Oxford residents are encouraged to get involved with the Christmas Lights Festival, by making a Christmas light display, enjoying the neighbourhood light trails and entering the photo competition.
The festival this year has a big focus on community activity in residential areas, not just the city centre. Artists and organisations are supporting the lights festival with free light making workshops and imaginative displays for the highlight of the events on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th November
How to take part
Taking part in the festival is easy. There are live and online workshops taking place in the run-up to the festival and simple ‘how-to’ instructions on the festival website for a variety of lanterns, window displays and other making and creating ideas for the home.
Members of the public, schools and community groups are being encouraged to make their own illuminations and artworks for neighbours and friends to enjoy in Light Trails and Street Celebrations, with a theme of ‘The Art of Connectivity’. Weekend Light Trails have been organised by the North Wall Arts Centre with Charterville Garden Centre and Cutteslowe Primary School and by Rose Hill Community Centre.
Light can be used to decorate windows, homes, streets, and make spectacular sights around the city and Light Trails are taking place throughout the weekend. People are encouraged to organise Street Celebrations for Saturday 20 November from 5.30pm, allowing neighbours and friends to enjoy the creativity on display in their area.
Photo competition
Those following Light Trails or Street Celebrations can capture the atmosphere with their photographic skills and be entered into a competition. The top three photographs, presented by the deadline of midday on Sunday 21st November, will each receive an exclusive Christmas hamper from the Covered Market.
Map of light trails
Anyone can register their home or street to be part of a Light Trail or Street Celebration over the festival weekend. Households and streets taking part will be displayed on a digital map to show where local events can be found.
“The Oxford Christmas Light Festival is a wonderful event for the whole of the city to be involved in. Whether creating your own display using the resources from the festival website, visiting local Light Trails or taking part in a Street Celebration, everyone can take part and contribute to the festive feeling. This year we have fantastic prizes for the photo competition too, so there's an extra reason to get out and enjoy the light trails. I look forward to seeing all the wonderful illuminations that Oxford’s residents have created.”
Councillor Mary Clarkson, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism
To find out all the ways to take part, visit the Christmas Light Festival's website.
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