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Winter in Newcastle 2024-2025

Activities are on throughout December and into January on campus and in the city.

Spending your holidays in Newcastle?

If you’re spending December or the Winter Break in and around Newcastle, there are many events offered across the University and city for you to take part in. Have a look below at all the activities and events – some do require you to sign up in advance!

While many services across the University will be closed from 5pm on 20 December to reopen on 6 January, support is still available to you – make sure to have a look at the ‘Wellbeing and the Winter Break’ section for more information about what you can access during this time.

Are you an international student staying in Newcastle or in the UK over the holidays? This blog post from UKCISA has some great tips from international students about spending the holiday season in the UK.

Activities

Festive Food on Campus

Mince Pie Promotion

Are you interested in adding a festive holiday touch to your campus meals? From 2 December - 20 December you can add a mince pie for only £1 to any purchase at an Eat@ campus catering outlet.

Christmas Dinners at the Courtyard

The classic Christmas dinners return to the Courtyard from 10 December - 12 December; for £7.50 you can have a main (roast turkey, brie and beetroot tart, or butternut squash and caramelised onion tart) with all the traditional vegtables and trimmings. You can add a traditional Christmas pudding with brandy sauce or sticky toffee pudding for £2.50.

 

Festive Events with the Chaplaincy

Festive Event on Campus

10 December, 12:00-14:00 at the Arches

Grab a warm drink, a seasonal treat, meet the Chaplaincy team, and get a festive postcard!

 

 

Library Crafts at Christmas

We’re inviting you to take time out to explore your creative side and join us for our annual Crafts at Christmas event. We have two sessions planned where you can join Library staff and have a go at making unique paper decorations, cards and tags - even a Christmas tree from an old book - which you can use to decorate your space or send to family and friends.

Session dates and times are:

Tuesday 10 December 12:00 - 14:00 Philip Robinson Library

Thursday 19 December 12:00 - 14:00 Walton Library

Everyone is welcome, no booking is required, and it’s FREE!

Give it a Go Events

Join in with our exciting activities – either free or at a discounted rate – from social sports to festive crafting, Christmas karaoke, trips to Edinburgh and social walks in the local area! Book your place at https://nusu.co.uk/activities/giveitago and follow us on Instagram @nusugiveitago over the Students’ Union closure period for ideas for fun activities you can do at home!

Give it a Go Activities

2 December at 12:00 - Postgraduate Pizza Speed Friending

4 December at 11:30 - Christmas Bauble Making

7 December at 09:15 - Knaresborough Christmas Market Trip

7 December at 10:00 - Alnwick Garden Lights Trip

9 December at 15:00 - Christmas Cookie Decorating

12 December at 15:00 - Christmas Card Making

More events are available - visit the Give it a Go Events Calendar

 

Winter Closure Activities

The Student Life Unit is running several activities over the University's winter closure period, available to all students who are staying in the area during the holidays!

All of these events cost £5 and tickets are available to buy until 18 December 2024 on the Newcastle University Webstore.

Winter Wellbeing Walk

Our Winter Wellbeing Walk is a great way to take a little time out during the winter vacation and enjoy some fresh air as we walk through one of our fantastic city centre parks, sharing in good conversation with others along the way. 

This session will take place on Monday 23 December at 13:00 and is open to students and staff at Newcastle University.

You can sign up for free through Eventbrite.

Events and Activities in and around Newcastle

There are loads of events happening around the city centre throughout the holiday season! 

Northern Lights Trail in Leazes Park 22 November 2024 - 31 December 2024

Newcastle Christmas Market 16 November 2024 - 22 December 2024

Christmas at Beamish 23 November 2024 - 24 December 2024

Ice Skating at the Life Science Centre in Times Square 9 November 2024 - 5 January 2025

The Glasshouse International Centre for Music has events on throughout December and into the New Year.

The theatre is a popular choice for a holiday activity, with pantomimes and holiday-themed productions playing, like A Christmas Carol at the Northern Stage! Here are a few other theatres around Newcastle:

Support and General Information

Newcastle University Students' Union (NUSU) Support and Information

Support and Advice Hub

The Students’ Union Support and Advice Hub will be open until Friday the 20 December, so please pop in if you are still on campus. If you need information when the building will be closed (20 December to 6 January 2025), please check our pages here. 

Clubs and Societies

If you’re part of a club or society they will likely have activities, socials, or online content towards the end of term, leading into the winter break. Keep up to date with their social media channels. We will also have some activity during the months of December and January on the Give it a Go program - check out their social media for more information.

Co-op (ground floor)

08:00-20:00 Monday-Saturday and 10:00-20:00 Sunday (except the Students’ Union closure days when the building will be closed on 20 December and will reopen on 6 January 2025).

Wetherspoon at Luther’s bar (level -1 and -2)

08:00-23:00 with food served 08:00-22:00 each day (except the Students’ Union closure days when the building will be closed on 20 December and will reopen on 6 January 2025).

Study spaces on level 2 and NUSU central

Open 24/7 with student card access (except the Students’ Union closure days when the building will be closed on 20 December and will reopen on 6 January 2025).

Wellbeing and the Winter Break

During the Winter Closure period, our usual wellbeing services will be taking a rest, along with most of the university, and therefore there will be a reduced provision on campus. However, we do have a catalogue of resources that are available for students to help them nurture their own wellbeing, and signpost to appropriate support.

You can find out more here: Wellbeing and the Winter Closure.

Stay Connected with ResLife This Christmas

ResLife are relaunching their Festive Friends WhatsApp Group for everyone staying in and around Newcastle during the festive season, covering the University’s Christmas closure. Stay connected, find friends, and share festive cheer!

Follow us on social media @ResLife_NCL and keep an eye out for the launch details.

Let’s make this holiday season amazing together!

Campus Facilities Opening Hours

Eat@Newcastle

Eat@Newcastle outlets across campus will be closed during the University's closure period, and will close at 2pm on Friday 20 December 2024. They will then reopen on Monday 6 January 2025 with standard opening hours.

Sports Centre

The Sports Centre will be closed from 5pm on Friday 20 December 2024 and will reopen on Monday 6 January 2025.

Language Resource Centre

The Language Resource Centre will close from 5pm on 20 December 2024 and reopen on the 6 January 2025.

However, there are many resources available remotely during the winter break through the Language Resource Centre, become a member by completing this form and you can: