CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Winter Warmer Family Day: Winter Stories

Enjoy a whole host of festive activities, with a special smattering of events focussing on Winter Stories, at the University of Glasgow's Winter Warmer Family Day!

Winter Warmer Family Day: Winter Stories

About Winter Warmer Family Day: Winter Stories

Join us on Saturday 14 December for our annual, free Winter Warmer Family Day, this year with a focus on Winter Stories.

Drop-in any time between 12:00 and 15:00 to enjoy a whole host of festive activities. All activities are FREE and most are drop-in. You’ll find extra booking links below for sessions that need to be reserved in advance.

Our wonderful café, The Western, will be open during the event for soup and sandwiches, coffee and cakes!

Plus, you can hear some fantastic festive music from the Byres Road Big Band, and Santa himself may even make an appearance!

This Family Day is part of our Winter Warmer festive programme.

Please note, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

What’s On?

Bookable workshops

Glass Mosaic Winter Workshop
10:00 – 12:00
Ages 14+

Adventures with Micro:bits
Session 1: 11:30 – 12:45
Session 2: 13:00 – 14:15
Ages 8+

Winter's Tales: Seasonal Storytelling Through Text, Tale and Place
Session 1: 12:30 – 13:00
Session 2: 13:30 – 14:00
Session 3: 14:30 – 15:00
Ages 3+

Weathering Well: Crafting with Stories of SAD
13:00 – 15:00
Ages 18+

Winter Fun with the Robot Dog
Session 1: 13:00 – 13:30
Session 2: 14:00 – 14:30
Ages 8+

Making a Very Community Christmas
13:00 – 15:00
All ages

Tabletop activities
Drop-in any time between 12:00 and 15:00 to get stuck into a smorgasbord of Winter Stories.

Festive Glowing Science Everywhere
Join Glowing Science and discover how glowing proteins are lighting the way to new medicines! Led by the Centre for Translational Pharmacology, this hands-on experience dives into the dazzling world of fluorescence. From glowing jellyfish in nature to glowing nutrients in our food, you’ll see how fluorescence is all around us. In the lab, light-emitting proteins are powerful tools that help researchers reveal the hidden workings of living cells leading to innovative treatments and new medicines.

Science can sometimes feel distant or intimidating, but we’re here to change that! Race to find the labelled cells in the ball pit, discover everyday objects that are fluorescent and write Christmas cards with special hidden messages. Through hands-on activities infused with a touch of winter holiday spirit, we invite you to explore the glowing magic of science in a fun and approachable way.

Winter Wildlife
Explore this display talking about hibernating animals using photos from the habitat for hibernators session. There will be information about each local species including hedgehogs, mice, queen bumblebees, frogs, and toads. Take a look at our map showing migration routes of different species. You can also view our map, showing the results from the autumn CIVIS bioblitz and our promoter will talk about the birds found on campus and how we can help them during the winter by putting out bird seed.

Making Winter Wonders
Join illustrator Emma Melchor to use card, paper and special decorations to create tiny winter scenes for our characters. Are they going on an adventure? Or are they heading home to get a hot chocolate? Let your imagination fly and build magical winter worlds to play with these holidays or to decorate your room with.

Partick Growing Project Tabletop
Come and join Partick Community Growing Project to create lovely baubles and snowflakes to bring some festive sparkle to your home this winter

My Voice, My Glasgow
‘My Voice, My Glasgow’ is a research project about language and identity, led by researchers at the University of Glasgow and the University of Sheffield, and pupils at two Glasgow schools. Our ARC Winter Warmer family day activities will be led by pupils from Hyndland Secondary School, who want to ask you about your relationship with your voice. Do you use different voices in different places? Do you have one voice for family, another for friends, and another on the phone? Are you like all of your voices, or do you wish you sounded different? Tell us what you think!

The Story of the Western Infirmary
In recent years, the University of Glasgow has undergone major campus redevelopment leading to the successful completion of four world class academic buildings. But what was there before?

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the official opening of the former Western Infirmary, a Victorian-era hospital that once stood on the University of Glasgow’s Gilmorehill campus. The Western Infirmary acted as a hub for ground-breaking advancements in surgery, pathology, chemotherapy, radiology, oncology, gynaecology, medical education, radiology, and more.

It's demolition in 2015 has revealed some of the previously hidden architecture of John Burnet, such as the Alexander Elder Memorial Chapel, one of the few chapels in the world dedicated to the doctors and nurses who died in both World Wars. Discover the fascinating story of the hospital through a series of historical images and learn about the crucial role that the Infirmary played in the development of modern medicine!

Festive Clothes Drive
Glasgow University Environmental Sustainability Team (GUEST), are hosting their Festive Clothes Drive at the ARC this Family Day. Peruse donated clothing and gifts donated by Glasgow University Staff and Students wrapped up in gift paper for you to take away. Find some fun festive clothing, up for grabs for all attendees.

And there are even more FREE activities on the day! Explore our VR Virus Snowflakes, learn about winter temperatures, discover ‘Unseasonal Change’, and paint your face for the Peking Opera.

Join us for what is sure to be a festive day, full of fascinating Winter Stories.

Sponsored Links

City Sightseeing Glasgow
City Of Glasgow Chorus
Hilton Glasgow
Paisley First
Fayre Play
Glasgow City Council
Renfrewshire Council

Other Events at Mazumdar Shaw Advanced Research Centre

Explorathon at Glasgow Doors Open Day

20th September 2025 - 21st September 2025

Dip into the fantastic research happening on your doorstep, with family-friendly activities and exhibits as part of the Scotland-wide Explorathon festival, in partnership with Glasgow Doors Open Days!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Media Shop
Renfrewshire Council
The Quay
East Renfrewshire Culture
Glasgow Music City Tours
Open Pass Scotland

Similar events you might like...

Family Fun Sundays At The Grosvenor

Family Fun Sundays At The Grosvenor

Selected dates between 10th November 2024 - 29th March 2026

Come join the Family Fun at The Grosvenor, Ashton Lane every Sunday from Midday, it's free to attend, all you need is your party outfit!

READ MORE
The Barras Market

The Barras Market

Selected dates between 4th January 2025 - 21st December 2025

With its iconic archways The Barras Market is a Glasgow institution, open to the public every weekend, come along and grab yourself a bargain or two!

READ MORE
Take 2: Family-Friendly Films

Take 2: Family-Friendly Films

Selected dates between 4th January 2025 - 27th December 2025

Everything from kid-friendly classics to family foreign language and the latest blockbuster releases, Take 2 screenings at Glasgow Film Theatre will keep even the littlest film fans entertained!

READ MORE
Discover! Weekend Sessions

Discover! Weekend Sessions

Selected dates between 4th January 2025 - 28th December 2025

Join The Burrell Collection each weekend for a free drop in family session where you can get hands on and find out more about the collection through crafts, music and object handling!

READ MORE
TrySkating: Indoor Skating

TrySkating: Indoor Skating

Selected dates between 5th January 2025 - 21st December 2025

Join TrySkating for their weekly Sunday morning open skating sessions at Arc Sports Hall, new skaters always welcome!

READ MORE
Springburn Junior Parkrun

Springburn Junior Parkrun

Selected dates between 5th January 2025 - 28th December 2025

Springburn Junior Parkrun is a weekly, free 2km timed run held on Sunday mornings at Springburn Park!

READ MORE
Elder Park Junior Parkrun

Elder Park Junior Parkrun

Selected dates between 5th January 2025 - 28th December 2025

Elder Park Junior Parkrun is a weekly, free 2km timed run held on Sunday mornings at Elder Park!

READ MORE
Dogs Trust Dog Training Classes

Dogs Trust Dog Training Classes

Selected dates between 5th January 2025 - 28th December 2025

The Dogs Trust offer training classes for dogs at all stages of their lives, in a relaxed and enjoyable environment at Mount Vernon Community Hall!

READ MORE
Victoria Junior Parkrun

Victoria Junior Parkrun

Selected dates between 5th January 2025 - 28th December 2025

Victoria Junior Parkrun is a weekly, free 2km timed run held on Sunday mornings at Victoria Park in the West End of Glasgow!

READ MORE

Find other events in Glasgow

Sponsored Links

City Sightseeing Glasgow
City Of Glasgow Chorus
Hilton Glasgow
Paisley First
Fayre Play
Glasgow City Council
Renfrewshire Council
Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust
Media Shop
Renfrewshire Council
The Quay
East Renfrewshire Culture
Glasgow Music City Tours
Open Pass Scotland

Popular Events

Summer Nights at the Bandstand
The Summer Nights at the Bandstand festival returns to Kelvingrove Park for a tenth year with 13 nights of live music from elbow, Billy Ocean, Hue And Cry, Teenage Fanclub and many more!
Lewis Capaldi
After two years away from the spotlight, global superstar Lewis Capaldi has announced a new tour with a date at the OVO Hydro on Saturday 13th September!
Bard in the Botanics
Bard in the Botanics are delighted to be returning to Glasgow Botanic Gardens for Summer 2025 with their 'magic - mayhem - and murder' season!
Belter Bubbles - The Giant Riverside Museum Bubble Event
Whether you're 5 or 95, Belter Bubbles - The Giant Riverside Museum Bubble Event will leave you bubbling with joy!
Big Nights Out
Big Nights Out is an exciting new summer concert series taking place in Glasgow across two of the city's iconic outdoor bandstands featuring Arab Strap, Camera Obscura, Midge Ure, 10cc and more!

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro