How to Spend Winter Break on Campus
December 3, 2024 by Paige Stanley
Here are some fun activities to fill your Winter Break if you are staying with us on campus! Whether you want to indulge in the holiday spirit or pick up some new hobbies, we have plenty of ideas. From movie nights to ice skating, Winter Break is a great time to relax and have fun with your friends. Bonus: everything on this list is either a light rail ride or a short walk away!
Holiday Activities:
- Watch the boat parade from the Montlake Cut
Throughout December, Argosy Cruises hosts a boat parade complete with caroling and colorful holiday lights! Every Friday and Saturday starting November 23rd, a caroling group performs on an Argosy Cruise ship that can be heard from both the land and the water. While the location of the performance changes each day, the grand finale event is on December 23rd in Portage Bay. Walk the mile down from campus to the Montlake Cut to listen to the holiday music and see the parade! Check out the schedule here.
Each year, NE Park RD in Ravenna becomes Candy Cane Lane. All of the houses along the street hang up colorful lights and elaborate decorations to spread holiday cheer. On any given night, visitors can walk and drive down the street admiring the bright lights and fun decorations. Just a mile walk from campus, it is worth a visit!
Ice skating is a classic winter activity perfect for a group of friends. Take the light rail up to the Kraken Community Iceplex for fun themed public skates for just $16.
Just because you live in a dorm does not mean you have to skip decorating for the holidays. Visit the Perks & Rec makerspaces to create your own DIY decor.
Enchant is back at T-Mobile Park for the winter season. The ballpark turns into the World’s Largest Light Maze. Bring out your inner child with an exciting seasonal experience with ice skating, food and drinks, shopping, caroling and performances.
Get all of your friends in the holiday spirit with an ugly sweater party. There are plenty of activities to bring out the cheer of the season in your residence hall, including:
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Hosting a potluck dinner where everyone brings their favorite dish
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Bake and decorate cookies
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Make cards for each other
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Exchange gifts through a white elephant or secret Santa
Seattle Center is hosting their annual Winterfest celebration with tons of activities including a European-style Market, winter train and village scene, world bazaar, Ice Spectacle, seasonal performances on the Armory stage and more! Learn more about Winterfest here!
Other ideas:
Invite your friends and roommates for a movie night in your residence hall to get in the holiday spirit or check out a movie you have been meaning to see. You can either pull up the movie on a streaming service or check out the thousands of movies available through the UW Libraries.
We know that it can be hard for students to find the time to read a book while school is in session, which means breaks are a perfect time to open the book you have been wanting to read. Cozy up in your dorm room or explore one of the libraries open on campus, where you can also check out a book!
If you need some motivation when studying for finals or a treat to warm you up in the cold weather, head to Husky Grind! Husky Grind’s seasonal drink list features eggnog lattes, apple cider, peppermint mochas and hot chocolates.
With fewer residents sharing the communal kitchens over break, it is the perfect time to put your chef skills to the test. Go grocery shopping at the District Market to gather ingredients for a recipe you have been wanting to try. Here are some recipes perfect for the season for inspiration.
Both the Burke Museum and the Henry Art Gallery stay open through Winter Break! Explore dinosaur fossils at the Burke Museum or contemporary art from around the world at the Henry. Both museums offer free admission for UW students and are a great way to spend your day!
While Seattle winters are notoriously known for being cold and rainy, there are always a few scattered dry days throughout the season! Take advantage of these days to get some fresh air and explore the University District. Take a walk along the Burke-Gilman trail or head down to the Montlake Cut to enjoy the lake view.
This time of year is best spent with others, so branch out and invite your residence hall neighbors to join in on these activities! From all of your friends at HFS, we wish you a joyful Winter Break and a happy holiday season!
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