.

Save 20% on Priority Pass across 1,900+ airport lounges

The secret to bypassing the chaotic departure boards and securing this VIP treatment is being a Priority Pass membership.

And right now, savvy Sun readers can slash 20 per cent off their first year by clicking here.

While the rest of the terminal fights over a single plug socket and pays premium prices for a meal deal, you could be enjoying some bottomless bubbles, or catching up on sleep in a private nap pod.

Priority Pass covers more than 1,900 airport lounges worldwide, including Escape, Aspire and No.1 Skylife lounges.

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Whether you’re flying out of London, Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands or another UK airport, you’re more than likely covered, as the membership covers 85 per cent of the world’s top 100 airports.

Inside these stylish lounges, you’ll be able to rest on much comfier seating, and enjoy free food and drinks, including free alcoholic drinks.

The VIP treatment extends beyond the lounge buffet – you can even bag a free spa treatment.

At airports with Be Relax spas, you can grab a free fresh manicure or relaxing massage before boarding if you’re a Standard Plus member or above.

Plus at some airports you can even catch up on rest inside a nap pod, or take a shower to freshen up before your flight.

A year’s Standard membership normally costs £69 a year, but our 20 per cent discount brings that down to £55.

Save 20% on Priority Pass across 1,900+ airport lounges

With a Standard pass, you simply pay a flat £24 fee each time you choose to use a lounge.

When you factor in the meals, Wi-Fi and free-flowing alcoholic drinks, that entry fee easily pays for itself when compared to an expensive airport restaurant.

On top of all that, Priority Pass members even get their workouts sorted for them with a free fitness app.

Members get completely free access to the WithU Fitness app, which normally costs £79.99 a year.

It gives you personalised audio coaching and workout programmes that you can use at the hotel gym, by the pool and when you get home.

Save 20% on Priority Pass across 1,900+ airport lounges

Prices correct at the time of publication.

AS the air gets chillier and the days get darker, there’s nothing better than cosying up in a warm cinema to watch a brand new movie.

And it’s even better when you get your cinema tickets for free…

Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.

We’ve teamed up with Cineworld to give away 20,000 FREE tickets, so you can go and catch the latest films on us.

Click here to sign up to Sun Club for £1.99 a month to redeem this exclusive offer and many more.

Let’s be honest – is there any better feeling than sinking into a plush cinema chair, armed with a bucket of popcorn and a fresh fizzy drink, ready to watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster?

If you’re looking for something to do to break up the boring, drizzly November nights, a trip to the pictures can make this time of year all the more exciting.

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Sun Club members can redeem two free Cineworld tickets each, so you can enjoy a night at the movies with a friend or partner for zero cost.

With 87 cinemas across the UK to choose from, it’s as simple as redeeming your tickets, finding a Cineworld near you, and booking in whichever film you’d like to see.

Joining Sun Club will give you instant access to the Offers Hub, where you can claim your free Cineworld tickets.

But be quick, as they’re sure to go fast.

The best part is that these tickets can be used on any film showing from November 2 to November 17.

Here’s all the films you can go and see at Cineworld with your two free Sun Club tickets:

How To Rob A Bank

Nicholas Hoult and Zoë Kravitz lead an all-star cast in this action-packed thriller about a gang of bank robbers whose viral heists soon attract the attention of the FBI.

Clayface

Tom Rhys Harries stars in DC Studios’ dark and chilling horror-thriller about a rising Hollywood star whose search for fame takes a terrifying turn as he begins to lose both his identity and humanity.

Primetime

Robert Pattinson plays NBC journalist Chris Hansen in this high-stakes psychological thriller about the 2000’s reality television series, To Catch A Predator.

Wild Horse Nine

John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell play CIA partners whose mission to a remote island becomes increasingly complicated by secrets, politics and unexpected encounters.

Godzilla Minus Zero

As Japan rebuilds after the Second World War, a new threat emerges when the legendary Godzilla appears. Packed with action, drama and spectacular visual effects, this is one movie you will not want to miss.

Ebenezer

A fresh take on Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story, starring Johnny Depp as Ebenezer Scrooge as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas. Full of festive cheer, heartwarming moments and family fun, it’s the perfect film to get everyone into the Christmas spirit.

Prima Facie

Starring Jodie Comer and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, Prima Facie is a powerful and thought-provoking drama that explores justice, truth and the challenges faced by women within the legal system.

Wildwood

Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay and Mahershala Ali star in this enchanting animated adventure about a brave young girl who enters a mysterious forest to rescue her baby brother.

Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.

Plus Cineworld is the place to do so, as their cinemas boast the latest film technology with IMAX, 4DX, SCREENX and Superscreen options.

You can also book onto accessible screenings, including viewings with subtitles and audio descriptions, ensuring everyone can enjoy a trip to the movies.

How to get this offer

1. Sign up to Sun Club for £1.99 per month here.
2. From Saturday, October 31 click the ‘Book’ button on the Cineworld page of the Sun Club Offers Hub.
3. You will receive an email containing a unique code and steps on how to book your two free tickets.

   You must claim and book your tickets by Sunday, November 15 when the booking code will expire.

Tickets are valid for screenings between Monday, November 2 and Tuesday, November 17,

18+ UK only (exc. NI & IoM & CI). Sun Savers multiple code collect 31/10/26–04/11/26 or digital subscription required. Online access required. Booking opens from 01/11/26. 10,000 pairs of tickets available on a first-come, first-served basis. Valid for cinema bookings 02/11/26 – 17/11/26. Redeem by 15/11/26. Non-transferable & non refundable. T&Cs apply, see sunsavers.co.uk or club.thesun.co.uk/sun-club. New customer offer: £1.99 per month or £12 for your first year, then £19.99 a year thereafter. Full T&Cs apply, visit thesun.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.

See full Terms and Conditions for the Cineworld offer here.

Prices correct at the time of publication.