Published: Nov. 29, 2023

Welcome to December—we’re in the home stretch! Before heading home for the holidays, or simply getting some well-earned rest, spend time with fellow Buffs and prepare yourself for finals. This month brings Late Night Breakfast, holiday movies, free fitness classes and activities at the Rec, therapy dogs, DIY nights, student performances and much more.

Featured events

Student recitals

Various dates and times 
Students from the College of Music will be performing in various degree-qualifying recitals this month. Most recitals are in the Imig Music building and are available for livestreaming. 

‘Take A Closer Look’ exhibit

 Throughout December CU Museum of Natural History
Check out a new exhibit at the CU Museum full of curated objects. Many of the specimens represent the ancient world. 

Friday Night Film Series: ‘Blue Beetle’

 Dec. 1 8 p.m.  CHEM 140 
Program Council is kicking off the month with a showing of “Blue Beetle.” In the film, main character Jaimie Reyes, played by Xolo Maridueña, obtains the Scarab, which gives him armor and unpredictable powers. 

Feel Good Friday Meditation 

 Dec. 1, 8, 15  12:15–12:45 p.m.  CU Art Museum front gallery 
At Feel Good Friday Meditation, attendees learn about a work of art and take part in a mindfulness practice. 

Buffs After Dark: Drag Bingo 

 Dec. 2  ​8–10 p.m.  UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom 
Embrace the art of drag and win cool prizes during Drag Queen Bingo, hosted by the Center for Student Involvement. 

Soundworks

 Dec. 3  ​7:30 p.m.  Imig Music, Ensemble Hall (S134)
Soundworks is a concert series featuring performances of new and original College of Music composers, songwriters, improvisers and collaborators. Each event can feature a variety of music styles. 

I Love Mondays: Milk and cookies 

 Dec. 4  ​2 p.m.  UMC North Dining Room 
Milk and cookies are a holiday staple. Get festive this monday and enjoy a sweet treat at the UMC. 

Sidewalk Talk: Finals prep

 Dec. 4  ​12:20–2:30 p.m.  Engineering Center 
Finals are right around the corner—are you prepared? Stop by the Engineering Center for strategies and resources in preparation for finals. 

Billiards tournament 

 Dec. 4  ​7–9 p.m.  The Connection 
Show off your skills with a game of 8 or 9-ball pool. Prizes available for top finishers. Sign-up starts at 6 p.m. at The Connection’s front desk. 

You are Graduating—What’s Next?

 Dec. 4  ​10–11 a.m. Virtual 
What are your plans after graduation? During this virtual presentation, attendees will learn more about straightening their priorities and setting themselves up for success. 

Toprope Belay Course

 Dec. 4, 5, 11, 12  ​5–7 p.m.  Rec Center, climbing gym
If you’re a new climber, or need a refresher, this course is for you! Participants will learn to belay their partner on toprope climbs in the gym. 

Journey to the Center of Stillness

 Dec. 4  ​5–6 p.m.  Fiske Planetarium
Take part in a guided meditation at the planetarium, led by CAPS and Matthew Tomatz, an experienced meditation facilitator. 

Graduate Brass Quintet

 Dec. 4  ​7:30 p.m.  Imig Music, Grusin Music Hall (C112)
Check out the College of Music’s Graduate Brass Quintet. This event will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person. 

Allyship: Advancing Diversity and Inclusion Workshop

 Dec. 5  ​1:30–3 p.m.  Virtual
Are you interested in becoming an ally? This virtual workshop session will teach attendees how to define allyship, explain its importance, talk about its impacts and more. 

DIY Night: Beanie embroidery 

 Dec. 5  ​5–7 p.m.  UMC 235 
Customize your very own beanie with embroidery. DIY Night is a great way to relax with peers. 

Renting 101 

 Dec. 5  ​5–6:30 p.m.  Williams Village North, Room 160 
Finding off-campus housing can be tricky. That's why the Basic Needs Center and Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations and offering potential renters some advice on leases, resources and more. 

Health Hut: Fuel for finals 

 Dec. 5  ​11 a.m.–1 p.m.  Norlin Library 
In order to focus, your body needs to be properly fueled. Customize some nutritious trail mix to eat during finals season. 

Pre-Law Tuesday Talk

 Dec. 5  ​5:30 p.m.  Virtual 
Join attorney and LSAT consultant/tutor Nick Pavich from Superior, Colorado, for a virtual law talk. 

Career Technology to Help Land Your Next Job or Internship 

 Dec. 5, 12  ​12:30–1 p.m.  Virtual 
Handshake and Quinncia are career platforms designed to help you secure your next job or internship. Learn more about mastering this sites during this virtual workshop. 

Poker tournament

 Dec. 5  ​7–9 p.m.  The Connection 
How’s your poker face? Test your luck with a poker tournament at The Connection. Prizes available for top finishers. 

Queer and Trans People of Color 

 Dec. 5  ​12:30–1:30 p.m.  C4C 336E 
Attend this meeting for queer and trans people of color at CU Boulder. 

Faculty Tuesdays

 Dec. 5  ​7:30 p.m.  Imig Music, Grusin Music Hall (C112)
During Faculty Tuesdays, renowned staff at the College of Music perform, often with students and peers. This edition features Mike Thornton, Justin Bartles and the CSO Brass.

Super Smash Bros tournament 

 Dec. 6, 13  ​5–10 p.m.  The Connection 
Choose your fighter! The Connection is having two Super Smash Bros tournaments this month. 

Will Vill Wednesdays 

 Dec. 6, 13  ​4:30–7 p.m.  Williams Village North, Room 107 
Will Vill peeps are encouraged to stop by and hang out with other members of the queer and trans community. 

Wellness Wednesday: Yoga 

 Dec. 6  ​2–3 p.m.  Rec Center, Mind Body Studio 
Find your inner zen with a complimentary yoga session at the Rec. The practice is great for both your physical and mental well-being. All abilities are welcome. 

December Housing Fair 

 Dec. 6  ​4–7 p.m.  Village Center multipurpose rooms 
Meet with city officials, landlords, city offices, vendors and more at the December Housing Fair. Free hot chocolate and giveaways available. 

Drop ‘N’ Swap 

 Dec. 6  ​11 a.m.–5 p.m.  UMC West Glenn Miller Ballroom 
Revamp your closet with a clothing swap, hosted by the Environmental Center. If you want to drop off some clothes before the event, stop by UMC 355 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 27–Dec. 5 or to the UMC ballroom on the day of the event. Those who attend do not need to bring something to take an item home. 

Queer Cheer 

 Dec. 7, 14  ​1:30–4 p.m.  C4C N320
Create art with queer company. This event is drop-in, so stop by any time you can. 

Career Decision-Making Workshop for grad students, postdocs 

 Dec. 7  ​1–3 p.m.  TBA
Cat Diebel-Wilson, the Graduate Student Program Manager for Career Services, is hosting a workshop on the career decision-making process. This event has limited capacity. Email careeroutreach@colorado.edu with the subject line “Career Decision-Making” and the workshop date to sign up.

PC Presents 

 Dec. 7  ​7–10 p.m.  The Connection 
Club 156 is having live music at The Connection. 

Perfect Your Resume: Document Workshop 

 Dec. 7  ​11 a.m.–noon  Virtual 
Polish up your resume so it stands out from the crowd during this document workshop. 

Buffalo Nites: Spa Night 

 Dec. 7  ​8–10 p.m.  Rec Center, ice rink overlook 
Enjoy a relaxing spa night with peers. There will be eyebrow threading, solid-color manicures and face masks.

‘Fresh’

 Dec. 8–9  ​7:30 p.m.  Charlotte York Irey Theatre
“Fresh” is a CU dance concert crafted by undergraduate and graduate dance students, featuring a mix of hip-hop, aerial, fusion forms and more.

Friday Night Film Series: ‘Fred Claus’ 

 Dec. 8  ​8 p.m.  CHEM 140 
“Fred Claus” is a holiday classic starring Vince Vaugn and Paul Giamatti. In the film, Santa’s older brother, Fred, must move to the North Pole. 

Queer Creators Circle 

 Dec. 8  ​5–6 p.m.  Imig Music, Room S101
This group is for LGBTQ+ grad students. Students from all departments are welcome to attend to discuss their work and collaborate with peers. 

Sidewalk Talk: Winter break 

 Dec. 11  ​12:30–2:30 p.m.  UMC 
Winter break can be a stressful time for college students. Learn how to manage stress and navigate this transition. 

Bring Your Own Gender 

 Dec. 11  ​1:15–2:15 p.m.  C4C 336E
Bring Your Own Gender is a support group for students that are transgender, non-binary, gender-questioning and gender-creative. Stop by for support and interaction with peers who may be facing similar issues. 

DIY Zen Garden: Fun Before Finals 

 Dec. 11  ​1–3 p.m.  UMC 330 
Take a study break at the Center for Student Involvement’s Resource Center. 

Queer and Trans Grad Student Coffee Hour 

 Dec. 12  ​12:30–1:30 p.m.  C4C N320 
The Pride Office is having a coffee hour for LGBTQ+ and allied grad students. Build your community over a cup of joe! 

Health Hut: Stimulants trivia 

 Dec. 12  ​11 a.m.–1 p.m.  TBD 
What really are the mental and physical impacts of stimulants? There are other ways to support success during finals week. Learn more during this trivia session.

Therapy Dogs: Fun Before Finals 

 Dec. 12  ​Noon–2 p.m.  Rec Center 
What’s one way to destress? Puppies! Stop by The Rec for some much needed down time with therapy dogs. 

Fueling for Finals 

 Dec. 12  ​4:30–5:30 p.m.  UMC 417 
Learn how to properly fuel your mind and body in preparation for finals week. 

Networking: The Basics and Beyond 

 Dec. 13  ​2:30–3:30 p.m.  Virtual 
It's not always about what you know but who you know. Sign up on Handshake to take your skills to the next level. 

Create a Creature: Fun Before Finals 

 Dec. 13  ​2–4 p.m.  UMC 330 
Sometimes taking part in a hands-on activity can help you de-stress. Create your own mini stuffed animal in the UMC. 

Mobile Food Pantry 

 Dec. 14  ​2 p.m.  St. Aidan's Episcopal Church 
Visit the Mobile Food Pantry to receive up to 30 pounds of food in multiple boxes. Food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Black Table Talk

 Dec. 14  ​1–3 p.m.  Macky Auditorium, Room 116 
Black people who attend predominantly white institutions may experience feelings of isolation and helplessness. Black Table Talk is a workshop where attendees can discuss common issues and topics within the Black community. 

Late Night Breakfast 

 Dec. 14  ​7 p.m.  UMC Alferd Packer Grill 
The bright side of finals week is…free food! Break stuff in the smash room and enjoy a late night breakfast at the UMC. 

Friday Night Film Series: ‘Scrooged’ 

 Dec. 15  ​8 p.m.  CHEM 140 
Scrooged is a modern take on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The film stars Bill Murry as a successful television executive. 

Free Finals Week at the Rec 

 Dec. 15–20  Rec Center 
The Rec is hosting free fitness classes and activities during finals week. This includes free bouldering and skate rentals. 

Free Breakfast Boxes: Fun Before Finals 

 Dec. 15  ​9–11 a.m.  The Grotto 
The Grotto is giving out a free breakfast food package including yogurt, a burrito, cereal and fruit. Stay fueled for finals! 

Colorado Skies: The Winter Solstice

 Dec. 16  ​2:30 p.m.  Fiske Planetarium
The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. During this presentation, attendees will learn about the solstice, constellations and more.