WinterFest 2025 at Heriot-Watt
A week of festive fun, creativity, and campus cheer!
WinterFest is back- and it’s bigger than ever! Join us for a week of festive fun across the Student Union, packed with activities to brighten your days and bring the Heriot-Watt community together.
The week kicks off on Monday 24th with a Soup Cook Off at the Chaplaincy and Crocheting a scarf for the homeless with the Crochet and Knit Society. You can end the day in Geordies, competing in the Christmas Quiz!
The Big Day – Wednesday 26th November (Edinburgh Campus):
- Meet real reindeer outside the Union
- Toast marshmallows by the fire pit
- Snap festive pics at our DIY Photo Booth
- Shop unique gifts at the Craft Fair in Zero’s
- Enjoy live music from the University Wind Band
- Spot the Candy Cane Stilt Walker roaming campus
- Take part in the Santa Dash round Campus
All Week Long:
- Mulled wine & hot chocolate from Liberties
- Fairy Light Sale in Re-Loved (12–5 PM)
- Write a message of hope or cheer on a wooden bauble in the Union foyer
- Plus: Black Friday deals, and festive movie screenings later in the week!
Don’t miss this chance to celebrate, connect, and make memories. WinterFest is your invitation to relax, recharge, and enjoy the season with friends.
26 November 25
Santa Dash
Oriam, Edinburgh
Event Price
Toast & Chill: Marshmallow Station at WinterFest
Student Union, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
WinterFest Craft Fair at Zero’s
Zeros, Edinburgh
WinterFest HW University Wind Band Performance
Student Union, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
WinterFest DIY Photo Booth
Student Union, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
Candy Cane Stilt Walker at WinterFest
Student Union, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
Meet the Reindeer at WinterFest!
Student Union, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
Event Price
24 November 25
Message of Cheer: Bauble Writing at WinterFest
Student Union, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
Fairy Light Sale at Re-loved
Student Union, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
03 December 25
Christmas Community Meal @ Zero's
Zeros, Edinburgh
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Freshers Week: Registering My Account
If you have already enrolled with the University and received your HW email address and password, then make sure you login using the "Continue with University Account" option. This will ask you to login with your Heriot-Watt IT account details (your email and password) to make sure you have access to HW Student Only events in the future.
If you don't have your HW email address and password, you can "Continue with email" and create a guest account. Once you have your HW email and password, login to your guest account again but click "Connect with University Account" to swap over to use your HW email and password login. This means that you can get tickets for events in the future that are only for HW students.
Freshers Week: I'm not 18 years old
Don't worry! You can still have a great time attending the majority of events during Freshers Week, even if you aren't yet 18. Obviously, you aren't able to purchase or consume alcohol, but that certainly won't get in the way of you having a great time!
Please note: it is unlikely that any events taking place at external venues (i.e. such as a venue in town) will allow under 18's entry. This is due to Scottish licensing laws and you can get in trouble if you try to get around them!
Freshers Week: Non-HW Guests
We always try to make sure that Freshers Week is enjoyed by Heriot-Watt students (even if you're not a Fresher). Our spaces are restricted so the number of tickets is often limited. It is for this reason that unfortunately we do not encourage non-HW students from attending our events during Freshers Week as this can take away the ability for an HW student to attend. We thank you for your understanding!
Ticket Transfer
In general, tickets and non-refundable and non-transferable. However, in some circumstances it may be possible to transfer your ticket to a friend if you can no longer attend. If this option is available for the ticket you've purchased, you will see the "Transfer Ticket" option available in your account.