Oxfordshire’s festive calendar includes a series of Christmas light switch-ons, markets and seasonal events across the county and in Oxford city.
Oxford City Council has organised a Christmas Light Festival running from Friday, November 13, to Saturday, November 15.
The programme features illuminated parades, trails and installations, together with decorated streets and Christmas-themed shop windows.
A separate switch-on in Kidlington is scheduled for Thursday, November 26, between 5pm and 7pm.
The High Street lights are due to be illuminated at 6pm.
Bicester’s Christmas lights event will take place on Sheep Street on Saturday, November 28, from 2pm until 7pm.
Organisers have promised entertainment, seasonal activities and an atmosphere intended to appeal to visitors of all ages.
The Banbury Winter Market is due to return on Saturday, November 28, and Sunday, November 29.
More than 80 stalls, live entertainment, a major lights switch-on and appearances by festive characters are among the planned attractions.
Subject to the planned reopening of the High Street, Witney’s switch-on ceremony is arranged for Market Square on Friday, November 27, at 6pm.
The evening event has been sponsored by the Rotary Club.
Woodstock’s A Night of a Thousand Candles is set for Saturday, November 28, from 5.30pm to 7pm.
Live music, Christmas carols, a market and an outdoor pantomime outside the Town Hall form part of the event.
Chipping Norton Town Council has confirmed that a market, choir performances and the town’s lights switch-on will take place outside the Town Hall on Friday, November 20, between 4pm and 6.30pm.
Faringdon’s Christmas switch-on begins at 11am on Saturday, November 28.
The programme includes a Christmas market, craft fair, Santa’s Grotto, trading stalls and music staged around the town’s Christmas tree.
The traditional Dickensian Evening in Wantage is scheduled for Friday, December 4, between 4pm and 9pm.
Market Place will host the illumination ceremony at 6pm.
Abingdon’s Christmas Extravaganza takes place in the town centre on Saturday, November 28.
Activities include an all-day market on Bath Street, live music and entertainment, a headline performance on the Market Square stage, and an official switch-on followed by fireworks at 6pm.
No switch-on has been announced for Didcot.
However, Wallingford is preparing to host its Christmas Fayre on Sunday, December 6, featuring a full market, Santa’s Grotto and a light switch-on.
Other illuminated attractions are also included in the 2026 festive programme.
The Blenheim Palace Illuminated Lights Trail will run from November 13 to January 3, with Father Christmas appearances, ice skating and opportunities to browse a Christmas market.