Looking for what’s on this weekend for the family this weekend in Oxford – there’s loads! We’ve got all the details for you ⬇️
On the whole weekend…
Banbury Canal Festival Weekend
FREE One of the largest celebrations of Britain’s canal ways. Enjoy boat tours, folk music, arts & crafts and children’s funfair rides and amusements. Explore the historic Tooley’s Boatyard, where you’ll find a working blacksmith’s forge and a museum with a detailed history of the country’s oldest functioning canal dry dock. Take in the sights and sounds of an arts festival atmosphere with live music, craft stalls and much more. Make sure you visit the Mill Dance Stage – here’s the lineup.
Rectory Farm Pumpkin Patch – open the whole weekend and selected dates
Thousands of pumpkins, games and activities, ride-on tractors, face painting, sensory play areas, bale climbing, music, food and more!
📅 Open for the next three weekends then half term⏰ 8.30am – 5pm 💷 £8.50 per ticket, Children (U2): Free 🎫 Booking recommended ℹ️ More info on the Rectory Farm website .
Waterperry Apple Weekend
A great family day out where you will be able to sample and buy many of our different types of juices – if you have tasted Waterperry apple juice then you will know that it’s magic stuff!. Horse and cart rides, toffee apples, Morris Men and crafts.
📅 Saturday and Sunday ⏰ 💷 Free, £4.50 for orchard tours 🎫 Pre-booking not required ℹ️ More info on Waterperry website
Blenheim Palace Dog Fest CANCELLED DUE TO STORM AMY
The ultimate dog lovers festival! A magical autumn weekend full of wagging tails, costumes, pumpkins and more! Children will love the trick-or-treat walk, face painting and enjoy music & stories. Dogs get to try apple bobbing, walks, and fun games – book in for the dog shows quickly! It’s a festival for everyone – two-legged and four! 20% off discount code: BLENHEIMVENUE.
📅 Saturday and Sunday ⏰ 10am – 5pm 💷 Adults: £19.50 per ticket, Children (U11): Free. Additional charges for entry into dog shows 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ More info on Blenheim website and book via Dogfest website.
SATURDAY 4th OCTOBER
Oxford City Farm Autumn Festival
There’s lots to, and that’s in addition to the tonnes of fun already there including meet the animals, make your own apple juice and toast popcorn by the fire. Take part in insect ID and arts and crafts and enjoy all the fun at the farm!
📅 Saturday 4th October ⏰ 12 noon – 4pm 💷 Free 🎫 Booking recommended ℹ️ More info on the Oxford City Farm website
The Story Museum: Access Friendly Day
Explore all the Museum Galleries, including Small Worlds, with just one ticket! These relaxed, access-friendly days are designed for everyone, with softer lighting, gentler sounds, and fewer visitors. Timed tickets help keep things calm and comfortable for you and your family to enjoy the Museum your way.
📅 Saturday 4th October ⏰ 12 noon – 4pm 💷 £14 per ticket, Children under 5: Free 🎫 Booking recommended ℹ️ More info on the Story Museum website.
ParkPlay at Blackbird Leys – Launch day!
You’ve heard of Park Run? How about Park Play? ParkPlay is free community play, every week in a park or public space. It’s active and inclusive games where all generations play together, in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment. Sessions are run by local volunteer PlayLeaders, who help shape activities to suit the group and ensure everyone feels welcome and included. The PlayLeaders at Blackbird Leys will be from Oxford Community Action. Don’t forget to register!
📅 Saturday 4th October ⏰ 10am – 12 noon 💷 Free 🎫 Drop-in, children must not be left unaccompanied ℹ️ More info on Oxfordshire County Council website and register on ParkPlay.
Modern Art Oxford: Prophetic Dreaming – Family Preview
From 10-11 the galleries will be closed to the general public so families have the chance to explore and connect. In the Studio, staff will help build your own time capsule, design a tarot-card, and create your own costume-design, all drawing on the themes of the exhibition and enriching your family’s understanding of Suzanne Treister’s work. This preview is suitable for children of any age – but they will need to be accompanied by a parent/carer.
Please note that this event will be photographed for promo use.
📅 Saturday 4th October ⏰ 10am – 11 am 💷 Free 🎫 Booking essential ℹ️ More info on Modern Art Oxford website
Museum of Oxford: Story Power – a family trail
Celebrate the joy of learning together as a family. Pick up a free gallery trail and create your own story by exploring the museum. The trail is suitable for ages 5+, but all family members are welcome to take part.
📅 On until the 2nd November ⏰ Open Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm 💷 Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ More info on the MOX website
SUNDAY 5th OCTOBER
Wolvercote Orchard Apple Day
Love these annual apple day events; rooted in traditions and so wholesome. What a round up of activities: apple tasting, conker contests, hammer the nail, longest peel, children’s crafts, raffle, cakes and preserves (so twee!!!) Bring your own bags and your rumbling tummies!
📅 Sunday 5th October ⏰ 2pm – 4.30pm 💷 £1 entry ℹ️ More info on Wolvercote Tree Group website
🚂 Cutteslowe Miniature Railway
Choo choo! All aboard for the Cutteslowe Minitaure Railway which is now 75 years okld! There is SO much to do at Cutteslowe park: numerous playgrounds, huge sandpit, free splash park (now open!), crazy golf, tennis courts, wildlife area, duck pond, beach volleyball court, café and more! It’s easily a whole day adventure!
📅 4th and 5th May⏰ 1pm – 4.30pm 💴 £2 per ticket, Under 2’s free with fare paying adult🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the website for more details and more pictures from our visit here.
🎥The Ultimate Picture Palace: Kino Kids Cinema
Family-friendly classics every fortnight. This fortnight it’s Liyana. It’s about a group of children in Swaziland who create a story about a brave girl on a big adventure to rescue her brothers. Watch the trailer here. You can bring your own food to the cinema or there will be food on sale. The lights will be up a bit and people can move around.
📅 Sunday 5th October ⏰ 1pm 💷 Adults £7, children: £5 🎫 Adult: £6, Children: £4 ℹ️ More info on the UPP website.
