There are lots of magical Christmas events happening across Oxfordshire from Banbury to Abingdon and Witney to Thame.  Find great family friendly events in our guide to what’s on for kids over the Christmas holidays. Travel a little further and find out great events for kids in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire too. Click on any of the links in red for more details.

FEATURED

It’s the panto you’ve BEAN waiting for! Immersion Theatre are thrilled to bring a GIANT amount of Fe-fi-fo-FUN to the Kenton Theatre as they proudly present JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, a magical pantomime of epic proportions!

Packed with comedy, music, audience participation, and all the trademark ingredients audiences have come to love and expect.  Check out my Kenton Theatre panto review

What’s On For Kids Oxfordshire Christmas Event Summary Guides 2023

WHERE TO VISIT SANTA

PANTOS & FESTIVE FAMILY THEATRE

CHRISTMAS LIGHT TRAILS

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON EVENTS

CHRISTMAS ICE SKATING

CHRISTMAS MARKETS & FAIRS

Family Friendly Christmas Events in Oxfordshire 2023

Christmas at Fairytale Farm (near Chipping Norton)

This year’s event will be significantly expanded compared to previous years, with a whole new area that will feature a range of new festive experiences. All the best elements from previous years will remain, such as the cosy and atmospheric Grotto, the Castle walk-through and our spectacular Christmas illuminations.

Science Oxford Family Days (Oxford)  

Explore, discover and play in the Exploration Zone, wrap up and follow the trails on a wintery woodland walk. Children and grown-ups alike have fun experimenting with interactive exhibits in the Exploration Zone, where you can create and test flying designs at the Air Table, marvel at momentum with spinning discs at the Turntable, and try to beat the Scarf-shooter. Mini-engineers can build a giant magnetic ball run, or test what’s hot and what’s not with the Curious Camera. Brainiacs can solve puzzles, light up circuits and get the cogs whirring with our fun, mind-melting activities.  It’s such a fun place to visit for kids and grown ups, check out my review of Science Oxford Centre Family Days.

Christmas at Cogges (Witney)

Christmas arrives at Cogges Manor Farm in Witney starts on Saturday 2^nd December with a very special guest from the North Pole! Meet Father Christmas and his elves in Santa’s Grotto, and children will love the festively decorated Panto-themed Manor House. As dusk approaches, visit for the ‘Later’ session with a Festive Light Trail illuminating the grounds.

The Story of Sleeping Beauty at Blenheim Palace (Woodstock)

Explore Blenheim Palace, transformed to retell the classic fairytale of Sleeping Beauty for a new generation. Each room tells a different chapter in Sleeping Beauty’s story and of course there’s plenty of festive decorations including our gigantic Christmas Tree in The Great Hall.

Henry Hare’s Explorer Trail at the Museum of Oxford (Oxford) FREE

Follow Henry Hare on his winter trail around the Museum galleries and meet his new friend, Wise Old Owl, who’s hiding in the Museum! There are lots of interesting objects to find, too!

Bunkers Hill Christmas Reindeer Trail

A lovely little festive reindeer trail held at Bunkers Hill Nursery with all proceeds raised going to charity.

Christmas Experience at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park 

Take a magical walk through the festive forest, past the magical Wishing Tree and through the snow pits, to find Father Christmas on the big red tractor. Share your wish-list, before stopping for a tasty treat and collecting a special present.  Meet the resident reindeer too.

Christmas at Beale Park

Step into our enchanting wonderland this winter from 25th November to 24th December. There will be festive crafts, meet the reindeer, a Christmas park trail and of course the chance to meet Father Christmas himself.

Christmas Experience at Roves Farm

The Christmas experience is always magical at Roves Farm with some wonderfully unique touches too. There will be arts & crafts, a festive trail and the  Elf Show with festive tunes and games.

Christmas at Basildon Park (Lower Basildon)

Experience the enchantment of the season at Basildon Park as it pays tribute to the timeless tale of ‘The Wind in the Willows.’ Immerse yourself in a wonderland of beautifully adorned trees, garlands, and twinkling fairy lights, all inspired by the captivating story. The magical atmosphere extends to the gardens, where you’ll encounter charming woodland creatures and whimsical decorations.

Meet the Reindeer at Appleton Christmas Barn (Appleton, near Oxford & Abingdon)

For many local families buying their Christmas tree and meeting the farm’s two reindeer has become a festive tradition.

Christmas Elves Workshops at Millets Farm

Join Santa’s Elves for this fun filled festive workshop where children can enjoy stuffing their very own snowman to take home with them. Once completed they will journey to the story room where our Head Elf “Chip” will dance and sing Santa’s favourite songs

Dodo Christmas Family Trail at the Natural History Museum (Oxford)

Free and no need to book, the trail will run from 21st Dec to 7th January.

Oxfordshire Christmas Events by Day 2023

• Finding The Light at Florence Park with light sculptures, lanters & lasers (Oxford) 17th Nov FREE
• Son Et Lumiere light and sound project (Oxford) 17th Nov FREE
• Thomley Christmas Market (Worminghall, near Wheatley) 18th Nov
• Diwali Glow (Oxford) 18th Nov
• Nick Cope’s Family Show at The Story Museum (Oxford) 18th Nov
• Rose Hill workshops and lantern parade (Oxford) 18th Nov FREE
• Finding The Light at Florence Park with DJ laser show (Oxford) 18th Nov FREE
• Cutteslowe Light Trail (Oxford) 18th Nov FREE
• Save The North Star family interactive walking tour (Oxford) FREE
• Lantern making workshop at The Market Tap (Oxford) 19th Nov FREE
• Bicester Christmas Lights Switch On Event (Bicester) 25th November FREE
• Dickensan Evening at the Vale & Downland Museum (Wantage) 1st Dec
• Glow Up Cards at Science Oxford (Abingdon) 2nd Dec
• Christmas Family Fun Day with the Hedgehog Club (near Witney) 2nd Dec
• Didcot Festive Market (Didcot) 3rd Dec
• Ride On Time play session (Yarnton) 6th Dec
• Ride On Time play session (Bicester) 8th Dec
• Christmas lantern making at Banbury Museum (Banbury) 9th Dec
• Ride On Time play session (Witney) 15th Dec
• Glow Up Cards at Science Oxford (Oxford) 16th Dec
• Make your own dinosaur decorations at the Oxfordshire Museum (Woodstock) 16th Dec
• Trainmaster Christmas play session (Yarnton) 17th Dec
• Ride On Time play session (Yarnton) 20th Dec
• Christmas family forest days at Hill End (Farmoor) 20th + 21st Dec
• Ride On Time play session (Bicester) 22nd Dec

Masters Builders Club Christmas themed  brick building workshop (Henley and Dorchester on Thames) 28th December

Master Builder has won a competition and is off to meet Santa in the North Pole, but he soon realises that the trip isn’t quite what he was expecting. Santa’s present machine has malfunctioned and at this rate there will be nothing to deliver to the children in Bricksville. Can Master Builder save the day, or will Christmas be cancelled?   These super fun  lego workshops are highly recommended by my son!

• Make your own dinosaur calender at the Oxfordshire Museum (Woodstock) 28th Dec
• Jurassic craft workshop at the Oxfordshire Museum (Woodstock) 2nd Jan