There are lots of awesome free and cheap family Christmas events and activities across Oxfordshire this year. There are also some VERY expensive ones too!! Eeeek. I actually work in Oxford and with all of the lights and beautiful buildings it’s just magic at this time of year. Anyway, here’s my Christmas what’s on guide for Oxfordshire. For guides in Bucks, Herts and Beds, as well as the latest festive reviews have a look at the Christmas page by clicking here. Make sure you check out the Facebook events page for lots more events all over the area.
Christmas events in and near Oxford
The Illuminated Trail at Blenheim Palace has to be THE big Christmas event in Oxfordshire. An off-peak family ticket (plus parking) is £75. A peak family ticket (plus parking) is £99. Annual pass holders save £1 per person. Apparently they have over a million lights on the trail! There’s also a free app that accompanies the trail. You can still visit the gardens during the day as well (admission is FREE for Annual Pass holders). Have a look at my review of Blenheim Palace here. Don’t forget that if you buy a palace and trail ticket you get a free annual pass.
Yarnton Nurseries are not running a Santa’s Grotto this year. Instead there’s Santa’s Magical photo booth. Every weekend from the 18th November. No need to book. There’s no details about the price though.
There’s a reindeer trail at Waterperry Gardens, Oxford from the 25th November until the 23rd December. It’s £3 per child – normal admission fees apply. On the 25th & 26th November there’s also the chance to meet real reindeer from 12pm – 3pm. Have a look at my review of the gardens here.
There’s a Santa’s Grotto experience at Oxford Castle & Prison. It’s a 45 minute long activity that involves meeting Santa, a gift and festive activities. £20 for 1 adult and child, £16 per additional child, £4 per additional adult.
All over Oxford there are dozens of local Christmas light trails going on. You can find ones near you on the Oxlightfest website. It includes FloFest on the 17th & 18th November and free drop-in laser and lantern craft sessions on the 18th November for ages 7-12. There’s a free walking tour, the West Oxfordshire light festival, breakfast with Santa and letter writing with Santa – all free.
The Story Museum have got a production of Tom Thumb running from the 21st – 29th December, £12 per person.
Don’t forget there are lots of free places to visit with the kids in Oxfordshire, and you can check out the lights whilst you’re there. Have a look at my guide to free things to do with the kids in Oxford.
The Museum of Natural History in Oxford have got family friendly Sundays every Sunday in November and December. There’s also a Christmas family trail from the 21st December – 7th January. Free event. For my review of the museum click here.
Christmas events in Thame
The Santa steam rides from Chinnor & Princes Risborough railway start at the Risborough end. Select dates from the 25th November, prices start at £22 per person. Click here to book your tickets.
Thame Town Council are turning the lights on on the 1st December this year. There’s also going to be a Christmas town trail throughout December, and lots of animals will be popping up all over town Have a look at their website for all the details.
It’s the AgriSocial Charity Tractor Road Run is taking a break this year. They’ve been running the event for 8 years now but plan to be back in 2024.
Christmas events in Didcot
Didcot Railway centre are running Steam into Christmas at weekends from the 5th – 21st – 23rd Dec. There’s a ride on a steam train and a present from Santa himself, plus a trail to do and you’ll get chance to look around the museum as well. £20 per adult, £25 per child. Visit their website for all the details.
The Didcot Festive Market will be on the 3rd December from 10-3. There will be horse drawn-carriages, live nativity, fairground rides, dancers, stalls and more.
Christmas events in Banbury
Upton House, just outside of Banbury, has an Aesop’s fable trail running from the 12th November until Christmas Eve, £3 per child. The house and gardens will also be decorated with an Aesop’s fable theme. And on New Year’s Day there’s a guided walk around the estate from 10.30 – 12.30.
The Christmas light switch-on will be on the 26th November with events from 11 – 6pm. Father Christmas will be there, and the whole thing finishes with fireworks.
There’s a Monster in your Christmas show from the 11th – 23rd December with tickets from £16 at the Mill Arts Centre in Banbury
Christmas events in Abingdon
Millets Farm (reviewed here), nr Abingdon have got a Santa’s grotto from the 11th November – 24th December, £49.50 for a family ticket. They also have a couple of Christmas other events this year. There’s an elves workshop from the 19th – 22nd December and a Christmas disco on the 20th & 21st. Then on the 29th there’s a performance of the Stealer of Stories but the WhatNot Theatre; £36 for a family ticket.
The Abingdon Christmas extravaganza is on the 2nd December with activities from 9am right through until 6.30. It’s a free event that includes a parade and light switch-on.
Christmas events in Bicester
The illuminated Christmas light trail is back in Garth Park from the 8th – 17th December. £7.50 per adult, £4 per child, £1.50 under 5’s. Santa will be there too but you cannot pre-book the grotto. That’s £1.50/£2.50 per child depending on age. Trail tickets can be booked here.
The Christmas lights switch-on is on the 25th November from 1-6pm. Bicester garden centre in Oxfordshire has got multiple Christmas events taking place this year. There’s a skating rink from the 14th November – 7th January, Breakfast with Santa from the 25th November until Christmas Eve and Santa’s Grotto from the 1st December.
Christmas events elsewhere in Oxfordshire
Fairytale Farm in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire have got two Christmas Events this year. There are illuminated evenings on Saturdays and Sundays until the 26th November 2023. Then Christmas at Fairytale farm runs at weekends from the 2nd – 10th December and then daily until Christmas Eve. It now includes a visit to Santa’s Grotto. £16.99 per child. £9.50 per adult.
Bunkers Hill Nursery in Kidlington will have their Christmas tree forest from the 25th November. There’s also their legendary reindeer challenge from the 25th November until Christmas Eve. £3 per child. Read my review of our visit a few years ago here.
Greys Court is celebrating Christmas memories from the 25th November – 5 January. The house is decorated and there’s way marked walks in the grounds. Free with admission. Plus there’s a £2 children’s trail around the ground.
The River and Rowing Museum, Henley, haven’t announced any Christmas events yet but they usually do something. I’ll update this listing when they announce their plans.
The panto at Chipping Norton theatre is Cinderella this year. It’s running from the 15th November – 14th January. Tickets from £19 each
This page has been updated with Christmas events and activities in Oxfordshire for 2023. Some events haven’t been announced yet. I’ll be adding more to the Facebook page and updating this page as I find them. If you know of any that I’ve missed just get in touch. The details of these Oxfordshire based Christmas events are correct at the time of writing, but double check with the venue before visiting/booking.
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Hi, I’m Vicky. My husband and I live in Aylesbury with our three children; a 14 year old son, an 12 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. I (mostly) love spending time together as a family. We visit all kinds of places and we’re quite happy to drive a fair distance for a decent day out. A few years ago I decided to set up Free Time with the Kids as a way to share our experiences of these family days out.
You’ll find the essential information you need to know before your visit that can be surprisingly hard to find out. Where do I park? How much will it cost me to get in? Are there any discounts available? Are there loos? Can I take a picnic or get food? My aim is to be your go-to guide for all your free and cheap family days out across Bucks, Beds, Oxon, Herts & slightly beyond. I really hope you find the reviews helpful. If there’s anywhere that you’d recommend please get in touch contact@freetimewiththekids.com or get in touch via Facebook
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