The days are getting shorter, the temperature is dropping and you’re ready to hibernate under your duvet with a mug of hot chocolate and your laptop for the next three months. Yes, winter is here, but that doesn’t mean your social life and sense of adventure has to disappear. Winter brings a whole of host of activities to do in Nottingham. Here’s a sample of what’s on offer:
1. Nottingham Winter Wonderland (20 November – 4 January)
Head to Old Market Square in town to check out the festive markets, where you can buy gifts such as ornate necklaces and fuzzy scarves or a snack of chocolate covered fruit. The stall fronts are styled like fairy tale thatched houses, so you can pretend you’re eating part of the witch’s house from Hansel and Gretel or that you’re about to meet your fairy godmother (who magically gives you all the money to buy these treats). Also, for those wanting to show off their balance/falling over skills, skate on over to the ice rink, which is only £6.50 for students. Don’t forget to grab a hot chocolate, mulled wine, or spiced cider at the Winter Wonderland Bar, and be a kid and take a spin on the carousel or helter skelter!
Check out the website for more info.
2. The Panto
Before Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing On Ice gave us celebrities in sparkly costumes to cheer and hiss at, there was the pantomime. As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog, going to the theatre is a great alternative night of student entertainment, so why not take that to its outlandish extreme? The Theatre Royal is putting on Snow White and the Seven Dwarves from 6th December to 11th January, whilst the Nottingham Playhouse is showing Sleeping Beauty from 28th November to Saturday 17th January (satisfying your early Christmas and mid-exam needs).
3. The Historical Attractions of Nottingham, Christmas themed
In our first week as students at the University of Nottingham, we start to make plans to visit all of Nottingham’s top attractions, but there’s always a few that we fail to make it to. As a third year, despite my grand tales of places I visited on my semester abroad I’ve still yet to visit Nottingham Castle or Wollaton Hall. Fortunately, both locations are offering Christmas themed events this December, giving us an excuse to finally show up. On 6 & 7 December, drink mead and explore Tudor kitchens at Wollaton Hall’s Yuletide Wollaton Tudor Celebrations. The following weekend, on 13 & 14 December, there is free entry to Nottingham Castle, with a Christmas Craft Fair, brass band and cave tours for an additional fee.
4. Beeston Christmas Light Switch-On
Missed the Christmas light switch-on in town? Then why not try the event in Beeston, just a few minutes’ walk from campus? Watch the light switch-on, followed by a fireworks display, on Saturday 29 November at 6pm. Through the afternoon there will be street entertainers, fairground rides and a main stage at Broadgate Park. It’s like Bonfire Night and Christmas rolled into one.
5. Society/hall events
Many of the university’s societies go all out before the end of term, putting on events such as Christmas meals. Creative Writing Society is having a murder mystery event to discover ‘who killed Santa?’ If you’re in catered halls, go along to your Christmas formal, and if you’re in Broadgate Park you can attend the Christmas party for only £10, which includes a 3 course meal, a dancefloor, entertainment and even dodgems!
6. The Cornerhouse
Located in the centre of town next to the Theatre Royal, the Cornerhouse contains a Cineworld cinema, a range of restaurants such as Bella Italia, Tamatanga and Chiquito, and even an Adventure Golf Course. This festive season, they are offering deals if you do more than one of these activities together. For example, you can get 20% off at Red Hot Buffet by showing your Cineworld ticket.
For details, check out the website.
7. Volunteer
You may already be thinking about Christmas presents, so why not get really into the season of giving and do some volunteering? The Student Volunteer Centre are promoting their 12 Days of Christmas volunteering scheme, offering different one-off volunteering opportunities, from making Christmas cards for children in hospital, serving refreshments at a film screening and even channelling ‘Mean Girls’ by delivering candy canes. For more information click here.
Edited by Jayde Richards
Image Sources:
http://www.nottinghamwinterwonderland.co.uk/festive/festive.html
http://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/whats-on/family/sleeping-beauty/