Christmas Fun in Oxfordshire
Whatever the reason we guarantee that Oxfordshire will have something for everyone this festive season
Oxfordshire is a beautiful county with plenty of things to see and do throughout the year, but there is something truly special about experiencing Christmas in Oxfordshire. With the festive season quickly approaching, it is time to start planning your Christmas in Oxfordshire, and below you will find our guide to the most traditional, magical, and festive experiences the county has to offer.
Whether you live in Oxfordshire and are looking for new places to visit or perhaps you are looking to spend Christmas somewhere special this year, Oxfordshire has it sorted
Christmas Light Displays
One of the most festive things during the Christmas season are the beautiful light displays, illuminations and the spectacular switching on events. Here’s our pick of the top Christmas light events in Oxfordshire, which are sure to add a special glow to your festive season.
Experience the warm glow of magical Christmas lights with the Waddesdon Manor Winter Light Trail. As soon as the darkness draws in the gardens will come to life with dramatic light displays throughout the illuminated tree canopies. This outdoor extravaganza takes place Wednesday-Sunday until Monday 3rd January.
On Saturday 27th November between 5.30pm and 6.30pm the town square of Woodstock will come alive with carols, a short panto and a Christmas lights switch on. This is a great event to start the festive season with late night shopping and the Woodstock Festive Fayre running alongside this fun evening.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year when over a million lights, lasers and seasonal sounds fill the air with festive fun through the Palace’s picture-perfect gardens.
For a moment of reflection pause at mesmerising flickering flames in the fire garden, gaze up at larger-than-life illuminations and don’t forget to catch a glimpse at Father Christmas along the way.
The crew of talented independent street food vendors bring a delicious twist to tasty treats on offer.
The Cogges Christmas Light Trail offer festive evenings and Christmas cheer every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 27th November, with entry to the beautiful manor house included. We recommend a visit to the café, where you will be able to enjoy warm drinks and treats
This mesmerising light show features magical seasonal films and pictures beamed onto the Castle Quay façade from 5.pm every evening. The wintery films are designed to highlight the ornate stonework of the building and with beautiful accompanying music they are a sight not to be missed this Christmas.
freshly cut Christmas trees
There is nothing more festive than picking a freshly cut Christmas tree, and there are a range of great places to choose from here in Oxfordshire. Whether you are looking for a Norman Spruce, a Nordmand Fir, or a Serbian Spruce, you can be sure that you will find a lovely tree in one of these excellent places.
Highfield Trees has an excellent reputation for its large selection of premium trees, however if you are on a budget this year, they also have a range of ‘bargain trees’ available which have small imperfections. This family farm is a great place to visit, and the team will give you excellent tips on how to preserve your tree to ensure it lasts through the full season.
This small hamlet of Christmas Common has much more to offer than its lovely festive name, with a great local pub, the Church of the Nativity, and The Tree Barn all making Christmas Common a lovely place to purchase a homegrown Christmas tree. As the supplier of Christmas trees to No. 10 Downing Street, you can be sure that this family run business will have an excellent selection of trees.
These locally grown trees are all stored in a beautiful Christmas barn, so that you can stay out of the cold and miserable weather and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. We recommend browsing the array of beautiful handmade wreaths, garlands, and Christmas table decorations, which are all available within the barn.
Christmas wreaths
We know that this isn’t a Christmas Tree shop, but in our opinion no home is complete without a lovely Christmas wreath, and this is your chance to make your own. Join Bicycle Blooms in the Everybody Studio and learn how to bring together winter foliage, cones, berries, twigs, and a touch of sparkle to create the perfect wreath for your front door.
Join The Garden of Oxford for a wreath making workshop at The Randolph Hotel.
Experts from The Garden will guide participants all the way from covering moss rings with foliage to choosing ribbon, decorations and peppercorn to create the perfect holiday wreath.
The wreath making workshop will be packed with the floristry tips and tricks and participants will enjoy a cream tea curated by Executive Chef, Chris Emery, from The Alice
Christmas markets
Not only are Christmas markets a great place to shop, but they are also a great way to really get into the festive spirit with music, amazing food and an array of independent businesses selling stunning gifts. The following are just some of the great Christmas markets happening throughout Oxfordshire this year
Soak up the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas at the Waddesdon Manor Christmas Fair, which is open from Wednesday until Sunday, 12 noon until 7.pm until 23rd December. The charming wooden chalets are home to a variety of hand-picked stalls, which are surrounded by twinkling trees against a backdrop of the stunning Waddesdon Manor.
This market features many local artists and designers and is run by Boffy Arts Market, so you can be sure that there will be a great selection of unique Christmas gifts available. The market will take place on the 4th and 5th December in Broad Street, Oxford, which is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the city.
Every year the city is home to this popular Christmas Market, with choirs, market traders, unusual gifts, and plenty of mulled wine brought together to create a truly magical festive experience. Browse the array of stalls and watch the performances which are spread throughout the heart of the city between 9th and 19th December.
If you are looking for unusual and handmade gifts, the Indie Christmas Market at the White Horse is a great event to add to your festive calendar. With independent stalls, street food and Christmas Cocktails, this event organised by Tap Social on 27th November should not be missed
Whether you are coming along to The story of The Nutcracker inside the Palace or the Illuminated Trail in the great outdoors, your adventure begins at the Christmas Market in the Great Court. It’s free to enter with a pre-booked ticket, wander through the boutique chalets filled with 70 designer/maker craft traders with an assortment of hand-picked, hand-made, irresistible gifts and tempting treats for foodies.
Spread across three venues, all within seconds of each other. The Main Marquee will be in Shucklett’s Paddock in the centre of the village will contain stalls selling high-quality and individual crafts, presents, Christmas decorations, wreaths and food.
Just over the road in the Memorial Hall, you can relax with some tea and cakes, and almost opposite the Hall is the Royal Oak pub which will have more stalls and offering festive food and drink.
Approx. 50 Stalls December 4th
Christmas shows
If you are looking for a special event to attend this Christmas, these performances are sure to be remembered for years to come. We have selected just a few examples of popular favourites which the whole family are sure to enjoy.
The Robin Hood Panto will run at the Oxford Playhouse from 27th November until 9th January, with Robin Hood and his band of merry men taking centre stage with songs, laughter, and dancing in this fun Christmas panto.
Experience the award winning Wantage brass band with a Christmas concert of popular songs from The Snowman, alongside other festive favourites. The projection of the popular 1982 film alongside the brilliant music is sure to be a spectacular festive event not to be missed on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th December.
The magical Cinderella Panto at the Kenton Theatre is a story full of magic, wonder and fun, making it the perfect Christmas performance. The renowned Bear in the Air Productions always produce a great performance, and you can be sure that the whole family will be full of festive cheer after this Panto which opens on Saturday 11th December.
The international award-winning chamber choir, New Dublin Voices alongside conductor Bernie Sherlock, will present a brilliant carols service at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday 11th December. With a mix of old favourites and those with a modern twist, the acoustics of this beautiful cathedral are sure to create a spellbinding evening.
Christmas family fun
For many families with young children, Christmas is not complete without a magical trip to see Santa and his elves. The following are our pick of the most festive grottos which offer a beautiful experience for children of every age.
This magical and immersive event runs between 4th and 21st December and will see children take a journey through the Fairytale Castle to visit the Toymaker in his log cabin before visiting Santa who awaits within the Secret Forest in his charming grotto. Next, enjoy the festive-themed hunt, mulled wine, mince pies and the amazing Christmas lights.
Create reindeer food, write a letter to Santa and take a visit to the Christmas Grotto to soak in the festive atmosphere, before being taken to visit the man himself and his elves. This is a great place to visit for younger children, as the Magic Garden soft play will be open for your entire visit
Not only is the festive Santa’s Grotto amazing, but the Castle offers Guided Tours with fully costumed guides under the magical lantern lights. This is a great experience for families with children of all ages, with visits to Santa, printed photos, ornament decorating and festive food included.
Make Christmas extra special for your little ones by booking Tea with Santa, with a visit from our white-bearded wonder himself.
Join us for a magical festive experience where grown-ups and children alike will be fully immersed into a Christmassy wonderland to enjoy festive treats with Santa’s elves
Santa will be visiting Thame and setting up a sparkly grotto at the back of Thame Town Hall, ready to meet any children who want to come and pay him a visit. So whether you’ve been naughty or nice, pop down to let him know what you would like for Christmas, listen to some lovely Christmas music while you wait, and receive a small present.
Christmas steam trains & trails
Magical Christmas trails are always a great way to get everyone into the festive spirit, with fun steam train rides also proving to be very popular. Here in Oxfordshire, there are a variety of great Christmas trails and train rides to experience, with the following being just a few examples.
Departing from Princes Risborough, Santa will welcome everyone onboard before travelling to the North Pole Station where guests can enjoy refreshments and a visit to Santa’s workshop to collect their special present. The magical steam train ride is guaranteed to be fun, with Santa and his elves visiting children in their carriages throughout the train journey.
Climb aboard this vintage train and relax in your private compartment as you embark on a journey to meet Santa and his reindeer at the beautifully decorated Victorian train station. With gifts for children, family entertainment and a full museum to explore, this is an event for the whole family to enjoy.
Santa has lost his reindeer and they are scattered throughout the beautiful Waterperry Gardens. Young children will love to explore the trail and find Rudolph and his friends before collecting their special Christmas gift at the end, in this magical experience that runs until 23rd December.
Your magical journey will begin with THE POLAR EXPRESS™ arriving at Cholsey and Wallingford Railway to begin your special adventure to the North Pole and back again. You’ll meet all the beloved characters from the iconic film, including the Conductor, some very talented chefs, a man no-one seems to be able to see except you, and of course, Mr Claus himself. The whole family (dressed in your pyjamas for the full Polar Express experience) will experience a theatrical extravaganza on board a steam train as you head to the North Pole.
Wishing you a fabulous Christmas
We hope you have enjoyed our list of the best things to do in Oxfordshire during the festive season. As always, the best way to experience both the historic city of Oxford and the many beautiful towns and villages is to go out and explore, and we promise you will find something great to do! If you would like to find out more about spending Christmas in Oxfordshire, contact our team today and we will always be happy to share our local knowledge with you.
