Student wellbeing
Leiden University's Winter Weeks
- Date
- Friday 20 December 2024 - Friday 3 January 2025
- Address
- Leiden and The Hague
Meet with other students and take part in fun activities!
Spending the festive season away from home? Get together with fellow students from all over the world during the Winter Weeks from 20 December to 3 January. Make new friends and have a great international winter break! You can take part in a range of free activities.
Registration opens 8 December.
Friday 20 December
Want to experience nature in a special way whilst getting to know yourself better? Then sign up for the Winter Wisdom Walk. Walking in the great outdoors relaxes the mind, boosts your energy, and stimulates creativity.
This Wisdom Walk is all about personal growth. Outdoor coach Marlies, from Nature Academy, creates a relaxed atmosphere in which you can be yourself and get to know other students. The Leiden walk will take place in Polderpark Cronesteyn.
Want to experience nature in a special way whilst getting to know yourself better? Then sign up for the Winter Wisdom Walk. Walking in the great outdoors relaxes the mind, boosts your energy, and stimulates creativity.
This Wisdom Walk is all about personal growth. Outdoor coach Marlies, from Nature Academy, creates a relaxed atmosphere in which you can be yourself and get to know other students. The walk in The Hague will take place in the Haagse Bos.
Saturday 21 December
This year, student association Quintus is hosting a karaoke party. You’re welcome to come along, sing your favourite Christmas hits and have a fun night out. Are you the next Mariah Carey? Or are you going to treat us to Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’? We can’t wait to find out. See you then.
Monday 23 December
In this workshop you’ll draw a (simple) winter landscape. The art of capturing winter landscapes involves looking for contrast. And that’s what we’re going to do. We’ll also examine composition, form, light and dark. At the end of the workshop, you’ll have a great winter artwork. Come along and join in.
V.S.L. Catena is a no-strings-attached student association that offers an alternative to the student life you know. To share our welcoming atmosphere in these cold winter months, Catena is hosting a special December edition of its weekly film night on 23 December, in our own cinema (with bar). From 20.00, we’ll be showing English-language winter films, accompanied by free snacks and a non-alcoholic welcome drink. You’re welcome to stay after the film for drinks, and to enjoy the atmosphere and get to know the catena members and each other.
Wednesday 25 December
Feeling somewhat far from home this Christmas? You’re not alone. Join us for a festive lunch/brunch with other students and enjoy good food and good company. Whether your diet is vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free, we’ve got it covered. Let’s get together to celebrate Christmas.
Friday 27 December
Discover the most beautiful spots in Leiden during this fun photography walk with your host, SSR. Learn the basics of photography, experiment with your camera, and take some great shots. At the end of the walk we’ll share a warm drink together. The ideal way to get creative whilst discovering Leiden in a new way.
V.S.L. Catena is a no-strings-attached student association that offers an alternative to the student life you know. To share our welcoming atmosphere in these cold winter months, Catena is hosting a games night on 27 December in our association building. Come along and play board games, have drinks and snacks, and get to know the Catena members and each other. We’ll take care of the games, free snacks and a (non-alcoholic) welcome drink.
Saturday 28 December
Come to student rowing association, Pelargos, for a fun-filled pub quiz. Test your knowledge in a range of categories whilst enjoying the lively atmosphere. The evening promises to be highly entertaining. The perfect way to relax after Christmas day. Don’t miss it! Make a note in your agenda.
Sunday 29 December
Get creative this Christmas by paining a tote bag. Come along and create your own unique, festive bag. Whether you choose for a classic Christmas design or something a bit more modern, we’ll provide the materials and inspiration. Bring along a friend or join us solo for a relaxing, fun afternoon filled with art and Christmas cheer. Perfect for a bit of creative relaxation.
Monday 30 December
Fancy an afternoon of ice skating? Then come along to De Uithof skating rink. Don’t worry if you’ve never skated before. Our instructor is there to teach you the basics and polish your skills. The lesson lasts till 15.00, after which you can keep skating till 16.30. Perfect for a fun, active afternoon with new friends.
Tuesday 31 December
Feel like a cosy winter walk? Then join us for an ‘Oliebollen walk’ and enjoy this tasty Dutch snack and a warm drink whilst exploring the centre of Leiden. Winter just isn’t winter without a good walk. You’ll walk in groups and play a few outdoor game. And of course, you’ll stop by L.V.V.S. Augustinus student association for the highlight of the day: oliebollen (a sort of Dutch doughnut). Celebrate the final day of 2024 by joining us for a walk.
Thursday 2 January
Always wanted to find out if bouldering is something for you? At Boulderhal Walhalla you can try out the sport in a fun, safe environment. After a 10 minute introduction, you can go bouldering on your own. It doesn't matter if you're a regular gym visitor or just started exercising. Bouldering is an accessible activity, which is what makes it so much fun.
Friday 3 January
Join us for a two-hour guided writing session in which we’ll experiment with free association exercises. In a relaxed atmosphere we’ll explore different writing forms and themes to let your imagination run wild. Whether you write fiction, poetry, essays, or are stuck with a text you just can’t finish, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to move forward. We’ll create a safe space together. No prior experience of writing is required.
Free sports at USC*
During the Winter Weeks the University Sportscentre (USC) has a special offer. You can do free sports from December 21 to January 19 to get your new year off to a great start. Besides fitness and groupclasses at all USC locations at Leiden and The Hague, you can try sports such as swimming, ice skating and booking a sportshall or tennis court. Pre-registration is required by 3 January! Check out the opening hours and sports of the USC location. *All classes are open during this period, except for courses you must register for.
Register!Other fun & (almost) free winter activities for students
In addition to our own Winter Weeks programme, we have listed a few other activities that students can enjoy in Leiden and The Hague.
The Christmas Market is 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 December. Visit the website for more information.
The Koren Weekends | Leiden
The Koren Weekends are 14, 15, 21 and 22 December. Visit the website for more information.
Student Christmas Come Together | Grote Markt, The Hague
The Christmas Come Together is 19 December. Visit the website for more information.
New Year's Dive | The Hague
The New Year's Dive is 1 January. Visit the website for more information.
Floating ice rink | Leiden
Visit the website for more information.
Royal Christmas Fair | The Hague
Visit the website for more information.
Cool Event Scheveningen | The Hague
Visit the website for more information.
Need a listening ear?
The University will be closed from 25 December – 1 January. For study-related questions, you can get in touch with your study adviser again after the holidays. You can call this helpline anonymously, day or night, all days of the week, all year round. Because talking makes you feel better. When you are hurting or worrying about something; when you feel alone or happy. The Listening Line gives you that extra bit of support.
If you need a listening ear, get in touch with the Luisterlijn
- Phone no: 0880767000
- Available daily (24/7). Including over the holidays!
- De Luisterlijn conducts conversations in Dutch. If a volunteer wants to and can, the conversation may be conducted in another language, but that is up to the volunteer.
- More information about helplines abroad can be found on IFOTES.
Fresh Start Support Group
Do you want to continue making the most of winter by connecting with others and participating in fun activities? Starting in the week of January 13th, you can join a Fresh Start Support Group - a special edition of the Student Support Groups, designed for the cold, dark days of winter. For three weeks you’ll come together with your group for two sessions a week: one conventional group conversation, and one fun activity, such as a sports class or an art workshop.
The Fresh Start Support Group is primarily for students spending their winter in Leiden or The Hague, and we expect participants to attend at least 5 out of 6 meetings. As this is a pilot programme, spots are limited. Sign up by January 6th at the latest to secure your place! Visit this page to learn more and register.