We’re winding up for Christmas and it starts with LOADS of Christmas markets kicking off December.
On until Christmas:
Tree Barn, Christmas Common (until Christmas Eve)
Off the wall Christmas madness. From the minute you step into the Tree Barn you are hit with all the smells, sounds and sights of Christmas – beware, it will cast a spell on you and make you buy EVERYTHING! It’s being scaled back next year so make sure you visit this year! See a recent visit of ours here.
Appleton Christmas Barn (until Christmas Eve)
Not just a barn full of Christmas delights, reindeer and sleigh photo opps too. Check out their website for dates as not only are the reindeers in town, a coffee van is too. You’re welcome. Check out a previous visit of ours here.
Bunkers Hill: Reindeer Challenge (until 23rd December)
It’s time! A reindeer trail around the star-lit nursery is a festive tradition for so many families…including ours! There is a prize and certificate for every child and of course you must take a break at the tea house for a well deserved hot chocolate. All proceeds from the trail (£3 each child) go to Mind and Restore mental health charities
Waterperry Gardens: Reindeer Trail (until Christmas Eve)
The Reindeer Trail is a lovely run around the ornamental gardens. It’s sweet, it’s twee and you get the added bonus if the free playground on the green. Tag on the Waterperry to Woodstock walk.
Webbs Garden Centre at Millets
We love this a somewhere to just go and be Christmassy. There’s miniature scenes, singing reindeers, decorations and lovely Christmas vibes. We want to see the ice rink back one day too!
Poplar Grove, OX1 (until Christmas Eve)
It’s our number one road that glows! This power surge of a house is lighting up the whole neighbourhood whilst raising money for two worthwhile charities: Sobell House and ROSY. For a small donation you can visit Santa in his sleigh and receive a gift too. This draws crowds from miles away and has a lovely feeling of Christmas cheer!
Saturday 30th November
🚜The Christmas Tractor
The Christmas Tractor comes to Bicester Market Square! If you are going to the light switch on then be sure to fill your pockets with some change as there will be collection boxes with monies going to Katharine House Hospice. The tractor will be covered in hundreds of lights so you won’t be able to miss it! The lights are switched on at 6 pm, finished with Christmas carols and music in the market square until 7 pm.
📅 Saturday 30th November ⏰ Lights switched on at 6 pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ More info on the Christmas Tractor Facebook page
🧺Sandy Lane Farm Winter Makers and Bakers
A festive day on the farm! Incredible food and crafts from local artisan makers and bakers. The farm shop, coffee bar, and pop-up farm food will be open too! We LOVE it here and the gorgeous ceramics on sale this weekend will be finding their way into our shopping bag!
📅 Friday 29th and Saturday 30th November ⏰ 10am – 3pm 💴 Free entry 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ More info on the Sandy Lane website
🎄Dorchester Abbey Christmas Market
Over 40 stalls full of gifts and Christmas food, with wreaths to order or take away, all surrounded by the smell of Bratwurst and mulled wine with Christmas music supplied by local choirs and musicians. The Tea Room stall is full of home made Christmas cakes and food to take away as gifts!
📅 Saturday 30th November ⏰10am – 5pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ More info on the Dorchester Abbey website
🐐Cogges Christmas Market
Beautiful artisan crafts, gifts and homewares in over 60 festive stalls. Cakes, decorations with a difference and lots more! You can also buy Christmas wreaths and Cogges Christmas Trees. There will be festive music and all the and the Cogges Kitchen café BBQ, bar, mulled wine & mince pies.
🎁Woodstock Festive Fayre
Shopping, food, mulled wine and mince pies and more across three sites and 50 stalls at St Mary Magdalene Church, Oxfordshire Museum and The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum. We go to this fayre every year and it’s so good!
📅 Friday 29th November and Saturday 30th November ⏰Friday: 5pm – 8pm, Saturday: 10am – 7pm 💴 Free🎫 No booking required ℹ️ More info on the Wake up to Woodstock page
🕯️Woodstock Night of a Thousand Candles
A traditional Victorian Christmas lights switch-on with choir music and carols and singing, Santa, food & drink and all things festive. With a special visit from the local fire station for the children. Don’t forget to bring your lanterns and candles to light up the square!
📅 Saturday 30th December ⏰ 5.30pm – 7pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ More info on the Wake up to Woodstock website
🗺️Harcourt Arboretum: The Twelve Trees of Christmas Trail
What would Christmas be like without trees? Find out about festive tree-traditions from around the world on this trail around the Arboretum. Solve the puzzle and claim your prize. On until 6th January.
📅 Saturday 30th December ⏰ 10am – 4pm 💴 £2 for trail, includes prize 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ More info on the Harcourt Arboretum website.
🌊Moana 2
Moana 2 came out yesterday! The trailer looks epic and somehow the chicken Hei Hei is still alive! I have so much love for Moana, I’ll be getting myself to the cinema this weekend even if it’s on my own! Showing at screens all over Oxfordshire. Watch the trailer here.
Sunday 1st December (whoop!)
📚Oxford Indie Book Fair
Love supporting independent! It’s not just for the grown ups, you’ll find lots of children’s authors here, including the brilliant Korky Paul, and there’s activities too: crafts, cartoon drawing, book reading and portrait painting.
📅 Sunday 1st December ⏰ 11am – 4.30pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ Visit the Oxford Indie Book fair website here and the children’s activity line-up here
🪩 Christmas Family Dance Party
Daytime disco for all of the family. Featuring a live DJ, party games, bubbles and disco lights and more!
📅 Sunday 1st December⏰12 noon – 1.30pm/ 2.30pm – 4pm 💴 Pay What you Like 🎫 No need to book, just show up! ℹ️ More info on the Dancin’ Oxford website.
🎨Crafty Kids go to Space!
The Space Store take over The Market Tap (Tap Social) on the first Sunday of every month. Kids: join and get creative! Adults: buy coffee and eat cinnamon buns.
📅 Sunday 1st December ⏰10am – 12 noon 💴 Free 🎫 No need to book, just show up! ℹ️ Regular updates on the Space Store Facebook page
👀Looking and booking👀
The Old Fire Station: Bright Nights Festival 4th – 21st December
Amazing concerts, performances and FREE workshops for children and families! There’s lots on for both children and grown ups and it’s either free or affordable with a ‘pay less’ option. We love to see these experiences accessible to all.
Modern Art Oxford Festive Market: 7th December
This is no ordinary Christmas Market…especially since entry includes free access to the fascinating exhibitions and studio. Discover beautiful artworks, homeware, accessories and more from a curated selection of independent artisans, artists and makers.
Magdalen Rd Frost Fest 7th December
Our favourite road celebrates Christmas! Parades, Santa, carols, flea market, carol singing and Christmas trail. More info to follow!
Caper: Winter Massage, Story and play workshop 11th December
A packed session with winter massage & yoga, stories, poems, singing and sensory play. Learn corresponding massage strokes & yoga poses to perform on your baby as you follow along. A nice little Christmas 1:1 time amidst the madness!
Oxford Bus Museum Father Christmas Days 15th and 22nd December
Visit Santa in his bus grotto (I love that!) and get on board for some free festive bus rides at 12.15 and 2,15pm. It’s a lovely little outing and a super museum run by dedicated volunteers.
Oxford City Farm Winter Warmer 22nd December
Celebrate the winter season with mulled apple juice, mince pies, carols & solstice songs by the fire!
Check out our free and low-cost Christmas blog for allllllll the things to look forward to!
