Christmas in Leeds 2017
What s on this season Are you staying in Leeds over Christmas? Don t get lonely, get festive! Many students, both home and overseas, stay in Leeds over Christmas and New Year. No matter where you are from or whether you celebrate Christmas, there are a range of events happening on campus and in the city to keep you entertained. You can meet new people, experience Christmas traditions and even get involved in the local community as a volunteer. You can join the Christmas in Leeds Facebook group to arrange socials and plan your holiday. www.facebook.com/groups/christmasinleeds Note: When arranging to meet people from the group for the first time, we recommend you go with a friend and meet in a public place. Many see the festive period as a time for helping others. We have partnered with the Rainbow Junk-tion cafe, part of the Real Junk Food network, to give you the opportunity to volunteer this Christmas (see off campus events listings). For more volunteering opportunities visit: leedsforlife.leeds.ac.uk/opportunity/index doinggoodleeds.org.uk/volunteering-in-leeds This booklet provides you with a selection of events but visit www.leeds.ac.uk/globalcommunity for regularly updated information. Events on campus Monday 20 and 27 November, 4 and18 December, 9 January Global Café (LUU Common Ground, 17.30-19.30) A great place for UK and international students to relax with friends and meet new people. Free, just turn up, family friendly Wednesday 22 and 29 November, 6, 13 and 20 December, 3 January Club (Emmanuel Centre, 18.00-19.45) Find out about the UK over coffee and cake. Visit www.iscleeds.org.uk to see the full programme. Free, just turn up, family friendly Wednesday 29 November LUU Christmas Lino Printing (LUU Room 5, 18.00-20.00, 5) Create your own personal Christmas cards and prints using traditional tools. Buy tickets in advance from www. luu.org.uk/events Thursday 30 November and 14 December Coffee Connections (Marjorie and Arnold Ziff, Level 12, 12.00-14.00) For partners and families of students and staff to meet and enjoy free tea, coffee and cake. Free, just turn up, family friendly Friday 1 December Christmas Card Signing with CathSoc (LUU Foyer, 12.00-14.00) Sign a Christmas card to be given to a resident of a local care home! Free, just turn up Tuesday 5 December Winter Unity Starlight Event (UG09 Great Hall, 12.00-14.00) Join others from across campus for a relaxing lunch. Free, just turn up, family friendly University Carol Service (Great Hall, 17.15-18.15) Celebrate the Christmas season with carols, excerpts from the Christmas story and mince pies. Free, just turn up, family friendly Wednesday 6 December LUU Pantomime: Dick Whittington (LUU Pyramid Theatre, 17.00-19.00, 3.50-18.00) This traditional family pantomime is guaranteed to delight one and all. Buy tickets in advance from www.luu.org.uk/events Family friendly Thursday 7 December LUU Muppet Christmas Carol (LUU Pyramid Theatre, 18.30-22.00, 5) Come along to this showing of a classic Christmas film from the Pyramid Cinema Club. Buy tickets from www.luu.org.uk/events Family friendly Friday 8 December Advent and Christmas by Candlelight (Leeds Universities Catholic Chaplaincy LS2 9BN, 19.30-21.30, 12) A candlelit concert for the festive season. Buy tickets in advance from http://www.ccl.leeds.ac.uk/events/1024/ Saturday 9 December Family Christmas Party (LUU Common Ground, 12.00-15.00) LUU invites you to a fun filled party including family friendly games and activities. Free, just turn up, family friendly Monday 11 December Global Café+ Happy Holidays (LUU Common Ground, 17.30 19.30) Celebrate seasonal festivities including Christmas and Hanukah with craft activities. Free, just turn up, family friendly 2
Tuesday 12 December Christmas in Leeds Social (Marjorie & Arnold Ziff, Level 12, 14.00-15.00) Come along to meet others who will be staying in Leeds over Christmas. There will be tea, cake, crafts and games! Get your free ticket from www.leeds. ac.uk/globalcommunity Tuesday 19 December Traditional Christmas Meal (University House, 12.30-14.30) Join us for a Christmas meal and enjoy some traditional entertainment! Vegetarian options will be available. Get your free ticket from www.leeds.ac.uk/ globalcommunity Friday 22 December - Monday 1 January 2018 University closed and will reopen on 2 January 2018 but check out our off-campus events below. Tuesday 2 January 2018 Christmas Book Club (Marjorie & Arnold Ziff, Level 12, 14.30-15.30) Over the holidays we ll be reading And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini. We ll meet over tea and biscuits to discuss our reactions to the novel. Everyone is welcome! Free, family friendly, just turn up Events off campus Student assistants in green or purple t-shirts will attend these activities to act as a meeting point and help you to meet new people, so feel free to come on your own! Ticketed events are subsidised so may be cheaper than buying elsewhere. Sunday 10 December Get Out Get Active Walking Trip (Meet at Parkinson Steps, day trip, see website for price) Join the GOGA team for a festive hike around Otley, including mince pies! Buy tickets in advance from sport.leeds.ac.uk/sport/get-outget-active/ Thursday 14 December Chinese Christmas Crafts (Meet at LUU entrance to walk to Rainbow Junk-tion Cafe, 11.30-14.30, pay by donation) Eat a pay-as-you-feel lunch before helping to decorate the cafe with Chinese themed Christmas crafts. Donate on the day. Register for free at www.leeds.ac.uk/ globalcommunity. Thursday 21 December Rainbow Junk-tion Introduction (Meet at LUU entrance to walk to Rainbow Junk-tion Cafe, 12.00-14.00) If you re planning to attend Christmas Lunch on 25 December (see event listing) this is your chance to get to know the cafe in advance. Free, family friendly, just turn up. Saturday 23 December Football Match: Leeds vs Hull (Meet at Corn Exchange in city centre, 13.15-18.00, 4-15 instead of usual price 6.25-28.50) Feel the excitement of watching a live football match an experience not to be missed! Buy your ticket in advance from www.leeds.ac.uk/globalcommunity before 11 December. Family friendly Monday 25 December Rainbow Junk-tion Christmas Lunch (Rainbow Junk-tion Cafe, All Hallows Church LS6 1NP, volunteer from 8.00 or eat from 12.00-15.00 and pay by donation). Volunteer to help prepare and serve food, or just turn up to eat, at this pay-as-you-feel community Christmas lunch. Register in advance by going to www.leeds.ac.uk/globalcommunity Family friendly Wednesday 27 December Meet to Eat (Meet at Customer Service Lounge 1st floor, Trinity Shopping Centre, 12.00-14.00) Take a break from the sales and join us for lunch. You can choose from a wide range of food stalls at Trinity Kitchen. Free, family friendly, just turn up Friday 29 December Get Out Get Active Countryside Walk (Meet at Parkinson Steps, day trip, 9 or 4.50 under 16s) Global Community and Get Out Get Active are collaborating to offer a countryside walk suitable for all. Buy your ticket before 18 December from sport.leeds.ac.uk/sport/get-out-get-active/ Sunday 31 December Rock n Roll Pantomime: Aladdin (Meet at City Varieties Music Hall LS1 6LW, 11.30-15.00, 9 instead of usual price 18.50) Rock n Roll Panto combines traditional elements of Panto with pop, rock and soul hits played live on stage. Buy your ticket before 4 December from www.leeds.ac.uk/globalcommunity - Family friendly Events in the City Why not book tickets for traditional shows such as carol concerts, ballets, and musicals? Or visit the stately homes of Lotherton Hall or Temple Newsam for their traditional Christmas experiences. Visit www.leeds.ac.uk/ globalcommunity for listings of events in the city including Christmas markets, family friendly workshops and performances. For more events across the city visit: www.visitleeds.co.uk/whats-on http://whatson.leeds.gov.uk 3
November - January Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 21 22 23 Club: Folk Songs Concert (18.00-19.45) 20 Global Café (17.30-19.30) 27 Global Café (17.30-19.30) 28 29 Club: Christmas and New Year (18.00-19.45) LUU Christmas Lino Printing (18.00-20.00) 30 Coffee Connections 4 Global Café (17.30-19.30) 5 Unity Starlight Event University Carol Service (17.15-18.15) 6 Club: Christmas Celebration (18.00-19.45) LUU Pantomime: Dick Whittington (17.00-19.00) 7 LUU Muppet Christmas Carol (18.30-22.00) 11 Global Café+ Happy Holidays (17.30-19.30) 12 Christmas in Leeds Social (14.00-15.00) 13 Club: Christmas Karaoke (18.00-19.45) 14 Chinese Christmas Crafts at Rainbow Junk-tion Cafe (11.30-14.30) Coffee Connections 18 Global Café (17.30-19.30) 19 Traditional Christmas Meal (12.30-14.30) 20 Club: Mince Pies and Fruit Punch (18.00-19.45) 21 University is closed from 17.00. LUU is closed from 16.00. Rainbow Junk-tion Introduction 25 Rainbow Junk-tion Christmas Lunch (volunteer from 08.00 or eat from 12.00-15.00) 26 27 Trinity Kitchen Meet to Eat 28 1 2 University and LUU are open from 09.00. Christmas Book Club (14.30-15.30) 3 Club: Games Evening (18.00-19.45) 4
Events Calendar Friday Saturday Sunday 24 25 26 1 LUU Christmas Card Signing with CathSoc 8 Advent and Christmas by Candlelight (19.30-21.30) 2 3 9 Family Christmas Party (12.00-15.00) 15 16 17 22 23 Football Match: Leeds vs Hull (13.15-18.00) 29 Global Community and Get Out Get Active Countryside Walk (Day Trip) 10 Get Out Get Active Walking Trip (Day Trip) 24 30 31 Rock n Roll Pantomime: Aladdin (11.30-15.00) 5 6 7 November............ December.............. January Key Global Community Event Events on Campus Chaplaincy Event
What to expect this season The festive season can be a busy time of year. The city centre and services such as public transport may be more crowded than usual. On the other hand, the University campus is quieter than during term-time as many students travel to other cities or countries. But there are still plenty of events and activities for those who stay in Leeds! While you re in Leeds over Christmas, don t forget to plan ahead to make sure you have an enjoyable holiday. Here is some useful information about changes to services during the Christmas and New Year period: Services in the city Shops Shops may have increased or reduced opening hours over the festive period. Visit the individual shop s websites to find their seasonal opening hours. Most shops will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year s Day so buy food and provisions in advance. Restaurants If you want to eat out over Christmas, make sure to book ahead of time as restaurants get filled up very quickly during the holidays. Public transport There will be limited or no services on some days, including 25 and 26 December and 1 January. Services can also be disrupted by winter weather, particularly snow. Check for additional travel disruption or timetable changes before you make your journey. www.wymetro.com Here s a list of some local taxi services, which can be booked in advance: Amber Cars 0113 202 2117 Royal Cars 0113 230 5000 Arrow Private Hire 0113 258 5888 Wheels Taxis 0113 249 9999 Campus services University of Leeds The University will be closed from 17.00 on 21 December and re-open from 2 January 2018. Leeds University Union Your Students Union will be closed from 16.00 on 21 December and will re-open on 2 January 2018. 0113 380 1400 www.luu.org.uk The Edge Some University sports facilities can be accessed over the holidays. See their opening hours at www.leeds. ac.uk/sport. The Edge run a Christmas offer with 12- day memberships for 12. Email edgemembership@ leeds.ac.uk Study spaces University of Leeds Libraries Libraries will be closed whilst the University is closed. Visit library.leeds.ac.uk/opening-hours for the opening times of all University libraries. Leeds Central Library The city s Central Library will be closed from 24-26 December and on 1 January. It offers free computer access, a quiet study area and free WiFi. Visit www. leeds.gov.uk/leisure/pages/central-library.aspx for more information and opening times. Local libraries can be accessed across the city. Visit www.leeds.gov.uk/leisure/pages/your-library.aspx to find your nearest library. University of Leeds Computer Clusters 24 hour IT clusters can be accessed throughout the holidays using a security keypad. Find more information here: https://infoscreen.leeds.ac.uk/clustercode/ 6
Help and support LUU Student Advice Centre If you need help or advice, Student Advice in LUU offers a range of services, including drop-in sessions, appointments, phone calls, email communication and Skype meetings. They will close at 16.00 on 21 December and re-open 2 January 2018. 0113 380 1290 advice@luu.leeds.ac.uk www.luu.org.uk/student-advice/ Universities Chaplaincy in Leeds If you need to contact a chaplain, the Chaplaincy offices and common room will be open until 23 December when they close at 17.00. They will reopen from 2 January 2018. The chaplaincy can offer information on local church services in the community. chaplaincy@leeds.ac.uk Emergency Phone 07780 613 862 www.leeds.ac.uk/chaplaincy University Security Services If you have any problems when the University is closed, you can contact the Security Office, which is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. 175 Woodhouse Lane security@leeds.ac.uk General Enquiries 0113 343 5494 Emergencies Only 0113 343 2222 www.leeds.ac.uk/estate_services/security Big White Wall This supportive online community offers 24 hour support every day of the year. Trained counsellors are online at all times, as well as a range of helpful resources. You can go to www.bigwhitewall.com and sign up with your University email. Samaritans Located near the Business School, Samaritans offer 24-hour emotional support to anyone in need of someone to talk to. 116 123 or 0113 245 6789 www.samaritans.org/branches/samaritans-leeds How do people celebrate Christmas in the UK? If you are an international student who is experiencing Christmas in the UK for the first time, here s some information on what you can expect! For some, Christmas Day can start with a church service, followed by eating a traditional Christmas dinner, playing board games, going on a walk and then falling asleep while watching the Queen s Speech on TV. Some people decorate their homes with colourful lights, wreaths and, of course, a Christmas tree. Many enjoy exchanging gifts and children receive stockings filled with small gifts. You could organise a Secret Santa to share gifts with friends: www.wikihow.com/do-a-secret-santa Traditional Christmas foods include: roast turkey or vegetarian nut roast, stuffing, brussel sprouts, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, mince pies and Christmas pudding. Global Community presents... Come along to Global Community s Traditional Christmas Meal on Tuesday 19 December to experience traditional food and entertainment (see event listings). For Christmas recipes visit: www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ complete-christmas-menu-classic www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/veganchristmas If you d like to experience a Christmas lunch on Christmas Day, see the event listings page for more details of how to get involved in the Rainbow Junktion cafe s community Christmas lunch as a volunteer or a guest. As the cafe is based in All Hallows Church, there is also an opportunity to attend a church service in the morning. 7
www.leeds.ac.uk/globalcommunity globalcommunity@leeds.ac.uk