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.
🎄Besselsleigh Christmas Lights
The Christmas drive-thru of dreams continues! The whole village goes Christmas light bonkers for charity. What better way to extend the Christmas vibes then a spin to Besselsleigh. The lights will be on until the New Year and is something to do in the Twixmas period when we all start wondering what day it is!
📅 On until the New Year ⏰ Lights go on when it gets dark 💴 Free 🎫 Drop-in ℹ️ More details and pictures of one of our visits here.
🦌 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. Go after dark and it’s like a Christmas Festival – see our post about it here.
📅 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
Did it live 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.
🗺️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.
🎄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 13th December
🚜 Tractor Run
Its the biggie that we’ve all been looking forward to! Tractors dressed up and trussed up to raise money for Katharine House Hospice and all the incredible work they do. There will be about 100 tractors parading through villages and it attracts huge crowds!
📅 Saturday 13th December ⏰ 5pm – 8.30pm 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info, route and timings on the Tractor Run website.
🐑 University Church: Christmas crafts and real-life nativity
Join for Christmas-themed crafts, activities, a story and singing. There will also be live nativity animals out in the churchyard!
📅 Saturday 13th December ⏰10am – 12 noon💷 Free (donations welcome!) 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on the University Church website
🚌 Oxford Bus Company: Christmas Light Bus
It’s back…again! The light bus is running Friday and Saturday this weekend and Friday and Saturday next week. It’s quite the sight, a double decker bus adorned with hundreds of twinkling lights blaring out music! The bus will stop at various places and give out treats. You can see all the stops and timings here.
📅Friday 12th and Saturday 13th December ⏰See link for timings 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on Oxford Bus Company website.
🚒 Slade Park Fire Station: Slade Wonderland
Father Christmas is in the fire engine ready to meet little ones and Drogo the Dragon in the sleigh ready for photo opps. Little ones can write a letter to Santa and there willl be carol singers and a BBQ. The hose Christmas Tree is quite something too! Raining money for the Firefighters Charity.
📅Saturday 13th December ⏰1pm – 5pm 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on Slade Park Fire Station Facebook page.
❄️ Templars Square: Frozen-themed Sing-a-long Show and Meet and Greet
Step into the world of Arendelle as Anna and Elsa bring their Frozen magic. Enjoy singalong performances throughout the day, then meet the princesses in person and capture a memorable photo.
📅 Saturday 13th December ⏰11am – 3pm 💷 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on Templars Square website.
Sunday 14th December
🎅🏻 Oxford Bus Museum: Christmas grotto and free heritage bus rides
Meet Santa and the elves in the grotto! Free heritage bus rides at 12.15pm and 2pm and choir at 1pm.
📅 Sunday 14th December ⏰ 11am – 4pm 💷 Adult: £8, Junior: £5, Free carer entry 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on Oxford Bus Museum website.
🧝🏻 Tap Social: Elf movie screening, gingerbread decorating and snowflake crafting
Elf film screening with ginger bread decorate-along! Whilst this Christmas classic movie plays, there will also be freshly baked gingerbread available from their bakery: Proof Social Bakehouse. So whilst you watch the film you can have fun decorating your gingerbread people! There will be gingerbread decorating packs available to purchase on the day from the bar! Add as many gingerbread people as you like!
📅Sunday 14th December ⏰2pm – 6pm 💷 £5 per ticket 🎫 Pre-booking required ℹ️ More info and booking here.
🍂Kate’s Place: Community Nature Day
A wonderfully peaceful place in Florence Park. Expect wreath making, cooking on an open campfire and some seasonal maintenance. These days are very popular and attract and a great crowd of outdoor families.
📅 Sunday 14th December ⏰ 11am – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required – drop in ℹ️ More info on the Nature Effect website and Florence Park Facebook page.
🎵JDP Cushion Concert
Fun and interactive cushion concert! An introduction to different styles of music and instruments to children and their families. Bring your cushions to sit on and your best singing voice, dancing feet and clapping hands!
📅 Sunday 14th December⏰10am 💴 All tickets: £7, Family Ticket: £25, Under 1: Free 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ See website for details and booking.
