The University will close for the winter break on Tuesday 23 December at 1.30pm and all campuses will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026.
We can also confirm the festive opening hours for a number of services below.
Library Services and the Festive Season
| |
Merchiston Library 24h Zone*
|
Merchiston Zone 5 (access to books) |
Craiglockhart & Sighthill Libraries |
Help desks open* |
| Mon 15 Dec - Fri 19 Dec |
24 hours (closes 9pm on 19/12) |
8am - 9pm |
8am - 9pm |
8.45am - 4.45pm* |
| Sat 20 Dec - Sun 21 Dec |
9am - 5pm |
9am - 5pm |
9am - 5pm |
Closed* |
| Mon 22 Dec |
8am - 9pm |
8am - 9pm |
8am - 9pm |
8.45am - 4.45pm* |
| Tues 23 Dec |
9am - 5pm |
8am - 1.30pm |
8am - 1.30pm |
Closed* |
| Wed 24 Dec |
9am - 5pm |
Closed |
Closed |
Closed* |
| Thurs 25 Dec - Fri 26 Dec |
Closed |
Closed |
Closed |
Closed* |
| Sat 27 Dec - Weds 31 Dec |
9am - 5pm |
Closed |
Closed |
Closed* |
| Thurs 1 Jan - Fri 2 Jan |
Closed
|
Closed |
Closed |
Closed* |
| Sat 3 Jan - Sun 4 Jan |
9am - 5pm |
Closed |
Closed |
Closed* |
| Mon 5 Jan - Fri 9 Jan |
8am - 10pm |
8am - 9pm |
8am - 9pm |
8.45am - 4.45pm* |
| Sat 10 Jan - Sun 11 Jan |
8am - 10pm |
9am - 5pm |
9am - 5pm |
Closed* |
| Mon 12 Jan - Fri 16 Jan |
8am - 10pm |
8am - 9pm |
8am - 9pm |
8.45am - 4.45pm* |
| Sat 17 Jan - Sun 18 Jan |
8am - 10pm |
9am - 5pm |
9am - 5pm |
Closed* |
| Mon 19 Jan - Fri 23 Jan |
8am - 10pm |
8am - 9pm |
8am - 9pm |
8.45am - 4.45pm* |
| Sat 24 Jan - Sun 25 Jan |
8am - 10pm |
9am - 5pm |
9am - 5pm |
Closed* |
Access to Merchiston library books is available during staffed hours only. If Merchiston Library Zones 1-4 only are open (the 24 hour zone), you will have access to study space, group study pods and computers.
There will be no access to book stock or staff help. Access is by swipe card only.
*Outwith these hours Library support will be provided by the NorMAN out of hours service.
You’ll find the opening hours of the Computer Suites over the festive period on the Computer Suite Festive Opening Hours page.
Computer Suite Festive Opening Hours
|
|
Merchiston JKCC
|
Craiglockhart & Sighthill Computer Suites
|
IS Service Desk (email and telephone help)* |
| Mon 15 Dec - Fri 19 Dec |
24/7 until 9pm
Fri 19 Dec
|
8am - 9pm |
8.45am - 4.45pm* |
| Sat 20 Dec - Sun 21 Dec** |
9am - 5pm |
9am - 5pm |
NorMAN service 24 hours |
| Mon 22 Dec |
8am - 9pm |
8am - 9pm |
8.45am - 4.45pm* |
| Tues 23 Dec |
9am - 5pm |
8am - 1.30pm |
8.45am - 1.30pm* |
| Weds 24 Dec** |
Closed |
Closed |
NorMAN service 24 hours |
| Thurs 25 Dec - Fri 26 Dec |
Closed |
Closed |
NorMAN service 24 hours |
| Sat 27 Dec - Weds 31 Dec** |
Closed |
Closed |
NorMAN service 24 hours |
| Thurs 1 Jan - Fri 2 Jan |
Closed |
Closed |
NorMAN service 24 hours |
| Sat 3 Jan - Sun 4 Jan** |
Closed |
Closed |
NorMAN service 24 hours |
| Mon 5 Jan - Fri 9 Jan |
8am - 10pm |
8am - 9pm |
8.45am - 4.45pm* |
| Sat 10 Jan - Sun 11 Jan |
8am - 10pm |
9am - 5pm |
NorMAN service 24 hours |
| Mon 12 Jan - Fri 16 Jan |
8am - 10pm |
8am - 9pm |
8.45am - 4.45pm* |
| Sat 17 Jan - Sun 18 Jan |
8am - 10pm |
9am - 5pm |
NorMAN service 24 hours |
| Mon 19 Jan - Fri 23 Jan |
8am - 10pm |
8am - 9pm |
8.45am - 4.45pm* |
| Sat 24 Jan - Sun 25 Jan |
8am - 10pm |
9am - 5pm |
NorMAN service 24 hours |
There will be no JKCC helpdesk cover from 15 December 2025 until 12 January 2026 - if you are in the JKCC and need assistance you can contact the IS Service Desk*.
Our standard Trimester 1&2 opening hours will resume on Monday 26 January 2026, you’ll find these on the Computers on Campus page.
* Outwith IS Service Desk opening hours support will be provided by NorMAN out of hours service, in this case you'll receive a response from e59.servicedesk@normanmanagedservices.ac.uk.
** Merchiston Library 24h Zone will be open 9am - 5pm on these dates. You’ll find all the Library Opening Hours on the Library Services and the Festive Season page.
ENGAGE Fitness Festive Opening Hours
ENGAGE will close at 1pm on Tuesday 23 December, and will reopen at 7.30am on Monday 5 January.
Student Accommodation Reception Festive Opening Hours
Accommodation receptions will close at 1pm on Tuesday 23 December, and will reopen as usual on Monday 5 January 2026. If you need any assistance during this time, please contact our security team who are available 24 hours a day by calling 0131 455 6119 (0131 455 4444 in emergencies).
Enjoy Catering Outlets Festive Opening Hours
Our catering outlets and cafes will close at 12pm on Tuesday 23 December and reopen on Monday 5 January.
On Tuesday 23 December, there will be no full lunch menu, but hot and cold grab and go items will be available.
Please note that from Monday 5 January to Friday 16 January, our Espresso Labs will be open 8am-4.30pm (Monday-Thursday) and 8am-4pm (Friday).
Look after yourself this winter
Our emergency and out of hours contacts are for you to use should you need counselling and mental wellbeing support throughout the festive period.
Read more here