Get involved in our Countdown to Christmas

Winter Wonderland (and other festivities) @ the Main Library

Winter Wonderland is coming to UoB! If you’re thinking about fitting in some studying, come along to the Main Library, which will also be transformed into a mini-Winter Wonderland between Monday 13 November to Wednesday 20 December. You can study in style and experience some festive fun with your friends, including having the chance to decorate our Christmas tree, take a selfie with our Christmas themed props, sing along to some Christmas hits, or take a break with some mindful activities, such as crocheting. 

PGR Film Club: Christmas Special @ Westmere House

Join your UGS Scholars (PGR) for an evening movie on Thursday 23 November! We’ll have pizza, snacks, and a Christmassy film to get you in the festive spirit. Be sure to RSVP on Eventbrite. 

Sleigh Your Future: 12 Days of Career Inspiration

Join Careers Network for 14 days of career inspiration that's guaranteed to help you #BeInspired and Sleigh Your Future taking place from 27 November to 8 December. You can expect career top-tips, personal stories and maybe even a festive surprise! Keep an eye out on their Instagram, @CareersBham.

Christian Union's Carol Service @ Great Hall, Aston Webb Building

Kick off your Christmas in the best way by joining the Christian Union for a free carol concert held in the Great Hall from 17:00 until 19:30 on Wednesday 29 November. Enjoy jazz carols, a brilliant choir, free mince pies, stunning solo performances along with a reflective Christmas message. All are welcome!

Christmas Carousel @ University Square

From Thursday 30 November until Friday 1 December (excluding weekends), all students and staff can take a free ride on our traditional carousel located on University Square. Hop on between from 11:00 to 18:00 each day. 

Christmas Marquee with Santa @ by the Law Building

Explore a wide range of Christmassy stalls from the University Graduate School (UGS), the Barber Institute and the Birmingham International Academy (BIA) until 17:00. Enjoy some crafts, take a selfie in our photobooth and even visit our very own Santa's Grotto before it closes at 16:30. Plus, you can bag yourself a free festive gift. First-come, first-served. You're not going to want to miss this!

Christmas Light Switch-On @ the Bramall Music Building

From 17:00, Chancellor's Court will come alight as our annual Christmas Light Switch-On returns for 2023. 

Postgrad Christmas Marquee: Board Games and Light Switch On @ University Square

You can join the University Graduate School for some postgraduate board games in the Christmas Marquee from 15:00 to 17:30 - the perfect chance to take a break from your studies, get into the festive spirit, and meet your fellow postgraduates! After playing some games and crafts, we will attend the campus Christmas Lights Switch-On, meaning you will get to see the University in its full festive glory. 

Board Games Café (Study Abroad Team) @ Costa in University Centre (downstairs)

Come along for an afternoon of playing board games with friends old and new from 15:00 until 17:00 on Friday 1 December! The first 50 students to arrive will receive a free hot drink voucher. 

Not-Networking Bingo @ Employer Training Room (G30) in Aston Webb Building

Come along for drinks, nibbles and not-networking Bingo from 14:00 to 16:00 on Friday 1 December! This is the most fun you’ll ever have networking, because it’s not proper networking. Play bingo, wear festive clothing and have the opportunity to win some prizes.

By the end of this session you will have more confidence in approaching others, introducing yourself and creating meaningful conversation with strangers. This is a chance for you to meet new students, inspirational alumni and speak to Careers Network staff.

There will be prizes for the not-networking bingo and for festive outfit, so come along for a chance to meet other students, staff and alumni and celebrate building confidence in yourself! Learn more.

Social Sport: Festive Sport Sessions @ Sport & Fitness

Social Sport gets festive! Are you interested in getting involved with a range of different spots this festive period? We've got lots of sessions kicking off from Saturday 2 December, including netball, football, basketball or tennis, and it’s open to everyone! Bring your friends along and have some sporty fun this Christmas. Find out more here.

Christmas Carousel @ University Square

It's back! Don't miss out on the chance to take a free spin on our traditional carousel from Monday 4 until Friday 8 December (excluding weekends) located on University Square. Hop on between from 11:00 to 18:00 each day. Open to all students and staff. 

Study Well Fayre @ Main Library

Planning on fitting in some studying over the Christmas break in time for January exams? Come along to our Study Well Fayre session on Monday 4 December at the Main Library where you can develop your skills on assignment writing, prepping for exams and critical thinking as well as familiarising yourself with our Wellbeing Support Services at UoB. Find out more.

Charity Christmas Event with Mind Birmingham @ Bournbrook 3G Pitch

Get in the giving spirit this Christmas on Wednesday 6 December with UoB's Women's and Men's Football Clubs working in unison to host a charity Christmas event in aid of Mind Birmingham. Come along to support our two football matches (Men's Football Club at 16:00 and Women's Football Club at 18:30) accompanied by a festive Christmas Market with food stalls, a craft tent, Christmas-themed carnival games and tons more! Don't miss out.

Postgrad Christmas Jumper Upcycling Workshop @ Westmere House

Come along to this festive workshop from 14:00 to 16:00 on Friday 8 December and learn the basic skills of clothing repair, creative ‘visible mending’ techniques to turn damage into a decorative feature, and simple tailoring to make your clothes fit perfectly. Not only will these skills help you to fight against fast fashion and be more sustainable, but they will help you to save some pennies during the rising cost of living. Bring along a garment that needs mending or that you would like to 'Christmas-ify', such as an old jumper. All other materials will be provided. Book your place on Eventbrite.

Festive Soirée @ Mason Lounge, Arts Building

A chance for all postgraduate students, academic supervisors, and College Graduate School staff to join in a bit of festive cheer and celebrate the end of term from 15:00 until 18:00.

There will be warm drinks, such as mulled wine and spiced apple juice, and some festive nibbles. All are welcome and there will be spot prizes for the best (or worst) festive jumpers! Please RVSP using Jotform. Please note this event is open to postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law only. 

University's Annual Carol Concert @ Great Hall, Aston Webb Building

Join the Ecumenical Christian Chaplaincy and the Department of Music for our annual Carol Service to celebrate the joy of the Christmas season! Staff, students, family, and friends, of all faiths and none, are warmly invited to the annual celebration which will take place from 18:15 on Monday 11 December. This traditional service of carols and readings is one of the biggest gatherings of the academic calendar. The Service will include music from the University Upper Voices Choir conducted by Mariana Rosas. Doors to the Great Hall open at 17:30.

PGT Christmas Party @ Debating Hall, Guild of Students

Join the University Graduate School and your UGS Scholars (PGT) on Wednesday 13 December from 14:00 to 16:00 in the Debating Hall at the Guild for a Christmas party! Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, come and mark the start of the holidays with your postgraduate taught community. We'll have some Christmassy food and drink, and some British Christmas traditions to enjoy. Reserve your spot on Eventbrite.

Board Games Café (Student Experience Projects Team) @ Starbucks in Muirhead Tower (upstairs)

Come along for a lunchtime of playing board games with friends old and new on Thursday 14 December from 11:00 until 14:00! The first 50 students to arrive will receive a free hot drink voucher. 

Postgraduate (CAL) Community Festive Zoom 

Are you a distance or home-based postgraduates? Pop on your best (worst) festive jumper, whip up a festive drink of your choice, chat with your fellow postgraduates, and laugh your way through a Festive Quiz. The sessions will be hosted on Zoom, with the meeting link emailed at least one hour before the session. Sign up on Jotform.

PGR Westmere Christmas Party @ Westmere House

Celebrate the holidays at our PGR Christmas Party on Thursday 14 December between 14:00 to 16:00 at Westmere House. Meet your fellow PGRs and relax withChristmassy food, drinks and crafts at Westmere House. Christmas jumpers are encouraged! Book your place on Eventbrite.

Christmas @ The Exchange

Join us for a festive extravaganza packed with a wide range of FREE activities for all ages! The programme includes delights such as scheduled sensory music sessions, storytelling workshops, drop-in craft activities, as well as a festive cinema experience in the basement vaults. There really is something for everyone! Find out more.