Winterfest is here!
The University of Surrey community is invited to attend a range of festive events on campus as we approach the end of the year.
Events for all
GSA Productions
Thursday 13 November - Saturday 6 December
Various venues, Stag Hill campus
£5 student, £14 staff
See future stars of stage and screen, right here on campus. Discover the exceptional talents of our Guildford School of Acting students with a fantastic selection of surprising adaptations, heartwarming musicals and dark comedies.
Decorate a gingerbread
Weekdays from Monday 24 November
4pm-5pm
Hillside Coffee, Stag Hill campus
£5.75
Visit Hillside Coffee to decorate a gingerbread! Enjoy a seasonal drink and a gingerbread for £5.75.
Prebooking essential - book instore today.
Wreath collecting workshop
Tuesday 25 November
12pm-1.45pm
Community Garden, Stag Hill campus
Free
Find out more about nature on Stag Hill campus and collect items ready to make festive wreaths! Meet at Stag Hill Community Garden for a 12pm start. All equipment will be provided. Spaces will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis if you haven't prebooked.
University Carol Service
Wednesday 26 November
6pm-7.30pm
Guildford Cathedral
Free
Come and enjoy a first taste of Christmas with traditional carols, music by the University Chamber Choir and a short talk. Everyone is welcome!
Big Band Christmas concert
Saturday 29 November
7pm - 9.30pm
PATS Studio, Stag Hill campus
£4 student, £8 non-student
Join the University of Surrey Big Band Christmas concert for an evening of festive fun and jazz! With some classics you'll all know and something new, it's sure to be a spectacular evening.
Lunchtime Christmas Concert
Wednesday 3 December
1.10pm-2pm
PATS Studio, Stag Hill campus
Free
Join us for a free lunchtime concert featuring some of our talented student musicians.
Events for students
Christmas wishes tree
From Monday 17 November
The Library, Stag Hill campus
Free
The popular wishes tree returns! Whether it’s academic success, personal goals, messages of joy and gratitude, or practical suggestions for the Library, each wish contributes to a collective celebration of the season. Available until Wednesday 24 December.
Festive cocktail class
Tuesday 18 November
6pm-8pm
The Front Room, SU, Stag Hill campus
£10 per ticket (£7.50 for mocktails)
Get in the festive spirit with your Students' Union and learn to make four cocktails or mocktails.
Gingerbread decorating
Wednesday 19 November
2pm-4pm
The Front Room, SU, Stag Hill campus
£1
Cosy, crafty and full of festive vibes - join your Students' Union for a relaxed afternoon decorating your own gingerbread biscuit.
All materials provided, no experience needed, just a bit of holiday spirit.
Holiday Roast
Sunday 23 November
12pm-2.30pm
Young's Kitchen, Stag Hill campus
£5
Settle in for a cosy holiday roast at Young’s Kitchen. Gather with friends for golden roast potatoes, tender turkey and veggie options, rich gravy and seasonal veg, all in a warm, festive setting. It’s a relaxed, affordable way to share good food, good company and end‑of‑term cheer.
Paint a festive plate
Monday 24 November
2pm-3.30pm
Shepard and Bellairs, Library, Stag Hill campus
Free
Paint your own festive plate with The Library. No experience needed - all materials are provided.
Team Surrey Ice Skating
Monday 24 November
8.30pm-10pm
Guildford Spectrum
£3
Get ready to glide, laugh, and make unforgettable memories with Team Surrey! Whether you're a seasoned skater or a complete beginner, this is your chance to have fun on the ice to get into the festive spirit!
How Bad Are Bananas (Festive Edition)
Tuesday 25 November
10am-1.30pm
Vet School (VSM), Manor Park campus
Free
Test your carbon footprint knowledge at Sustainable Surrey’s festive pop-up!
Learn about carbon footprints, explore the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment and find out how you can be more sustainable this festive season! No need to book.
Wreath making workshop
Wednesday 26 November
2.15pm-4pm
The Roundhouse, Stag Hill campus
Free
Join the Religious Life and Belief Centre and The Centre for Wellbeing for a festive wreath making workshop. Equipment will be provided. Limited spaces available - pre-booking is recommended. Drop-in spaces will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
SU Screens: Christmas movie
Thursday 27 November
6pm-9pm
LTD, Stag Hill campus
Free
Get cosy with a Christmas Movie courtesy of your Students' Union! Bring some snacks, grab a friend or go solo. Everyone is welcome! Just make sure to book your spot on the SU website!
Carols on campus
Thursday 27 November
7pm-9pm
03MS01, Stag Hill campus
Free
Join the University of Surrey Christian Union to sing Christmas carols with your friends, enjoy warm drinks and mince pies, and listen to a short talk about Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Everyone is welcome!
Sip & Paint: Ornaments
Thursday 28 November
5pm-7pm
The Front Room, SU, Stag Hill campus
£1.50
Join your Students' Union to paint your own Christmas ornaments at our cosy Sip & Paint in The Front Room. No experience needed - all materials are provided.
Winchester Christmas Market
Saturday 29 November
12pm-9pm
Meet at AP Piazza, Stag Hill campus
Ticket £20 (return coach transfer only)
Get into the festive spirit with a magical visit to the Winchester Christmas Markets! Enjoy the enchanting atmosphere filled with holiday cheer, beautiful decorations, and a variety of festive treats and gifts.
Wreath making
Monday 1 December
10.30am-12pm
Shepard and Bellairs, Library, Stag Hill campus
Free
Create your own festive wreath with The Library. No experience needed - all materials are provided.
Sip & Paint: Nutcrackers
Monday 1 December
5pm-7pm
The Front Room, SU, Stag Hill campus
£1.50
Join your Students' Union to paint your own festive Nutcracker at our cosy Sip & Paint in The Front Room. No experience needed — we’ll guide you step by step and all materials are provided.
Paint a festive plate
Tuesday 2 December
2pm-3.30pm
Shepard and Bellairs, Library, Stag Hill campus
Free
Paint your own festive plate with The Library. No experience needed - all materials are provided.
Free hot chocolate
Wednesday 3 December
10am-4pm
My Surrey Hive, Manor Park campus
Free
Pop by MySurrey Hive Manor Park to pick up some free hot chocolate to help you get through the last week of the semester.
Holiday cards
Wednesday 3 December
5pm-7pm
The Front Room, SU, Stag Hill campus
Free
Looking for a cosy, creative study break? Join your Students' Union for a drop-in craft session to design and make hand-made festive cards. No experience needed and all materials are provided.
SU Screens: Christmas movie
Thursday 4 December
6pm-9pm
LTD, Stag Hill campus
Free
Get cosy with a Christmas Movie courtesy of your Students' Union! Bring some snacks, grab a friend or go solo. Everyone is welcome!
Finland trip
Saturday 24 January - Thursday 29 January 2026
Helsinki, Finland
From chasing the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi to racing through the snow on a husky sled, enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Finland.
Events during the winter break
Staying on campus over the winter vacation?
Winter Chill Week
Tuesday 16 December
10am - 4pm
MySurrey Hive Stag Hill
Free
Join us for some chill relaxing activities inside, when it’s too chilly outside! There will be crafts, card games, board games, hot drinks and snacks, as well as a movie at 2pm (your choice)! Everyone is welcome to drop in at anytime during the day and hang out.
Winter Chill Week
Wednesday 17 December
10am - 4pm
MySurrey Hive Stag Hill
Free
Join us for some chill relaxing activities inside, when it’s too chilly outside! There will be crafts, card games, board games, hot drinks and snacks, as well as a movie at 2pm (your choice)! Everyone is welcome to drop in at anytime during the day and hang out.
Winter Chill Week
Thursday 18 December
10am - 4pm
MySurrey Hive Stag Hill
Free
Join us for some chill relaxing activities inside, when it’s too chilly outside! There will be crafts, card games, board games, hot drinks and snacks, as well as a movie at 2pm (your choice)! Everyone is welcome to drop in at anytime during the day and hang out.
Free hot drinks
Thursday 18 - Wednesday 24 December
10am - 4pm
Outside MySurrey Hive Stag Hill
Free
If you're staying on campus, pop by MySurrey Hive Stag Hill for a free hot drink and a chat over the winter vacation.
Board games and brunch
Monday 22 December
9.30am - 11.30am
MySurrey Hive Stag Hill
Free
Why not join us for breakfast with pastries, fruit and hot drinks and play a board game or two with others who are still on campus.
Christmas lunch on campus
Thursday 25 December 12 - 2pm
Hillside Food Court, Stag Hill campus
Free
Join the many other students on campus and enjoy a festive Christmas box filled with delicious food at Hillside.
Christmas at Nakatomi Plaza
This year, forget the sugarplum fairies and snowy cottages - we’re decking the halls with 1980s grit, neon glitz, and just a hint of skyscraper suspense. Welcome to Christmas at Nakatomi Plaza, a staff Christmas lunch where retro action meets festive magic.
We’re ready to serve up a Christmas lunch that blends the best of both worlds: twinkling lights, classic carols… and a whole lot of Bruce Willis energy. Expect a menu where ’80s nostalgia crashes head-first into Christmas comfort, a room transformed into the glitziest (and safest!) version of Nakatomi Plaza, and an atmosphere that’ll have you feeling like the hero of your own holiday blockbuster.
It’s bold. It’s different. And it’s going to be legendary. Book now—before Hans gets the last table.
Please email conferences@surrey.ac.uk with dietary requirements to book. Make sure to book at least seven days in advance to avoid disappointment.
Festive food and drink
Get into the festive spirit early with our delicious Christmas menus and seasonal specials across campus from Monday 10 November
Coffee shops
Treat yourself to a festive drink at all campus coffee shops
Gingerbread latte
Iced gingerbread latte
Honeycomb latte
Enjoy a Christmas seasonal drink and a gingerbread for £5.75 in Hillside Coffee.
Plus, join us in Hillside Coffee every day from Monday 24 November to decorate a gingerbread! Prebooking essential - book instore today.
Hillside Food Court
Freshly made deli brioche sandwich
Pulled hoisin turkey, pickled red cabbage and carrot, miso and coconut mayo
Pulled hoisin jackfruit, pickled red cabbage and carrot, miso and coconut mayo (V)
Mac N Cheese bar
Mac 'n' cheese topped with cranberry, sage and onion pulled turkey
Mac 'n' cheese topped with cranberry, sage, and onion tofu (V)
Chicken Shack
Cranberry and thyme hot wings
Wates House
Festive burger
Buttermilk chicken burger with stuffing and cranberry sauce
Pigs in blankets
Festive cocktail
Golden Glow Bellini
The Hideout
Christmas deli
Brie, bacon and cranberry bagel or panini
Chicken, cheese and cranberry panini
Lakeside Coffee
Gingerbread latte (with a mini gingerbread)
Smores hot chocolate with giant marshmallow
Peppermint hot chocolate
Festive sandwiches and sweet treats
Winter break campus service opening times
The Winter vacation runs from Monday 8 December to Friday 2 January.
University will be closed between Thursday 25 December 2024 and Friday 2 January 2025 (inclusive), with many services unavailable or operating with reduced hours.
Find out opening times for your favourite catering outlets as well as the wellbeing support services available.
Surrey Switch On!
Thank you for joining us for our annual Surrey Switch On as we lit up campus in time for the holiday season.
On Monday 17 November, President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stephen Jarvis, joined Students’ Union President Matt Aikin and the Mayor of Guildford to press the big button, lighting up AP Piazza with more than 10,000 glittering lights to transform the piazza into a sparkling festive scene.
Members of the Surrey community got into the holiday spirit with some festive tunes and a free mince pie and mulled wine (or alcohol-free alternative).
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