PEOPLE across the country will have started opening the windows of their Advent calendars in the lead-up to Christmas.

But for residents in Headington there is much more behind their calendar windows than chocolate.

This month community group Headington Action has set up the Live Advent Calendar, which will feature a live concert or event for every day of Advent in different shops in Headington High Street.

Co-organiser of the event Nick Jackson was inspired to create the event after visiting the ‘living calendar’ in Henley last year.

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“I visited the event in Henley and thought that would be a great idea for Headington.

“The idea is to have a different group popping up in a different shop window in Headington every day of the week, just like the different windows of the Advent calendar.”

The extensive programme of concerts and interactive events includes New Marston Primary School singing at John Radcliffe Hospital, a saxophone quartet performing at Waitrose, and even interpretative dance in the Risinghurst United Reformed Church.

County councillor for Headington and Quarry Roz Smith said: “It’s a great way to get in the Christmas spirit and celebrate all the talented people we have in Headington.

“It’s a great way to promote local people and local businesses as all the events are being held in and around Headington.

“The good thing is that we’ve got an incredibly eclectic programme, so there’s truly something for everyone.”

The first event, on Monday, featured Oxford-based blues musician Paul ‘The Mudslide’ Morris.

Mrs Smith said: “Around 30 people came and watched the concert and it was great to see the enthusiasm of all the people in the crowd.

“There is such a broad variety of events as well, like the Headington Art Weeks drawing chalk pictures on Sunday.”

For more information on the events, visit liveadvent.org.uk

Each day at a glance

Today: 6pm, Sands Theatre Arts Company, Lime Walk Methodist Hall, New High Street

Tomorrow: 3pm, Headington School Choir, Headington Prep, 26 London Road

December 6: 10am-4pm, ‘The Big Draw’ drawing session, Andrews Estate Agents, 101 London Road

December 7: 11.30am, Carols at the Headington Shark, 2 New High Street

December 8: 2.30pm, St Andrew’s Primary School Choir, Co-operative Headington, 152 London Road

December 9: TBC, Sax Alone Quartet, Waitrose, Old High Street

December 10: 1pm, St Mary’s Church Choir, St Mary’s Church

December 11: 6pm, Expression Dance, Risinghurst URC, Collingwood Road

December 12: 5pm, Leslie Tomkins Dance, Feather & Black, 94 London Road

December 13: 11.30am, Performance: Holy Trinity Music Group, Venue – Scott Fraser

December 14: 3pm, Amanda Alder Dance Academy, Father & Black, 94 London Road

December 15: 11.30am, Windmill School Choir, Windmill School, Margaret Road

December 16: 2pm, Wood Farm Primary School Choir, Barclays Bank, 105 London Road

December 17: 2.15pm, Bayards Hill Primary School Choir, Bayards Hill Primary, 26 London Road

December 18: 2pm, New Marston Primary School Year 2 Choir, John Radcliffe Hospital, West Wing Atrium

December 19: noon, Kiddy Korner Nursery children perform, Quarry Village Hall, Quarry Road

December 20: 2.30pm, Headington Hillbillies, Venue – TBC

December 21: TBC, Rising Voice, Venue – TBC

December 22: 11.30am, Barton Sings, Cut ’n’ Create, 66 London Road

December 23: 2pm, Performance: TBC, NatWest Bank, 91 London Road

Christmas Eve: 11am, The Live Advent Big Sing, The Co-operative, 152 London Road

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