Arts & Culture
Discover the best news and stories about art, music, theatre, film, entertainment, and cultural events in Oxford and across Oxfordshire.
-
Leys Pools unveils exciting new Active Zone for families
Leys Pools and Leisure Centre is launching its new Active Zone on 05 April, offering an exciting space for children and families. The zone includes a Soft Play area for kids under 12, featuring slides, sensory elements, and an Oxford-themed design.
-
Oxford’s Bunny Hop Trail returns this Easter
City Sightseeing Oxford’s Bunny Hop Trail returns this April, offering families a fun Easter-themed adventure. Young explorers can search for six hidden bunnies along the open-top bus tour. The trail is free with a bus ticket, and children collect stamps to earn prizes.
-
DogFest returns to seven UK locations for an unmissable celebration of dogs
DogFest, in partnership with Agria Pet Insurance, returns across seven UK locations in 2025, offering an exciting celebration for dog lovers. With fun activities, expert-led talks, live entertainment, and a new Makers Market, the festival promises a fantastic day out.
-
Join BBOWT’s Hedgehog Walk with Timmy and Apricot from Timmy Time
BBOWT’s Hedgehog Walk, in partnership with Timmy Time, invites families, schools, and clubs to take on a 3km challenge to support wildlife. Running from 31 March to 13 April, the event mimics a hedgehog’s nightly wander. Participants receive fun resources and top fundraisers earn prizes.
-
Botley’s new skatepark nears completion, a game-changer for local skaters
Botley’s new skatepark is nearing completion and is set to open by mid-March. Replacing the iconic Botley Bowl, it features the UK’s first blended bowl, a street section, and a mini ramp, designed for all skill levels.
-
Blenheim Palace Triathlon adds duathlon to 2025 event roster
The Blenheim Palace Triathlon, taking place on 7-8 June, is introducing a new Duathlon event for 2025. Held at the UNESCO World Heritage site, participants can choose between a half (5km run, 22km bike, 5km run) or full duathlon (10km run, 44km bike, 5km run) on Sunday, 8 June.
-
National Theatre’s award-winning Dear England is heading to Oxford in January 2026
The National Theatre’s Olivier Award-winning play Dear England is set for a nationwide tour in 2025/2026, visiting the New Theatre Oxford from 27–31 January 2026. Written by James Graham and directed by Rupert Goold, the play explores Gareth Southgate’s leadership and England’s footballing identity.
-
Spitfire Girls lands at Chipping Norton Theatre as part of a major UK theatre tour
Spitfire Girls, a new play by Katherine Senior, is opening at Chipping Norton Theatre from this May as part of a major UK tour. The play marks the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end and celebrates the unsung female pilots who defied expectations.
-
Registrations now open for the 2025 British Transplant Games in Oxfordshire
Registrations for the 2025 Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Oxfordshire are now open. The event, running from 31 July to 3 August, welcomes transplant recipients, supporters, live donors, and donor families to participate in 26 sports.
-
Henley Festival expands its RISE programme with visual arts prize
Henley Festival, presented by Westcoast, has launched the RISE by Henley Festival Emerging Artist Prize to support rising visual artists. As part of the Festival’s RISE programme, the prize offers £1,000 to the winner and £500 each to two runners-up
-
E. H. Shepard exhibition inspires talk on Shepard’s War and Winnie-the-Pooh workshops
A series of events will be running alongside the popular E. H. Shepard Before and Beyond Winnie-the-Pooh exhibition at SOFO, unveiling Shepard’s artistic journey from wartime illustrator to beloved children’s book artist.
-
A feast of music and flavours awaits as Big Feastival unveils star-studded lineup for 2025
Big Feastival returns to Blur bassist Alex James’ farm in the Cotswolds over the August bank holiday weekend for its 14th year of music, food, and family fun. Headliners include Nelly Furtado, Faithless (Live), Britpop Classical alongside Travis, The Wombats, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
-
Witney Rugby Club players receive support from Gigaclear’s Rural Sports Fund
Witney Rugby Club players has received funsing for vital training equipment through the £100k Gigaclear Rural Sports Club Fund, supported by England cricket legend Darren Gough. The fund aids rural sports teams within Gigaclear’s broadband network.
-
Jools Holland announces 30-date tour of iconic venues with special guest
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra will embark on a 30-date UK tour in Autumn/Winter 2025, featuring special guest Imelda May. Kicking off in Southend on 30 October, the tour includes New Theatre Oxford and other iconic venues like the Royal Albert Hall.
-
Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize 2025 longlist revealed
The longlist for the Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize, the world’s largest literary prize for young writers honours exceptional literary talent aged 39 or under, celebrating various forms of fiction such as poetry, novels, and drama.
-
Audi presents Wilderness 2025 reveals a spectacular lineup of music, arts and adventure
Wilderness 2025 returns to Cornbury Park for its fourteenth edition, offering a spectacular four-day celebration of music, arts, feasting, and adventure. Headliners include Supergrass, Orbital, Wet Leg, and Basement Jaxx, alongside diverse performances from orchestras, DJs, and rising stars.