As nights grow longer and our attention turns to the festive season, the city has a glow up with light parades, trails and installations.
As nights grow longer and our attention turns to the festive season, the city has a glow up with light parades, trails and installations. From Friday 13 – Sunday 15 November, across Oxford, displays featuring shimmering hand-made lanterns, flashing LED displays, sparkling street decorations and colourful window art will kick off our countdown to Christmas with a vibrant glimmer.
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Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council said:
"Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival brings our communities and local residents together as we head into the festive season. From lantern parades and light trails to music, crafts and community celebrations, there is something for everyone to enjoy, wherever you are in the city.
"I love the creativity and enthusiasm that makes this festival so special. I would like to thank the many residents, community groups, cultural organisations and businesses who help make it happen. Do come along on the weekend itself, but also, do explore the programme, get involved in activities preparing for the festival, and join us in celebrating all our communities that make Oxford such a vibrant and welcoming city."
Wherever you live or work in the city there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy and get involved in the events and activities taking place either nearby or online.
Prepare your own light display with IF Oxford who in Glow Your Own, a series of webinars, will be guiding you as you build a programmable LED display. There are also resources on the festival website to make a variety of simple lanterns and displays.
Community-based events are spread over the city. In Cowley, Ark-T open up The Venue as a magical winter wonderland of light, music and welcome with activities for everyone. Pegasus Theatre in East Oxford offers a whole day of fun, free activities with IF Oxford’s hands-on Glow Gallery; Wild Boor Ideas' shadow puppet-making workshops; WhatNot Theatre's interactive walking-tour performances; drop-in arts and crafts with local artist, Carmen Rodriguez Macias; and a youth open-mic night.
The renowned Rose Hill light activities and parade take the theme of Fantastic Fiction. Led by Film Oxford with Rose Hill Community Centre and Rose Hill Junior Youth Club, we celebrate the joy of reading, imagination and storytelling. During the afternoon get involved in workshops creating the special lanterns that will be paraded around the estate after dark.
The Leys will become a beacon of light and togetherness with Integrate Community as residents decorate homes and communal spaces spreading joy, creativity, welcome and connection throughout the neighbourhood.
The North Wall Arts Centre with Cutteslowe Community Association treat us to a dazzling light trail leading you through Cutteslowe Park from creative craft activities to absorbing music and theatre performances, railway journeys and discos.
In the city centre the traditional Victorian Market in Broad Street showcases delicious food and drink, unique vibrant decorations, tantalising gifts and festive street entertainment.
The Museum of Oxford on St. Aldate’s will open its doors for a new gallery trail and a craft session to make your own Christmas Light Lantern. While the talented voices of the DSO Singing and Signing Choir in Bonn Square will entertain shoppers with their selection of festive tunes.
Joining them all together, Oxford Bus Company’s Christmas Light Bus will be bringing a joyous sparkle to neighbourhoods around and beyond the city over the weekend.
To find a light themed activity near you visit the festival website www.oxlightfest.com to see the programme in full. Keep checking back for updates.
