What’s on in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this June

The exhibition displays a collection of work created using foraged plants, transformed through ancient techniques such as cordage and weaving, to reflect the raw beauty and cyclical nature of the natural world, that is both ephemeral and enduring.

Led by city guide Hannah Field, meet a host of fascinating characters including a ‘lesbian, Indian princess, suffragette, refugee smuggler’, a flamboyant bus conductor, a Catholic Saint, and many more. Learn about local characters, pubs and clubs of Oxford, University societies, Oxford Pride, and future events.

Archive Dreaming is an immersive AI installation that transforms a vast digital archive into a constantly evolving visual environment, reimagining millions of documents in real time. It explores archives as living systems, blending machine learning, memory, and generative art.

Frankie Goes to Bollywood is a joyful, moving tale of ambition, identity, and finding your voice, featuring spectacular choreography, lavish costumes, a cast of unforgettable characters and original songs by Bollywood hitmaker Harry Anand.

Percival Everett delivers the 2026 Esmond Harmsworth Lecture exploring how meaning is constructed in fiction and its role in empathy and reasoning. The Pulitzer Prize–winning author also reflects on his novel James, a reimagining of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective.

Met Opera’s El Ultimo Sueno de Frida y Diego is a vibrant new production, taking enthusiastic inspiration from Frida and Diego’s paintings, directed and choreographed by Deborah Colker.

Anna Lapwood tours the UK with her bespoke organ, blending film scores and classical music in a unique live performance.

Experience the mischief with the acclaimed stage adaptation of Dr Seuss’ The Cat In The Hat, a lively and engaging first theatre experience for young children. You can also meet the Cat in the Hat after the show.

Beth Hart discusses the emotional story behind her song You Still Got Me, highlighting love, vulnerability, and the importance of support systems. Her career is defined by powerful performances, deep fan connection, and an honest exploration of struggle and resilience.

Sir Stephen Hough joins the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra to perform his Piano Concerto, ‘The World of Yesterday’, alongside Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2, conducted by Marios Papadopoulos.

A documentary of Taylor Mac’s A 24-Decade History of Popular Music, capturing a 24-hour performance spanning US history through music and theatre. Directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, it explores queer identity, history, and radical performance across centuries of American culture.

Marmozets are back. Raw, relentless, and unapologetically themselves, bringing their latest album CO.WAR.DICE., channelling heavyweight, hook laden songs which waste no time in throwing their punches.

If you like fast-paced and edgy one-liners, then get ready to be happy. Jimmy Carr is going back on tour with his brand-new show ‘Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny’. Jimmy tells jokes, and jokes are like magnets. Jokes attract people, but they can also repel. Some people are repelled by Jimmy’s dark brand of comedy. This show is not for them. But if it’s the kind of thing you like, then this is the kind of thing you’ll like.

The Blenheim Palace Triathlon returns for 2026, offering an unforgettable weekend of swim, cycle and run challenges set within the stunning grounds of Britain’s greatest palace. With race options for all abilities and spectacular views of the Palace and Great Lake, it’s an inspiring event for both athletes and spectators.

Every year, thousands gather for Oxford Pride, the vibrant highlight of the Oxford Pride Festival. The day celebrates visibility, love and inclusivity in the heart of the city. More than a celebration, Oxford Pride promotes diversity, solidarity, and a community where everyone can live freely and authentically.

Joyful and welcoming, the event invites people of all ages, identities and backgrounds to come together, enjoy performances, and take part in activities that champion equality and unity across Oxford. Local organisations, companies, trade unions and many more are welcome to join the parade.

Join Friends of Hill End at their annual summer festival, when hundreds of families from across Oxfordshire and beyond, come and enjoy the wonderful Hill End site. Get outdoors,  relax, have fun, learn new skills and explore!

Get ready for a special outstore event as Embrace celebrate their forthcoming ninth album Avalanche. Reflective and deeply resonant, this show offers a chance to experience Embrace’s most open and human work to date.

Experience an unforgettable evening of Queen’s greatest anthems, performed live by candlelight at the beautiful Aylesbury Waterside Theatre and sing along to timeless classics including Bohemian Rhapsody, It’s a Kind of Magic, We Are The Champions, Who Wants to Live Forever and many more!

Crendon Chamber Orchestra presents an evening of string masterpieces featuring Mozart, Suk and Tchaikovsky, led by guest director Gonzalo Acosta and leader Alan Thorogood.

Magic Queen recreates the iconic sound and spectacle of Queen, capturing the glam of the ’70s and the magic of the ’80s with powerful vocals, rich harmonies and high-energy performances that deliver an unforgettable live tribute experience.

Grammy Award winner Ray LaMontagne will celebrate the 20th anniversary of his acclaimed debut album ‘Trouble’, performing it in its entirety for the first time since the album’s release 20 years ago.

This is your chance to draw or paint the beautiful Cotswolds village for the day and be in with a chance of winning great prizes along with other artists from across the UK.

Handmade Oxford at Waterperry Gardens is a celebration of contemporary craft featuring over 175 UK makers. Visitors can explore jewellery, textiles, ceramics and more, enjoy hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, artisan food and music in a relaxed festival setting.

Join Sir David Jason at The New Theatre Oxford on Sunday 07 June 2026 for an evening of nostalgia, laughter, and exclusive insights into a career that has left an indelible mark on stage and British television history.

Jukebox Idols will feature non-stop hits from the jukebox idols of the past and present. Nadiya Bychkova and The Overtones will be joined by a stellar supporting cast of dancers as they bring classic hits from the likes of Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, The Bee Gees, The Backstreet Boys, Take That and Bruno Mars, amongst many others.

Join Creative Writers Group to learn skills in Spoken Word, Performance Poetry and Playwriting and create your own works to be presented as part of OxBright Festival in July.

2:22 A Ghost Story is a brilliantly funny and adrenaline-filled night where secrets emerge and ghosts may or may not appear… What do you believe? And do you dare discover the truth?

The Marquise is Noël Coward’s sparkling romantic comedy featuring a remarkable ensemble of acclaimed stage and screen talent, led by BAFTA Award winner Juliet Aubrey as The Marquise Eloise de Kestournel, alongside Simon Shepherd as Raoul de Vriaac and Tristan Gemmill as Esteban el Duco Santaguano, who together bring Coward’s world to life with charm, wit and irresistible chemistry.

The Karate Kid The Musical brings the iconic film to life on stage with dazzling choreography, powerful storytelling, and a talented cast.

Hampton Court Palace Festival has been running nearly 30 years, with a lineup of world-class artists taking to the stage in the intimate surrounds of the historic Base Court for an unforgettable evening like no other. Accompanying each performance is an array of delicious food and drink. Join in another sensational series of concerts this summer, and experience concerts from legendary performers and exquisite culinary adventures.

Join Story Time Adventure around the theatre space for interactive storytelling session for ages 2 to 4 and their parent/carer!

Stories of Oxford Tours are guided tours around the Museum of Oxford led by dedicated volunteers lasting 30-45 minutes, with time for questions at the end. From football to fairgrounds, marmalade to Morris Motors, patron saints to pubs, barges, bones, and all types of quirky customs — there’s something for everyone in the stories of Oxford and its people.

Join Victoria Bentata in Lunchtime Talk: ‘Einstein and the Refugee Scholars in Oxford’ to discover the role played by Oxford University, its departments and colleges and the Society for the Protection of Science and Learning in saving scholars fleeing from the Nazis.

Matt Forde returns with Defying Calamity, a sharp and witty live show blending political satire and personal insight as he finds humour and optimism in challenging times.

Join Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra for an unforgettable performance as the acclaimed conductor Daniel Harding leads the Orchestra in a programme that promises to blend musical depth with dramatic flair.

A landmark new documentary unveils hidden truths about Caravaggio, exploring self-portraits, personal turmoil and the clues embedded within his masterpieces. Five years in the making, it offers the most comprehensive film ever produced on the elusive Baroque master.

A Northern Tr*nny Hootenanny is an award-winning musical comedy inspired by real-life experiences of transition and self-discovery. Blending Disney-inspired parody, country flair, drag performance and laugh-out-loud humour, this uplifting production delivers dazzling vocals, outrageous puns and a powerful celebration of trans joy, followed by a post-show discussion with the creator.

Handmade Oxford at Waterperry Gardens is a celebration of contemporary craft featuring over 175 UK makers. Visitors can explore jewellery, textiles, ceramics and more, enjoy hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, artisan food and music in a relaxed festival setting.

Witney Music Festival is a fantastic two-day open-air music festival for all the family in Witney, Oxfordshire. It is the biggest music event in the Witney calendar, drawing in a record-breaking crowd of more than 15,000 in 2019. The event is the climax of a 2-week program of entertainment throughout the town.

Festival lineup includes: Henge / Fun Lovin’ Criminals / Ava Joe / Dub Catalyst / Bobbie Dazzle / The Zoots / Mark Broom / GrooveTown / Sons Of The Seventies / Sandi Thom / Charlie Tee / Gina Larner / Lucille & The Lightning Soul Train / The Beatles Dub Club / Katalyst / DJ Amnesia.

One of Ireland’s most popular music acts, The Tumbling Paddies head back on the road with their exuberant, energy-filled, live show. Dance and sing along to the greatest Irish anthems with the Paddies uplifting versions of ‘Dirty Old Town’, ‘Fields of Athenry’ and ‘Zombie’, in what promises to be an incredible night of live music.

Prepare for a night of queer, neo, and boundary-pushing cabaret at Cornerstone Arts Centre because OxPHWOARd is back! Serving fierce, funny and frisky cabaret acts – an electric evening showcasing burlesque and drag as you’ve never seen it before. Phwoar!

Enjoy a night of laughs at Oxford’s Summer Comedy Club, featuring top emerging comedians in a relaxed, air conditioned setting.

Visit the Museum of Oxford for free on Saturday 13 June 2026 from 10.00am to 5.00pm and discover the changing story of Oxford through its history and people.  

Join the Museum of Oxford as they take you on a tour inside the magnificent Oxford Town Hall where you will see the Court Room and the Council Chamber.

A new partnership will bring the Grove & Wantage Extravaganza back in 2026 with free family entertainment and fundraising. Whether you’re coming along to enjoy the atmosphere, support local causes, or simply spend a summer’s day with friends and family, the Grove and Wantage Extravaganza promises to be a true celebration of local life.

oh-aces: A Supersonic Tribute to Oasis are bringing the music of Oasis to Norman Bragg Studios, delivering a live show that focuses on getting the songs right, loud, tight and authentic.

Oxford’s biggest and boldest queer competition is back and this year, the spuds are sizzling hotter than ever! REHEATED is an all star spectacle bringing back your favourites for one night only, as they have one last chance to snatch the crown!

Primary and Secondary schools from across Oxfordshire come together to perform in the annual festival celebrating all things dance at The Great Big Dance Off – Grand Final.

Only Human is a sharp, witty one-hour play that blends suspense, humour, and the uneasy question: when the future arrives, will we be ready?

This major new exhibition at Oxford University Museum of Natural History examines the 34 raw materials considered essential to the UK’s future, revealing the global supply chains, ethical challenges and scientific innovations behind the minerals that underpin everyday technology — from smartphones and batteries to medical equipment and jet engines.

Venus & Adonis is a unique production that blends comedy, tragedy and Shakespeare’s incredible poetry in a rich theatrical experience. Drawing inspiration from the bewitching artistry of Japanese Bunraku puppets and the Jacobean Court Masque, this spellbinding production tells the story using marionettes, rod, shadow and table-top puppets.

Led by city guide Hannah Field, meet a host of fascinating characters including a ‘lesbian, Indian princess, suffragette, refugee smuggler’, a flamboyant bus conductor, a Catholic Saint, and many more. Learn about local characters, pubs and clubs of Oxford, University societies, Oxford Pride, and future events.

Abingdon Drama Club will stage Andrew Bovell’s Things I Know To Be True, bringing a powerful exploration of family, identity and unconditional love to local audiences. Set over a year, it follows parents Bob and Fran as their four adult children return home, revealing secrets that shatter their illusions of a peaceful retirement and testing the bonds of, love, and loyalty.

Stories of Oxford Tours are guided tours around the Museum of Oxford led by dedicated volunteers lasting 30-45 minutes, with time for questions at the end. From football to fairgrounds, marmalade to Morris Motors, patron saints to pubs, barges, bones, and all types of quirky customs — there’s something for everyone in the stories of Oxford and its people.

Violin virtuoso Gidon Kremer joins the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra alongside conductor and Music Director Marios Papadopoulos for an evening of exceptional music.

The Blenheim Palace Flower Show is the perfect place to discover your favourite plants, flowers and an array of gardening goodies from unique garden gazebos, greenhouses and arbours to beautiful flowers, gardening sundries and hundreds of other products.

Join BAFTA-winning actor, comedian, director, and writer Richard Ayoade for an evening of reflections as he shares insights from his latest book, Afterthoughts

Golden Gala is a vibrant celebration marking 50 years of dance, creativity, and performance at SDSD featuring carefully selected favourites and a couple of new performances that adds a fresh and exciting energy to the programme.

To celebrate their ongoing 50th anniversary season, The Arcadian Singers look forward to presenting ‘Immortal Fire’ – including three new works by young British composers. The evening concert contains early and contemporary choral music, representing the choirs commitment to a varied and eclectic programme in addition to promoting and supporting young composers.

Join BAFTA-winning actor, comedian, director, and writer Richard Ayoade for an evening of reflections as he shares insights from his latest book, Afterthoughts

Join MyVision’s Walk Oxford 2026 at Oxford University Rugby Club on Sunday 21 June and take in the views of the famous spires and River Thames. Team MyVision will be walking 10 miles through Oxford and the surrounding countryside, raising vital funds to support blind and visually impaired people living across Oxfordshire.

Bike Oxford 2021 welcomes riders of all ages and abilities from all parts of the community and aims to attract over 800 cyclists and 200 walkers who will complete rides and walks of varying distances. The event, with real community spirit, is championed by Oxford City and Oxfordshire County councils as a way of encouraging active transport and a healthy lifestyle.

Oxford Bach Choir returns to the Sheldonian Theatre to perform Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem including motets by Poulenc, Duruflé and Fauré.

The Oxford Shakespeare Festival is back for its 16th year! This outdoor theatre experience that takes place in the castle yard of Oxford Castle & Prison will see Wild Goose Theatre, BMH Productions, Siege Theatre, and Greensleeved will be putting on marvellous performances of Shakespeare’s finest classics.

Join Organ Recital with Jed Hughes at Oxford Town Hall in the stunning Main Hall for some beautiful music performed on the famous Father Willis Organ. 

Join a Real Alice in Wonderland Tour to see fiction, fantasy and history come to life through the eyes of a local expert in Oxford’s history.

Magdalen College School returns with this electrifying production of Sherlock Holmes and the Napoleon of Crime, performed by its pupils and featuring original songs, spectacular action, and a healthy dose of mystery.

Les Liaisons Dangereuses is a thrilling game of love, lies, and social warfare by Christopher Hampton, based on the novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos and directed by Marianne Elliott.

Comedian Pierre Novellie brings his latest stand-up show, You Sit There, I’ll Stand Here, delivering his trademark sharp observations, intelligent humour and quick wit. Known from popular podcasts and television appearances, he promises an evening packed with laughs.

Got the blues? Well, step right up, because The Jive Aces are bringing their Feelin’ Happy Tour to town, and it’s gonna flip your frown upside down! Grab your dancing shoes and get ready for a night of swing, jive, and pure, unfiltered entertainment.

Experience a summer of world-class music and culture at the debut Blenheim Palace Festival, set against the stunning backdrop of the iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taking place across June and July 2026, this open-air festival promises an unforgettable five-day celebration of international talent, immersive cultural experiences, and elevated hospitality.

Festival lineup includes: Pete Tong Ibiza Classics / Teddy Swims / Katy Perry / Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts / Michael Bublé

Cogges Manor Farm presents Cogges Summer Fête, a family fun with activities, crafts, and fête games. Experience BBQ & Bar, Meet the animals, Adventure play and nature trail, and Summer Fête.

All Floyd – The Best of Pink Floyd 2026 Tour tribute show performs the very best of Pink Floyd’s iconic tracks with a stunning light and laser show.

The Race for Life Oxford 2026 returns to University Parks, offering 5k and 10k courses for participants aged 16 and over. Walk, jog, or run at your own pace along flat, scenic routes entirely on park paths and closed roads while raising funds for Cancer Research UK.

Take part solo or with a group. Shake off pre-race nerves in the fun warm-up session warm-up sessions and enjoy a post-race picnic with friends, family and fellow participants. Suporters and spectators are welcome, with plenty of space to cheer on runners.

OAGPA Summer Show is an annual show by gymnasts allowing you to witness the music of movies and musicals, with a vibrant mix of gymnastics and dance routines set to some of your favourite soundtracks. It’s a chance for the gymnasts to shine on stage and for friends and family to celebrate everything they’ve achieved this year.

The hit musical comedy Waitress returns for a UK tour, telling the heartwarming story of Jenna, a talented pie-maker searching for happiness. Featuring music by Grammy-winner Sara Bareilles, this five-star show celebrates love, laughter, and friendship in delicious style.

Henley Royal Regatta is undoubtedly one of the best-known regattas in the world; and a highlight of both the summer sporting calendar and the English social season. The Regatta attracts thousands of visitors over the six days of action-packed racing. Spectators are thrilled by over 200 races of an international standard which can include Olympic rowers, as well as crews new to the event.

Songs of the Bulbul, a captivating new dance work by Rani Khanam, inspired by the Sufi myth of a caged songbird. Featuring choreography by Rani Khanam and music by Rushil Ranjan, this exquisite performance blends Sufi Kathak, orchestral and Indian classical traditions, and Islamic poetry.

Out of the Deep is a family-friendly specimen handling and exploration of the underwater world of marine reptiles.

Modern Art Oxford is delighted to present Little Fennel’s Complaint, a major solo exhibition by Olivia Plender (b. 1977, London), exploring historic and ongoing inequalities in women’s healthcare, from early modern witchcraft to contemporary debates on reproductive rights and medical authority. Plender developed the exhibition through research with leading Oxford institutions, including the Bodleian Library, Oxford Botanic Garden and John Radcliffe Hospital.

The exhibition displays a collection of work created using foraged plants, transformed through ancient techniques such as cordage and weaving, to reflect the raw beauty and cyclical nature of the natural world, that is both ephemeral and enduring.

In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World at the Ashmolean Museum uncovers the hidden histories behind Britain’s most beloved blooms. Explore over 100 artworks and objects that reveal how plant exploration and trade shaped landscapes, cultures, and economies – from roses and tulips to camellias and peonies.

Anna Ridler’s A Perfect Language of Images is a digital artwork created with Oxford’s Dr William Poole, exploring systems of classification through AI. Inspired by John Wilkins and Jorge Luis Borges, it reflects on how machine learning both organises and destabilises knowledge.

Developed through research into the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments at the University of Oxford, the exhibition brings together sound, video and photography to consider what is revealed and concealed through the collection, preservation and display of musical instruments. At its centre is a new sound work created using recordings of historic instruments from the collection.

The Bodleian Libraries’ Wonder of Birds exhibition explores art, science and culture through the lens of avian life. Featuring rare archives, manuscripts and immersive sound, it invites visitors to reflect on both the beauty of birds and their decline.