What’s going on in Oxford this weekend for families?
Ongoing Christmas joy ⬇️ Scroll down further for this weekend’s events and activities
🎄Kennington Christmas Charity Display
Christmas light madness all for charity plus it’s a go go go for Santa every Friday – Sunday from 5pm – 8pm. The proceeds from all donations are going to Sobell House and SSNAP (Support for the Sick Newborn and their Parents) at the JR. So exciting! Check out our visit here.
📅 Usually on until January ⏰ Lights on when it gets dark 💷 Free to visit, donations to see Santa – all go to charity 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ Info on their Facebook page.
🎄Tree Barn
Scaled back this year in size without losing the magic. Dressed trees, decorations of every size, colour and configuration and some sort of magical elixir which makes you want to buy everything! Fab addition of a Christmas Cabin café selling Christmas food and drink (bring cash).
📅 Open until Christmas eve ⏰ 9am – 5:30pm with some late nights 💴 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on the Tree Barn website or see our visit.
🌲Appleton Christmas Barn
Just like the Tree Barn, but with reindeers! We love coming here, meeting the reindeers and picking up a decoration. When the Besselsleigh Lights switch on too we combine a trip there as well. Pure Christmas overload – get in!
📅 Open until Christmas eve ⏰ 10am – 6pm with some late nights 💴 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on the Tree Barn website or see our visits.
✨Illuminate Light Trail at Millets
The trail is on! Maybe a bit early for some but we visited midweek to see if it lived up to all that we hoped as a mid price point trail…yes it did! This isn’t the first rodeo for the trail organisers – these Illuminate trails are rolled out across the UK – and you can tell as it’s a slick operation with really impressive lights. Kids loved it and so did my pocket. See our visit here.
📅 On until 4th January ⏰ Various time slots 💷 Depending on peak or off peak Adults: From £15.50, Children: From £12.50 )ages 0 -2 free), Free carers tickets available. 🎫 Pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on Illuminate website.
🎄Broad Street Christmas Market
Broad St brings all the Christmas vibes with live music, community entertainment, festive street food, gift stalls, family friendly attractions and Alpine Lodge Bar. Always a popular event!
📅 Open until 5th January ⏰Check website for various opening times 💴 Free entry 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on the Christmas in Oxford website.
🦌Waterperry Gardens: Find Santa’s Reindeers
Christmas is ON! Help Santa find his missing Reindeer who are lost all around the gardens (£4.50, includes prize). Free playground on the lawn to burn off the rest of the weekend energy whilst you sample the Christmas wares in the café.
📅 On until 24th December ⏰ 10am – 5pm 💷 Adult must pay low-season garden entry: £9 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on the Waterperry website.
⛸️Skate the Estate
A gorgeous ice skating rink under a tent canopy surrounded by Christmas trees and alpine huts. An intense and magical Christmas experience!
📅 Open until 3rd January ⏰9am – 7.45pm at the weekend/ 2pm – 7.45pm in the week💴 See pricing options on website, including family tickets 🎫 Pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on the Skate the Estate website and see our visit here.
Saturday 29th November
🐏 Oxford City Farm: Family Friendly Day
Oxford City Farm was broken into recently and was the victim of vandalism and burglary. Lets show our support this weekend in person or by donating a few pounds via their website – it all helps and its such a great community asset. There’s also old favourites: goats, sheep and chickens. Walk the Wildlife Walk amongst the chickens and peep at the beehives. There’s also an area for free play and much to learn about farm to fork in the vegetable patch. Community farming – we love you!
📅 Open every Friday and Saturday⏰ 10am – 1pm 💴 Free 🎫 Booking only needed for parties over 10 ℹ️ Visit the Oxford City Farm website for more info. Never been to the farm? Check out our recent visit here.
🎁Indie Oxford Christmas Market at Tap Social
SHOP LOCAL! Independent businesses from across Oxford bring their finest to the Indie Oxford Christmas Market. It’s a perfect opportunity to support local indie businesses and get some shopping done, plus they’ll have sourdough Proof Pizza, drinks, kids’ activities, and more festive fun.
📅 Saturday 29th November ⏰ 11am – 5pm 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on Indie Oxford website.
💚Templars Square Shopping Centre: The Grinch Meet and Greet
The Grinch is making his mischievous return to Templars Square. He’ll be appearing at intervals between 11am and 3pm for photos. Hold onto your Christmas spirit!
📅 Sunday 30th November ⏰ Between 11am – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on the Templars Square website
❄️Pitt Rivers Museum: Family Activity Corner
Family-friendly activities at the museum: pick up a trail, get creative with a craft, find books to explore and more! Free drop-in activities on the Clore Balcony (First Floor). All materials provided.
📅 Saturday 29th November ⏰ 12 noon – 3pm 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on the Pitt Rivers website.
🔔Oxfordshire Meum : Bells and Baubles
Get Christmas crafty! Create festive decorations inspired by the museum’s objects, a drop-in session for all ages.
📅 Saturday 29th November ⏰ 11am – 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 3pm 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on the Oxfordshire Museum website.
🕯️Woodstock Night of a Thousand Candles
This free event is held celebrates Woodstock’s Christmas lights switch-on with live music, carols from the school choir, food & drink and other festive surprises! FREE hot chocolate from The Feather’s Hotel (first come first served) between 5 – 7pm.
📅 Saturday 29th November ⏰ 5.30pm – 7pm 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on the Wake up to Woodstock website.
🎄Cogges Christmas Market
On all weekend! Two barns and a farmyard (but no partridge in a pear tree) full of artisan crafts, gifts and homewares. Ceramics, cakes, handknits, artisan gin, decorations with a difference and lots more. Not forgetting handmade Christmas wreaths and Cogges Christmas Trees. There will be festive food, mulled wine, warm drinks and mince pies
📅 Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November ⏰ 10am – 4pm 💷 Adults: £3, Children: £1 (under 3: free) 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on the Cogges website.
Sunday 30th November
🎅🏻Combe Mill: Santa visit and Christmas Fayre
A festive family day out at the historic watermill! Enjoy stalls, crafts, BBQ, hot drinks. See the elves at work and listen to a story from Santa in his grotto and receive a gift (booking required – £6)
📅 Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th November ⏰ 11.30am – 3pm 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on the Combe Mill website.
