Things to do
Add your list here (campus activities, trips, local walks, events, movie nights, etc.).
- Example idea: winter walk + hot chocolate
- Example idea: organise a potluck with friends
- Example idea: check UnionCloud events page
Christmas @ CSA
Christmas in the UK
Christmas in the UK, as with many other places, is all about family, friends, sparkles and good food. Christmas lights go up, the streets twinkle, and everywhere gets busier, Christmas shopping is a lot of pressure you know! A time of giving and receiving, it's about appreciating the people you love (even if they give you socks as a present).
Rumour (and weather reports) has it that London might be having a White Christmas. A White Christmas is when there is snow on the ground during the festive period. This can make everything feel even more magical and Christmassy, and even look sparkly in the right light! If we’re lucky we might see a little bit of snow.
Christmas in the UK is very beautiful but can be lonely if it’s your first time here. That’s why we’ve put together this page with things that you could do over the Christmas period.
The CSA over Christmas
Take a peek at the CSA Christmas decorations.
CSA closure dates
We are closed from the 19th of December, but don’t worry! If you are staying on campus, there’s still loads to get up to.
If you’re feeling lonely
Add a short supportive note + where to go for support / who to contact.
- Example: call a friend, make a plan, join a group chat
- Example: campus support / welfare links
- Example: emergency guidance (if relevant)
What to do in the area
If you’re staying around over Christmas, here are some festive things happening nearby in Milton Keynes.
Milton Keynes
🌟 Starlight Square
The twinkling lights and festive vibes might just get you feeling Christmassy.
Where: Middleton Hall, Milton Keynes Centre
When: 19th Dec – 4th Jan (excluding 25th, 26th Dec & 1st Jan)
- Christmas market & festive rides
- Twinkling lights & VR experiences
- Festive selfie trail
- Santa’s Post-box to send letters 🎅
Check their website for more details.
🎄 Christmas Jumper Party
If you couldn’t get enough of our Christmas Jumper party, check out this one!
Where: Broughton Hungry Horse
When: 19th–24th December
- DJ Startle from 9pm
- Free drink for the best jumper each night
- Festive vibes guaranteed
Check their website for more details.
⛸️ Willen on Ice
It’s time to get your skates on!
Where: Willen Lake
When: 19th Dec – 4th Jan, 10am–8pm
- Ice-skating rink
- Fairground rides & food
- Après Bar for warming up ❄️
Tickets: Under 16s from £9.90 · Adults from £12.40
Check their website for more details and to book.
🏮 The Holly and the Oak Lantern Parade
Celebrate the winter solstice with magical lanterns.
Where: Bradwell Windmill
When: Saturday 20th December, 2:20–5:30pm
- Face painting & lantern parade
- Music, refreshments & festive atmosphere
- Mulled wine & cider at the New Inn afterwards
This is a free event!
Note: Dress appropriately — this event is outdoors.
Check Eventbrite to reserve a spot.
🎨 Mosaic Workshops
Channel your creativity into something hands-on and relaxing.
Where: Centrecom Meeting Place,
602 N Row, Milton Keynes, MK9 3BJ
- 2–3 hour guided workshop
- Materials included
- Led by an expert instructor
Pricing: From £59
Check the Mosaic Art Studio website for dates and booking.
Bedford, local & further afield
More festive ideas — from Bedford town to campus-friendly options and bigger light trails nearby.
Bedford
Festive activities, music nights, and family-friendly events in town.
✂️ Christmas Card family craft session
Feeling crafty? Need to keep the kids busy? Have some last-minute cards to send? Here is your solution!
Where: Bedfordshire Central Library
When: Saturday 20th December, 11am – 3pm
Check out their website for more details!
🎅 Christmas Grotto: Meet Father Christmas
Have the kids told Father Christmas what they would like for Christmas yet? If not, he’s resting the reindeer in Bedford — don’t miss your chance!
Where: Harpur Centre
When: 20th – 24th December, 10am – 5pm (except 10am – 3pm on the 21st & 24th)
- Meet Father Christmas
- Seasonal cheer & special gifts
Tickets: From £4 per child
Check their website for more details!
🪩 80s DJ Night
Feel the need to party? Look no further.
Where: 3 St Peter’s St, Bedford, MK40 2PN
What: 80s DJ Night with DJ Loveshack
Doors: 7:30pm
- Tables are limited and cannot be guaranteed — arrive early if you want one
- Tickets: £17.50 (includes Prosecco / Sparkling Elderflower / Beer)
- Note: No food being served
Check their website to book your space!
🎶 Music at Esquires
Need a boogie? There’s lots on offer here.
Where: Bedford Esquires, 60A Bromham Road, Bedford, MK40 2QG
Throughout the Christmas closure period Esquires has lots to offer, from music events to comedy. Whether you like Pop Icons, Bowie or RnB, there may be something for you.
Prices: May vary depending on the event.
Check their website to book your tickets.
A little more local
Needing something closer to home or the university campus? No worries — here’s one nearby option.
👑 A Festive Tea Party with the Princesses
Great for any children who are Disney fans — children can have an afternoon tea and some festive fun with Cinderella and the Mermaid Princess.
Where: The Forest Centre, Millennium Country Park, Marston Moretaine, MK43 0PR
When: 29th December, 12:30 – 2pm
- Cost: £15 per child
- Booking is required
- Please notify them of any dietary requirements for each child
Check the Forest of Marston Vale website for more details!
Other things to do
A few more festive ideas — from local walks, to pantos, to what to watch, plus travel and wellbeing info.
🚶♂️ Get outside (if the weather’s pleasant)
If it’s pleasant weather, you could enjoy the outside and take a walk.
- How about walking to Cranfield village?
- How about a loop around the campus — check out the planes and explore.
🌿 Walk links & green spaces
- Green spaces: The Bourne Potter | The Forest of Marston Vale Trust
- Walks: Top 6 Hikes and Walks around Cranfield | Komoot
Tip: If you’re heading out, dress warm and check the weather before you go.
🏙️ London day trips
You could have a day trip to London to see the sights and the Christmas lights, but it may be busier during the festive period.
✨ Ideas for Christmas in London
Wonderfully Festive Things To Do In London At Christmas
Note: Plan ahead, expect crowds, and allow extra time for travel.
Pantomime
A quintessential British Christmas time event — if you're looking for some family fun and silliness, a pantomime would be a good start!
🎭 In Bedford
See Bedford pantos
- A Christmas Carol — 15th–21st December — The Place Theatre
- Robin Hood — 10th–23rd December — The Place Theatre
- Aladdin — 20th–31st December — Bedford Corn Exchange
Check their website for more details and to book tickets!
🎟️ In Milton Keynes
See Milton Keynes pantos
- Goldilocks and the Three Bears — 6th December – 11th January — Milton Keynes Theatre
Note: Last minute tickets may be more expensive!
Check their website for more details and to book tickets!
🛍️ Shopping tip
Remember, if you want to do some shopping, the January sales will start after Christmas — get those deals!
Christmas viewing
Cosy nights in? Here are CSA picks and some festive TV ideas.
🍿 The CSA recommends: Christmas movies
See the CSA movie picks
- Lorraine: Wallace & Gromit
- Becky: Last Christmas
- Rachel: Deck the Halls & Elf
- Riah: The Grinch
- Poppy: Arthur Christmas
- Abhi: Home Alone
📺 Christmas TV
There are loads of Christmas specials over the festive period — you could even watch the King’s address!
Drama
- Dear Father Christmas (Channel 4) — festive family magic
- A Ghost Story For Christmas (BBC 4) — for fans of the frightening
- The Madame Blanc Mystery (Channel 5) — a cosy-crime drama
Comedy
- Live at the Apollo (BBC 2) — festive special, full of comedians
- Mandy (BBC 2) — for fans of the bizarre
- Taskmaster Champion of Champions (Channel 4) — which comedian will come out on top?
Family
- The Scarecrows Wedding (BBC) — uplifting family fun
- The Snowman (Channel 4) — a family Christmas classic
- The Snowman and the Snowdog (Channel 4) — follow-up to the classic
- Wallace and Gromit films (BBC 1 & 2) — classics throughout the festive season
Entertainment
- Strictly Come Dancing (BBC 1) — keep dancing!
- The Great Peep Show Christmas Bake Off (Channel 4) — Peep Show cast in the tent
- The Royal Variety Performance (ITV 1) — celebrity performances, including one from Paddington!
Factual
- Attenborough: Wild London (BBC 1) — hidden life in London
- Torvill & Dean: The Last Dance (ITV 1) — for fans of skating
- Titanic Sinks Tonight (BBC 2) — if you’re fascinated by Titanic
Soaps
- Eastenders (BBC 1) — favourites return and secrets are revealed
- Emmerdale (ITV 1) — storylines come to a dramatic head
- Coronation Street (BBC 1) — revelation and heartbreak near a wedding
Note: You will need a TV licence to watch programmes on BBC iPlayer, ITV and Channel 4.
There are also lots of films and other programmes available on live TV and catch-up services throughout the festive period!
Travel during the festive period
Public transport timings will be different — plan ahead and check before you travel.
🧳 Travel info
- During the festive period, public transport timings will be different.
- We don’t recommend travelling on Christmas Day unless you are driving — there will be no buses or trains.
- If you are going to travel, plan ahead to avoid disruptions.
National Rail
- Plan and check details of your journey well in advance.
- Use the National Rail Journey Planner: Christmas and New Year 2025/26 | National Rail.
- Journey Planner info can change until timetables are finalised — keep checking until you set off.
- No National Rail services on Christmas Day.
- On Boxing Day most operators have no service (some may run very limited services).
Tip: Check the National Rail website before travel for the latest updates.
Uno Bus – Cranfield Connect
- Uno Cranfield will operate C1 and C11 with reduced service.
- On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: early finish on both services.
- Visit: Christmas and New Year services | Uno to review Reduced Service and Early Evening times.
National Express
- National Express is running some services during the Christmas period.
- Plan and check ahead: We’re travelling over Christmas | National Express.
Christmas wellbeing
If you need support during the festive break, you’re not alone — here’s what to do.
🤍 Support during the closure
The CSA and the University are now closed for the festive break and will re-open on Monday 5th January 2026.
Visit this page for more information on Christmas and New Year (opening times, travel info and more):
https://mycranfield.cranfield.ac.uk/pages/christmas-and-new-year-2025-opening-times
Mental health support
A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. If you feel you cannot keep yourself safe or there is significant risk of harm to yourself or others, seek immediate emergency help.
- Emergency: Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.
- NHS urgent mental health helpline: Call 111, select option 2 (24/7).
- Samaritans: Call free 116 123 (24/7 emotional support).
- Shout Crisis Text Line: Text “SHOUT” to 85258.
More info: Where to get urgent help for mental health (NHS).
Cranfield Student Support 24/7
Free confidential support from qualified counsellors and mental health professionals — 24/7, 365 days a year.
- UK: 0800 318227
- International: 00353 1518 0277
- Text/WhatsApp: Text “Hi” to 07418 360780
- Request a call back: Click this link (add your call-back URL here)
Medical emergency & campus security
- Emergency: Call 999 (police/ambulance/fire).
- Then call campus security if the situation is onsite.
- Cranfield security: 01234 750111
- Shrivenham: 0330 236 5222
- Bouverie House: 01234 758389
Find out what to do in case of an emergency (add your emergency page link here).
Feeling unwell?
- NHS advice & symptom checker: The NHS website
- Help for symptoms: NHS 111
- Advice on which service to use: NHS services
Wellbeing resources
- Online resources and information to support your wellbeing
- Student Minds winter break advice and support resources
We know many of you will have exams after the holidays. Remember to look after yourself during this period — you’ve got it! Good luck from us at the CSA! 😊
We are back open on the 5th of January! See you soon, and happy holidays!
