In 2025 Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival brings illumination to the city in lots of different forms.
Over the weekend of 14-16 November, the traditional Christmas lights will be on in the streets and at locations around Oxford, hand-made lanterns, light parades, LED displays, glow in the dark drawings, twinkling fairy lights and more will be shining in our neighbourhoods.
There are plenty of light themed activities to get involved in, either from home or close to it.
Online projects include Light It Up! from the Museum of Oxford, a downloadable template to make an historic gas lamp either at home or at the in-person crafting sessions at the museum during the Christmas holiday. IF Oxford presents Glow Your Own, the very popular series of online classes to make a programmable LED display. There are also resources on the festival website to create different kinds of lights for home display, from jam jar lanterns to stained glass pictures to place in windows and take part in the light trail within your local community.
Around the city light plays a key part in community events. Film Oxford is at Rose Hill with Rose Hill Junior Youth Club and Rose Hill and Iffley Low Carbon celebrating our local eco system with giant moth creations and insect inspired lanterns – culminating in a fantastic street parade. The North Wall joins Cutteslowe Primary School, North Oxford Association and Dancin’ Oxford at Cutteslowe Park to host a dazzling light trail with special activities along the way. Creative Arts students from the Leys College are making large scale lanterns to be displayed in their windows. OVADA celebrate Diwali with a diya procession led by traditional dhol players followed by arts installations, food and refreshments at the gallery.
Pegasus Theatre is holding a day of events at the venue for children and families with puppet making workshops, an interactive adventure to find missing stars and an exhibition exploring the nature of rainbows and drawing with light.
The traditional Victorian Market will be open all weekend in Broad Street with decorated stalls selling unique crafts, gifts, seasonal foods and delicious refreshments. To get into the spirit of the festive spirit, visit Oxford’s Covered Market on Saturday 15th, for a special visit from Father Christmas at Breakfast with Santa. Finally,the Christmas Light Bus with its playful elves will visiting various locations within the city ring road on both Friday 14th and Saturday 15th.
Everyone can participate and most events are completely free. Anyone hosting an event between 14 – 16 November can be part of Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival, one of the city’s key, cultural, annual events. Email the Events Team with details to be included.
Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival takes place from 14th to 16th November and details of the full programme can be found on the Christmas Lights Festival website.
"The Oxford Christmas Light Festival is one of the highlights of Oxford’s Christmas calendar, and this year will be another fantastic festival. With a range of events and activities to take part in at home, or in the community, there’s something for everyone. Visit the festival website to explore the full programme."
Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet member for Planning and Culture
Rate this page
