Campus Holiday Closures

The holiday season is upon us, and with it, our annual holiday closure at Lakehead University campuses. That means the campus will effectively close and most services will shut down over the period between Dec. 22, 2025 and Jan. 2, 2026. The first day of classes for the Winter term is Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

Here’s everything you need to know about what’s open and closed at Lakehead throughout the holiday break. We encourage you to plan ahead and reach out to the student service teams in advance of the break with any service or support needs you may have.

 

What’s open, what’s closed

Security, safety and emergencies

Security Services personnel are onsite 24/7 during the holiday break. Should a safety or security issue arise, please call:

Thunder Bay

  • Call 807-343-8911
  • 8911 from a campus telephone
  • or 911 for police, fire or ambulance for emergencies

Orillia

  • 705-330-4028
  • 3911 from a campus telephone
  • or 911 for police, fire or ambulance for emergencies


Access to health and wellness services

Student Health and Wellness services will not be available during the holiday closure. If you require mental health or wellness support, visit WellU Key to browse mental health resources and tools available.

If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, please go to the nearest hospital emergency department. For other issues, use Health 811 to speak to a registered nurse, or visit your nearest walk-in clinic.


Food services

All food service vendors on the Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses will be closed from Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 to Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. See below for campus-specific dining service outlets hours of operation:

Thunder Bay Campus

  • The Main Dining Hall: Will be closed from 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 until 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
  • MilkTease (ATAC): Will be closed from 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 until 8:00 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
  • Residence Dining Hall: Will be closed from 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 until 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.
  • Sichuan Kitchen (Avila Centre): Will be closed from 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025 until 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
  • Starbucks: Will be closed from 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 until 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, 2026.
  • Dan’s Diner (Bartley Residence):  Will be closed from 11 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 until 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

Orillia Campus

  • The Dining Hall: Final meal is on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 until 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.
  • The Den (Public House): Will be closed from 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.
  • Wolfie’s Cafe: Will be closed from 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 until 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. 


Recreation and athletics (Thunder Bay only)

Lakehead Athletics facilities will close at 1 p.m. on December 24, 2025, reopening at 8 a.m. on December 27, 2025. The facilities will also be closed on December 31, 2025 and January 1, 2026.

Holiday hours of operation (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) will be in effect from December 20, 2025 to January 4, 2026. For more information regarding specific facility operations over the holidays, please visit the Athletics website.


Libraries (Thunder Bay and Orillia)

All Lakehead Libraries will be closed beginning Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, and reopen on Monday, January 5, 2026. For more information about library hours and locations please visit the library website. To access the library’s search tools and online resources over the holidays please visit the library website.


International student services

Lakehead International will be closed for the duration of the winter break. This includes the International Student Lounge, International Student Services, Global ME, English Language Centre, and International Enrolment. 

  • The International student emergency phone will not be operational during the break. 
  • Immigration support is available until December 19, 2025. For support with immigration matters over the break, please refer to our self-serve immigration resource centre and website: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/international/current/immigration


New International students

First-time international students beginning their studies in January 2026 should read this: 

  • Check your Lakehead email for information from the International Student Services department. There is important detailed information for you in those emails. 
  • Make sure you’re registered for the winter term. Undergraduate students must be registered in a minimum of 2.0 FCE to be full-time. 
  • Get your enrolment verification letter before December 19; you will need this at the Port of Entry. Using your Lakehead email account, email records@lakeheadu.ca and include your full name and student ID in the email request.
  • Confirm your accommodations before you arrive. 
  • Apply for your airport transportation before December 18. 
  • Register for Winter Welcome Day.

Things to consider

  • Starting your studies in January? Course registration is open and can be completed online through myServices. Check out the registration guide for support.
  • Any special letter and degree requirements met letter requests must be submitted through myServices by Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in order to be processed before the holiday closure. 
  • Official transcript requests must be submitted through myServices by Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 in order to be processed and mailed out before the holiday closure.
  • Not sure what to pay by December 15? Check out your My Fees and Funding page for a breakdown. Remember that confirmed OSAP payments are automatically deferred until funds arrive in January.
  • Returning SAS students can register for Winter 2025 term accommodations with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) online. If you’ve never met with a SAS advisor and would like to learn more, please follow this process.
  • Virtual career services support will be available for students, including access to Big Interview (resume building and interview preparation) recorded webinars and other resources. Visit www.lakeheadu.ca/careerzone.
  • Waiting for your government student loan funding? For most provinces and territories, you can check the status of your application online. If your enrolment has been confirmed, funding is released during the first few weeks of the Winter term (January).
  • Feeling pressure financially? Check out our Living Like a Student infographic for tips and tricks suggested by students like you.
  • Don’t miss out on valuable scholarships, bursaries, and awards that could help support your studies! Apply through myAwards before January 31, 2026 (undergraduate students only). Graduate student funding opportunities are open until February 1, 2026. Contact funding.grad@lakeheadu.ca for more information.