Create lifelong memories
If you aren’t making it home this year for the holidays, this is your opportunity to experience Christmas at Ulster and create lifelong memories and new traditions.
Countdown to Christmas
Get the festive feels by getting involved in as many events and activities on campus as possible.
Christmas Tree Light Switch On
- Monday 4 December, 11am, Derry~Londonderry campus (outside MD building)
- Tuesday 5 December, 11am, Coleraine campus (main foyer)
- Tuesday 5 December, 2pm, Belfast campus (outside BC building)
Join staff and students as the campus lights up! Our amazing university choir will perform holiday favourites while you tuck into festive treats.
12 Hours of Christmas
- Monday 11 December, 10am – 10pm, Coleraine campus
- Tuesday 12 December, 10am – 10pm, Belfast campus
- Wednesday 13 December, 10am – 10pm, Derry~Londonderry campus
Join UUSU for a packed day of non-stop festive fun. With games, crafts, movies and a very special visitor.
Cinderella
- Saturday 2 – Sunday 17 December, various times, Riverside Theatre, Coleraine campus
Experience a traditional family friendly ‘panto’ featuring a wonderful all-singing, all-dancing cast alongside spectacular sets and dazzling costumes. Booking required.
Traditional Christmas Lunch
- Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6, Thursday 7, Tuesday 12, Wednesday 13, Thursday 14, Monday 18, Tuesday 19 December, 12-2pm, The Junction, Belfast campus
- Thursday 7, Thursday 14, Tuesday 19 December, 12-2pm, Rock Road Social, Derry~Londonderry campus
- Thursday 7, Wednesday 13, Tuesday 19 December 12-2pm, Bann View Social, Coleraine campus
Please note Thursday 7 December at Coleraine campus is a ticketed event. Advance purchase required.
For everything happening on campus, check out the full event list now.
Home Alone
Being away from your family can be really hard but don’t hide away, join other students in the same boat and create a magical holiday.
Student Accommodation
Do you live in student accommodation?
Our Reslife team are planning lots of fun over Christmas, bringing students together on Christmas Day for a pot luck feast.
Speak to your local team for more details on the activities planned.
Experience Christmas Day
If you are invited to experience Christmas day with a local student or friend, go for it!
Many families have their own traditions and will be excited to share those with you.
Potluck Party
If you live in private accommodation, invite some friends over for a potluck party.
Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, this is a chance to embrace each other’s cultures, share traditional dishes, exchange small gifts and dress up.
Transport
Don’t forget during holiday periods there will be a reduced public transport service, and there will be no buses or trains running on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.
If you need to get somewhere, try and arrange a carshare as taxis charge a premium.
Northern Ireland Christmas Traditions
This year, add to your own traditions with a new list of things we do here in Northern Ireland and embrace the holidays like a local.
Festive Food
The main Christmas meal normally consists of turkey, boiled ham, stuffing, roast potatoes, brussel sprouts, gravy and cranberry sauce.
Throughout December, you’ll see Christmas sandwiches and chips for sale and this is everything as a sandwich filling or on top of chips.
If you are offered a mince pie, you should know this isn’t savoury but a sweet filling of fruit and spices.
Often served with a mulled wine, which is warmed red wine with more festive spice. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions are available.
Christmas Movies
It wouldn’t be the holidays without watching a feel-good film. Here’s the essential Top 10 to watch over the break:
- National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
- Miracle on 34th Street
- The Nightmare Before Christmas
- Home Alone
- The Muppet Christmas Carol
- Love Actually
- Elf
- It’s a Wonderful Life
- The Santa Claus
- The Holiday
Midnight Mass/Candlelight Services
On Christmas Eve, local communities gather to celebrate in churches filled with carols and candles.
Secret Santa
This is when a group of friends or family all pick a name at random and have to buy a gift for that person without them knowing. The budget is often very small and gifts are normally silly and fun.
Decorations
It doesn’t matter how big or small your home is, at Christmas most people decorate with a Christmas tree (real or artificial), string lights and baubles. Why not brighten your home with some festive sparkle?
Christmas Jumpers
Funny, cute or stylish, a holiday party wouldn’t be the same without a cozy jumper. If you don’t have one, check out our ideas for making your own.