Welcome Activities
Welcome: January 2026
If you’re starting with us in January, we are ready to welcome you to UON and get you ready for your next chapter with us.
We have planned a series of events and activities for new students to get you familiar with us and keep you busy, while making or hanging out with friends.
These events are here to help you feel informed, comfortable, and ready to start your studies at UON. Plus, they’re a fun way to begin making new friends and connections.
Welcome Activities timetable
This is a list of all the events we’re planning throughout our Welcome period, with more to come so check back later.
Here’s a list of dates we’ll be commemorating throughout these months:
January
- Veganuary
- 18 January: World Religion Day
- 25 January: Burn’s Night
- 27 January: Holocaust Memorial
February
- LGBTQ+ History Month
- 6 February: Time to Talk Day
- 9 February: National Pizza Day
- 14 February: Valentines Day
- 17 February: Pancake Day, Chinese New Year
- 17 February onwards: Ramadan
- 28 February: Rare Disease Day
Wednesday 14 January 2026
Music Bingo, Waterside Bar
Spot the songs, mark your card and win the secret prize up for grabs!
- Time: 7-10pm
Thursday 15 January 2026
Karaoke, Waterside Bar
Warm up your vocal chords this winter, and sing your favourite songs! All experience levels are welcome.
- Time: 7-10pm
Friday 16 January 2026
Movie Night, Student Loft
Come and join us for a film at the Student Loft, popcorn and snacks are welcome!
- Time: 5:45pm onwards
Monday 19 January 2026
Quiz Night, Waterside Bar
Think you know music? Come along to the quiz to test your knowledge.
- Time: 7-10pm
Tuesday 20 January 2026
Student Spelling Bee, Waterside Bar
Test your word power, with the winner taking home a meal voucher for 1st place.
- Time: 7-10pm
Wednesday 21 January 2026
Music Bingo, Waterside Bar
It’s the pop princess edition – think you know your Dua Lipa from your Taylor Swift? Come along and claim a full house.
- Time: 7-10pm
Thursday 22 January 2026
Karaoke, Waterside Bar
Get into the swing of term with some of your favourite songs, from big belters to best-loved tunes, come and browse the catalogue of songs you can perform.
- Time: 7-10pm
Saturday 24 January 2026
Board Games Day Social, Owls Nest
A chance to be social whilst playing some best-loved board games.
- Time: 10am-5pm
Monday 26 January 2026
Quiz Night, Waterside Bar
Come along to the anime and manga themed quiz, where you could take home the entire prize pot.
- Time: 7-10pm
Wednesday 28 January 2026
Music Bingo, Waterside Bar
Test your knowledge of sitcoms, dramas and blockbusters with this TV and film themed quiz night.
- Time: 7-10pm
Thursday 29 January 2026
Karaoke, Waterside Bar
What’s your karaoke go-to?! Come along to the Waterside Bar, take your pick, and follow the words on screen.
- Time: 7-10pm
Monday 2 February 2026
Quiz Night, Waterside Bar
If you know your Marvel Universe from your DC one, this is the perfect chance to try and win the prize pot at this themed Marvel/DC/Comics knowledge tester.
- Time: 7-10pm
Tuesday 3 February 2026
Board Games Night, Waterside Bar
Play some best loved board games. Chat, play and relax!
- Time: 7-9pm
Wednesday 4 February 2026
Music Bingo, Waterside Bar
If you know Nirvana, Slipknot, Iron Maiden and many more, you could be in with a chance of shouting BINGO fastest.
- Time: 7-10pm
Thursday 5 February 2026
Karaoke, Waterside Bar
Come along, pick a song from the catalogue and have fun!
- Time: 7-10pm
Tuesday 10 February 2026
Mini Quiz Night, The Student Loft
Contains lots of brain teasers, and general knowledge trivia.
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Wednesday 11 February 2026
Crafts in the Loft, The Student Loft
Join us for a session of creating Chinese Lanterns ahead of the New Year celebrations.
- Time: 3pm-6:30pm
Music Bingo, Waterside Bar
If you are familiar with some of the biggest love songs, come along to a game of music bingo as it’s Valentine’s edition!
- Time: 7-10pm
Thursday 12 February 2026
Karaoke, Waterside Bar
Come along, pick a song from the catalogue and have fun!
- Time: 7-10pm
Friday 13 February 2026
Movie Night (Valentine’s), The Student Loft
Grab your popcorn and watch a showing of a rom-com.
- Time: 5:45pm onwards
Monday 16 February 2026
Quiz Night, Waterside Bar
For the fans of sci-fi, test your knowledge in this bumper quiz.
- Time: 7-10pm
Wednesday 18 February 2026
Board Games Afternoon, The Leathersellers Hide, 4th Floor, Learning Hub
Get stuck into your favourite board games in a relaxed environment.
- Time: 12:30-5pm
Music Bingo, Waterside Bar
This emo/alternative themed game of bingo is your opportunity to take home the prize pot.
- Time: 7-10pm
Thursday 19 February 2026
Karaoke, Waterside Bar
Come along, pick a song from the catalogue and have fun!
- Time: 7-10pm
Tuesday 24 February 2026
Mini Quiz Night, The Student Loft
Another chance to answer a series of brain teasers and take home a prize.
- Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Wednesday 25 February 2026
Music Bingo, Waterside Bar
From Wicked to the West End – it’s a musical themed edition of bingo. Identify the songs to score a full house.
- Time: 7-10pm
Thursday 26 February 2026
Karaoke, Waterside Bar
Come along, pick a song from the catalogue and have fun!
- Time: 7-10pm
Saturday 28 February 2026
Board Games Day, Owls Nest, Learning Hub
Get stuck in to your favourite board games whilst socialising and relaxing.
- Time: 10am-5pm
The Students’ Union will be ready to welcome you with a range of events designed to build you campus community and connect you to other students and the local community. Join them for a ‘Welcome to Britain Party’, fitness classes and a ‘Give-it-a-Go’ day with sports and societies! Plus, much more! Keep an eye on the Students’ Union website for more details.
Arriving later than expected? Save these dates to your diary. Remember the last date to enrol will be 9 February for undergraduate students and 23 February for postgraduate students. Arriving after this date means you will have to return home, if you think you may be delayed arriving, please contact us on international@northampton.ac.uk as early as possible to discuss your options.
