News Article

What's On: Festive Edition

To keep your festive spirits high, we've put together a guide to local and online activities for those staying closer to campus this winter break – a-little something to do in our absence.

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SEASONS GREETINGS!

It’s that time of year again! We’ve dug out our knitted jumpers, pulled on our winter hats, and stocked up on the hot drinks to keep that bitter cold away. Whether you’re new to the harshness of a British winter or you know the drill, we want to wish you all a warm and cosy festive season. For those travelling home for the holidays, we wish you safe travels and can’t wait to see you back here, with us, in the new year. 

To keep your festive spirits high, we’ve put together a guide to local festivities for those staying a little closer to campus and embraced our good old friend- the World Wide Web- to bring you a little something to do in our absence. 

 

HOST UK

Calling International Students! For those unable to travel home this winter, there is still time to sign up to HOST UK; spend the day or a weekend with a British host family, learning about their culture and traditions whilst sharing yours. For a home away from home with Holiday Season, sign up soon for a Festive visit – UCA have your application fee covered!

 

WINTER MARKETS 

If you still need to find that perfect gift or fancy getting out of the house, remember to check out your local markets (or our Winter Market Gift Guide by clicking here). Filled to the brim with festive treats and local sellers, this is the best way to support local businesses this holiday season. These tend to run throughout December and stretch far and wide across the country – most have no entry fee and are a great excuse to get to know your local produce and stretch those legs (or brush off your wheels). Remember to wrap up warm as the temperatures drop!

KENT

Canterbury Christmas Market

Canterbury Whitefriars

Until Saturday 24th December

9 AM - 6 PM

Westgate Hall Market

Westgate Hall, Canterbury 

Saturday 17th December 

11 AM - 4 PM

Rochester Farmers Market

Blue Boar Lane  

Sunday 19th December 

9 AM - 1 PM

SURREY

Kingston Market 

Kingston, South London

Thursday 10th November- Saturday 24th December

Opening times vary

Etsy Guildford Christmas Market 

Tunsgate Quarter

15th, 16th, 17th & 18th December

10 AM - 5 PM

 

PANTO/THEATRE

Are you a theatre lover? Experience the festive cheer and support your local theatres by exploring a winter show this December. Embrace your inner child and cringe along to the British tradition of a Pantomime or enjoy a live band performance. With a range of jubilant shows to choose from: it’s the perfect afternoon out with friends and family.

Don’t forget to check if your chosen theatre offers Student and Youth Tickets- you may be able to score a showing for as little as £10 

KENT

Sleeping Beauty

Marlowe Theatre

Until Sunday 8th January 2023

Discovery Tickets (age 16-26) £10

SnowWhite

The Central Theatre

Tuesday 13th December - Saturday 31th December

Tickets from £15

SURREY

Cinderella

New Victoria Theatre, Woking

Until Saturday 31st December
Tickets from £13

Dick Whittington 

Epsom Playhouse 

Until Sunday 8th January

Tickets from £15.50

LONDON

Hex

Olivier Theatre

Until Saturday 14th January

16-25 year-old Tickets from £10

A brand new musical retelling of Sleeping Beauty!

Rumpelstiltskin

Park Theatre

Until Saturday 14th January

£10 Tickets with Free under 26 Membership

 

 

ONLINE

The snow has started falling, and you’re not brave enough to head out into the cold? Me neither! Stay wrapped up and cosy inside with your favourite snacks and enjoy some merriment from the comfort of your sofa. There are some great crafting sessions, Virtual walking tours and parties that can be attended from your WIFI connection. Maybe you are interested in learning about a slice of history or fancy a Cocktail Masterclass- We’ve picked out some noteworthy online events this season, including some free ones.

DRAWING CLASSES/WORKSHOPS

Beatrix Potter: The Tailor of Gloucester

The London Drawing Group

Saturday 17 December 

2 PM - 3.30 PM

Donation

 

A festive drawing class

Life Drawing: Illustration Isolation Webinar 

Visual Arts Passage

Tuesday 22nd & Thursday 29th December

6 PM - 8 PM

Free

Figure drawing class

All in Gesture

Tod Bright

Every Saturday 

3 PM - 4 PM

$10 (approx £8.50)

A Drawing Class with former Disney animator Tod Bright.

 

TALKS

The History of Christmas

Viktor Wynd Museum

Tuesday 20 December

£10

 

Virtual Walking Tour

London Walks

Various Dates/Times

£10

Choice of Charles Dickens or Sherlock Holmes themed Christmas tour this December

 

OTHER

Open Mic Night

Speak the Word

Saturday 24 December

6 PM - 8 PM

Free

Poetry and spoken word open mic night.

Christmas Cocktails 

Waitrose

Wednesday 21 December

6 PM - 7 PM

Free

Full list of ingredients available on the event listing

MORE FESTIVITIES

Just when you thought we had finished, we’ve still got a whole selection(box) for you to sink your teeth into; X-Mas dinners, volunteering and days out- we hope there is something here for everyone. 

FESTIVE SURREY

Christmas at the Museum

Rural Life Living Museum

17th & 18th December

10 AM to 4 PM

Tickets from £9.50

Open-Air Christingle

ST Andrews Church, Farnham

Saturday 24th December

4 PM

Free

Christmas at Kew

Kew Gardens

Wednesday 16th November - Sunday 8th January

4.20 PM- 11 PM

From £21.50

Christmas Carols with Epsom Choral Society

ST Martins Church, Epsom

Saturday 17th December

from 7.30 PM

Free

Drag Night, Fun Night

The Fallen Angel, Guilford

Thursday 22nd December

6 PM - 11.55 PM

Free

Walk off the Christmas Turkey- Post Christmas Hike

The March Hare, Guildford

Friday 27th December

10.30 AM

£10

 

Big Job Sundays

Rosamund Community Garden, Guildford

Sunday 18th December

10.30 AM - 3.30 PM

*VOLUNTEERING*

 

 

FESTIVE KENT

A Victorian Christmas at Eastgate

EASTGATE HOUSE, ROCHESTER

14th, 16th, 29th 30th December

10 AM - 5 PM

Tickets £5.90 

Christmas Dinner

UMBRELLA CENTRE

Wednesday 21st  December from 12pm 

£10 per Person

Advanced Booking Essential

Christmas at Wildwood

WILDWOOD TRUST, HERNE

All December

Student Tickets £14

The Final Countdown

THE LADY LUCK

Saturday 31st December 

Free until 9 PM, £5 After

Wreath Making

CAPSTONE COUNTRY PARK, CHATHAM

Tuesday 20th December 

£8 per person

Carol Service 

CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL

20th, 23rd, 24th December

Free

 

Catching Lives Winter Shelter

CATCHING LIVES CANTERBURY

*VOLUNTEERING*

 

 

Stay safe, stay warm and we’ll see you in the new year for REFRESHERS!!

 

 

 

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