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 2024 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.

What’s On For Kids Oxfordshire Christmas Event Summary Guides 2024

WHERE TO VISIT SANTA

PANTOS & FESTIVE FAMILY THEATRE

CHRISTMAS LIGHT TRAILS

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON EVENTS

CHRISTMAS ICE SKATING

CHRISTMAS MARKETS & FAIRS

SPOTLIGHT – RIDGEWAY ADVENTURES

Ridgeway Adventures in South Oxfordshire indoor barn has an exciting mix of axe throwing, archery, archery tag, air soft shooting and a super cool laser maze. It feels like we stepping into a top secret spy training camp!The laser maze has a Christmas theme challenge running at the moment through until 29th Dec – will you get the gold or a lump of coal?

Family Friendly Christmas Events in Oxfordshire 2024

Christmas at Fairytale Farm (near Chipping Norton)

Immerse yourself in the timless charm of Charle’s Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at Fairytale Farm.   The Christmas experiences incluees everything from acosy Santa’s Grotto, an enchanting Fairytale Castle walk-through to dazzling 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)

Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas at Cogges, and meet Father Christmas and his elves in Santa’s Grotto, with story time and a gift for every child. As dusk approaches, visit for the ‘Later’ session where the Festive Light Trail brings magic to the grounds, and some surprises!

Steam into Christmas and help Santa find his missing reindeer at Didcot Railway Centre

Kids, there’s been a disaster! Santa’s reindeer have all escaped and are lost at Didcot Railway Centre – you know that he needs them to deliver all the presents on Christmas Eve.  Can you help him find them? Explore the unique collection of Great Western Railway steam locomotives, carriages, wagons, buildings and small artefacts at the 21 acre museum set around the original 1932 engine shed whilst you locate all of the reindeer stations.

Neverland in the Palace at Blenheim Palace (Woodstock)

Explore Blenheim Palace on a  swashbuckling adventure in Neverland, a place bursting with magic and make believe. Follow Tinkerbell through the State rooms as she sprinkles fairy dust over baubles and Christmas trees, wander through a moonlit London skyline and onto the Mermaid Lagoon.

Christmas Experience at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park 

Father Christmas is visiting Hogshaw Farm again this year! He’ll be flying in to spend time with you and your family, hear your Christmas wishes and check on his reserve team of reindeer.

Christmas Experience at Roves Farm

Meet Santa in his Grotto at Roves Farm, choose a gift in the Toy Shop & mix up a treat for Rudolph at the Reindeer Food Station. Enjoy the party atmosphere at the live Elf Show and get stuck into some paper crafts to take home   (Sevenhampton)

Christmas Trail at Oxford Castle & Prison (Oxford)

Santa is coming to town! meet Father Christmas and enjoy some fun festive activities at Oxford Castle & Prison.

Christmas at Basildon Park (Lower Basildon)

Starting from 16 November, immerse yourself in a wonderland of beautifully adorned trees, garlands, and twinkling fairy lights, all inspired by classic Christmas films.

Bunkers Hill Christmas Reindeer Trail

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

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.

Stocking Elf Trail at Beale Park 

Eembark on a riddle-solving adventure. Your mission: To solve clues related to winter animals and once you’ve found all the answers, visit the gift shop to collect a special stocking filled with delightful surprises.

Dodo’s Dazzling Christmas Trail at the Natural History Museum (Oxford) 16th Dec – 5th Jan

Take part in a Christmas trail around the Museum to help the dodo plan a party.

Oxfordshire Christmas Events by Day 2024

• Christmas Night Light at The Story Museum (Oxford) 15th Nov
• Cutteslowe Light Trail (Oxford) 16th Nov

Christmas Market & Activies at East Challow Village Hall Craft Market 16th Nov

The event will run from 2-5pm and will include a free soft play corner for up to 5s, the opportunity to take your family photos with Santa for £3 per child and a wide range of stalls.

• Thomley Christmas Market (Worminghall, near Wheatley) 23rd Nov
• Bicester Christmas Lights Switch On Event (Bicester) 30th November FREE
• Henley Christmas Festival (Henley-on-Thames) 29th Nov
• Build the Museum Christmas Tree at Banbury Museum (Banbury) 1st Dec

Magical Christmas Workshop at Cranford School (Moulsford) 2nd Dec FREE

Come and join in for a very special Christmas workshop aimed at Early Years families. Cranford School are throwing open the doors of the Reception Classroom and invite you and your child/children to come along, enjoy some Christmas activities, including having a go in a giant snow globe!

• Wallingford Santa Dash (Wallingford) 3rd Dec
• Carols by the Christmas Tree (Wallingford) 11th Dec FREE
• St Mary’s Church Christmas Tree Festival (Kidlington) 14th – 15th Dec
• Sprouts Dance About Discos at Millets Farm 19th – 20th Dec

Ride On Time Play Session (Witney) 20th Dec

A play session dedicated to ride on toys and all things with wheels! Ride On Time have an amazing fleet of vehicles to drive for under 5s. Fantastic fun, active and imaginative!

Festive Craft Event (East Challow, near Wantage) 21st Dec

A fun afternoon full of festive activities and crafts! Including hot chocolate cone making, biscuit decorating, card and gift tag designing, candle crafting and a story with Santa.

• Christmas baubles workshop at Banbury Museum (Banbury) 22nd Dec
• Christmas Elves Workshops at Millets Farm 21st – 22nd Dec

Masters Builders Club Christmas themed brick building workshop (Witney) 23rd Dec

Make your children’s Christmas a creative one with Master Builders Club. Engaging story led experience for LEGO fans

• Make a Woolly Gonk  workshop at Banbury Museum (Banbury) 23rd Dec
• Stealers of Stories children’s theatre at Millets Farm 29th – 30th Dec
• Brick Madness at Banbury Museum (Banbury) 30th Dec

Masters Builders Club Lego workshop (Henley) 2nd Jan