Below are some of the activities available to students during winter break. For more information, please contact the department or office hosting the event. For general information, please contact sao@carleton.edu.
Leaving campus over break? Find a Winter Gathering near you! Check out the Winter Gatherings happening around the country. Winter Gatherings are gatherings hosted by regional volunteers with activities varying from cookie decorating to simply warm beverages and joyful conversation. We hope that you are able to join local alumni, students, and families in these wonderful gatherings anywhere your break takes you. Know that wherever you may be this winter break, the Carleton Community welcomes you.

  • November 22 – December 31: Carleton Cupboard (food shelf): Sponsored by the Student Activities Office (SAO) and the Carleton Student Association (CSA). Thank you parents, alums, faculty, and staff for all the generous donations!
  • November 27: Brunch @ Dacie Moses House. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • November 27: “Popcorn & PJs” Movie Night @ Dacie Moses House. 8:00 p.m.
  • November 29: “Build Your Own Nachos” Lunch. Noon-1:30 p.m., Upper Sayles. Sponsored by the Student Activities Office (SAO).
  • November 30: “Manny” the SWA Dog: 11:00 a.m. – Noon, Office of Health Promotion (OHP), Sayles-Hill.
  • November 30: “Case” the SWA Dog: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Office of Health Promotion (OHP), Sayles-Hill.
  • December 1: Trivia Night with food from the Mediterranean Cruise Cafe. Hosted by the Office of International Student Life (ISL). 7:00 p.m., Upper Sayles. Sign-up here!
  • December 2: “Maisy” the SWA Dog: 2:00 -3:00 p.m., Office of Health Promotion (OHP), Sayles-Hill.
  • December 4: Brunch @ Dacie Moses House. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • December 6: Build Your Own Pizza Night: Dacie Moses House. 6:00 p.m.
  • December 7: “Case” the SWA Dog: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Office of Health Promotion (OHP), Sayles-Hill.
  • December 7: Cozy Crafts (Tie Blankets + Hot Chocolate) with the Office of Intercultural Life (OIL): 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., OIL Office, Sayles-Hill
  • December 9: “Puzzle Playoff” hosted by Professor Bill North. Teams of up to 4 students will receive a 500 piece puzzle. At the start of competition, with Zoom cameras on, students will unwrap their puzzle in their favorite puzzle making place and complete the puzzle as fast as possible. Top three finishers will receive prizes. Registration required, maximum of 15 teams please register here. The competition begins at 6:00 p.m. Zoom link will be sent prior to the event.
  • December 11: Brunch @ Dacie Moses House. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • December 12 & 13: Strategic Plan Listening Lunch. Members of the Advancing the Liberal Arts Strategic Plan task force invite you to participate in a focus group about what the liberal arts mean to you. Please join us for a discussion about what first attracted you to apply to a liberal arts college, your experiences at Carleton, and how you see your education as preparing you for life after Carleton. 11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Sayles 251. Lunch provided! Sign up required; Please sign up for only one session. 
  • December 13: Potluck Dinner @ Dacie Moses House. Sign-up Required. 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
  • December 14: Midweek Baked Goods Bash with the Gender & Sexuality Center (GSC). 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. @ Clader House.
  • December 14: “Case” the SWA Dog: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Office of Health Promotion (OHP), Sayles-Hill.
  • December 16: SOLD OUT!! SAO Movie Bus (Dundas, Minnesota): Avatar, The Way of Water. Opening night! Run Time: 3 hours, 10 minutes. Bus loads at 7:15 p.m., departs Willis Hall at 7:30 p.m. Bus will return to campus at approximately 11:45 p.m. Advance sign-up required. Limited to the first 50 students. Trip includes transportation, movie ticket, popcorn and a soda.
  • December 17: Free Lunch with the Office of Alumni Relations! 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., Alumni Guest House (AGH) Meeting Room (Johnson House). This is a great way to connect with Carleton alumni in the area, as well as a chance to eat some delicious food from Tokyo Grill. Sign-up required by Thursday, November 15. Hurry! Space is limited.
  • December 18: Brunch @ Dacie Moses House. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • December 20: Hot Cocoa & Puzzle Night @ Dacie Moses House. 8:00 p.m.
  • December 21: Leeann Chin Lunch: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m., Upper Sayles, Sponsored by the Office of International Student Life (ISL). UPDATE: LUNCH MENU HAS CHANGED TO PIZZA & WINGS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES DUE TO THE INCOMING WINTER STORM. STAY SAFE!
  • December 25: Brunch @ Dacie Moses House. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • January 1: Brunch @ Dacie Moses House. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Recreation Center Winter Break Hours (Nov. 28 – Dec. 22)

Monday–Friday: 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sunday: CLOSED

CLOSED → Nov. 24-27, Dec. 23-25, Jan. 1

REDUCED HOURS (Dec. 26-30)

Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 31: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 2: 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 3: 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.