A year of community stories, talks and events begins this January, alongside a small entrance charge.
The Museum of Oxford is looking ahead to a busy and ambitious year, with a programme that continues to place the city’s people, communities and shared histories at its heart.
January marks the beginning of this programme with Oxford Uncovered, a busy schedule of talks, tours, and hands-on events that bring Oxford’s social history to life.
From early cinema and night-time culture to family activities, wellbeing sessions, and behind-the-scenes access to historic spaces, the programme demonstrates the Museum’s dedication to telling Oxford’s story through the voices and experiences of its residents.
January and February programme for the Museum
Highlights this January and February include:
- Stories of Oxford Tours (22 and 31 January), tracing the defining moments and everyday lives that have shaped the city from medieval times to the present
- Movers & Shakers (23 January), gentle, music-led movement sessions for older people rooted in shared memory and wellbeing
- Hands-on History! (24 January), a family-friendly activity in the gallery using real and replica objects
- Inside the Oxford Town Hall (24 January), an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Grade II* listed building at the heart of the city
- Lunchtime Talk (11 February), The incredible story of “Charlie Hutchison: Life of a Black-British anti-fascist from Oxfordshire” as told by local historian Dan Poole
- Hidden Voices of WW1 (16 February), Discover the amazing story of Hardit Singh Malik, Britain’s first Indian fighter pilot and former resident of Oxford, brought to life by author Bali Raj (family-friendly)
- Opera in a Day (18 February), Join Oxford Opera for an all day family-friendly workshop to recreate Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera “HMS Pinafore”
Together, these events highlight the Museum of Oxford as a place of storytelling, conversation and community, where local voices and lived experience sit at the centre of everything it does.
Through exhibitions, oral histories, events and community-led projects, the Museum works closely with communities to tell the stories of Oxford and the lives that have shaped it. Storytelling, collaboration and community practice underpin its work across exhibitions, learning, outreach and public programmes.
Small entrance charge
In order to support the continuation of this work, the Museum of Oxford will be introducing a small entry charge (£4 for adults and £2 for children) from 26 January 2026.
A wide range of visitors will continue to enjoy free entry, including those in receipt of benefits, children under five, carers, formal and community volunteers, schools in Oxfordshire (for gallery visits only) and people attending pre-booked activities.
The Museum will also continue to offer 12 free open days each year, ensuring regular opportunities for everyone to explore the exhibitions together.
Oxford City Council’s budget allocates £152,000 per year to support the operations of the Museum of Oxford. Income raised through entry will be reinvested directly into the Museum and its programmes.
The Museum of Oxford remains committed to being a welcoming and affordable civic space, rooted in the belief that history is shaped by many voices.
Comment
“The Museum of Oxford is a place where residents and visitors alike can understand the city beyond its familiar landmarks. Its focus on people, place and shared history is essential to Oxford’s cultural life, and this programme reflects the strength of that commitment. This programme shows the breadth of that work, from family learning and community wellbeing to talks, tours and shared memories.”
Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet member for Planning and Culture
The Museum of Oxford (MOX) is located inside Oxford Town Hall and is open Monday to Saturday, 10am–5pm.
More information, including exhibitions and events, can be found on the Museum of Oxford website.
Free entry days to the Museum of Oxford for the rest of 2026 are:
- Wednesday 18 February
- Saturday 21 March
- Wednesday 8 April
- Wednesday 27 May
- Saturday 13 June
- Saturday 4 July
- Wednesday 5 August
- Saturday 12 September
- Wednesday 28 October
- Saturday 14 November
- Wednesday 23 December
Rate this page
