Christmas

There are lots of lovely things to do in Oxfordshire at Christmastime. First is the anticipation, and advent can be heightened with events such as going to the one of the pantos (such as Oxford Playhouse, Chipping Norton, the adult one at OFS, or the non-panto alternative show at the New Theatre). Buying a tree may feature, and there are many outlets including some just for charity. You might also go to see a Christmas Lights show, like the one at Blenheim Palace.

Santa will get about the county, and can be visited in many places. One of the loveliest options is to meet him on a steam train. The county's various vintage train rides all have Santa days, some with mummers, and all with small presents for starry eyed children.

There are still plenty of independent shops to do your shopping in, making it much more likely you'll come up with unique presents. The Covered Market is the hub of indy Christmas shopping, and do remember to order your feast ingredients from the stalls. There are several butchers to choose from, if you're catering for meat-eaters. The Oxford Christmas Market takes up residence in Broad Street, for artisanal shopping and warming gluhwein, and many other Oxfordshire towns have seasonal markets of their own.

There are dozens of carol services, midnight masses, renditions of Messiah, and so on, to give you a dose of culture and exercise your lungs too. On Boxing Day a walk might take you to Warneford Orchard to gather some late apples, or up Wittenham Clumps, where you'll find many other energetic groups sporting new hats and new cameras to capture the view.

Daily Info like to guide you through the festive season, as any other, and we usually make an Advent Calendar. Often with puzzles, or other amusements, we also like to promote local places to shop, and highlight special events. Our page of Christmas Information lists opening hours over the festive period, where to get trees and when they can be recycled, all the Christmas shows, last posting dates, and anything else we think might help! As the city becomes more and more multicultural more shops stay open over the holiday period, but there's still just as much good will to brighten the shortest days of the year.