September's just around the corner, but fear not; from festivals with the family to wild nights on the dancefloor, summer holidays aren't over yet!

A Fested Interest

We definitely have a festival for everyone across the next couple of weekends, with tales, ales, nagas and sagas.

Have you heard of Scoville units? Know your Anaheim from your Bishop’s Crown? Then you’re almost certainly bound for the Waddesdon Chilli Fest this weekend. Feast your eyes on street entertainers like the giant walking slinkies, your ears on the live music, and of course your taste buds in the chilli tasting tent. Chilli Eating Competitions daily at 2pm, for all you brave fire-eaters out there.

If it’s simple human connection you’re after, Waterperry Gardens open up at the start of September for a weekend of spoken word and camping in their magnificent grounds. The Storytelling Festival has become an annual event, combining the joy of spinning a good yarn with healing practices. Spellbinding performers can be found all over the gardens, transfixing you both in the light and as dark fills the space.

Oxford’s indie comics community take over The Bullingdon on Sat 6th for the OCCULTZ Fair . Find all things indie and graphic. Meet the comics makers of Oxfordshire. Buy comics, graphic novels, or weird teeth earrings, just in time for Halloween.

Ever wondered what Cloudwater tasted like? Or perhaps you fancy getting your chops round a Mad Squirrel? Well, you’re in luck as both of these guest breweries have beers on offer at the Headington Beer Festival. With names as poetic as apple varieties, enjoy Yellowhammer and the Big Red Lebrewski, risk everything with Life and Death, but beware Kicking Donkey. No wonder The Mason’s Arms has 6 Oxford CAMRA Pub of the Year awards.

Chilli Fest: Waddesdon Manor, nr Aylesbury, Fri 29 - Sun 31 Aug, 10am- 5pm, £20 entry (including to the house)

Oxford Storytelling Festival: Waterperry House, nr Wheatley, Fri 5 Sept 5pm - Sun 7 Sept 11pm, £160 adult weekend ticket (day and child tickets available)

Occultz: Oxford Comic, Cult and Zine Fair: The Bullingdon, Sat 6th Sept, 10am-5.30pm

The Headington Beer Festival : The Masons Arms (Headington Quarry), Fri 5th Sept from 5pm, Sat 6th & Sun 7th Sept from 12 noon, free entry

Steps, Rolls and Flips

We can think of, oh, maybe 5, 6, 7, 8 reasons why you might want a big summery night at a musical this weekend, and look no further than Aylesbury Waterside Theatre to provide it! The hit songs of feelgood pop icons Steps soundtrack the story of Here and Now. Join Caz and her colleagues at Better Best Bargains as they grapple with life, love, and stocking shelves, all to an extremely catchy collection of tunes.

Another hilarious musical with a distinctly nerdy flavour can be found in the original Tabletop Roleplaying Game: The Musical, which is on for one night only this Sunday at Abingdon’s Unicorn Theatre. A clever and affectionate look at the joys of adventuring across fantasy words from the comfort of one's living room, the ending also includes a surprise element that even the performers can’t predict. Dungeons and Dragons fans, book fast.

Finally, the non-musical but equally compelling one-man show I Bought a Flip Phone from performer Panos Kandunias will play at the Burton Taylor next Thursday and Friday. Feeling increasingly isolated by digital life, Charlie buys a flip phone. Modern complications ensue. It’s billed as humorous and heartfelt, so expect a warm and wry look at a very timely issue.

Here and Now: Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Fri 29th - Sat 30th Aug, 7.30pm. Tickets from £15.

Tabletop Roleplaying Game the Musical: Unicorn Theatre, Abingdon, Sun 31st Aug, 7.30pm. Tickets £10.

I Bought a Flip Phone : Burton Taylor Studio, Wed 3rd - Thu 4th Sep, 7.30pm. Tickets £14/12.

Band Camp

Musical theatre fans, your prayers are answered - viral singing sensation Karl Loxley graces Oxford Town Hall with a repertoire of beloved West End favourites. Take in hits from Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King and more, all performed in the gorgeous tenor voice that launched this The Voice alumnus to fame.

Or see a bumper crop of local talent for absolutely free in Templar’s Square’s Upper Barr, courtesy of Master Rhythm Studios. Showcasing homegrown talents like Storyteller, Franklin's Folly, Matt Sewell, The Sweet Zombie Horse, settle in for a listen at a nearby café and find that new sound you’ve been looking for.

And we end on a classical note as Victoria de Melo brings the sweet strains of Mozart, Schubert and Ravel to United Reform Church. A runner-up in 2025’s London International Chopin Competition for Young Pianists, de Melo is a true young talent to watch. The evening’s recital is also organised by Summertown Arts Community, so consider donating to their campaign to keep the former URC building within the community while you’re there!

Karl Loxley - Songs From the Stage and Screen: Oxford Town Hall, Fri 29th Aug, 7:30pm. Tickets £25.50 - £32.50.

MR Studios Summer Sounds: Upper Barr, Templar’s Square, Sat 30th Aug. Free, drop-in.

Victoria de Melo Piano Recital: United Reform Church, Sun 31st Aug, 7pm. Tickets £15 (free for under 10s).

Club Classics

Means of Production get Common Ground jumping this Friday with the launch of their latest album, Joy. A staple of Oxford’s electronic music scene, the duo’s hard-hitting post-punk technoscapes are here to set the world to rights, supported by Man Hester synthpop outfit Snuggle Ninja and the quirkstep beats of Old Man May.

Bring your dancing shoes to work with you this Monday because Whiplash is back for another joyous and weird night of unbridled sound and shimmying! The local live music night exists to amplify alt genres, marginalised artists and radical community spirit. For their fourth outing, headliners include the acclaimed Philadelphian punk band THE HIRS COLLECTIVE, and fearless queercore duo Death Goals, who blend screamo, hardcore, and noise rock. Opening the evening is local electronica and spoken word artist Mila Todd to ease attendees in.

Finally, undergrads, look away now: Club 22 is a pub crawl-to-club night strictly for the over-22s. Join from the start and mingle before you dance, or rock up later on for just the boogie bit. Either way, it’s promises to be a fun - and unique - night out.

Means of Production Album Launch: Common Ground, Fri 29th Aug, 8-11pm. Tickets £5 (limited cheaper advance tickets).

Whiplash: The Bullingdon, Mon 1st Sep, doors 7pm, show from 7.30pm. Tickets £11 standard, pay more £14.50, pay less £5.50.

Club 22: The Bullingdon, Fri 5th Sep, 8pm sharp for pub crawl, 11pm for dancing. Tickets £7-11.50.

And Finally

If you are a person living with aphasia, or know someone that does, Oxford welcomes a new peer-led support group for anyone affected by the condition, running every first and third Thursday of the month. Because aphasia affects our ability to take in or produce speech, it can be hard to find spaces to feel heard and confident in yourself. At Say Aphasia, you can build connections with other attendees who share your experience in a space that gives you the time and tools to be understood.

Or if you have some hours to spare, consider signing up as a volunteer! Full guidance is provided and no experience is required, so all you need to make a meaningful change in the lives of people with aphasia is a friendly personality and a helpful attitude.

The group launches next Thursday at Rose Hill Community Centre from 12:30 - 2:30pm - why not head over and make some friends?

Image credits: Waddesdon Manor, ATG Theatre, Karl Loxley, Means of Production, Say Aphasia