The term is ending but the events aren’t! Here’s what we have coming up.
This Winter, get into the festive spirit with some of the events below. There will be lots of events throughout December both on Campus and in Reading that you can go to. These range from Theatre shows, quizzes, guided walks around Reading and more. Don’t worry if you don’t celebrate Christmas, there is something for everyone. Check out the list of Winter events below:
Monday 27 November – Friday 14 December
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree returns to the University this year, allowing you to bring joy to someone in needs this Christmas by buying them a small gift. Look out for the trees in the Whiteknights library and MERL reception, collect a tag, and bring the requested unwrapped gift to Reading Students’ Union
30th November – 30th December
It’s A Wonderful Life Theatre Show
Tickets £5 – £25
Reading Rep Theatre, RG1 4LY
Friday 1st December
Winter Festival
Free
5pm
Whiteknights Campus
Monday 4 December
Christmas shopping
The MERL is hosting its pop up shop in the Library foyer on 4 December (10:00 – 15:30) with a range of gifts for all ages. Treat yourself to a unique gift, start your Christmas shopping early, or just have a chat to find out what’s going on the The MERL and in Special Collections.
The Old Merch Shop in Reading Students’ Union offers an array of cards, gifts, stationery, plants and prints, including products from local Reading-based businesses (including But Is It Art?, Midrib Plants, Peruke Games and many others). It’s open Tuesday – Friday (10:00 – 17:00) and Saturday (11:00 – 15:00) until mid-January 2024
There will be shopping, including fairtrade offerings, at the Winter festival celebrations too.
Monday 4th December
University Of Reading Carol Service
Free
6-7pm
St Luke’s Church, RG1 5LR
Wednesday 6 December
Green Christmas
Have a Green Christmas with Sustainability Listens. Meet the Sustainability Services elves in the Library foyer for tips on how to save energy over the winter break, and ways to make festive celebrations a bit more sustainable. Wednesday 6 December, 11:00 – 13:30.
Friday 8th December
NHS Christmas Concert
Tickets £5
7pm
Reading Minster, RG1 2LG
Saturday 9th December
Adult’s Christmas Card Craft
10am – 2.30pm
Battle Library, 420 Oxford Rd, RG30 1EE
Sunday 10th December
Charity Christmas Show
£5
7pm
Shinfield Players Theatre, RG2 9DF
Sunday 10th December
Reading Santa Run & Walk
Free, 10-4pm
Whiteknights campus
Tuesday 12th December
Christmas With The Community
Free, 6-9pm
Mondial, Whiteknights
Wednesday 13th December
Christmas Quiz
Free, 4-6pm
Carrington 201, Whiteknights
Wednesday 13th December
Christmas by Candlelight – West End cast and Live Band
7:30pm
Tickets £10 – £45
Reading Minster, RG1 2LG
Friday 15th December
Christmas Carols Event
Free
6pm
Pam’s Café Northcourt Avenue
Saturday 16th December
Christmas ‘Bring & Share’ Meal
Free, 6-9pm
Park United Reformed Church, RG6 1DN
23rd-26th December
Host UK Festive Stays (International Students)
Free (just pay for travel)
Tuesday 26th December
Guided Walk Around Reading – General
£4.45 Promo code: RDGINTSTU
11-12pm
Tuesday 26th December
Guided Walk Around Reading – Reading at War
£4.45 Promo code: RDGINTSTU
2-3pm
Wednesday 27th December
Reading Abbey Tour
£4.45 Promo code: RDGINTSTU
11-12pm
Thursday 28th December
Guided Walk Around Forbury Gardens
£4.45 Promo code: RDGINTSTU
11-12pm
Thursday 28th December
Park URC Christmas Quiz
Free, 6–7:30pm
Park United Reformed Church, RG6 1DN
Friday 29th December
Guided Walk – Reading, The Home of Photography
£4.45 Promo code: RDGINTSTU, 2-3pm
Saturday 30th December
Guided Walk Around Reading – General
£4.45 Promo code: RDGINTSTU, 1:30-2:30pm
Check out the Home at Halls app for events within your halls.
Check the Reading Student Union’s webpage and social media platforms for other events during the festive period.
Support and other event information:
Find information on catering opening times over the vacation period.
For the full list of Student Services opening and closing times over the vacation period, check out our Student Services over the Festive Period blog.
Find information on Library opening hours.
The 24/7 Student Helpline is available all throughout the year and can provide help with a wide variety of questions and concerns from loneliness to money worries. They offer support in over 240 languages and via a variety of media such as phone calls, live chat and video calls. This is completely confidential.
Visit the Emergency and urgent help page for information on emergency services
If you are interested in events which are aimed at those who do not celebrate Christmas:
Jewish Community of Berkshire
Muslim Chaplain
Reading Hindu Temple
Reading Buddhist Priory
Thames Valley Bahá’í Community
Ramgarhia Sabha Reading (Sikh Centre)
If the community which is relevant to you is not listed above, please email chaplaincy@reading.ac.uk
If you would like to be the first to hear about trips and events for international students throughout the year, please email c.brookes@reading.ac.uk to be added to the mailing list.