Here at Daily Info, we gathered up the events we’re most excited for from April to June this year - and hoo boy, was there a lot! From festivals to performances, art, music, and days out, read our full breakdown of the amazing months ahead below. Have your calendar at the ready!
1. The Flora and The Fauna!
While daffodils are dotting up across public parks, the Botanic Garden still boasts the most beautiful floral sights in the city in their conservatory and gardens, plus regular talks on plants, and in June, garden-based yoga sessions.
Meanwhile, Blenheim Palace is an absolute vista of verdant rolling hills - especially as the bluebells are about to open; and for the month of May, it’s not just humans that’ll be able to enjoy its lush greenery. TheirDogs in May programme will welcome guests’ furry friends all month for a good sniff round.
For animal fun of a more medieval flavour, the annual jousting tournament takes place from Sat 3rd - Mon 5th May. With knights in armour, plus their noble steeds, it’s a real step back in time.
Elsewhere, the friendly Oxford City Farm is always looking for weekend volunteers, has adolescent goats to hang out with, and is running several workshops on basic homesteading, from growing your own plants to keeping hens.
2.The Fairs
Speaking of the Botanical Garden, their sister-venue, the Harcourt Arboretum, celebrates the season with a Spring Fair on the 10th of May. Enjoy local food and drink, a tombola, cake stall, and gifts to purchase from local traders. Plus of course, time to wander in their stunning 130 acres of blossom-studded woodland.
The following week, St Agatha’s Church in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell will serve up a playful spin on a traditional Spring Fair of its own, with a range of children’s games and attractions, a White Elephant Stall, Teddy Bear parachute, Human Fruit Machine, and range of ice creams to enjoy.
Finally, a month later on the 14th of June, Ramsden Summer Fete brings a whopping 50 crafts stalls, along with bouncy castles, bars, a dog show and other fairground attractions for a fun-packed family day out.
3.The Festivals
Two glorious family festivals worth your time this spring are Wood Festival in Wallingford on the 16th-18th of May, and Ffennell Festival, on the 7th June in Eynsham.
Wood Festival boasts a vast and impressive line-up of musicians, along with comedy, nature, and kids events. Camp out for the weekend in one of their luxury bell tents, or just enjoy a day out.
Meanwhile, the wonderfully folksy Ffennel Festival takes place at the sprawling 67-acre Hill End Outdoor Education Centre, and has a multitude of outdoors activities for families to try, from pond-dipping to circus skills, to whittling. There’s also a World War Two history tour, a bonfire and storytelling session, and live music throughout.
Of course, for a full rundown of all the glorious festivals happening around Oxfordshire this summer, you'll want to head over to our festival blog here!
4. May Morning
What would a list of Spring attractions be without the iconic May Day in Oxford? Whether you plan on getting up and joining a crowd of thousands for the 6am hymn at Magdalen College tower, staying out all night prior, or just want to avoid the road closures, it’s all on the May Day page, as part of our Oxford guides!
5. Market Mayhem
Beautiful weather calls for lazy, idyllic strolls through open air markets. The Uffington Farmers and Artisan Market brings fresh baked goods, local produce and handmade gifts to Thomas Memorial Hall in Faringdon on the first Sunday of every month. Meanwhile, the Spring Artisan Market at Millets Farm will run on Sat 17th - Sun 18th May, offering a huge range of thoughtfully crafted items (potential for an early Father’s Day gift, maybe?).
Sound and Vision
Two absolute Oxford institutions return this season: The Song Festival, and Oxfordshire Art Weeks.
The Oxford International Song Festival is back from Fri 25th - Sun 27th of April, with a huge range of classical music once again being celebrated, via both performances and masterclasses in some of Oxford’s loveliest venues. Aficionados will want to pounce on the Spring Song Pass, which offers access to all events at a hugely discounted rate compared to purchasing tickets separately.
Art Weeks sees over a thousand artists, makers and designers exhibiting across the city and surrounding area; taking over not just galleries but pop-up studios, churches, gardens, colleges and plethora of other venues. Running from the 3rd to 26th, there are a range of talks and trails to accompany the art. Avoid overwhelm via the in-depth guide on the official site. This explosion of creativity is uplifting and worth experiencing.
7. Outings on the Water
Punting is such an enduringly popular tourist activity for good reason - the crisp and cloudless days ahead are going to feel magical on the water (especially with a tin of pimms or lemonade!). For all the info you need for a great time aboard, read our punting guide.
Or if you prefer to stay on dry land, but want to get in on a classically Oxfordian (and surprisingly thrilling) activity, watch the Eights boat race on the 24th of May. More details for that can be found on their website.
Outdoor Fun!
Peloton Espresso If you’ve got a Gladiators fan in the family (of any age) they will go nuts for the Action Arena at Millets Farm this June. Billed as ‘The UK’s biggest touring inflatable obstacle course’ the 600ft structure fills a field and welcomes adults and older kids, while the accompanying ‘Little Explorers’ course offers the same fun for 2-7-year-olds. For further bouncy castle capers, the Oxford Wet N Wild will re-open on May 24th as well!
For a more gentle evening outside, the outdoor cinema screenings at Stonor Park are back for the last weekend in June. Kids will love the Moana 2 screening, while all ages will have a hoot at the Grease Sing-Along.
Take Pride
Beyond their central parade, which falls on June 7th this year - Oxford Pride always puts on a spectacular season of events in the weeks surrounding it. From a stand-up comedy night to a dog show, last year offered no shortage of fun and whimsy. While the event list isn’t out yet, this year’s circus-inspired ‘The Greatest Show’ theme and move to South Park promises something spectacular.
All showcasing LGBT+ talent in June is the second annual Queerfest, a collaboration between the Oxford Playhouse and producer Leah O’Grady. The theatre festival platforms exciting new writing from queer and trans creatives, with shows ranging from rough excerpts and works-in-progress to fully realised productions.
10. Embrace Fandom
Finally, there is such a fab range of shows focused on fandom this season that it deserved its own section.
There’s a spotlight on epic fantasy music at the New Theatre on the 31st of May, titled Music of the Movies: Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones and Beyond, while in June Swifties will be able to cure their Eras Tour withdrawal at TaylorMania.
For something different, the Mill Arts Centre in Banbury presents Fanboy, a critically acclaimed one-man show looking at the high and lows of nerdy fandom.
Finally, Meatloaf by Candlelight at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre features a range of West End performers and is sure to get rock fans roaring.