Christmas is just around the corner and across the city there are lots of festive events to enjoy this month.

From markets and carol concerts, to craft workshops and pantomimes there is plenty going on in Oxford to keep people of all ages entertained.

Check out the Christmas events happening in Oxford:

Robin Hood Pantomime

Is it back? Oh yes it is!

Oxford Playhouse’s pantomime is back this with its performance of Robin Hood.

An Oxford Playhouse spokesperson said: “Feared by the bad, loved by the good, taking from the rich to give to the poor.

“Robin Hood and his Merry Band are our favourite outlaws, especially when they treat us to songs, dance, laughter, and derring-do in an Oxford Playhouse Christmas Panto! Robin and his Merry Gang live in Sherwood Forest to escape crippling taxes and the out-and-out nastiness of the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham.

“Will our rebel heroes get the better of him, find a way to outwit the forces of evil and build a brighter future? Come along and find out and share in the magic and sparkle that is Christmas at Oxford Playhouse. Sher-wood be a crime to miss it!”

“Get ready to shout for the goodies, boo the baddies, sing along with the merry folk in green tights and cheer all the heroes who’ve come to our rescue in these extraordinary times!”

The show is running from December 3 2021 to January 9 2022.

Tickets are available from £15.

Family Christmas Concert

This “fun” and “informal” day-time Christmas concert is aimed at all ages. Performed by the boys of Christ Church Cathedral Choir the event will feature plenty of well know carols for the audience to sing along with.

The concert will take place at 2:30pm on December 4.

Oxford Christmas Arts Market

This art market will feature a whole range of local artists, designers and selected guests.

It will take place on Broad Street on December 4 and 5.

The market will be open for business from 9am to 5.30pm on Saturday and 10am to 4.30pm on Sunday.

Christmas Fairytale 2021

This immersive event at Fairytale Farm is aimed at families and children and will see enter a fairytale castle and journey from the South Pole to the North Pole. Youngsters will meet interactive dancing penguins, visit the Toymakers and see Santa’s sleigh ready to launch.

Children will then walk through a Secret Forest to meet Father Christmas in his Grotto.

The event is on from December 4 to 24.

Tickets cost £7.75 for adults and older children (not receiving a gift), £13.99 for children (receiving a gift) and £7.75 for seniors.

Christmas Wreath Making

One for the crafters out there, this event at the University of Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum.

The course will be run by floral designer Lyn Oswin, of Enchanted Floristry at Minster Lovell.

She will show you how to create a traditional wreath using foliage, dried flowers, seed pods and fir cones gathered from the Botanic Garden and Arboretum.

The course will be hosted on December 8 and will take place from 10am to 12pm and 1pm to 3pm.

Tickets cost £60.

Christmas Carols on Radcliffe Square

The City of Oxford Silver Band will be joining the congregation of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin for a special service of carols outdoors by the Radcliffe Camera.

The musical performance will take place between 3:30pm and 5pm on December 12.

Believe at Westgate Oxford

Westgate Oxford is hosting Santa’s Magical Reindeer Grotto, where children will be entertained by special reindeer, Norbert.

They will have the chance to make reindeer food in readiness for Christmas Eve, and enjoy a one-to-one with Santa. All children will also receive a wrapped gift of an age-appropriate book to take home.

The magical event is on between November 26 and December 24.

Tickets cost £12 per child and £5 per adult.

You can read more about the event here>>>

Oxford Mail: Norbert the reindeer at Westgate Oxford Norbert the reindeer at Westgate Oxford

Christmas Market at Westgate Oxford

The shopping centre will see the return of its Christmas market this year, which was cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

The Christmas Market will sale personalised Christmas decorations, specialty cheeses and festive treats, as well as mulled wine and German sausage.

The market will be open from November 19 to December 31.

Christmas Charity Trail at Rectory Farm

Families can explore this Christmas Trail at Rectory Farm which also helps raise money for Helen & Douglas House.

The farm explains that when you make a donation to the charity you receive a map which you use along the trail to find clues hidden throughout the PYO fields.

Chocolate prizes for those who return to the shop with their map correctly filled out.

The Christmas Charity Trail runs from November 26 to December 24 (except on Mondays).

Oxford Christmas Market

Oxford City Council is “very hopeful” that this year’s Christmas market will go ahead on Broad Street.

The market will include choirs singing Christmas carols, market traders offering unusual and handmade gifts, colourful decorations and mulled wine.

A spokesperson for the council described it as a “truly magical Christmas experience”.

It will be open on Broad Street from December 9 to December 19.

Oxford Mail: Oxford Christmas Market. Picture: Oxford Mail Archive Oxford Christmas Market. Picture: Oxford Mail Archive

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