A CASH grant from Oxford’s Mini plant will pay for performances and workshops over the city’s Christmas light festival next month.

Five cultural and arts groups in Oxford will be given grants of up to £1,500 each to fund cultural celebrations for the event – which will be held from November 22 to 24.

This year, what used to be Christmas light night will be held over a whole weekend, with the funfair, stage and market in St Giles acting as a focal point for the festivities.

A total of £5,600 of funding from Mini has been awarded to Lunas Dance Project, theatrical group Parton & Plath, Film Oxford, Arts at the Old Fire Station and Oxford Contemporary Music.

Ellie Aldegheri, founder of the Lunas Dance Project, said the group’s £800 grant would be used to fund performances and demonstrations at the Art T Centre in Cowley.

She said: “We’re a contemporary dance group, and we will present some of the pieces we have been working on and some new things we well.

“We will also be showing people a rehearsal behind the scenes. People will be able to see what happens when we get ready.

“My whole idea is to make the dancefloor a bit more approachable and accessible to people.”

The winning groups will be putting on a wide range of cultural events, from street theatre in East Oxford to a programme of fire juggling and food and workshop activities in Gloucester Green.

Successful applicants had to show that their proposed activity would complement the existing schedule for the festival and interest new audiences in the area.

Mini plant Oxford managing director Frank Bachmann said: “The Christmas light festival is soon approaching and promises to be a highlight for Oxford.

“Our support of Christmas light night demonstrates the plant’s continued commitment to developing and supporting arts and culture projects, and we’re especially pleased that we can help local diverse cultural groups.”

Oxford City Council events officer Rachel Capell said: “It is fantastic to be able to support local groups and encourage their involvement with the Christmas light festival.

“We saw a wide range of activities proposed by various groups, and we’re really excited about the breadth and variety of cultural events offered to the public over the weekend.”

Many popular cultural venues – including museums, galleries, theatres, castle and town hall – will be opening their doors to the public for late-night viewings.