Arts & Culture
Discover the best news and stories about art, music, theatre, film, entertainment, and cultural events in Oxford and across Oxfordshire.
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Stage Watch: Back to the Future, Starlight Express, Paddington, Inspector Morse, and Cabaret
This edition of Stage Watch is about electrifying West End musicals and immersive mysteries. Don’t miss Back to the Future, Starlight Express, Paddington, Inspector Morse, and Cabaret!
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Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize 2026 longlist unveiled
The Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize 2026 longlist has been revealed, spotlighting twelve exceptional young writers from around the world. With seven debut titles featured, the list celebrates emerging literary voices across fiction, poetry and short stories.
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Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts – a thrilling and nostalgic Oxford mystery on stage
Set in Oxford, Morse and DS Lewis investigate the sudden death of a young actress, uncovering secrets from Morse’s past. With suspense, nostalgia, and moments of vulnerability, this atmospheric play captures the iconic detective in all his classic brilliance.
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Submissions open for RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize 2026
Henley Festival is inviting emerging visual artists to apply for the RISE Emerging Artist Prize 2026, offering cash awards and the opportunity to exhibit at the festival’s RISE Gallery.
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Candlelight’s Valentine’s Day concert to bring romance to Oxford Town Hall
Candlelight® returns to Oxford Town Hall this Valentine’s Day with a romantic string quartet concert featuring iconic love songs and film scores, performed in an intimate candlelit setting designed to create a memorable and atmospheric evening.
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Warneford Hospital’s 200th anniversary launches with Museum of Oxford exhibition
A new exhibition at the Museum of Oxford has launched Warneford Hospital’s 200th anniversary celebrations. The free display explores two centuries of mental health care and is the first in a year-long programme of exhibitions touring Oxfordshire.
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Ex-BBC presenter Geraldine Peers joins Oxfordshire rock band Lunar Kites for new single
Former BBC Oxford presenter Geraldine Peers has added her voice to a new single by space rock band Lunar Kites. The myth-inspired track features Peers as the goddess Demeter and marks an unexpected collaboration ahead of the band’s debut album.
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Day Fever brings its daytime disco phenomenon to Oxford’s O2 Academy as part of major 2026 UK tour
Day Fever is bringing its hugely popular daytime disco to Oxford’s O2 Academy this February, offering an afternoon of dancing, nostalgia and feel-good music – all wrapped up before the evening begins.
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RISE by Henley Festival opens 2026 Emerging Artist Prize applications
Applications are now open for the 2026 RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize, offering cash awards and the chance for early-career visual artists to exhibit their work at Henley Festival with commission-free sales and transport support.
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Rising indie artist Tom A. Smith to bring 2026 UK headline tour to Oxford’s Bullingdon
Rising indie artist Tom A. Smith brings his 2026 UK headline tour to Oxford’s Bullingdon this April, following the release of his acclaimed EP Say What You Want and a breakthrough year of major live performances.
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New Theatre Oxford partners with The Store for Inspector Morse mystery competition
New Theatre Oxford and The Store have launched a city-centre Inspector Morse mystery competition, inviting the public to solve clues in a themed window display as Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts arrives in Oxford this January.
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Strictly The Professionals to bring ballroom brilliance to Oxford as part of 2026 UK tour
Strictly The Professionals come to New Theatre Oxford on 5 and 6 May 2026 as part of a major 30-date UK tour, bringing world-class dancers, live music and dazzling ballroom action to the city.
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Ava Reineke to perform opera and art song in support of Henley Music School
Soprano Ava Reineke presents an evening of opera and art song at The Bottle and Glass Barn, raising funds for Henley Music School through a multilingual recital featuring works by Mozart, Debussy, Puccini and more.
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Hemani announced as Henley Festival’s Headline Sponsor for 2026
Henley Festival has confirmed Hemani as headline sponsor for its 2026 edition, supporting both the iconic black-tie event and its RISE charitable programme nurturing the next generation of creative talent.
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A riveting holiday treat as Miss Saigon Returns to Oxford after twenty years
A long-awaited return to Oxford, Miss Saigon delivered breathtaking spectacle, powerful performances and emotional depth, offering a striking alternative to the traditional festive show at New Theatre Oxford.
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City Council approves new Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg public art for Oxford North’s Canalside Park
Oxford City Council has approved Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg’s The Length of a Moment, a trio of monumental bronze sculptures celebrating moths as essential pollinators, set to become a new landmark in Oxford North’s Canalside Park.