With the Christmas holidays bearing down on us, here is the best ways to enjoy yourself in Oxfordshire over the festive season!
1) Creation’s Christmas Carol, until 6 January, The North Wall. READ OUR REVIEW HERE Will Ebenezer Scrooge learn the error of his ways? From Victorian steam punk to a joyous Fezziwig party, and a generous serving of music, misers and Christmas spirits, this is a festive treat for the whole family BOOK NOW
2) Morgan and West’s Great Big Christmas Magic Show, Pegasus, East Oxford, Dec 21-23. Join time-travelling magicians Morgan & West’s hilarious Christmas show full of family fun, festive frolics and fantastic facial furniture! The dynamic duo deal out a delightful dollop of deception, deftly delivered with a dash of derring-do in this Christmas magic extravaganza! BOOK HERE
3) Jack & the Beanstalk, Oxford Playhouse, Until Sun 7 Jan. READ ABOUT IT HERE Join Jack and his friends on an adventure of a lifetime, as they scale the beanstalk and take on a Giant. Full of infectious laughter, brilliant storytelling, singing, dancing, cheering for the goodies and booing for the baddies, fabulous festive fun for young and old alike. Tickets from £10 BOOK HERE
4) OSJ’s New Year’s Eve concert. BBC Young Chorister Of The Year 2023 soloist Belinda Gifford-Guy will delight at 6pm at Dorchester Abbey with piano soloist Rupert Egerton-Smith. BOOK HERE
5) Glacier, OFS, until Dec 23. READ OUR REVIEW HERE An ode to friendship, wild swimming and seeking solace at Christmas, by award-winning writer and comedian Alison Spittle, this comedy follows three women on Christmas Day who meet by chance at Lake Foxleighmere, READ ABOUT IT HERE something that becomes an annual tradition as their lives develop and friendship strengthens. The world premiere is the perfect alternative to pantomimes and festive shows. BOOK HERE
6) Sobell House Hospice’s live art demo at Westgate Christmas pop-up, December 18-21. Leading Oxford artist and famous children’s author David Melling will be painting one of Sobell House’s fundraising oxen ready for Oxford’s first ever art sculpture trail. Local shoppers and families will be able to see the highly accredited artist at work live and can also pop into the Charity Super.Mkt pop-up store until 23rd December. MORE INFO HERE
7) ASHMOLEAN Adventure – slots left in December and January. Come and meet St Nicholas, who inspired the real Santa Claus through one of the Ashmolean’s most magical exhibits in this family-friendly, interactive digital highlights tour with an animated retelling of the miracle featured in the 15th century painting. BOOK HERE
8) Christmas at Cogges: Until 23 December. Meet Father Christmas and his elves in Santa’s Grotto, and enjoythe festively decorated, panto-themed Manor House. As dusk approaches, visit for the ‘Festive Light Trail illuminating the grounds. With lashings of festive cheer, mulled wine and seasonal treats. MORE INFO HERE
9) Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, New Theatre Oxford, until Sat 30 December. READ OUR REVIEW HERE Following a record-breaking three-year West End run, this acclaimed musical features 16 year-old Jamie New, who lives on a council estate in Sheffield and overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight. BOOK HERE
10) TOM THUMB, Thurs 21 – Friday 29 December, The Story Museum. Outwitting his parents and the ogre, Tom Thumb is small, but mighty as he protects his brothers and finds the treasure to ensure they’ll never be hungry again. Brought to life using Lyngo’s magic, spinning birds, flying house, and portable forest. With music by Carlo Cialdo Capelli. Tickets: £12 ages 4+ BOOK HERE
11) TAP SOCIAL‘s Christmas Pub Quiz on Dec 21 when Quizmasters Hugo and Billy lead a special Xmas-themed quiz. Proof Sourdough Pizzas slinging all night long! FIND OUT MORE HERE
12) Heart Of Winter, Monday 18 Dec to Sunday 24 Dec, Didcot’s Cornerstone – This magical production warmly celebrates family, the joy of friendship, and the wonder of winter. Featuring a brilliant cast, an adorable snowman puppet and lots of interactive snow – it’s perfect for little people BOOK HERE Relaxed and signed performances Thursday 21 December.
13) The Oxford City Christmas Market, Broad Street, Oxford until Sat Dec 23, 10am-8pm, a winter wonderland of festive delights. Located on the iconic Broad Street, this magical event will fill your heart with Christmas cheer!
14) Winnie and Wilbur – A Christmas Adventure, Jacqueline du Pre Music Building (JdP) until 23 December BOOK HERE Enjoy the world-famous witch and her cat in Wild Boor‘s hugely popular Christmas show for families. Based on the best-selling series created by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul, meet some crazy creatures along the way from a love-struck octopus to a space rabbit and a distraught Rudolph Reindeer who’s forgotten to deliver Santa’s sack of toys in Oxfordshire. British Sign Language interpreted show at 11am on Sunday 17 December.
15) Cinderella, The Theatre Chipping Norton, until Jan 14. READ OUR REVIEW HERE In the small town of Santa Maria de las Orejas de Soplillo, aka Cinderella, is trying to save her beloved rain forest. With Latin American music and dance, a riot of colour and non-stop, laugh-out-loud silliness from beginning to end, come and join the carnival! BOOK HERE
16) Dear Father Christmas, Burton Taylor Studio, Until Sat 6 Jan. There’s a spot of bother at the North Pole. All the presents have been muddled up, a sack of letters has gone astray, the elves are misbehaving and a polar bear has knocked over the Christmas tree. Father Christmas needs your help! Visit the festive post-room for stories, songs and decoration making. For ages 3-6 and their family and friends. BOOK HERE
17) Oxford Official Festive Walking Tours. Until Saturday 23 December, take in Oxford’s twinkling Christmas lights and sights with tales of the city’s Christmases past, present and yet to come from ancient alleyways to gruesome gargoyles, Christmas Markets and cosy pubs. BOOK HERE
18) BAMPTON CLASSICAL VOICES CHRISTMAS CONCERT, Tuesday 19 December 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Bampton. Buy tickets to see Feliz Navidad! – Christmas music from the New World in this annual concert. The festive programme explories music of the New World during the 17th century, at the height of the Spanish Golden Age, including the wonderful eight-voice Missa Joseph fili David by Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla, directed by Andrew Griffiths. BOOK HERE
19) MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, The Dodo’s Christmas Trail. 21 December to 7 January. Just drop in to take part at the Museum of Natural History and find all things festive in their collection with the help of one of their most famous exhibits, the Dodo. For all ages. Free. MORE INFO HERE
20) Christmas at Blenheim Palace, until Jan 1 – The new Christmas Illuminated Light Trail is the perfect outdoor option and a good way to stretch the legs, filled with heart-shaped arches, glowing tunnels filled with stars, moving lights, dancing reflections, colourful Cascades and an enchanting lakeside walk. Inside the palace enjoy The Story of Sleeping Beauty with a contemporary twist, transformed to retell the classic fairytale room by room. Wander through the Evil Fairy’s spooky wooded lair and into the castle frozen in time. Watch out for spinning wheels and fluttering fairies to reawaken in the castle after 100 very sleepy years…
21) There’s a Monster in your Christmas Show, The Mill Banbury, until Dec 23 A Little Monster invites his friends, Dragon, Alien and Unicorn to help him create a magical show. Expect comedy and chaos as they learn about the joy of books and friendship along the way in this high-energy 50-minute musical adventure. BOOK HERE
22) The Story Museum’s Mini Christmas Adventures ‘Mouse Tale’ made by young visionaries aged 12-16; as if the in-house Mouseum Mice have escaped, Catapulted on an adventure, blasting off in a tiny time machine, find them across various timelines on the lower level. https://www.storymuseum.org.uk/explore
23) Lyra’s World, The History of Science Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum until Dec 31. A final chance to enjoy the props and costumes from last Christmas’ BBC adaptation of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials integrated into the very displays that inspired the Oxford author. Free. No booking required. BOOK HERE
