Staying in Aber over the Winter Break?
Are you staying on Campus or in Aberystwyth during the Winter Break? Or potentially travelling abroad?
Find out more about the University’s opening hours; how to access support and services available, as well as events and activities that are being held and other holiday fun! You'll find specific information below on the following:
-University Opening Times
-Immediate, Student and Study Support
-Library and Social Spaces
-Undeb Aber (Students Union) - In Aber for Winter information
-Residence Life Activities
-What to do in Aber
-Volunteering over Christmas
-Travelling Locally or Abroad?
Over the Winter Break, most services at the University will be closed or operating with reduced hours from the evening of Friday, 19 December 2025, until Monday, 5 January 2026.
Thursday 25 December, Friday 26 December and Thursday 1 January are UK Bank Holidays.
Student Welcome Centre: Closed: From 23rd December 2025 at 16:30. Reopens: 2nd January 2026.
Undeb Aber (Students Union) Building: Closed: From 19th December 2025 at 16:00. Reopens: 5th January 2026 at 09:00.
Undeb Aber (Students Union) Shop and Bar: Shop Closed: From 19th December 2025 at 13:30. Bar Closed: From 12th December 2025. Shop and Bar Reopen: 5th January 2026.
Aberystwyth Arts Centre: Closed: From 23rd December 2025 at 18:00. Reopens: 3rd January 2026.
IT Services: Closed: From 23rd December 2025 at 16:30. Reopens: 2nd January 2026.
SportAber Sports Centre: Closed: From 23rd December 2025 at 17:00. Gym will be open on 29th and 30th December between 08:00 and 15:00. Sports Centre reopens : 2nd January 2026 at 06:30.
Catering Outlets: Closed: From 19th December 2025 at 14:00. Reopens: 5th January 2026.
We want to let you know however that some core services and much support will still be available during this period.
Need immediate support?
The University 24/7 Helpline will be available on 01970 622 900.
As always, our friendly University Security team will be available on campus 24/7. You can call them on 01970 622 900 or visit Campus reception (at the entrance to Penglais Campus here - open 24/7)
Student Services
Student Services will close on Tuesday, 23rd of December at 16:30. It will re-open on Friday, 2nd January at 09:00.
Find contact information for the Student Welcome Centre during the Winter Break.
Read further information about getting emergency support during the Winter Break.
Study Support
Want to learn a new skill over the Winter break or find resources and tools to help you study effectively?
-The University has a range of study support accessible throughout the Winter Break and information via AberSkills.
-Check out some useful resources for revision and exams.
-Read a Student Blog on how to effectively revise for a high mark.
Here are details of the Computer Room opening hours for the Christmas vacation period.
Hugh Owen Library Level D, Lounge@rosser, Lounge@PJM and the Workstation will remain open over Christmas for users with Aber Cards to swipe into.
Hugh Owen Library: Levels E&F: Closed: From 23rd December 2025 at 16:30. Reopens: 2nd January 2026 at 08:30.
Physical Sciences Library: Closed: From 23 December 2025 at 17:30. Reopens: 2nd January 2026 at 08:30.
Remember that Level D of the Hugh Owen Library is open 24/7 throughout the winter break and provides access to study spaces, computers, vending and comfortable seating.
Your Aber Card is needed to enter and access this level.
Here are details about Library Opening Times over the Winter Break.
Find out further information about Library Services and Support over the holidays.
Other Social spaces:
Y Sgubor, Y Ffald, PJM and Rosser Lounge will remain open 24/7 throughout the winter break.
Here are details about the University Catering Services over the Winter Break.
Undeb Aber have a list of events and useful contacts for students staying in Aberystwyth over the winter break.
Here are details about Events and Contacts.
Join the In Aber for Winter Facebook Group!
Undeb Aber have created a Facebook group to share updates of events and activities, as well as giving students the opportunity to arrange meet-up with others.
In Aber for Winter Meet and Greet Event – Wednesday, 17th December at the Picture House, Undeb Aber- 13:00 – 15:00
Come and meet other students that are staying in Aberystwyth over the winter holidays. Have some free mince pies and non-alcoholic mulled punch while you’re at it!
Flat/House Christmas Dinner
We know that your Aber community might be having their flat Christmas dinner. Undeb Aber have listed here where you can get your turkey fix, the cheapest in Aber supermarkets!
The Aberystwyth University Resident Life team are hosting a wonderful range of festive events in December. All information on these events can be found on the ResLife social media pages also @Bywydaberlife IG and @Bywydaberlife FB.
Aberystwyth Arts Centre
The Arts Centre is hosting a range of different courses and one-off lessons throughout the winter break. The cinema will be showing many special screenings during this period.
Find out more information here about all December activities.
SportAber Sports Centre
The Sports Centre will be closed from 23rd December at 17:00 until 28th December.
The SportAber Dome (Gym only) will be open on 29th and 30th December between 08:00 and 15:00.
The Sports Centre will then reopen fully on the 2nd January 2026 at 06:30.
Run or Dip?
Fancy a Sea Dip for Charity?
Join the New Years Day Sea Dip in Clarach Bay on Thursday 1st January 2026 in aid of RNLI, and grab a free hot drink too!
Fancy a Christmas or New Year Park Run?
Parkrun Aberystwyth will be staging a Parkrun event on both Christmas Day (Thursday 25th December) and New Years Day (Thursday 1st January 2026) so you can get ready for your Christmas Lunch!
Aberystwyth Town Events
Football and Rugby Fixtures
Aberystwyth FC - Park Avenue , SY23 1PG
Aberystwyth Town FC Men v Carmarthen Town FC - Thursday 1st January 2026 - KO 14:30
Aberystwyth Town FC Women v Briton Ferry Women - Sunday 4th January 2026 - KO 14:00
Free for University Students with your Student Card.
Aberystwyth RFC - Plascrug, SY23 1HL
Aberystwyth Athletic Men v Tregaron - Annual Boxing Day Fixture - Friday 26th December - KO 14:30
Christmas shopping?
In the run up to Christmas, independent stores in the town centre will stay open until 7pm every Thursday.
Aberystwyth’s Farmers’ Market will be held on the 6th and 20th of December at the Top of Town by the Market Hall between 09:00 and 13:00.
Christmas community events and screenings
Various community events are taking place in Aberystwyth and the area throughout this period. Here are some examples of these events:
-Aber Game Park – Tabletop Events like Pokemon Games
-Bookshop by the Sea - Events and Activities
-Commodore Cinema - Screenings
Other detailed Christmas information can be found here on the Discover Ceredigion website.
Prayer and Worship
Our Multi-Faith Space is somewhere that members of our University community can pray, meet and relax.
The Multi Faith Space will remain open over the Winter Break 7 days a week and find information here on how to book the space.
Further links can be found here to the various local faith provision and opportunities to attend over the Winter Break.
Candlelight carol services will be held in a number of beautiful locations across Aberystwyth and Ceredigion.
There are many volunteering opportunities in and around Aberystwyth, which continues over the winter period.
Here are some examples of organisations that would be grateful for your support this Christmas:
-Jubilee Storehouse – Aberystwyth based food bank. Please email jubileestorehouse@broaberystwyth.co.uk if you wish to volunteer.
-Bookshop by the Sea – Local bookshop. Please email thebookshopbythesea@gmail.com
-Local Charity Shops – pop into the local charity shops to enquire about volunteering
Register with CAVO who promote and support voluntary community action throughout Ceredigion for further volunteering opportunities.
Local Travel
Please remember to check holiday transport timetables/opening hours in advance.
Local Transport companies’ websites can be found here:
Travelling Abroad
Travel advice over the Christmas period for international students
If you have an eVisa and are travelling home for the Christmas period, you will need to check your passport is linked to your eVisa to avoid problems when entering the UK after the 1 January 2026.
Please go to Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). If your passport is not listed under ID documents, please follow the steps below:
-select 'Add identity document'
-upload an image of your passport
You will receive an email confirmation from the UKVI once your passport has been linked to your eVisa.
To all our students and staff have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
