Experience Oxfordshire celebrates Christmas: a season of light, tradition and timeless charm

4 December 2025 – The festive season in Oxfordshire has long been a cherished tradition and this year Experience Oxfordshire, the county’s Local Visitor Economy Partnership, is pulling out the stops to ensure the magic of an Oxfordshire Christmas is heard of near and far.

Visitors and residents are invited to explore an exciting calendar of events across the county from decorated historic estates and illuminated gardens, to Christmas markets, festive food, cultural performances and cosy winter stays.

Visit experienceoxfordshire.org to browse What’s On in Oxfordshire this Christmas, as well as discover places to dine and stay, and explore event spaces for last-minute get-togethers with friends and family over the festive season.

Seasonal Stays, Cosy Escapes and Festive Food

From stylish city breaks to countryside hideaways, Oxfordshire’s hotels and restaurants come alive at Christmas with seasonal menus, winter packages and full festive breaks.

In Oxford, The Store is offering festive dining, seasonal cocktails, and late-night gatherings. Guests can enjoy design-led bedrooms and savour indulgent seasonal menus at Treadwell restaurant, making it a perfect spot to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year in style.

In the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, Heythrop Park provides a serene countryside setting with sweeping grounds, roaring fires in the 18th century manor house and 2 or 4-night signature festive retreats, inclusive of celebration dining and live entertainment.

Michelin Key recipient, The Feathers Hotel, in the charming town of Woodstock, has festive feasting in The Nest restaurant and has teamed up with Hotel Chocolat to offer silky hot chocolate and limited-edition cocktails in The Aviary bar.

In The Randolph Hotel Oxford, a Graduate by Hilton, Festive Afternoon Tea in The Alice and The Drawing Room is inspired by teatime favourites and optional Nyetimber sparkling wine, accompanied by live piano (6 and 13 December 2025), with vegan and gluten-free menus available.

A County Illuminated by Light Trails and Festive Wonder

Iconic Christmas experiences return with dazzling lights, heritage storytelling and grand festive displays.

Christmas at Blenheim Palace (until 3 January 2026) once again transforms the World Heritage Site into a winter fairytale. Visitors can wander the Illuminated Trail past dancing fountains, then step inside the Palace State Rooms reimagined as The Palace of Oz, inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The Christmas Market (until 21 December 2025) and The Great Skate return, bringing seasonal fun for all.

Christmas at Waddesdon Manor (until 4 January 2026), takes you on a festive trans-European Tour with beautifully decorated rooms, a stunning digital projection and garden light trail set to music, plus a lively Christmas Fair (until 14 December 2025) selling artisan crafts, gifts and festive treats.

Festive Tours and Cultural Experiences

Discover the city and county’s rich heritage and cultural performances this festive season.

One of the most atmospheric ways to experience Oxfordshire at Christmas is with award-winning Oxford Official Walking Tours, with daily scheduled tours in Oxford immersing you in illuminated streets and bespoke private group tours sharing seasonal insights.

Tours of the world-famous Bodleian Libraries including the Divinity School, the University of Oxford’s oldest teaching room, and the medieval Duke Humfrey’s Library add to the season’s atmosphere.

The county’s performance spaces also present rich festive programming. The magic of panto awaits at Oxford Playhouse, where Dick Whittington takes you on an adventure full of laughter, mischief, 90s cool and Britpop (until 4 January 2026). By contrast the Grade I listed Sheldonian Theatre provides a fitting setting for Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra’s Handel Messiah (11 December 2025).

Shopping: From Luxury Brands to Local Makers

Christmas shopping in Oxfordshire caters to all tastes – luxury, handmade, traditional or boutique.

At Westgate Oxford, festive décor, pop-ups and rooftop dining set the scene for Christmas shopping, alongside free family meet-and-greets with seasonal characters including Wallace & Gromit, The Grinch and The Snowman™ & The Snowdog (13, 20, and 21 December 2025 respectively).

Bicester Village offers designer boutiques, sparkling decorations and festive highlights such as Breakfast with Santa (6, 20, 21 and 22 December 2025), Letters to Santa, Santa’s sleigh, falling snow and the festive singalong.

Those seeking handmade or artisan gifts will find them at Christmas markets across the county as well as in Oxford’s 250+ year old Covered Market, home to independent makers and traders all season long.

Plan Your Visit and Get Involved

Oxfordshire at Christmas is an invitation to explore, celebrate and experience the county at its most magical.

Experience Oxfordshire partners and businesses are encouraged to upload their Christmas events to the What’s On in Oxfordshire listings to reach the widest audience.

For seasonal marketing, partnership opportunities or promotional support, contact [email protected]

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Images available via the following link.

Experience Oxfordshire is the official Destination Management Organisation (DMO) and Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for Oxfordshire. It is the trading arm of the parent charity, Experience Oxfordshire Charitable Trust, and is a not-for-profit partnership organisation that is committed to the promotion, management, and development of Oxfordshire as a great destination to live, work, visit and do business. The DMO seeks to improve growth and productivity across Oxfordshire’s visitor economy through the provision of essential business advice and support.

Experience Oxfordshire was one of the first destinations in England to gain LVEP status from national tourist board, VisitEngland. As an LVEP, Experience Oxfordshire is recognised as a high-performing organisation, supporting collaborative working both locally, through its network of partners and those with interest in the visitor economy, and nationally on shared priorities.

For more information on Experience Oxfordshire see our Impact Report and go to experienceoxfordshire.org/partner or contact [email protected]

To work with Experience Oxfordshire on marketing campaigns, contact [email protected]

To find out more about Experience Oxfordshire events go to the 2026 events calendar Experience Oxfordshire events – Experience Oxfordshire

Media contact: Lesley Wright at [email protected] Tel 01865 686433

You can keep up to date with Experience Oxfordshire’s activity by following:

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