Oxford has really come into its own this New Year, with an amazing and admirable selection of shows, pantos, musicals, comedies and plays to entertain you, your family and friends.

And with something for everyone from story-telling for little ones, to high drama for adults, pantomimes galore for families and comedy for grown-ups, it’s hard to know where to start.

Which is why we’ve done the hard work for you and come up with our top festive shows on over the New Year in Oxfordshire.

  • We have to start with War Horse straight from the West End – a massive coup for Oxford at the New Theatre.

The play follows the journey of young Albert who travels from a farm in Devon, to the front line of Flanders and its ensuing carnage seen through Albert’s horse Joey via some award-winning puppetry. A bitter sweet tale from Michael Morpurgo for all the family.

Until Saturday January 6. 0844 8713020. atgtickets.com/oxford

  • Nutcracker and the Mouse King is well underway at Didcot’s Cornerstone, the theatre’s first ever in-house Christmas production. The theatre has been transformed into a children’s toy shop on Christmas Eve, full of raggedy old toys and a mysterious toymaker. But all is not as it seems – when everyone goes to bed the toys in the shop burst into life with music, singing and dancing.

Maria meets the Nutcracker, a toy who has been cursed by the evil Mouse King. Together they must find a way to lift the curse and save Christmas for everyone.

Until December 30. 01235 515144.

  • Wind In The Willows is the second string to Creation’s bow, keeping Banbury Mill entranced with it’s homage to Toad Hall and all its inhabitants.Transformed into a wooded riverbank in a collaboration with Cherwell Theatre Company, this is a mad-cap, fun, heartwarming and generally bonkers adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic tale of the beauty of friendship and nature.

Until December 30. 01865 766266 or creationtheatre.co.uk

  • Sleeping Beauty at The Theatre Chipping Norton is keeping west Oxfordshire in stitches, complete with James Bond baddie lair and custard pie making machine. Director John Terry has evoked the Tudor era and Swinging Sixties.

On until January 14. chippingnortontheatre.com

  • A New Coat For Christmas is Burton Taylor Studio’s enchanting offering for little ones about the values of friendship, family and love.

Until Sunday Jan 7. 01865 305305. oxfordplayhouse.com

  • With five-star reviews and an instant audience rapport, Creation’s A Christmas Carol, at The North Wall this year has outdone itself yet again with its Dickensian ode to Christmas.

Until January 7. Box office 01865 766266 or creationtheatre.co.uk

  • Jack and the Beanstalk is currently in full flow at Oxford Playhouse and gathering pace as the brilliant cast caper through a Trump-esque giant landscape in this strangely apt tale of austerity complete with a large dose of fun, music, magic. Let Jack whisk you away up the beanstalk to rescue the children from a lifetime of hard labour while capturing the heart of Jill. Baddie Amrou Al-Kadhi makes his panto debut as Judy Henchman and his evil sidekick Dai Slowly adds oodles of sly fun.

Until Sunday January 7. 01865 305305 or oxfordplayhouse.com

  • Jingle’s Magic Sleigh depicts Belle Rochester – Jingle to her friends – who has a very special job to do - cheer Santa up and get him back to his Christmas post. Join her for an unforgettable trip at The Story Museum.

Until Dec 31 on 01865 790050 or storymuseum.org.uk

  • And anyone who fancies getting outside instead should head down to the Christmas at Blenheim display, whose sheer scale defies belief. Stare in awe at the artistry, skill and splendour of the illuminations which lead you around Blenheim’s extensive grounds.

Until Jan 1. blenheimpalace.com