Chaplaincy Christmas Tree competition 1- 15 December

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, complete with decorations, sparkle and lights. All Christmas trees are welcome, real, artificial, conceptual, and virtual. Simply sign up your course, accommodation, department or office by emailing chaplaincy@canterbury.ac.uk and then submit your entry on social media by 15 December 2022

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 a visible CCCU logo into your design!

We will provide a list here of all the Tree-mendous entries as they come in and you can even get involved and offer your comments by using this online form.

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. For full terms and conditions please click here.

Santa Dash, outside Verena Holmes, 2 December

Christmas has come early this year with our Santa themed UniRun. Get into the festive spirit with a festive sprint! Dress as Santa, item by item as you make your way around our festive course! Who can make it across the finish line suited and booted first!

UniRun Santa Dash is an event for everyone, complete the course with fellow colleagues or friends. The course will take no more than 15-20 minutes if jogging or running, but there is no pressure to finish in a certain time. The event costs just £3.00 and includes Santa Costume.

Christmas Dinner in the Pizza Oven, 2 December, 12-2pm, Anselm Lawn

Join the Sustainability Team and Student Green Officers for a fun little experimental pop-up pizza oven on Anselm Lawn! Swing by for a vegetarian Christmas dinner and warm holiday drinks! 

Christ Church Gospel Choir Christmas Concert, 3 December, 7.15pm- 9.30pm,  Chapel

After a gap of three long years, Christ Church Gospel Choir are delighted to announce that we will once again be hosting a concert to celebrate Christmas.

Come and join us in the University Chapel to either sit back and listen, or stand up and join in with our joyful celebration, with a variety of gospel styles mixed with some well known carols.

This is a FREE event and no booking is necessary. However, we will be raising some well needed funds for the local charity "Catching Lives".

NOW SOLD OUT - Carols by Candlelight, Canterbury Cathedral, 9 December

Booking is now open for the annual Christmas Carols by Candlelight service at Canterbury Cathedral.

Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t miss out!

The service takes place on Friday 9 December, 7.30pm at Canterbury Cathedral. Please also join us afterwards for mulled wine and mince pies at the Food Court following the service.

If you haven’t managed to get a ticket, there may still be a chance to attend on the day. Any empty seats will be reallocated at 7.20pm (first-come, first-served), so please do come along if you would like to try your luck! There are usually some seats available and we will get everyone in if we can (although we cannot, of course, guarantee entry).

Make your own Christmas Gift Wrap and Labels, 6 December

Join Canterbury Christ Church Creatives for a free drop in session to make your own christmas wrapping paper - as nothing says special than adding a personal homemade touch to presents. From 12noon in the Food Court  - all material will be supplied. 

The Christmas Cracker, 15 December, Augustine Hall, 7.30pm – 10.00pm

A fun-filled celebration showcasing the university’s musicians and drama students doing festive fun stuff, spiced with seasonal merriment – but be prepared to join in lustily with some favourite carols as part of the celebrations. Mulled wine, juice and mince pies can be enjoyed in the interval, all included in your ticket price. Book here.

Bookshop Christmas Gifts

The Christmas one-stop shop catalogue has landed - pick up your 72 page copy of bookish delights from the bookshop whether you are looking for that perfect Christmas gift or maybe a festive treat for yourself.

Festive Food

From mince pies, turkey dinners and hot chocolate we have got everything to get you in that festive mood!

The Food Court will be offering Christmas dinners throughout December. The Food Court offers a two-course lunch with festive fancies, inclusive of juice, crackers and novelties. The full menu can be viewed here and is available from 1 December. For lunchtime bookings at the Food Court, please email catering@canterbury.ac.uk for availability and a booking form will be sent to you.

Looking for a later meal in the day? The Lounge Bar & Kitchen is offering a three course option, for small and large group bookings. The full menu can be viewed here and is available from 28^th November. For afternoon and evening bookings at The Lounge, please book your space directly via the form here

StressLess with a festive twist

It may be the lead-up to Christmas but we know many of you will also be preparing for exams in the new year. But don’t worry the Library is here to help you take time out with their StressLess events:

• Biscuit Decorating - 1 Dec, 2pm-4pm in Augustine House, second floor
• Free Hot Chocolate - 7 Dec, 1pm-3pm in Augustine House, second floor
• Christmas Decorations - 9 Dec, 2pm-4pm in Augustine House, second floor: there will be a variety of activities and crafts for you to get creatively festive with! From Plaster of Paris decorations to paper crafts.