Get out and about this week, with theatre, festivals, comedy and more to tempt you into the July sunshine...

Simply the Fest

Handicrafts, lindy hops and indie books - we’ve got a trio of fun for you in this week's festival line-up.

This weekend, the always-stunning Waterperry Gardens will play host to Craft in Focus’ ceramics, jewellery and silversmithing fair. Snag a memorable gift or unique art piece from one of the 200 exhibitors showcasing their wares in marquees the Waterperry lawn. Talented independent makers will be gathering from across the country to sell their items. If that’s not enough, make a long summer day of it by touring the garden grounds.

Also running from Fri to Sun, the Oxford Lindy Exchange will be hosting its big 2025 gathering. Get ready to move to live music from nationally acclaimed jazz bands in the Randolph Hotel’s ballroom, then kick back and socialise at the Royal Blenheim after party. There is a range of musicians, dances and taster sessions over the weekend, so dancers of all levels should be sure to check it out.

Finally, don’t miss the annual Oxford Indie Book Fair - a local treasure trove for bookworms. It’s no surprise this free, friendly event has remained popular year after year with authors and readers a alike - it’s a great place to meet local authors, find great books on discount, and socialise with other booklovers and publishing people.

Celebrating Ceramics and Desire Jewellery and Silversmithing Fair: Waterperry Gardens, Fri 11th - Sun 13th, 9.30am - 5pm each day. Tickets £14 without garden entry, £22 with garden entry.

Oxford Lindy Exchange: Randolph Hotel, Fri 11th - Sun 13th, Fri 7 - 11.30pm, Sat 12 noon - 3pm, Sun 12 noon - 7pm. Tickets £35 Fri/£55 Sat/£45 Sun, or whole weekend pass for £120.

Oxford Indie Book Fair: Festival Hall, Magdalen College School, Sun 13th, 11am - 4pm. Free, drop-in!

Laugh It Up

Gearing up for week 3 of Oxford’s answer to the Edinburgh Fringe, the hits don’t stop coming from QED’s Comedy Festival. This week, see two local legends in one as Who The Honk Do You Thonk You Are brings together the understated dark humour of Anna George and the off-the-wall observations of Foo. They’ll be followed by musical comedy dynamo Katie Pritchard and her poppy, peppy comedy hour, I Kiss The Music.

Meanwhile, Kate Pinchuk brings a sharp and relatable take on mental health to the Tap Social with Don’t Panic; turns out, growing up as the child of two psychologists doesn’t necessarily make you more well-adjusted. Join Pinchuk for the funniest and most unofficial therapy session you’ve ever had. And next on the bill, Marise Gaughan offers an honest and uncompromising look at addiction, recovery and finding light at the end of the tunnel, whether that’s an AA meeting or your surf instructor.

Anna George and Foo: Who The Honk do You Thonk You Are / Katie Pritchard: I Kiss The Music : Trinity College Beer Cellar, Fri 11th Jul, 7:30/9pm. Tickets £9 single show, £16 double bill.

Kate Pinchuk: Don’t Panic / Marise Gaughan: Tap Social Movement, Sun 13th Jul, 7:30pm/9pm. Tickets £9 single show, £16 double bill.

About Town

If you like your days out a bit more freewheeling, we’ve got some great options to give your week variety. The Rusty Bicycle Street Party returns this Saturday, bringing crisp beer, banging tunes from local bands and an irrepressible community spirit; drop in and get to know your East Ox neighbours!

Or take some time at OVADA Gallery to support those further afield, with Ayaadi: Helping Hands for Palestine . The day will be packed with craft, calligraphy and traditional Palestinian dabke workshops to support the people of Gaza and the West Bank, with all proceeds going to Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Gaza Biennale.

Finally, a night that might be ticketed but no less eclectic, Live and Peculiar Fever is back at the James Street Tavern! This summer edition of Oxford’s ever-brilliant and often baffling variety night features guest spots from Musical Comedy Award 2025 winners Shots at the Dragon (as well as finalists Paras Patel and Joe Da Costa), Oxford cabaret darling Jamie Mykaela and many, many more - get ready to turn up the heat.

Rusty Bicycle Street Party: Rusty Bicycle, Magdalen Rd, Sat 12th Jul, from noon. Free, no ticket required.

Ayaadi: Helping Hands for Palestine: OVADA Gallery, Sat 12th Jul, 11am - 5pm. Tickets pay what you can/£2 per person/£5 family.

Live and Peculiar Fever!: James Street Tavern, Wed 16th Jul, 8pm. Tickets £10.

State of Play(s)

Drama, family, performance poetry, and a classic Shakespearean comedy: there’s lots to see on stage this week.

First up/last minute: head to Burton Taylor Studio tonight for the second and final performance of Trust, Actually - a brand new play from the Oxford Playhouse Youth Company. This gripping, darkly funny piece asks how much control we can really have over our lives, and with drastically limited choices, how meaningful is our consent?

If you’re looking for some family fun on Saturday or Sunday, the all-ages variety show Heroes and Villains from Launton Village Players might be just the ticket. It promises a whirlwind of comedy, song and sketch, featuring a cast of memorable characters from the entertainment world.

On Tuesday night, poet, stand-up and all-round brilliant performer P Burton-Morgan breaks down exactly how to share your queer identity with your elderly relatives in solo show Explaining Being Pan to Nan . Expect a poetic and hilarious mix of cringe, wisdom and honesty.

Finally, the Oxford Theatre Guild will stage their summer show in Uni Parks from the 15th. They join the spate of Shakespeare this summer, with a zingy, clever new production of hidden identity romcom Twelfth Night.

Trust, Actually: Burton Taylor Studio, Thu 10th, 8pm. Tickets £5.

Heroes and Villains: Big Shed Theatre, Launton, Bicester, Sat 12th - Sun 13th, 1.30 and 6pm on Sat, 2.30pm on Sun. Tickets £12/adult, £6/child.

Explaining Being Pan to Nan: Burton Taylor Studio, Tue 15th, 7.30pm. Tickets £14/standard, £12/concession.

Twelfth Night: University Parks (Picked Mead - near pond), Tue 15th - Sat 26th, no shows on Sun 20th. 7pm each night, plus 2.30pm matinee on Sat 19th. Tickets £16, buy 6th get the 7th free.

And Finally

Got a cycle you no longer need? Broken Spoke Bike Co-Op needs YOU! (or rather, more accurately, your bike). Donated bikes are repaired and used to provide affordable transport for the local community. The funds made from bike sales also allow Broken Spoke to deliver its other services, ensuring everyone who wants to cycle in Oxford has the means, knowledge and equipment necessary. For more info, head to their site here.

Image credits: Ruan Martinelli via Unsplash, Kate Pinchuk, Fiona Joines via Oxford Craftivists, P Burton-Morgan, Alejandro Lopez via Unsplash