THE FEEL GOOD FESTIVE GUIDE
'Tis the season and it starts now! Many of our CAG members and partners are running events and activities in the lead-up to Christmas that promote a more community-led, sustainable way to celebrate the season.
Check them out here, share with your friends and family and get yourself out there...
Is your event not listed? If you are running an event and would like to be included, please email details to comms@cagoxfordshire.org.uk
Jump to listings:
Christmas Lights Festival
13-15th November
Various Locations in Oxford City
The Oxford Christmas Lights Festival is a vibrant weekend celebration featuring shimmering handmade lanterns, illuminated community light trails, and sparkling street displays across the city. Highlights include the traditional Victorian Christmas Market on Broad Street, the traveling open-top Christmas Light Bus, neighborhood light parades, and various family-friendly creative workshops, live performances, and musical events
Make your own Wreath with Sustainable Wantage
Saturday 14th November, 11am-3pm, The Beacon, Portway, Wantage OX12 9BX
We'll be at Ray Collins Trust Christmas Market with a DIY Christmas Wreath stall, come find us to make your own wreath on the day or choose what you need to make one at home!
The Indie Oxford Christmas Market
Saturday 14th 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,
food, fun kids’ activities and more – 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 and dogs are welcome!
Did I hear something about a party?
The market will kick off a whole day and night of festive fun, food, and drinks to celebrate 10 years of Tap Social Movement. After the market, Tap Social’s 10th birthday celebration will includes a few words from Tap Social’s co-founders, live dance floor-ready DJ sets from Kwassa Kwassa and sorryimlate, party games, and the debut of three new limited-edition brews based on Tap Social’s bestselling beer Time Better Spent.
Chinnor and Thames Christmas Green Fayre and Toy Exchange
Saturday 21st November, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, Thame Town Hall
Free entry, mulled wine and mince pie (for adults), free lucky dip prizes and Christmas activities for children.
Local and Fair-Trade stalls selling a variety of gifts, crafts, jewellery and produce.
Sell and/or buy good condition second hand toys.
Flo's Christmas Market
Friday 27th November, 6 - 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.https://www.flosoxford.org.uk/flos-refill-shop/
Christmas at Cutteslowe Greenhouse
Christmas tree sales - There are two types to choose from, each in a range of sizes: Nordmann Fir: Fuller, softer needles and excellent needle retention.
Norway Spruce: The traditional Christmas tree, with a beautiful shape and a lovely fresh pine scent.
Trees can be collected from the greenhouses on Sunday 29th November, and Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December, from 10am to 1pm.
There are also a range of craft activities taking place at the greenhouse on collection days- please book in advance for these
Sustainable Didcot's Festive Clothes Swish
Friday 27th , November 2026, 7:30-9:30pm Didcot Football Club, Loop Meadow Stadium, OX11 7GA (moved to a larger venue for the Christmas event!)
Bring along up to ten items of adult clothing, and you'll be able to swap and take away ten items.
As well as our usual clothes swish we will be bringing sparkly clothes, Christmas jumpers, mulled wine, entertainment from The Dukes (Didcot Ukuleles) and more.
There will be a raffle on the night and festive refreshments.
Entry is £2 per person payable on the door.
and...
Sustainable Wantage Clothes Swap
Saturday 28th November, 10am-12pm, Wantage Methodist Church
Why shop when you can swap?
Refresh your wardrobe without spending a penny! Bring along those things in your wardrobe you never wear, and walk away with 'new to you' treasures. !
Items can be dropped off in advance or brought along on the day.
Donate clean clothes, accessories & shoes (0-5 years or adults)
Cherwell Collective No Waste Noel: Eco Christmas Market and Party
Saturday 28th November, 11am-3pm, Exeter Hall, Kidlington
A have a range of fantastic local stall holders, Live Music, Santa's Grotto, Gift Swap and our ever popular Tombola plus entrance is FREE!
Bring the family, have a hot drink and enjoy the festivities!
Christmas Crafting with Paper with One Planet Abingdon
11am-1pm and 1:30pm-3pm at One Planet Abingdon,
A free pop in session for all ages! Stay for cake and a drink in the cafe!
Dickensian Evening at The Mix in Wantage
Friday 5th December, 6-8:30pm, The Mix, Wantage
Pop in and say hi on this magical evening in Wantage! Warm up with a cup of hot chocolate, stay for some Christmas crafts, bring something for the gift swap, charge up your phone on our energy-generating bike. See you there!
Christmas Quiz Night with One Planet Abingdon
10th December, 7:30-9:30pm, Loose Canon Brewery, Unit 6, Suffolk Way, Abingdon, OX14 5JX
Get a team together and help raise funds for One Planet Abingdon. What could be better than a quiz in a brewery? There's also food available!
More Food and Gifts....
Don't forget the CAG Community markets
Get your festive food fresh 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
Wantage Gift Swap!
Sustainable Wantage are running their popular gift swap again this year
Bring in any unwanted gifts to The Mix - just make sure they're in new, gift-ready condition. You can swap them for something of similar value.
They’ll have a steady turnover of items from now until they close for Christmas, so pop in each week to see what’s new. Last day will be Dec 23rd.
Mid-day Mass - Food Surplus Collections!
Cherwell Collective hosts its holiday Midday Mass surplus food collection and distribution events over the Christmas and New Year period at two primary locations:
Oxford (Barton Neighbourhood Centre)
Location: Barton Community Association, Underhill Circus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9LS [1]
Sunday, 27 December (10:00 am – 1:00 pm)
Tuesday, 29 December (10:00 am – 1:00 pm)
Wednesday, 30 December (10:00 am – 1:00 pm)
Thursday, 31 December (10:00 am – 1:00 pm)
Tuesday, 5th January(10:00 am – 1:00 pm)
Wednesday, 6th January(10:00 am – 1:00 pm)
Kidlington (Waste Innovation Station HQ - WISH)
Location: WISH Building, 4 The Parade, Kidlington, OX5 1EE [1]
Thursday, 24 January, (7:30-10pm)
Sunday, 27 December (2.00pm – 5:00 pm)
Tuesday, 29 December (2:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
Wednesday, 30 December (2:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
Thursday, 31 December (2:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
Sunday, 3 January (10am-5pm)
Monday, 4 January (10am-5pm)
Tuesday, 5th January (2:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
Wednesday, 6th January (2:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
Note: All distributions are free (pay-what-you-can/surplus saving), and you can check dates and time via their events calendar and Facebook page
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