The year in Oxford

Nov 2026 – Oct 2027 · 11 moments

The big moments of the year in Oxford: Oxford's Christmas Light Festival, Christmas in Oxford market, New Year's Eve and more, with their dates.

November2026
13Nov

Oxford's Christmas Light Festival

Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026

A weekend of light installations, performances and community events led by Oxford City Council. The Victorian Christmas Market opens on Broad Street from Thursday 12 November, and the Christmas Light Bus, the Rose Hill Light Parade and a light trail in Cutteslowe Park come with it.

21Nov

Christmas in Oxford market

21 November to 31 December 2026

The Christmas market on Broad Street, with market stalls, food and drink, and a stage for live music. It is open daily except on 25 December, closes at 5.30 pm on Christmas Eve, and entry is free.

December2026
31Dec

New Year's Eve

Thursday 31 December 2026

Ticketed parties in the pubs, bars and hotels of the city on the last night of the year.

March2027
13Mar

Oxford Literary Festival

Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 March 2027

Nine days of talks, conversations and book launches with authors, with events at the Sheldonian Theatre.

April2027
16Apr

Oxford Folk Festival

Starts Friday 16 April 2027; usually over a weekend in April

A grassroots folk festival each April, with concerts, dances and ceilidhs, workshops and local acts in venues around the city.

May2027
1May

May Morning

Saturday 1 May 2027, at 6 am

At 6 am the Magdalen College Choir sings from the top of Magdalen Tower and crowds gather on the High Street and Magdalen Bridge, with morris dancing in Radcliffe Square afterwards. The council closes the roads from 2 am to 9 am, bicycles included.

Mayusually

Eights Week

Usually Wednesday to Saturday in late May, in the fifth week of Trinity Term (27 to 30 May in 2026)

The University's main inter-college rowing regatta, raced on a stretch of the Thames in bumps, with the crews lined up one behind the other.

June2027
Junusually

Oxford Pride

Usually a Saturday in early June (6 June in 2026)

A parade through the city and a programme of events at venues around town, with the parade setting off at 10.30 am in 2026.

September2027
Sepusually

St Giles' Fair

Usually the Monday and Tuesday after the first Sunday following 1 September (7 and 8 September in 2026)

A funfair that takes over St Giles' for two days, from 11 am to 11 pm in 2026. It began in 1625 as a parish festival, and the roads around it are closed.

Sepusually

Oxford Open Doors

Usually a weekend in September (12 and 13 September in 2026)

A free weekend when colleges, university buildings and other historic places open their doors to the public, run by Oxford Preservation Trust.

October2027
Octusually

IF Oxford Science and Ideas Festival

Usually from mid-October into early November (16 October to 1 November in 2026)

About two weeks of talks, workshops and hands-on activities about science and ideas around the city.