Events

The headline stage at Freshers' Ball 2019

It’s our job to give you the best possible welcome to university life, so we’ve created a programme of exciting events to ensure that happens. Don’t just take our word for it though, get clicking and take a look at what’s on offer.

Freshers' Festival is a time you'll never forget - moving away from home, making friends for life, and throwing yourself into new experiences.

With more than 35 events over the first week of term, it’s your introduction to the Students’ Union and everything we have to offer. There’s a ton of free events, taster sessions and of course, the obligatory programme of cracking nights out.

Have a browse of the full line-up below, then make sure to check out our wristbands page – the only way to guarantee your entry to all of our headline events.

Tickets

Wristbands will go on sale in two phases:

  • First and second-year students: Friday 27 August (10am)
  • General sale: Monday 6 September (10am)

Freshers’ Festival wristbands have now sold out and there will be no further wristbands released.

Individual tickets will go on general sale from 10am on Tuesday 14 September.

Following the government announcement that the scheme for vaccine passports for entry to nightclubs and large events in England will not be going ahead, we've updated our entry requirements for events at the Union Venue and Founder’s South Quad.

Please read our Venues Entry Requirements Update for the full details.

Keeping you safe

While Freshers’ Festival is obviously about having loads of fun, our number one priority is ensuring you are able to enjoy our events in a safe environment.

All our activities and events will be conducted in accordance with the relevant guidance published by the UK Government, with changes made to the operation of all events and venues to comply with current guidance.

Our venues and coronavirus

Following the government announcement that the scheme for vaccine passports for entry to nightclubs and large events in England will not be going ahead, we've updated our entry requirements for events at the Union Venue and Founder’s South Quad.

Please read our Venues Entry Requirements Update for the full details.

Logging into our website

If you already have your Campus Connect login details, you should be able to access our website, add a wristband to your basket and checkout with no issue. However, if you encounter any problems logging in, please follow the steps provided by our login guide. Still no luck? Email marketing@su.rhul.ac.uk stating your student number and the error message you have encountered.

A little thank you

Did you know that the Students’ Union is a not-for-profit charity? That means that every time you spend money on event tickets, in our venues or in our shop, that money gets reinvested right back into your experience here at Royal Holloway.

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Shisha @ The Packhorse
17th September
The Packhorse
Head down to The Packhorse - the Students' Union's very own pub - for the ultimate chilled out shisha experience.
Bars and Nightlife | Freshers | The Packhorse | Night
Returners' Party
17th September
Union Venue
It’s time to celebrate all our returners. Make your way to the Union Venue for a night full of the best tunes, best drinks and best people – yes, we mean you. DJ Karl Thomas and DJ CeeB will be spinning the tunes to make sure you have an epic night!
Bars and Nightlife | Freshers | Night | SU Venue
Restart Party
18th September
Medicine
Start Freshers' Festival off with a bang by heading down to Medicine - expect cheap drinks and banging tunes.
Bars and Nightlife | Free | Freshers | Night | Medicine
Restart Project
18th September
Union Venue
After what feels like an eternity, the Union Venue is back open and we're so excited to welcome you all back for the opening night of this year's Freshers' Festival.
Bars and Nightlife | Freshers | Night | Wristband | SU Venue
Welcome Party
19th September
Medicine
The weekend celebrations continue as we welcome you all to campus with cheap drinks and resident DJ Marky B spinning the tunes to get you in that feel-good groove.
Bars and Nightlife | Free | Freshers | Night | Medicine
Pub Quiz
19th September
The Packhorse
It's time to show your general knowledge skills with our weekly quiz night. If you like a laugh and a bit of friendly competition, this is the night for you!
Bars and Nightlife | Freshers | The Packhorse | Night | Food and Drink
VK presents #WeAreCosmic
19th September
Union Venue
We’ve teamed up with VK to bring you a wild Freshers’ Festival night featuring a VK bar, giant inflatable VK bottles, and loads of giveaways including sunglasses, neon bracelets and PopSockets!
Bars and Nightlife | Freshers | Night | Wristband | SU Venue
Freshers' Fair - Day One
20th September
Sports Centre
One of the biggest events on the calendar, Freshers' Fair is your chance to come and check out what you can get involved in for the upcoming year. Meet our student groups and pick up loads of freebies, including free pizza from Domino's!
Free | Alcohol-free | Societies | Sports | Media Outlets | Freshers | Day
Toast
20th September
Medicine
Your new favourite Monday night is here - let us introduce you to Toast where cheap drinks and a party atmosphere come as standard!
Bars and Nightlife | Free | Freshers | Night | Medicine | Toast
Sunset Sessions
20th September
The Packhorse
We know it's September, but that doesn't mean you can't relive the summer vibes. Cooked up by the duo of Tom One and Ash on Sax, expect a night featuring the finest cuts of Ibiza house grooves accompanied by a side of smooth sax.
Bars and Nightlife | Free | Freshers | The Packhorse | Night
Ibiza Sunset ft. Karen Harding
20th September
Union Venue
Sick of staycations and in need of a holiday? It’s time to pretend you're sipping cocktails in the Mediterranean as Karen Harding supplies the pool party bangers!
Bars and Nightlife | Music and Film | Freshers | Night | Wristband | SU Venue
Market Day
21st September
Students' Union
It's Market Day every Tuesday at the SU - stock up on fruit and veg at our indoor market and grab a tasty hot lunch from one of our international food stalls on the Union Plaza.
Free | Alcohol-free | Freshers | Day | Food and Drink
Freshers' Fair - Day Two
21st September
Sports Centre
One of the biggest events on the calendar, Freshers' Fair is your chance to come and check out what you can get involved in for the upcoming year. Meet our student groups and pick up loads of freebies, including free pizza from Domino's!
Free | Alcohol-free | Societies | Sports | Media Outlets | Freshers | Day
Two For Tuesday
21st September
The Packhorse
Join us at The Packhorse and indulge in two for one on selected food and drinks, every Tuesday from 5pm!
Bars and Nightlife | Free | Freshers | The Packhorse | Night | Food and Drink
MedsBevs: Reggaeton Night
21st September
Medicine
It's time to 'get busy' as Medicine prepares to get down to some Reggaeton classics. Expect drum beats and a fast rhythm that will keep you jammin' until the early hours.
Bars and Nightlife | Free | Music and Film | Freshers | Night | Medicine
Glitterbomb ft. Baga Chipz
21st September
Union Venue
RuPaul’s audience favourite Baga Chipz is joining us for all the chart hits at our special Freshers’ Festival Glitterbomb night as we celebrate our wonderful LGBTQ+ community on campus! Expect tons of confetti, glitter, dancers, and inflatable fun!
Bars and Nightlife | Freshers | LGBT+ | Night | Wristband | SU Venue
Poster Sale
22nd September
Students' Union
On Campus Art are bringing their poster and art print sale to the SU from 22-24 September. Come along, browse through their prints and fill your new pads with their fun new and classic designs!
Free | Alcohol-free | Freshers | Day
Design a Door Sign
22nd September
Tommy's Lounge, Students' Union
To kick things off for Freshers' Festival, we're giving you the chance to get creative by decorating your own door sign!
Alcohol-free | Freshers | Give It A Go | Day
Tea @ Tommy's
22nd September
Tommy's Lounge, Students' Union
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Freshers' Festival and grab yourself a drink, snack and a sit down. We'll be providing a range of hot and cold drinks + biscuits for you to indulge in!
Alcohol-free | Freshers | Give It A Go | Day | Food and Drink
Karaoke Night
22nd September
The Packhorse
Everyone loves a bit of karaoke so put those hairbrush rehearsals into practice, and sing your heart out to all your favourite tunes at The Packhorse.
Bars and Nightlife | Free | Freshers | The Packhorse | Night
MedsWeds
22nd September
Medicine
With great music and loads of drink offers all night, Medicine is a great place to be every Wednesday night.
Bars and Nightlife | Free | Freshers | Night | Medicine
Board Games Night
22nd September
Imagine
Head along to Imagine for the ultimate night of gaming where we've got a range of board games for you to enjoy.
Free | Alcohol-free | Freshers | Give It A Go | Night
Flawless ft. ArrDee
22nd September
Founder's South Quad
Freshers' Festival takes its first venture to the iconic Founder's Building with ArrDee providing some more Oliver Twist to ensure the party lasts long into the night!
Bars and Nightlife | Music and Film | Freshers | Night | Wristband
Poster Sale
23rd September
Students' Union
On Campus Art are bringing their poster and art print sale to the SU from 22-24 September. Come along, browse through their prints and fill your new pads with their fun new and classic designs!
Free | Alcohol-free | Freshers | Day
Petting Zoo
23rd September
Founder's Field
One of favourite events of the year - join us on Founder's Field and make friends with some lovely animals who are here to brighten up your Freshers' Festival.
Free | Alcohol-free | Freshers | Give It A Go | Day
Latham Street £20 Fill-A-Bag Thrift Sale
23rd September
Students' Union
Latham Street's £20 Fill-A-Bag Sale is hitting the SU this Freshers' Festival - rummage through rails and rails of vintage thrift to and fill your bags - all for just £20!
Free | Alcohol-free | Freshers | Day
Rainbow Rave
23rd September
Medicine
Get your glitter and sequins at the ready as we celebrate our amazing LGBTQ+ community on campus in what will be a truly unforgettable Freshers' Festival night.
Bars and Nightlife | Free | Freshers | LGBT+ | Night | Medicine
Transmission
23rd September
The Packhorse
Brought to you by The Packhorse, enjoy £2 on selected drinks and £4 on selected cocktails as we bring you the freshest independent releases and classic indie anthems.
Bars and Nightlife | Free | Freshers | The Packhorse | Night | Transmission
Disney Movie Night
23rd September
Founder's Lecture Theatre
Come along to Founder's Lecture Theatre and join us for the screening of a classic Disney movie. We all have our favourite, and we're sure this one won't disappoint.
Free | Music and Film | Alcohol-free | Freshers | Give It A Go | Night
Smells Like Teen Spirit ft. Deaf Havana DJ Set
23rd September
Union Venue
Freshers' Festival wouldn't be the same without an indie rock night and we're delighted to be joined by James and Matty from Deaf Havana for a DJ set that will surely bring the house down.
Bars and Nightlife | Music and Film | Freshers | Night | Wristband | SU Venue
Poster Sale
24th September
Students' Union
On Campus Art are bringing their poster and art print sale to the SU from 22-24 September. Come along, browse through their prints and fill your new pads with their fun new and classic designs!
Free | Alcohol-free | Freshers | Day
Treasure Trail
24th September
Meet at the Students' Union
Come and familiarise yourself with campus by taking part in our Treasure Trail - a great way to get to know your way around as well as meet new people.
Free | Alcohol-free | Freshers | Give It A Go | Day
MedsBevs
24th September
Medicine
MedsBevs is a simple concept - great drinks at great prices shared with some (hopefully) great friends. What's not to love about this Medicine staple?
Bars and Nightlife | Free | Freshers | Night | Medicine
Craft Night
24th September
Imagine
Flex those creative muscles and impress us with your skills as you decorate your choice of item(s) - we've got mugs / glasses / photo frames / bags / tealights / coasters / keyrings so plenty to keep you busy!
Alcohol-free | Freshers | Give It A Go | Night
Juicy ft. 220 KID & Cuppy (DJ Set)
24th September
Founder's South Quad
Friday nights don't come much better than this! Join us in Founder's South Quad as Freshers' Festival continues in style with 220 KID & Cuppy (DJ Set) providing the soundtrack to your evening.
Bars and Nightlife | Music and Film | Freshers | Night | Wristband
Trip to IKEA
25th September
Union Plaza
Join us for a trip to IKEA and kit out your new room with whatever you desire (or just go for the meatballs).
Alcohol-free | Freshers | Give It A Go | Day
Fancy MedsBevs
25th September
Medicine
Can't make it to Freshers' Ball? Do not fear… We are putting on an extra fancy MedsBevs night for you! Expect prosecco popping, red carpets and balloons!
Bars and Nightlife | Free | Freshers | Night | Medicine
Freshers' Ball ft. ELLA HENDERSON & more
25th September
Founder's South Quad
Dress up to the nines and round off Freshers' Festival in style as we throw a massive ball in Founder's South Quad where ELLA HENDERSON will be headlining the biggest party of the week.
Bars and Nightlife | Music and Film | Freshers | Night | Wristband
Pub Quiz
26th September
The Packhorse
It's time to show your general knowledge skills with our weekly quiz night. If you like a laugh and a bit of friendly competition, this is the night for you!
Bars and Nightlife | Freshers | The Packhorse | Night | Food and Drink
Outdoor Cinema
26th September
Founder's South Quad
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the movie in the beautiful location of Founder's South Quad.
Bars and Nightlife | Free | Music and Film | Freshers | Night