What’s going on in Oxford this weekend for families?
Ongoing Christmas joy below ⬇️ 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.
🦌 Bunkers Hill Reindeer Challenge
Father Christmas’ reindeers are hiding around the magically star-lit nursery. Find them all and collect your prize and certificate. and there is a prize and certificate for every child who can seek out Rudolf and his friends then work out the magical word.
📅 Open until 23rd December ⏰ 9am – 5:30pm 💴 Minimum donation: £4 🎫 Pre-booking required weekends and holidays ℹ️ More info on Bunkers Hill website
🧝🏻♂️Walk Wheatley Trail: Little Lapland
A Christmassy trail finding the elf doors with a puzzle twist at the end! Raining money for The Maple Tree Children’s Centre.
📅 On until Christmas Eve ⏰ On all day 💴 Donations to Maple Tree Children’s Centre 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on Walk Wheatley 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 6th December
🖌️Weston Library: Christmas Crafternoon
A cosy afternoon of crafts, suitable for all ages. Make quirky collaged cards, sparkly baubles and printed paperchains ready for the festive season. There will also be storytelling and a festive rhymetime for the littlest elves.
📅 Saturday 6th December ⏰ 12pm – 3pm 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ See update on Bodleian Library website.
Pitt Rivers: Wonderful Winter Family Trail
Explore the Museum with an exciting new wintry trail! Find the snowflakes hidden around the Museum and learn about objects from snowy environments! Pick up trails from the Pitt Rivers Museum entrance.
📅 Until 30th January 2026 ⏰ 10am – 4pm 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ See update on Pitt Rivers website.
💚 Magdalen Road Frost Fest
Celebrate Christmas on our favourite road? We don’t have to be asked twice. A fun filled activity day full of crafts, events, food, drinks and even a visit from Santa! Pegasus Theatre are joining in all the fun from 2-4pm with drop in sessions in their foyer and theatre as well as discounts on their Christmas Supermarket Scrooge tickets!
📅 Saturday 6th December ⏰ 10am – 4pm 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ See update on Magdalen Road Village Facebook page.
❄️Abingdon Museum: Christmas Crafts
Make festive decorations to put on your tree! Enjoy being creative and take your decoration home. From 3 years upwards.
📅 Saturday 6th December ⏰ 10.30am – 3.30pm 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on Abingdon Museum website.
🪩Family Dance Party Kidlington
Body Politic is back at the The North Wall bringing you a special Family Dance Party in Kidlington featuring a live DJ, party games, bubbles and disco lights and more! Ticket includes a Stay and Play session.
📅Saturday 6th December ⏰10.30am -12 noon and 1pm – 2:30pm. Stay and Play 12 noon – 1pm💴PWYD 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ Book via the North Wall page.
🎄Tiny Tots Christmas Special
Bring your toddlers and join us for a morning of Christmas fun! We will have messy play, snacks, crafts and singing.
📅 Saturday 6th December ⏰ 10am – 11.30am 💷 Free 🎫 Pre-booking required ℹ️ More info and booking here.
🎄Headington Christmas Tree Light Switch On
Music, mince pies, carols and a countdown to the light switch-on at 4.55pm!
📅 Saturday 6th December ⏰ 4.30pm – 5.30pm 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info and timings on the Headington Action page.
🎁Cowley Road Winter Wonderland Market
Browse local stalls, enjoy live music and food and drink including mulled wine or hot chocolate. This is the first year of this free community event.
📅 Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th December ⏰ 2pm – 6pm 💷 Free 🎫 Pre-booking required ℹ️ More info here.
🌎 Earth Trust: Christmas Market
Sustainable market with stalls from local artisans and food vendors, inspired by the natural world. Discover delicious, locally sourced food and beverages and unique handcrafted, eco-conscious gifts, decorations, and ornaments that celebrate the spirit of sustainability and creativity.
📅 Saturday 6th December ⏰ 2pm – 6pm 💷 Adults: £3, Under 16: Free 🎫 Pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on Earth Trust website.
🤶🏻 Oxford Botanic Gardens: Christmas Fair
Over fifty festive stalls, live music, crafts, and garden trails plus a magical visit with Mother Christmas. Warm up with mulled wine and tasty hot food from local traders for a perfect family festive day out.
📅 Saturday 6th December ⏰ 10am – 6pm 💷 Adult: £12, Under 16: £3, Under 2: Free 🎫 Pre-booking required ℹ️ More info Botanic Gardens website.
🚒 Bicester Fire Station: Coffee Cake and Carols
Fire engine tours, a visit from Santa plus coffee, cake and carols. All money raised go to the Firefighters Charity, Firefighters Memorial Garden and other local projects!
📅 Saturday 6th December ⏰ 9.30am – 12.30pm 💷 Free 🎫 Pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on Bicester Fire Station Facebook page.
Sunday 7th December
🎄SOAP: Tree collection and Christmas party
Pre order your tree online then party on down on Sunday to collect it. Its not just about trees there will also be family fun, disco, BBQ and homemade cakes and general festive family fun!
📅 Sunday 7th December ⏰ 11am – 4pm 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on SOAP Facebook page.
🤶🏻 Oxford Botanic Gardens: Christmas Fair
Over fifty festive stalls, live music, crafts, and garden trails plus a magical visit with Mother Christmas. Warm up with mulled wine and tasty hot food from local traders for a perfect family festive day out.
📅 Sunday 7th December ⏰ 10am – 4pm 💷 Adult: £12, Under 16: £3, Under 2: Free 🎫 Pre-booking required ℹ️ More info Botanic Gardens website.
🎅🏻 Templars Square Shopping Centre: Kids’ festive workshop
Little ones can get hands on at Father Christmas’s Sustainability Workshop. This drop-in session helps children discover fun ways to reduce Rudolph’s carbon footprint through creative, eco-friendly activities. Santa will also be there with little pressies for the children.
📅 Sunday 30th November ⏰ Between 11am – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on the Templars Square website
