No Christmas Plans? Why Not Stay Another Day in Leeds?

Posted on by Amelia Cutting

If you plan to stay in Leeds over Christmas, don’t fret; there are still plenty of events and activities to get involved with!

The University runs an annual programme called ‘Christmas in Leeds’. It is specially designed for students who are staying in Leeds over the holidays, and focuses on providing a chance to meet others who are also remaining at the university, whilst still experiencing Christmas traditions.

There are a number of events taking place on campus, from Christmas baking to film screenings. Traditional activities include a festive treat share, where you can try festive food from all over the world, and the University Carol Service that takes place in the Great Hall on Tuesday 4th December.

These activities are catered to people of all interests: if being outdoors is more what you prefer, a guided, Christmas-themed walk for postgraduate researchers and international students is taking place on Wednesday 5th December; and for those who like to get involved in the arts and crafts, there is a Christmas Decoration Craft Evening at Common Ground in the University Union on Wednesday 12th December. This event costs just £5 and you will need to book a place to attend.

If watching Christmas films is all you need to get into the festive spirit, then head down to Pyramid in the University Union on Monday 17th December at 5pm for a film screening of the Christmas classic movie ‘Elf’. This event is completely free to attend too!

Don’t want to miss out on a traditional Christmas dinner? Or perhaps you want to experience one for the first time? There is a Christmas meal taking place on Wednesday 19th December, again on campus, that is completely free to attend, you just need to book a place. Vegetarian options are also available so absolutely everyone is welcome!

Even though the University is closed between Friday 21st December and Wednesday 2nd January, there are still plenty of off-campus events that are available to take part in.

Many see the Christmas period as an excellent time to help others, so why not spend some time helping out in the community? From volunteering as an Event Marshall before Christmas, to helping at Oxfam in the New Year, there are a variety of different ways you can get involved and give back to the community.

There are also a number of things to do in the city, such as the annual German Christmas market which runs until the 22nd December, and lots of seasonal attractions taking place in the museums and galleries too.

Events happening during the last run up to Christmas Day are just as exciting! Love the theatre? On Saturday 22nd December you can see the pantomime ‘Beauty and the Beast’ for just £10 in Millenium Square, and on Christmas Day itself why not attend the community Christmas lunch at All Hallows Church.

One student who remained in the city over Christmas last year said: “I stayed in Leeds almost every day. Thanks to the information in the Christmas in Leeds programme, I could make my holiday enjoyable.”

There’s lots more events and activities to get involved in if you are staying in Leeds over the festive holidays. For a guide to all that’s happening go to the ‘Global Communities’ and then ‘Intercultural experiences’ sections of Student Services on Minerva where you can see the details of every out of term activity that is going on to help make your Christmas holidays special.

Amelia Cutting

Image: [University of Leeds]