CAG FESTIVE FUN GUIDE
- comms926
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
'Tis the season and it starts now! Loads of our CAG members and partners are running events and activities in the lead-up to Christmas that promote a more community-led and sustainable way to celebrate the season.
Check them out here, share with your friends and family and get yourself out there...
More events will be added to this guide as and when we hear about them, so please keep coming back to check. If you are running an event and would like to be included, please email details to comms@cagoxfordshire.org.uk
Jump to listings:
Oxford Creative Lights Festival
14-16th November - various locations. See website for details
Kick start the season with an array of alternative lantern making, parades and dispays. Highlights include the Rose Hill Lantern Parade (details below)
Rose Hill Creative Lights Festival: Brilliant Bugs
15th November, from 2pm (lantern parade leaves at 5pm), Rose Hill Community Centre
Celebrating the rich tapestry of British wildlife with a special focus on insects — the tiny heroes of our ecosystems. This magical event featuring drop-in creative activities, a free community meal, and a vibrant parade that shines a light on the creatures that pollinate, feed, and sustain life around Rose Hill.
Creative Lights Festival 2025 is run by Film Oxford, Rose Hill Junior Youth Club and Rose Hill and Iffley Low. Carbon and held at Rose Hill Community Centre.
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm. Creative activities include making your lantern for the parade, a free Community Meal, and other drop-in creative activities for young people and families, as well as other events celebrating local British wildlife and the importance of insects and other small creatures in sustaining our environment.
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm. Gather outside Rose Hill Community Centre, ready for the parade around Rose Hill.
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Parade leaves and travels around the estate, ending outside the Oval for a dance with the marching band.
Flo's Christmas Market
Friday 28th November, Â 5 - 9pm, Flo's - The Place in the Park
Filled with local makers, handcrafted gifts, festive treats, and twinkly cheer.
You can choose to support small, independent businesses and find those one-of-a-kind presents that make Christmas magical.
Flo's Cafe will be open late, serving up festive goodies. The music will be playing and the fairy lights will be twinkling
Remember you can also shop for your festive food and home supplies at Flo's refill shop. Check out their latest film here all about the magic of refilling! https://www.flosoxford.org.uk/flos-refill-shop/
Didcot Swish Clothes Swap.
Friday, 28 November, 7:30 – 9:30pm, The gReen HUb, Lydalls Road, Didcot
£2 entry.
Freshen up your festive wardrobe with some 'new to you' threads. - Bring up to 10 items to swap, and go home with some new clothes! There are always plenty of gems and the odd rarity or designer item, so do have a good rummage through what's on the rails. If you find more than 10 you like, we just ask for a small charge per extra item. There is often raffles, activities, and plenty of chatting at SWISH events, it's a great atmosphere.
The Indie Oxford Christmas Market
Saturday 29th November, 11am–5pm at the Tap Social Taproom in Botley
Festive fun, food and drinks from Tap Social, and shopping with Oxfordshire’s thriving independent community. Visitors can expect a joyful day filled with independent market stalls,
delicious Tap Social pizza and drinks, fun kids’ activities, and raffle prizes up for grabs – all set in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. The market stalls will feature Indie Oxford members selling everything from candles and skincare to ceramics, jewellery, and art –perfect for Christmas shopping. Entry to the event is completely free.
Dickensian Evening at The Mix in Wantage
Friday 5th December, 6-8:30pm, The Mix, Wantage
Pop in for a glass of our mulled apple juice, some surplus snacks, and making a Christmas tree decoration!
No need to book - just turn up.
Cherwell Collective No Waste Noel: Eco Christmas Market and Celebration
Saturday 13th December, 11am-2pm, Exeter Hall, Kidlington
At Cherwell Collective, CIC , we understand that accessible environmentally friendly gifts and habits can be hard to reach during the holiday season. We are here to help!
Whether you’re looking to reduce waste this Christmas season or just hoping to enjoy a lovely community celebration with delicious food, activities, brilliant vendors, music, and more, No Waste Noel is the place for you. We have an incredible programme in the works that is sure to bring Christmas cheer to all ages.
...and don't forget the CAG Community markets
Get your festive food freash and local. Don't forget to frequent your local community -run markets to support local producers and enjoy the best quality ingredients this Christmas.
East Oxford Community and Farmers Market - every Saturday, 10am-1pm, East Oxford Primary School. (Head down Cowley Road until you reach Tesco - the school borders on the car park directly behind it).
South Oxford Community Market, every Sunday from 10.00-12.00 in courtyard of the South Oxford Community Centre, Lake Street.
Wolvercote Community Market, every Sunday, 10am-12pm at the White Hart Pub in Wolvercote.
Sandford Talking Shop, open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4.00pm and Saturdays 9.00am-12.00pm. in Sandford Village Hall