Festive opportunities for staff this December

There are lots of ways for staff to get into the Christmas spirit on campus over the next few weeks.

Here is a roundup of some of the highlights.

Winter Festival

To kick off the festive season, join us on Friday 1 December for the Winter Festival. There will be stalls and activities in 3Sixty from 17:00, with the Christmas lights being switched on in Palmer Quad at 18:00. Enjoy live music, food and drink, and festive cheer!

Carol Service

University of Reading Music and Chaplaincy hosts a Carol Service on 4 December at St Luke’s Church, Erleigh Road, 18:00 – 19:00. Enjoy seasonal choral pieces, traditional Christmas carols and readings from members of the University community. Free to attend, but booking is essential.

Christmas meals on campus

Enjoy a team meal together at the University on Friday 15 December, at either the informal lunchtime sitting at Eat at the Square for tables of four or more, or book at table for dinner and dancing at Greenlands. Hurry: booking for Eat at the Square closes on 21 November. Read more in our Staff Portal story.

Santa Run

Take part in the Santa Run and Walk on Sunday 10 December – or just cheer on our jolly Santas as they raise money with the Rotary Club. The 2k and 5k routes will be on Whiteknights campus, so expect some road closures. Sign up to take part now. 

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, collect a tag, and bring the requested unwrapped gift to Reading Students’ Union by 14 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.

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.