Christmas Opening Hours - supporting you over the holidays
Canterbury, Medway and Tunbridge Wells campuses will close for most services and activities from Thursday 21 December 2023 at 5pm and will re-open on Tuesday 2 January 2024.
5mo ago
It is never too early to start planning for the festive season and there will be lots of ways for you to get into the Christmas spirit at CCCU!
Carols by Candlelight at Canterbury Cathedral - Now fully booked!
But don't worry there are other free opportunities to get you festive music fix!
- The Gospel Choir Christmas Concert, 9 December, 7pm. The Chapel, Free
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The Christmas Cracker Concert, 13 December, 7.30 – 8.45pm, Augustine Hall, free to CCCU students/staff (£8 / £5 concessions). Once again, we will be celebrating the end of term and the onset of Christmas in words and music to lift the spirits with some seasonal cheer: festive fun stuff, spiced with merriment; a perfect farewell to a busy term, and welcome to a Christmas holiday. Book your free place here.
Christmas Tree Competition
This tree-rific competition is brought to you by the Chaplaincy and offers as a prize a one-of-a-kind CCCU hamper for you to share with friends, colleagues, and families. Plus, five runners-up prizes of £20 Amazon vouchers.
They are looking for the best-dressed, most creative Christmas tree at CCCU. All Christmas trees are welcome, real, artificial, conceptual, and virtual. Simply sign up for your course, accommodation, department or office by emailing chaplaincy@canterbury.ac.uk and then submit your entry on social media by 15 December 2023
To submit you must post at least three photos on Instagram or Twitter tagging in @chaplaincycccu and @CanterburyCCuni using the hashtag #merrycccu.
Decorated trees will be judged on their originality and visual appeal, sustainability and theming. Bonus points will be awarded for integrating the new CCCU logo into your design!
This year’s competition is due to start on 1 December and will end on 15 December when all trees need to be ready for judging. Winners will be announced on the last university day before Christmas.
Christmas Bauble Challenge
Look out for craft workshops where you can come along and decorate a bauble for the Christmas Tree in the Chapel!
Students' Union Christmas Give-it-a-Go!
From Christmas crafts to gingerbread decorating, from designing your own xmas card to seasonal film night plus a trip to Winter Wonderland - how will you get involved!
StressLess Christmas edition, 14 December 1 – 5pm, Augustine House
Get in the festive spirit with yuletide games and crafts including Christmas decoration and glassware upcycling, festive biscuits, a selection of party games and a free hot chocolate to keep out the winter cold.
The Great Hat Giveaway
Canterbury Christ Church Creatives have knitted and crocheted some lovely hats to keep us warm this winter – look out for displays across our campus during November and December. If you see a hat you like you can enter into a raffle to win one in December!
Christmas at Medway
Check out the Medway Hub for a range of festive events including ice skating, Rochester Christmas Market Trip and Winter Wonder Wednesday!
And why not join the Chaplaincy Chill n Chat with Lynne, 7 December from 10am – 2pm in Drill Hall Library and make yourself a Christmas Angel or a Seasonal Collage.
Bookshop Christmas Gifts
Pick up the Christmas Bookshop one-stop shop catalogue - packed with over 300 book ideas for Christmas gifts and all with a 30% discount for our students - perfect for Christmas gifts or maybe a festive treat for yourself!
Festive Food
From mince pies to turkey dinners and hot chocolate, we have got everything to get you in that festive mood at CCCU catering outlets!
- Look out for the Gingerbread Latte at £2.50 in Touchdown from 27 November!
- Christmas at the Food Court - book your place on a two-course festive dinner with mince pies from £10.95. Booking up until 15 December (Please note that the Food Court is closed from 18-21 December for maintenance)
- Christmas at Augustine House - chose from roast turkey or roast vegetable wellington from only £6.95 per person.
- The Lounge Christmas Buffet - book your Christmas party for £15 per person at the Lounge.
Christmas opportunities for international students
Commonwealth & International Student Christmas Conference 2023
Students from around the world are brought together to celebrate Christmas in a wonderful, atmospheric home in Windsor Great Park. The programme includes:
- A carol service at the Royal Chapel of All Saints or at Cumberland Lodge
- A guided winter trail through Windsor Great Park (weather permitting)
- A traditional Christmas dinner, including a visit from Father Christmas
- Evening entertainment.
HOST UK
HOST UK is a network of UK residents who welcome international students to their homes for a weekend, or Christmas visit. Enjoy a traditional British celebration with welcoming hosts, delicious food, fun, and games! The festive stays are especially popular and should be booked now to avoid disappointment.
Friends International
Friends International is here to help you enjoy your time in Canterbury over the Christmas period with the following programme.
- There are still limited spaces for their family Christmas meal 'link-up' during the Christmas period between 18- 31 December. You can take a friend (or more) with you if you like & go enjoy a delicious meal in a local home! If you're interested in taking part in this, let them know quickly by completing this form.
- 16 December - Global cafe social at St Andrews URC church, Oasis cafe, CT1 2UA from 7.30pm-9.30pm with board games, badminton, table tennis, pool, crafts and snacks.
- 19 December - English Language Club at 7.30pm-9pm at Canterbury Baptist Church, St George's Place, CT1 1UT. Come and practise English with native speakers in an informal atmosphere.
- 21 and 28 December, 4 January - Walk and Talk and practise English in a local area and discover local walking paths. For more information, message the Lay Chaplain Baiba on 07999556555 or by email on bs547@canterbury.ac.uk
- On 31 December - New Year's eve party from 8.30pm where everyone brings and shares foods from your country. Spaces are limited, so please contact Baiba to sign up on bs547@canterbury.ac.uk.
- 6 January - Global cafe with Badminton, Pool and Table tennis from 7.30-9.30pm.
Staying in Kent for Christmas
Whether you live locally or you have decided to stay in your accommodation over the winter break, there’s plenty of festive fun on your doorstep this Christmas!
Christmas Corner, The Lounge. St Georges
If you are not going home for Christmas, The Lounge has you covered! From 16 December to 8 January, there will be a cosy corner where you can meet up with mates, play games and maybe enjoy a mince pie. Remember to bring your student ID!
What’s on in the area
Canterbury Cathedral
From carol services to festive events there is lots to discover at Canterbury Cathedral in December and beyond.
Canterbury Christmas Market & Live Music
Visit Canterbury’s popular Christmas Market in Whitefriars this November – December. Explore the market and watch free live music every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Find out more about Christmas in Canterbury here.
Westgate Hall Christmas Makers Market – 16th December 2023
This regular maker market in the heart of Canterbury showcases a range of local makers, artists and producers.
Aladdin – Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre Pantomime
For the famous British tradition of pantomime, you should look no further than The Marlowe Theatre’s Aladdin! You can register with the Marlowe Theatre to access their Discovery discounted tickets for young people between 18-26.
Rochester Christmas Market & Live Music
Hosted in the historic grounds of Rochester Castle the annual Christmas Market has live music, food and drink stalls and carnival rides. Find out more and get directions here.
Wonderful Winter Walks in Kent
Get wrapped up warm and take in Kent’s breath-taking scenery on a winter walk, get some walking trail inspiration from Visit Kent’s webpages here.
Visiting London
You can get to central London in as little as 1 hour from Canterbury, so why not take a day or two to explore the capital during your holiday. Click here to find out what’s on in London this Christmas, including the popular Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. You can get to London by train from Canterbury East or West stations, or travel by coach with the National Express.
There will be lots of other festive events which we will add to this article once confirmed, so you can find out about all the seasonal activities in one place – so keep checking back!