Campus vignette: Your UCard is your ticket to fun, even during winter break

The university gets awfully quiet around the holidays, but if you’re sticking close to campus this winter break, there’s still plenty to do for free or at a discount with a valid UCard. Winter break runs from December 13, 2025, to January 2, 2026.

Enjoy a chorale concert

The University of Utah’s treble voice choir, Voci Altissime, will perform a free concert with the Beacon Elementary Choir on Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Thompson Chamber Music Hall.

See ‘Noises Off’ at Pioneer Theater Company (PTC)

Check out PTC’s latest show, “Noises Off,” which runs through December 20. Students can get two $5 tickets with their Arts Pass. Faculty and staff can use their UCards to buy tickets for a 50% discount at the box office or 10% off every ticket sale purchased online.

Visit the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU)

With the exception of Christmas Day, the NHMU will be open all winter break. Admission is free for students, faculty, and staff with their UCard. It’s the perfect time to check out the museum’s latest exhibit Mysteries of the Ice Ages, which runs through January 4, 2026.

Visit Red Butte Garden and Arboretum

Also free for students, faculty, and staff, a winter walk through Red Butte can be magical, especially when it’s snowing. The garden is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will be closed from December 24 through January 1.

Visit the Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA)

Yet another freebie for students, faculty, and staff, UMFA will be open intermittently over winter break, Tuesdays through Sundays, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed December 24-26 and January 1. You can preview its current exhibitions online.

Rent snow equipment

Rent snow equipment from Outdoor Adventures, which will be open during winter break. Not only do students receive special rates, they can score deals and discounts on ski passes through these U of U ski clubs: Freeskier Society and One Love. To qualify, you must be currently enrolled at the U and verify your student status. Nonstudents should check out Ski Utah for information on deals and discounts.

Attend an Athletics event

Check this composite calendar to see which teams will host home meets over break.

 

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