# Staying over the holidays

**Source**: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/attendance/vacation
**Parent**: https://student.sussex.ac.uk/international/visas

See what your options are if you’re planning to stay on the Sussex campus or nearby over the Easter break, summer vacation or Christmas holidays.

## Holiday dates

The main breaks in our [academic year dates](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/term-dates) are:

- [Easter](#easter), listed as the spring vacation
- [Summer](#summer), listed as the summer vacation.
- [Christmas](#christmas), listed as the winter vacation

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## Easter

Easter takes place during the [spring vacation listed in our academic year dates](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/term-dates).

If you’re staying in [University-managed accommodation](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/accommodation/university), your [accommodation agreement](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/accommodation/apply/policies) covers you for the spring vacation. See the [events listings](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/events/) to check what's on in the coming weeks.

If you are planning to stay in your rooom over Easter, tell us using the [Easter housing notification form](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/accommodation/university/staying-over-break) online. It’s quick to do and it keeps you safe.

Some facilities will be closed or operating different hours during the spring vacation. Check opening times for:

- the [Student Centre](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/centre/)
- campus [sports centres](http://www.sussex.ac.uk/sport/)
- the [Library](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/library/using-the-library/hours)
- [campus cafés](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/campus/food/outlets/opening-hours).

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## Summer

Our summer vacation period is listed in our [academic year dates](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/term-dates).

If you’re staying in [University-managed accommodation](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/accommodation/university), your [accommodation agreement](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/accommodation/apply/policies) normally ends before the summer vacation starts.

You can find out about [staying in University-managed accommodation over the summer](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/accommodation/university/apply/summer).

Some facilities will be closed or operating different hours during the summer vacation. Check opening times for:

- the [Student Centre](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/centre/)
- campus [sports centres](http://www.sussex.ac.uk/sport/)
- the [Library](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/library/using-the-library/hours)
- [campus cafés](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/campus/food/outlets/opening-hours).

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## Christmas

Christmas happens during the [winter vacation listed in our academic year dates](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/term-dates).

Some facilities will be closed or operating different hours during the winter vacation. Check opening times for:

- the [Student Centre](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/centre/)
- campus [sports centres](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/news/article/69626-sussex-sport-festive-period-opening-times)
- the [Library](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/library/using-the-library/hours)
- [campus cafés](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/campus/food/outlets/vacation-hours)
- the [launderette](http://www.sussex.ac.uk/sef/services/launderette).

### **University shops over Christmas**

Check the Christmas opening hours of on-campus shops:

- [Co-op](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/news/article/69631-food-and-drink-outlets-festive-period-opening-times)
- [Pharmacy](https://sussexunipharmacy.co.uk/)
- [Union Shop](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/news/article/69631-food-and-drink-outlets-festive-period-opening-times).

### **Events**

There are several festive events going on. Highlights include:

- On Saturday 20 December, there will be a [trip to Arundel](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/events/details/69593.0-belong-on-campus-at-winter) with the Chaplain.
- On Thursday 25 December, Sussex's Chaplain for international students is hosting a '[music and mulled wine](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/campus/chaplaincy/)' afternoon.
- On Saturday 3 January, Res Life Connectors are hosting a [movie night](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/news/article/69623-support-over-the-minimum-service-days) in the Student Centre.

See more information about [events and support over the minimum service days](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/news/article/69623-support-over-the-minimum-service-days).

Check all [Meeting House opening times over the holidays](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/chaplaincy/opening-times) and [see the Events page for Mass times](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/events/).

Our Residential Life team aim to bring you [campus events throughout the Christmas break](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/events/). Follow the [Res Life team on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reslifesussex/) to keep up to date.

Emotional wellbeing drop-ins will take place over the Christmas break. More information about these, including dates and times can be found on the [Events page](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/events/).

You’ll find [things to do in Brighton over Christmas on the VisitBrighton website.](https://www.visitbrighton.com/whats-on/christmas-events)

### **Transport**

Some public transport does not run on Christmas Day (25 December).

Check which services are running around the Christmas and New Year period for:

- [Brighton & Hove Buses](https://www.buses.co.uk/christmas)
- [Railway services](https://www.thetrainline.com/trains/great-britain/christmas-and-new-year?msockid=01e4ae8ab001668038f1b82ab1d96712).

### **Sending letters and parcels**

If you’re planning to send packages or letters home before Christmas, there are [last posting dates for Royal Mail](https://www.royalmail.com/christmas).

### **Staying with us**

You’re welcome to stay in your [University-managed accommodation](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/accommodation) over the break. If you want to do this, [fill in this form to let us know](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/accommodation/university/staying-over-break).

Your [accommodation agreement](https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/accommodation/apply/policies) covers you for the winter vacation.

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## Support services

See details of [our support services](https://student.sussex.ac.uk/centre/) if you need them.