Christmas comes to campus as Warwick launches a season of festive events
University of Warwick will be filled with festive cheer this November and December, as campus comes alive with a host of Christmas celebrations for the local community – beginning with the Warwick Christmas Fayre on Wednesday 26 November.
Taking place in the Piazza, the Fayre will bring together students, staff, and visitors for an evening of family-friendly fun. Guests can explore stalls selling seasonal treats and handcrafted gifts, enjoy festive performances, and take part in activities including a Rodeo Reindeer, Santa walkabouts, and Christmas craft.
The switch-on will be hosted by local radio DJ and sports presenter John Daziel – JD. A familiar voice from Hits Radio and BBC Coventry and Warwickshire, JD has also compered for Coventry City Football Club and the Coventry Blaze. He’s hosted many Coventry Christmas Lights Switch-ons and will appear at Warwick for the first time. JD also appeared in the Nativity! films Danger in the Manger and Nativity Rocks, adding a festive touch to this year’s event. There will even be a hint of snow as the campus takes on a seasonal sparkle.
Will Thomas, Head of Student Community Experience, University of Warwick, said: “This year’s Christmas Fayre is a wonderful way to bring our community together. It provides an opportunity for colleagues, students and visitors to pause and enjoy some festive moments on campus – a fitting way to round off the year and celebrate all that makes Warwick such a special place.”
The celebrations continue throughout the festive period, as Warwick Arts Centre brings a packed programme of seasonal events to campus.
Families can enjoy the return of the Olivier Award-nominated production The Tiger Who Came to Tea, running from 29 November to 28 December, while the much-loved Warwick Christmas Lectures return on 26 November and 10 December – each exploring a different area of science through hands-on experiments and spectacular demonstrations.
Free Live Labs with the Warwick Institute of Engagement will take place in the foyer spaces from 5.30pm, giving visitors the chance to get up close and hands-on with real-life science before the Christmas Lectures begin. Anyone can drop in to take part, even if they’re not attending the lectures themselves.
Visitors can also explore the Seasonal Makers’ Market on 9 December, offering locally made and sustainable gifts, or enjoy a sparkling evening of music and dance with Christmas with Anton Du Beke on 16 December.
Those attending campus events can make a day of it by visiting one of Warwick’s many eateries – including Benugo and Panda Mami – perfect for a festive meal before or after the celebrations.
Discover the full programme of festive events at Warwick Arts Centre by visiting the website.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact:
Stevie Connoll, Media & Communications Officer
stevie.connoll@warwick.ac.uk / +44 (0)7824 540791
About the University of Warwick
Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick is a world-leading institution known for its commitment to era-defining innovation across research and education. A connected ecosystem of staff, students and alumni, the University fosters transformative learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and bold industry partnerships across state-of-the-art facilities in the UK and global satellite hubs. Here, spirited thinkers push boundaries, experiment and challenge convention to create a better world.
Warwick Arts Centre is at the heart of the University of Warwick – representing the largest multi artform arts centre outside London with a concert hall, middle scale theatre, cinemas, studio spaces and the Mead Gallery.
Warwick Arts Centre has been working with some of the world’s most inspiring artists since 1974 including Pauline Black, Peter Brook, Guz Khan, Ken Loach, Annie Mac, the Maly Theatre of St Petersburg, Motionhouse Dance, Robert Plant, Simon Rattle and the CBSO.
In 2022, following a redevelopment program the Arts Centre opened a new three screen cinema enabling the screening of a wider range of films from blockbuster to UK Independent films, opera, theatre and exhibitions. The Mead Gallery kept its unique footprint but moved to the ground floor, at the entrance to Warwick Arts Centre.