Oxford Events
Things to do in Oxford this weekend
Things to do in and around Oxford this weekend (13 to 15 March)
As the second weekend of March arrives, Oxford sits gently on the threshold between winter’s lingering chill and the growing promise of spring. Pale sunlight glows against the city’s honeyed stone and across the meadows, while a cool, refreshing breeze threads through ancient lanes and quiet college quads. The air carries a soft sense of awakening — longer daylight, the first tentative blossoms beginning to appear, and the subtle energy of a city easing into the brighter days ahead.
With the year now finding its rhythm, the city invites slower moments — gentle riverside walks, warming pauses in welcoming cafés, and thoughtful conversations that unfold at an unhurried pace, as winter’s stillness offers space to pause, reset and look ahead.
Across the city and countryside, the pace turns calmer – from festive events and family gatherings to scenic strolls and warm, unhurried afternoons. Oxford and Oxfordshire offer countless ways to welcome the new month with charm, colour, and comfort.
Art aficionados can peruse the permanent displays and longer-term exhibitions at the city’s world-class museums – The Ashmolean, the Museum of Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museum.
Otherwise, squirrel yourself away in one of the city’s intimate arts and cultural venues like the North Wall Arts Centre and Modern Art Oxford, which often put up a bold and ambitious programme of contemporary art.
Curious and adventurers? Explore Oxford with purpose. Whether you’re a local, new in town, or just passing through, we’ve got some rather useful insider’s guides to Oxford to help you get the best out of your time discovering Oxford – because we’re good like that!
If you’d rather head out of town, experience the excitement of Cheltenham Festival 2026, where four days of world-class jump racing bring thrilling competition, electric atmosphere and top-tier sporting drama to the Cotswolds — a standout highlight of the spring calendar.
Or enjoy an evening of comedy with Josh Widdicombe: Not My Cup of Tea at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. The popular comedian brings his latest stand-up show to the stage, delivering sharp observations and relatable humour that have made him a favourite on the UK comedy circuit.
Otherwise, you could always visit one of our diverse independent bookshops (where friendly and helpful staff are on hand to help you find your next best read), or, check out some of Oxfordshire’s coolest restaurants and places to eat.
And if you’re celebrating a special occasion with a loved one or just looking to while away some tiresome hours between brunch and supper, there’s nothing as self-indulgent as enjoying a county house afternoon tea with prime views of the Oxfordshire countryside.
We hope there’s plenty here to inspire you. And if you’re still looking to fill a few gaps in your diary, do explore the Events sectionfor more things to do in Oxford and across Oxfordshire.
Now, consider this your definitive guide to what’s on in Oxford this weekend.
It’s the biggest indie night to hit Oxford, spinning all your favourite classics. It’s indie rock’n’roll! Expect tunes from Arctic Monkeys, Biffy Clyro, The Black Keys, Blossoms, Blur, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Circa Waves, The Clash, Courteeners, The Cribs, Foals, Gorillaz, Jamie T, Kasabian, The Killers, The Kooks, The Libertines, Nirvana, and much more!
The North Wall Arts Centre
Circa 500 presents work by eleven St Edward’s School art teachers, spanning ceramics, textiles, painting, photography and film. The exhibition explores the space between classroom and studio, revealing shared curiosity, experimentation and creative dialogue across disciplines.
Bluey’s Big Play is the theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series packed with music, laughter, and fun. Join the Heelers in this live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets.
This smash hit ABBA tribute returns with a brand new show, celebrating the band’s greatest number one hits in a dazzling, high-energy production touring nationwide.
Richard Chappell Dance’s BLOOM marks 20 years of Dancin’ Oxford with a powerful triple bill exploring nature, connection and modern life through contemporary dance, poetry and live music.
The North Wall Arts Centre
Mika and the Polar Bear is a magical dance-theatre adventure for all ages, following an unexpected friendship forged after a climate disaster, brought to life through original music, digital animation and enchanting puppetry.
The North Wall Arts Centre
Hollie McNish brings her much-loved poetry as she reads from this brand-new collection about love, loss, wolves, and warm morning croissants.
Oxford Bach Choir returns with Elgar’s The Kingdom, the second part of its two-year Elgar Project, featuring the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conductor Benjamin Nicholas and a distinguished line-up of soloists in this powerful continuation of the Apostles’ story.
Celebrating their 50th Year, The Arcadian Singers are pleased to announce their Spring Concert – Scarlatti x Bach in the glorious surroundings of Keble College Chapel on Sunday 15 March 2026 at 7.30pm. The evening concert will feature Stabat mater dolorosa (Scarlatti) and Jesu, meine Freude (Bach) together with music by Kuhnau and Telemann.
Out of the Deep is a family-friendly specimen handling and exploration of the underwater world of marine reptiles.
Images of Authority: Portraits Between Iran and Europe explores how Fath Ali Shah Qajar, King George III, and Napoleon Bonaparte used portraiture to convey power and personality. Featuring works from Iran, Britain, and France, the exhibition includes restored Qajar paintings and reveals the strategies behind these rulers’ compelling visual representations.
Pat Suet-Bik Hui & the Three Perfections showcases the Hong Kong-born artist’s mastery of painting, calligraphy, and poetry, presented alongside works by her teacher Lui Shou-Kwan and other historical examples. The exhibition highlights Hui’s contemporary approach, blending abstract ink and colour washes with poetic inscriptions exploring love, loss, and life’s quiet joys.
Oxford Events
Stage Watch: Avenue Q, White Rabbit Red Rabbit, I’m Every Woman, As You Like It & Tosca
Stage Watch brings together a curated selection of upcoming theatre, musicals, opera and live performance from London and across the broader Oxfordshire region – from returning West End favourites and bold Shakespearean reinventions to experimental theatre and major operatic productions.
This selection moves between the exuberance of musical theatre, the intimacy of a one-off theatrical experiment and the timeless drama of Shakespeare and Puccini. There are puppets and pop anthems, a forest transformed into a festival, and an opera bringing an international cast and the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra to the New Theatre Oxford. Together, they offer five very different reasons to make a date with the stage this week.
1. Avenue Q
Shaftesbury Theatre, London. Booking until 3 January 2027.
Two decades after first making its mark in the West End, Avenue Q returns to the Shaftesbury Theatre with its gloriously irreverent mix of puppetry, musical comedy and distinctly adult humour.
Fresh out of college and uncertain about what comes next, Princeton arrives on New York’s rundown Avenue Q, where he encounters a colourful collection of neighbours grappling with work, relationships, money and the awkward business of becoming an adult. Beneath the jokes and infectious musical numbers is a surprisingly warm story about finding your place in the world.
The production reunites original Broadway director Jason Moore and original puppet designer Rick Lyon, bringing back the distinctive combination of human performers and puppets that helped make the show a theatrical phenomenon. With music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, Avenue Q remains knowingly mischievous while retaining an affection for its flawed, lovable characters.
Best for: Fans of musical comedy, unconventional theatre and shows that are decidedly not aimed at children.
Tips: This is adult-themed musical theatre despite the puppets, with strong language and mature content. The age recommendation is 13+ and running time is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes, including an interval.
2. White Rabbit Red Rabbit
Duchess Theatre, London. Booking until 2 November 2026.
Few theatrical experiences begin with quite this much uncertainty. White Rabbit Red Rabbit, Nassim Soleimanpour’s celebrated theatrical experiment, returns to the West End for its 15th anniversary – and no performer knows exactly what awaits them.
Each performance begins with an unopened envelope containing a script the actor has never seen. There is no rehearsal and no director guiding the action. Instead, the performer encounters the work for the first time alongside the audience, creating a theatrical event that can never quite be repeated.
First performed in 2011 and subsequently translated into more than 30 languages, the play uses its unusual premise to explore obedience, choice, power and freedom of expression. Its origins in contemporary Iran give the experiment a deeper political and philosophical dimension. At the same time, its deliberately unpredictable structure makes the relationship between actor and audience part of the drama itself.
The rotating line-up adds another layer of intrigue, with performers including David Harewood, Mel Giedroyc, Adam Buxton, Christopher Eccleston, Riz Ahmed, Nish Kumar and John Bradley among those taking on the challenge.
Best for: Curious theatre-goers, lovers of experimental performance and anyone looking for something genuinely unpredictable.
Tips: Every performance is different, so the choice of performer can be part of the attraction. The production is recommended for ages 14+ and contains themes that may be unsettling. Running time is approximately 60–70 minutes, without an interval.
3. I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical
Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London. Booking until 27 September 2026. Save up to 59%.
The extraordinary career of Chaka Khan comes to the stage in I’m Every Woman, a new musical tracing the life, music and resilience of one of popular music’s defining voices.
With 22 albums, 25 chart hits, 70 million records sold and a career spanning five decades, Khan’s story provides plenty of material for a large-scale musical. Alexandra Burke takes on the central role, bringing her own formidable vocal credentials to a production built around songs including I Feel for You, Tell Me Something Good, Ain’t Nobody, Sweet Thing and Through the Fire.
But this is intended to be more than a concert with a narrative attached. The production explores the woman behind the superstar – from her rise to international fame to the personal battles and pressures that accompanied life in the spotlight. Figures including Prince, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell and Steve Winwood also feature in the story, placing Khan within the wider musical landscape she helped shape.
Directed by Racky Plews and choreographed by Ebony Clarke, the production promises a mixture of spectacle, biography and some of the most recognisable music of the past half-century.
Best for: Chaka Khan devotees, soul and R&B fans, and anyone who likes their musical biographies packed with big songs.
Tips: Alexandra Burke does not perform as Chaka Khan at Thursday evening performances, Saturday matinees or the Sunday 23 August performance, when Jordan Frazier takes the role. Running time is approximately 2 hours 40 minutes, including an interval.
4. As You Like It
Globe Theatre, London. Booking until 25 October 2026. Tickets from £6.00. Save up to 44%.
Shakespeare’s Forest of Arden gets a distinctly contemporary makeover in this new As You Like It at the Globe, where the pastoral escape becomes something closer to a euphoric forest festival.
When Rosalind, Celia and their companions flee the restrictive world of the court, they find themselves in a place where conventional rules begin to loosen. In the Forest of Arden, identities shift, relationships flourish, and love becomes considerably less interested in social boundaries.
Co-directed by Sean Holmes and Charlie Josephine, this production promises an As You Like It driven by music, physicality and celebration. The Globe’s famously immediate relationship between actors and audience should lend particular energy to a comedy built around disguise, mistaken identity, desire and self-discovery.
The result is Shakespeare with its sense of playfulness firmly intact – a production that embraces the muddy, unruly spirit of the woods rather than treating Arden as simply a picturesque backdrop.
Best for: Shakespeare newcomers, seasoned Globe audiences and anyone drawn to lively, music-filled productions of the classics.
Tips: Expect a physical and celebratory interpretation rather than a traditional period piece. Running time is currently to be confirmed. Performances run until 25 October.
5. Tosca
New Theatre Oxford. Thursday 24 and Saturday 26 September 2026.
Few operas arrive with a cast quite as formidable as this new production of Puccini’s Tosca, coming to Oxford for just two performances.
Presented by Oxford International Opera, the fully staged production brings together Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel as the ruthless Scarpia and award-winning soprano Carmen Giannattasio as Tosca, with lyric tenor Saimir Pirgu making his UK debut in the role of Cavaradossi.
Set against the political turmoil of Rome, Puccini’s opera combines passion, jealousy, power and betrayal in a drama that moves with almost cinematic intensity. P Burton-Morgan directs a new production designed by Anthony Lamble, bringing the classic story into a modern setting while retaining its emotional force.
The musical forces are equally significant. Marios Papadopoulos conducts the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, which becomes an integral voice in the drama alongside the Oxford Philharmonic Choir and an international cast of singers. For Oxford audiences, it represents an unusually ambitious operatic event on home ground – and Terfel’s appearance as Scarpia carries particular significance as his final staged production of Puccini’s Tosca.
Best for: Opera newcomers and devotees alike, particularly those wanting to experience a major international cast with a leading British orchestra.
Tips: With only two performances in Oxford, this is one for the diary rather than the spontaneous theatre trip. The New Theatre hosts the production on Thursday 24 and Saturday 26 September 2026.
Oxford Open Doors returns on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, giving visitors the chance to step inside some of the city’s most fascinating buildings — including places that are rarely open to the public.
With many of the bookable venues now fully booked, we’ve handpicked nine properties where visitors can simply turn up and explore, without needing to book ahead.
The selection prioritises free drop-in access, while also offering a broad mix — from historic interiors and architectural landmarks to working buildings and contemporary spaces.
From a hidden Elizabethan room above Cornmarket Street and a working fire station to medieval landmarks, historic libraries and some of Oxford’s newest architecture — each property offers an opportunity to see a different side of the city.
1. The Painted Room
3 Cornmarket Street, Oxford OX1 3EX
Open on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September from 10.00am to 4.00pm
Hidden above the bustle of Cornmarket Street, the Painted Room is one of Oxford’s most remarkable historic interiors. Behind an unassuming 18th-century frontage lies a late medieval timber-framed room, once part of a wine tavern run by London vintner John Davenant, a friend of William Shakespeare.
Its rare Elizabethan wall painting, dating from the 1560s or 1570s, was hidden for more than 300 years before being rediscovered in 1927 and carefully conserved. Today, the room offers a fascinating glimpse into Oxford’s medieval and Elizabethan past — and a chance to discover one of the city centre’s true hidden gems.
2. Lincoln College Library
3 Turl Street, Oxford OX1 3DQ
Open on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Last entry at 4.45pm
Housed in the former All Saints Church, Lincoln College Library is one of Oxford’s more unusual historic interiors. The church, which stood on the site for centuries, was rebuilt in the 18th century and later transformed into the college’s Upper Library.
Inside, the soaring space combines the grandeur of its ecclesiastical origins with the character of an historic Oxford library. Its collections reflect centuries of scholarship, while the building itself provides a striking example of how old spaces have been adapted for new purposes. Open during Oxford Open Doors, it offers visitors the chance to see an atmospheric interior that is rarely part of the city’s usual sightseeing trail.
3. Carfax Tower
Queen Street, Oxford OX1 1ET
Open on Sunday 13 September from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Last admission at 4.30pm.
Standing at the crossroads of Oxford’s historic centre, Carfax Tower is one of the city’s best-known landmarks and the oldest surviving part of St Martin’s Church. The tower dates largely from the 12th century, with later additions reflecting the building’s long history at the heart of Oxford.
Climb the 99 steps to the top for panoramic views across the city centre and its historic rooftops. The tower offers a different kind of Open Doors experience — less about grand interiors and more about discovering Oxford from above, while exploring one of the city’s most enduring medieval landmarks.
Beyond Oxford Open Days, the tower is open 10.00am to 5.30pm from Easter to October, and 10.00am to 3.30pm between October and Easter.
4. Rewley Road Fire Station
Rewley Road, Oxford OX1 2EH
Open on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
Go behind the scenes at one of Oxford’s working fire stations and discover a side of the city rarely open to the public. Rewley Road Fire Station provides an opportunity to see inside a building where firefighters work and train while learning more about the role of the fire service in Oxford.
Alongside exploring the station, visitors can discover more about the equipment, vehicles and people involved in responding to emergencies across the city. It offers a very different Open Doors experience from Oxford’s historic colleges and grand civic buildings.
There will also be a range of activities for visitors, including the chance to climb aboard a fire engine and have a go at squirting water from one of its hoses.
5. Sheldonian Theatre
Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3AZ
Open on Saturday 12 September from 10.00am to 5.00pm
Designed by Christopher Wren and completed in 1669, the Sheldonian Theatre is one of Oxford’s most recognisable buildings and one of its most spectacular interiors. Built for University ceremonies, it continues to play a central role in Oxford’s academic traditions more than 350 years later.
Inside, look up at the great auditorium and its celebrated painted ceiling, created by artist Robert Streater. Visitors can also explore the upper levels and enjoy views across the historic rooftops of central Oxford, offering a different perspective on the city.
There will be a variety of activity sheets and interactive games for children and young people.
6. Rhodes House
South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RG
Open on Saturday 12 September from 10.00am to 4.00pm
Built in the 1920s as a memorial to Cecil Rhodes, Rhodes House is one of Oxford’s finest examples of Arts and Crafts architecture. Designed by Sir Herbert Baker, the Grade II* building was created as a home for the Rhodes Scholarships and remains closely associated with the international community of scholars.
Following a major programme of renovation and expansion, Rhodes House combines its historic architecture with new spaces designed for contemporary use. Open Doors provides an opportunity to look inside this distinctive building and discover its courtyards, interiors and architectural details.
There will be colouring activities for children.
7. Schwarzman Centre
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG
Open on Saturday 12 September from 10.00am to 5.00pm
The Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities is the University of Oxford’s new home for the humanities and a major cultural destination for the city. As part of Oxford Open Doors, visitors will have a rare opportunity to explore a range of the Centre’s striking performance, rehearsal and public spaces, many of which are normally only accessible during ticketed events and programmed activity.
The event will showcase key venues across the building, including the Sohmen Concert Hall, Theatre, Black Box, Recital Hall, White Box and Cinema, offering a glimpse into the spaces that support the Centre’s academic work, artistic collaborations and public cultural programme.
Some activities may require booking, so visitors are advised to check the programme before visiting.
8. Blavatnik School of Government
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG
Open on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September from 10.00am to 3.00pm
Designed to support the school’s mission of inspiring and promoting better government around the world, the Blavatnik School of Government’s award-winning building provides a purpose-built home for a vibrant academic community.
The building was developed by internationally renowned architects Herzog & de Meuron, inspired by “openness, communication and transparency in parliamentary spaces”. Look around the various spaces in this building, including the 4th floor terrace with stunning views over Oxford.
vOx Chamber choir will be performing a selection of favourites from the renaissance choral repertoire on Sunday at 11.30am.
9. University Church of St Mary the Virgin
High Street, Oxford OX1 4BJ
Open on Saturday 12 September from 9.30am to 6.00pm and Sunday 13 September from 12.00pm to 6.00pm
Standing at the heart of Oxford’s historic centre, the University Church of St Mary the Virgin has played a central role in the life of the University for centuries. The church’s history stretches back to the early medieval period, but much of the present building was developed from the 13th century onwards.
Step inside to discover a richly layered interior featuring medieval architecture, stained glass, monuments and memorials. The ornate 17th-century porch is one of the church’s most distinctive features, while the tower offers spectacular views across Oxford’s historic rooftops.
Outside of Oxford Open Doors, access to the church remains free, but visitors need to purchase a ticket for the tower for an allocated 20-minute period.
All the funfairs in Oxford and across Oxfordshire
Funfairs have been a fixture of Oxfordshire life for hundreds of years, bringing colour, excitement, and community spirit to our towns.
Oxford’s St Giles’ Fair is perhaps the most famous, dating back to 1625 when it began as a parish festival in honour of St Giles, Oxford’s patron saint.
Today, it still takes over St Giles’ in the city centre each September, drawing crowds for two days of rides, stalls, and celebrations on the Monday and Tuesday following the first Sunday after St Giles’ Day (01 September).
Across the county, many of our traditional fairs have even deeper roots. After the Black Death of 1348–49 created huge labour shortages, towns began hosting hiring fairs — the equivalent of today’s employment agencies and online job websites of their day.
Known as Mop Fairs, these events saw traders, farmers, craftspeople, labourers, and servants gather in search of new employment opportunities. With contracts running from October to October, the fair was a chance to secure your livelihood for the year ahead.
While the purpose has changed, the spirit of these fairs lives on. They remain places to come together, celebrate local tradition, and enjoy unforgettable days of fun.
St Giles’ Fair is one of the most prestigious and long-standing fairs in the country, dating back to 1625 as a parish festival celebrating the feast of St Giles – it is held on the Monday and Tuesday following the first Sunday after St Giles’ Day (01 September). Over the centuries, it has evolved from a toy and children’s fair to a large-scale funfair, drawing huge crowds for two days of traditional rides, games, and festivities each September.
Discover more: All the fun of the fairs
One of Witney’s oldest traditions returns this September! With origins dating back nearly 800 years, the Witney Feast was established to commemorate the rededication of St Mary’s Church. Today, it has become a cherished annual celebration in the town, bringing the community together for a lively celebration of local food, drink, entertainment and family-friendly fun in the heart of Witney.
Don’t miss the annual Thame Fun Fair that transforms Thame’s High Street into a mini theme park with rides, bumper cars and candyfloss for three days in September. Get ready for three days of rides, thrills, treats and family fun as the annual fair lands on the High Street. From dodgems and waltzers to hot dogs and candy floss, there’s something for everyone.
The Abingdon Michaelmas Fair is the longest street fair in Europe, running from Market Place, through the High Street, The Square and the entire length of Ock Street. It takes place annually on the Monday and Tuesday falling first before the 11 October from noon to 11.00pm on both days.
The Abingdon Runaway Fair is a smaller funfair that takes place on the Monday, one week after the Abingdon Michaelmas Fair in October. This hiring fair was held specifically so those hired at the earlier Michaelmas Fair and had found their conditions intolerable could quite literally “run away”, i.e. return back for another try at finding suitable paid work before the winter set in.
The Banbury Michaelmas fair has been a fixture of the life of the town for hundreds of years. The annual attraction will run as a four day event this year including rides, games, food and more, spread across Horsefair, North Bar, Market Place, and Bridge Street in the town centre. The fair will open from 3.00pm to 11.00pm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and from noon to 9.00pm on the Sunday
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