Freshers’ Festival 2021 Programme

With Freshers’ Festival 2021 just around the corner, we have more than 35 exciting events planned all around campus!

This year’s Freshers’ Festival wristband will give you access to loads of night time events, from the Flawless Relaunch ft. ArrDee in the South Quad to Glitterbomb with drag superstar Baga Chipz in the Union Venue. If House is your thing, join us at Juicy Relaunch ft. 220 KID & Cuppy (DJ Set). At Freshers’ Ball, you can expect a huge line-up including Ella Henderson, Jonasu, Lilly Ahlberg and KINGPIN Production on the main stage as well as support from DJ Tom One and DJ HAASHIM! No matter whether you are a new or returning student, we have an event for you. Meet new people at The Welcome Party (Sun 19 Sep) or bring your friends and housemates for a drink at Returners’ Party (Fri 17 Sep).

Starting at Royal Holloway or returning for your second year? Don’t miss out on getting your Freshers’ Festival wristband! On Friday 27 August 2021, for 10 days we are giving first and second-year students priority access to purchase a wristband, which gets you into all our biggest Freshers’ Festival events, like Ibiza Sunset ft. Karen Harding and Smells Like Teen Spirit ft. Deaf Havana (DJ Set) to name a few.

It’s important to note that you will need to have been double vaccinated to buy a Freshers’ Festival wristband or attend venues at the Union Venue and Founder’s South Quad. Not vaccinated? There are still plenty of day and nighttime events that don’t require you to be. You’ll be able to attend all of the events at our other venues, The Packhorse and Medicine, to celebrate Freshers’ Festival in style.

Looking for a more chilled out way to have fun and meet new people? We are also holding a mix of day and evening activities, from a Disney Movie Night to a trip to get some essentials at IKEA. These are part of our Give It A Go programme, a whole load of alcohol-free events designed for anyone who wants to flex their creative muscles or maybe learn a new skill. Come and play some monopoly at our Board Games Night or familiarise yourself with the campus on the Treasure Trail. Tea @Tommy’s and Design a Door Sign will be great chances to meet and mingle, and keep an eye out on Founder’s Field for the Petting Zoo to meet some furry friends.

Check out the events programme

When can I buy a wristband?

Wristbands will go on sale in two phases:

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

Individual event tickets are on sale from 10am on Monday 13 September.

Buy a wristband

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

In line with government advice surrounding nightclubs, only those who are double vaccinated will be able to attend events at the Union Venue and Founder’s South Quad. 14 days must also have passed since your final dose of the vaccine. This means that if you have not had your second dose by Saturday 4 September, you should not purchase a wristband.

Not vaccinated? We still have a load of events you can attend which don’t require a vaccine for entry including at both Medicine, The Packhorse, and our Give It A Go programme.

If you have a medical exemption please contact the team at venues@su.rhul.ac.uk who will be able to chat to you about attending and what to expect within our venues.