Last updated: November 11, 2024
Welcome to your ultimate guide for holiday fun in Oxford! Discover all the top festive events and attractions. For both Oxford residents and visitors, this guide is your roadmap to the city's holiday delights.
One highlight of the season is the Blenheim Palace Christmas Market, featuring handcrafted gifts and seasonal treats amidst a stunning historical backdrop. The Blenheim Palace Illuminated Christmas Lights Trail enchants with its vibrant displays, creating a magical atmosphere throughout the grounds. And definitely don't forget Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival, which brightens the city with its artistic light installations and joyful activities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Interactive light installations and community-driven events.
Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival is a 3-day celebration of Arts, Culture, and Community, featuring light and sound installations, a festive market, music, dance, and various family-friendly activities across the city.
Where: Oxford | More Info: Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival
Interactive light trail with themed adventures.
Blenheim Palace's Illuminated Christmas Lights Trail features a spectacular display of twinkling lights, seasonal scents, and sparkling baubles, set amidst the historic Palace and Gardens. The trail includes a swashbuckling adventure in Neverland, where visitors can follow Tinkerbell through State rooms and explore a moonlit London skyline.
Where: Woodstock | More Info: Blenheim Palace Illuminated Christmas Lights Trail
Interactive journey through Peter Pan-themed State rooms.
Explore Neverland in the Palace, where Tinkerbell leads you through State rooms adorned with fairy dust-kissed baubles and Christmas trees. Wander through a moonlit London skyline and onto the Mermaid Lagoon, following in the footsteps of Peter Pan.
Where: Woodstock | More Info: Neverland® in the Palace
Unique shopping experience with artisanal goods and festive treats.
Blenheim Palace Christmas Market features a seasonal village with wooden chalets showcasing artisanal goods, festive treats, and unique gifts. The event includes a variety of hand-picked, hand-made products and delicious seasonal drinks, creating a delightful shopping experience amidst the stunning backdrop of Blenheim Palace.
Where: Woodstock | More Info: Blenheim Palace Christmas Market
Victorian-themed market with live music and artisan stalls.
The Oxford Victorian Christmas Market on Broad Street offers a Victorian-themed celebration with live music, artisan traders, and festive treats. Visitors can browse unique handcrafted gifts and indulge in traditional fare while enjoying captivating street entertainment.
Where: Oxford | More Info: Oxford Victorian Christmas Market
Celebration of slow craftsmanship with 24 exceptional artists and craftspeople.
The Modern Makers Collective – Yattendon Winter Market showcases a vibrant selection of handmade treasures, including jewelry, ceramics, textiles, glass, printmaking, bookbinding, furniture, knitwear, and basket weaving. The event highlights slow craftsmanship, emphasizing the time, effort, and skill that go into exquisite handmade artworks.
Where: Yattendon | More Info: Modern Makers Collective – Yattendon Winter Market
Unique blend of local handmade goods and live music.
The Oxford Etsy Team Christmas Market features over 70 local makers selling handmade home accessories, jewelry, stationery, ceramics, clothes, artwork, prints, and vintage items. The event includes a performance by a local choir and offers free entry. It takes place at the Oxford University Examination Schools on Sunday, November 17, from 10am to 4pm.
Where: Oxford | More Info: Oxford Etsy Team Christmas Market
Traditional holiday market with local artisans and handmade gifts.
Cogges Manor Farm Christmas Market features two barns and a farmyard filled with beautiful artisan crafts, gifts, homewares, ceramics, cakes, handknits, sparkling wine, and decorations. Visitors can explore the farm, meet the animals, and enjoy seasonal activities like wreath-making workshops and carol singing.
Where: Witney | More Info: Cogges Manor Farm Christmas Market
Artisan gift shopping with live music and festive atmosphere.
The Woodstock Festive Fayre is a shopping weekend in the historic town of Woodstock, featuring artisan stalls at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Oxfordshire Museum, and Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum. Enjoy live music, a school choir, food, and drink while exploring unique gifts.
Where: Woodstock | More Info: Christmas Fair at Woodstock
Community-driven Christmas market with local vendors and festive activities.
Thame Town Council is hosting a Christmas event featuring a lights switch-on on Friday 29 November, with additional events throughout December. The event includes opportunities for stallholders to sell Christmas gifts, food, crafts, and represent charity groups. The council is also producing a 2024 Christmas Guide and offering sponsorship and advertising packages.
Where: Thame | More Info: Christmas in Thame
Elegant musical performances in a historic setting.
Classical music concerts at Waterperry House offer a serene and elegant atmosphere, perfect for those who appreciate refined musical performances.
Where: Waterperry | More Info: Christmas Classical Music Concerts at Waterperry House
Live musical performance of The Muppet Christmas Carol.
The Muppets bring Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale to life with Kermit as Bob Cratchit, Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, and Gonzo as narrator Charles Dickens. The original score by Miles Goodman and Paul Williams features iconic Muppet characters in a heartwarming story about redemption and the true meaning of Christmas.
Where: Oxford | More Info: Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert Live to Film
Interactive Victorian Christmas experience with festive activities.
At Christmas at Fairytale Farm, immerse yourself in a Victorian Christmas scene, meet Father Christmas, and enjoy interactive encounters with dancing penguins and festive animals. Explore special Christmas versions of beloved areas like Mouse Town and Fairy Dell, and participate in activities like the Reindeer Quiz and Elf Post Sorting Station.
Where: Chipping Norton | More Info: Christmas at Fairytale Farm
Interactive task-based adventure to help Santa deliver presents.
At Santa’s Grotto at Millets Farm Centre, children embark on an elf-tastic adventure to help sort out a Christmas crisis. Mervin Sneakybottom, a mischievous elf, has swiped Santa's Nice List, and it's up to the kids to complete fun festive tasks to prove they belong on the list. This interactive experience is hosted within the premises of Webbs Garden Centre at Millets Farm.
Where: Frilford | More Info: Santa’s Grotto at Millets Farm Centre
Private meetings with Father Christmas in a cozy red tractor.
Meet Father Christmas at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park, where you'll encounter real reindeer, plant a mini Christmas tree, and enjoy festive treats. Share your wish-list in a private meeting with the big man before collecting a special present from the toy workshop.
Where: Oxford | More Info: Christmas Experience at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park
Interactive Elf Show and festive crafts.
Visit Roves Farm for a day filled with activities like meeting Father Christmas, making reindeer food, and participating in festive crafts. Enjoy the interactive Elf Show and take part in animal encounters.
Where: nr. Swindon | More Info: Christmas Experience at Roves Farm
Interactive nature-themed activities for families.
Explore the Museum of Natural History with family-friendly trails and activities, including specimen handling and nature-themed crafts.
Where: Oxford | More Info: Christmas Family Trails at Museum of Natural History
