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All the 2022 Christmas lights switch-on events in Oxfordshire

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All the Christmas lights switch-on events in Oxfordshire in 2019
Scene from previous Christmas lights switch-on event in Henley-on-Thames

About the 2022 Christmas lights switch-on events  in Oxfordshire

’Tis the time of the year to see the county at its most sparkly.

Oxford city centre and the town centres across Oxfordshire will sparkle positively this Christmas season once the lights come on for Christmas 2022.

And to save you countless hours hunting for details across numerous websites and platforms, we’re pulling together just about all you need to know about the Christmas lights switch-on events in Oxfordshire in 2022 (we’re good like that!).

It’s probably worth pointing out that these events are still subject to change or cancellations – it’s early days yet – but for now, here’s some of what to expect in 2022. Bookmark this page; we’ll update it with further information as and when received.

In the meantime, we’d like to say “Thank you” to the town councils, chambers of commerce, associations, charities, groups and businesses organising and supporting these events.

Oxford

Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival - What’s on in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this November

Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival 2023 (TBC)

17 to 19 November (TBC)
Oxford City Centre

The festival has been taking place since 2009, and it has evolved over the years from a single evening’s event in the city centre to a full three day weekend that includes light and sound installations, a festive market, music, dance and lots of free activities in venues across the city, and more recently to light trails and events in residential areas of the city.

Find out more

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace Illuminated Christmas Lights Trail

Blenheim Palace Illuminated Christmas Lights Trail 2023

18 November to 02 January
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock

It’s the most wonderful time of the year when over a million lights, lasers and seasonal sounds fill the air with festive fun through the Palace’s picture-perfect gardens. Look forward to some together time with family and friends or have yourself a holly, jolly Christmas – complete with a walk under the stars with a *spiced winter warmer or *hot chocolate shared with someone special.

*separate charges apply

Find out more

Henley-on-Thames

Henley Christmas Festival

Henley Christmas Festival 2022

25 to 27 November
Henley-on-Thames Town Centre

Christmas launches in Henley-on-Thames with the annual Christmas Festival that takes place on Bell Street, Duke Street, Friday Street, Hart Street and the Market Place on Friday 27 November 2022 (the last Friday in November). But this year, there will be extra activities and events over the weekend with a nutcracker trail launched on the Saturday and a Craft Market on the Sunday.

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Abingdon

Abingdon Christmas Extravaganza

Abingdon Christmas Extravaganza 2022

26 November
Abingdon Town Centre

The Abingdon Christmas Extravaganza kicks off the festive season in Abingdon. It’s a family-focused festive event in the heart of the town where the community comes together as one. Expect, craft market, a parade through the town centre, as well as music and other entertainment from the stage on the Market Place and a performance area on Bath Street.

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Bicester

Bicester Christmas lights switch on

Bicester Christmas Lights Switch-on 2022

26 November
Bicester Town Centre

This is a family-focused festive event in the heart of the town where the community comes together as one to kick off the festive season. The event will start at noon, and there will be a host of activities to enjoy and festive stalls selling arts and crafts, gifts and food. There will be lantern-making workshops during the day, followed by a lantern parade after dark. The festive lights will be switched on by the Town Mayor at around 6.00pm.

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Woodstock

Woodstock Festive Fayre and A Night of a Thousand Candles

A Night of a Thousand Candles, Woodstock

26 November
Market Place, Woodstock

Residents and visitors are warmly invited to a Night of a Thousand Candles in Woodstock. Come see the Christmas lights switched on and enjoy a great family event to start the festive season. See Woodstock at its best with late shopping, great restaurants and pubs, the Woodstock Festive Fayre, live music, a short panto (oh yes, there is!), school choir, food and drink and Father Christmas.

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Banbury

Banbury Christmas Lights Switch-on 2022

Banbury Christmas Lights Switch-on 2022

27 November
Banbury Market Place

The Banbury Christmas Lights Switch-on kicks off the festive season in Banbury. It’s a family-focused festive event in the heart of the town where the community come together as one. Previous years have seen live stage music, song and dance marquee, market, fairground, and children’s activities, with the entertainment commencing at 1.00pm and the light switch-on at 5.00pm.

Kidlington

Kidlington Christmas Lights Switch-on Event

Kidlington Christmas Lights Switch-on 2022

01 December
Kidlington Centre

The Kidlington Christmas lights switch-on event will takes place on 01 December, with local school choirs, local Kidlington stalls, Santa’s grotto, funfair rides, animal petting corner, concert brass band, hot and cold refreshments and lots more. Hundreds of people turn out for the annual switch-on of the Christmas lights in the High Street and Piazza at 6.00pm, which is brought to you by the Kidlington Parish Council and The Kidlington Centre team.

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Carterton

Carterton Christmas Lights Switch-on event

Carterton Christmas Lights Switch-on 2022

02 December
Carterton Town Centre

Like many events last Christmas, Carterton’s annual Christmas lights switch-on and the lantern parade were cancelled. But this year, the annual Christmas event, will go ahead on Friday 02 December from 5.00pm to 8.00pm. Expect a street fair with new stalls, crafts, gifts and refreshments, singing by the RAF Brize Norton Military Wives Choir, live music and funfair. And, of course, Father Christmas will be in his grotto.

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Thame

Thame Christmas Lights Switch-on

Thame Christmas Lights Switch-on 2022

02 December
Thame Town Centre

Ring in the festive season to Thame at the popular Christmas Lights Switch-on event. Expect music by Thame Concert Band, mulled wine available from OX9ers, stilt walkers and late night shopping until 7.00pm. Santa will turn on the lights at 6.00pm alongside three children – one each from the local primary schools.

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Wantage

Wantage Dickensian Evening

Wantage Dickensian Evening 2022

02 December
Market Place, Wantage

Wantage Dickensian Evening is a Christmas festival held on the first Friday of December every year in and around Wantage Market Place. And everyone is invited to dress up in period costumes for this Christmas festival. Enjoy Christmas attractions and start your holiday shopping, including switch-on of the Christmas lights by the Mayor of Wantage, Christmas carols with Wantage Silver Band and the Parish Church Choir, childrens’ activities and much more.

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Witney

Witney Christmas Lights Switch-on Event

Witney Christmas Lights Switch-on Event 2022

02 December
Witney Market Square

The Witney Christmas lights switch-on event is a family event with live music and entertainment. Lights go on at 6.00pm. Jointly organised by the Witney Rotary Club, Witney Lions and Witney Round Table and supported by the Witney Town Council, the Christmas lights switch-on event attracts thousands of people to the Market Square.

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Faringdon

Festive Faringdon Christmas Lights Switch-on

Faringdon Christmas Light Switch-on 2022

03 December
Market Place, Faringdon

Organised by Faringdon Town Council, working in partnership with White Horse Rotary Faringdon, aringdon Christmas Light Switch-on will take place on Saturday, 03 December 2022, at Faringdon Market place from 2.30pm. Expect Santa’s Grotto and stalls in The Market Place. There will also be an artistic craft fair by the Art Society in the Corn Exchange.

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While we try to ensure the information on this page is accurate, kindly contact us if something does not feel quite right or if you have any updates to share.

Christmas lights switch-on events in Oxfordshire from previous years, yet to be updated for 2022.

Didcot

Didcot Christmas Street Fair

Didcot Christmas Street Fair 2021 (Not taking place)

Didcot Events team are sorry to say that this year’s Didcot Christmas Street fair cannot go ahead. For various reasons, they felt they could not be responsible for a sizeable event in Didcot which they could not restrict or control when people were still cautious about gathering in large numbers.

Knowing that many people will be disappointed and that charities, clubs and groups who raise money for their good causes will miss out, they have organised a couple of smaller events. The first event will be at the Marriott at Milton Gate on Sunday 21 November and the second in Market Place and hopefully the Orchard Centre on Sunday 05 December.

Burford

Burford for Christmas 2020

Last year, Burford’s had a Christmas lights switch-on, and a day of festive fun (from 2:00 pm to 6:oopm) with Santa’s grotto, family entertainment, food and drink, carol singing and Christmas shopping. The lights switch-on is at 4:30 pm.

We’re pretty sure there isn’t a Burford Christmas lights switch-on event planned for 2020, we would have heard about it by now. What we’re not sure about is whether there’ll be something else in its place. If you hear anything otherwise, do be sure to drop us a line.



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