Oxford Canal Festival 2022
From:
17 September 2022
To:
17 September 2022
Aristotle Lane Recreation Ground, Oxford
Aristotle Lane
Oxford
OX2 6TP
About the Oxford Canal Festival 2022
The Oxford Canal Heritage project invites you to join them for a wonderful celebration of the Oxford Canal – its attractions and colourful history on 17 September 2022.
There will be a fabulous programme of activities for all the family, and all proceeds from the 2022 Oxford Canal Festival will go towards purchasing and restoring a community narrowboat for everyone to enjoy.
What’s on at the Oxford Canal Festival
Canal walk
A one-hour Canal Heritage Walk with local historian, author and former long-term canal boat resident Mark Davies, departing at 11.00am to arrive at Aristotle Lane at about noon.
The route will include a newly refurbished railway swingbridge, a pivotal canal lock, and the culturally-rich suburb of Jericho, combining social and economic history with insights into the canal’s literary and living heritage.
There is no charge, but contributions are welcomed. Places are limited. Book here and for joining instructions.
Live music
Fantastic music from live bands and DJs from the Main Stage and Community Bar.
Delicious food & drink
A range of delicious food from across the world, plus drinks from the Community Bar and Hot Drinks from the coffee vendor.
Dog show
No previous experience is required. There will be many classes like Waggiest Tail Pup, Best Biscuit Catcher, Best Dressed Dog & Owner, Best Trick, Most Look-alike Dog & Owner, and Best In Show!
Canal Olympics
Canal-themed fun and games. Bring friends and family. Something for everyone from boaters’ arm wrestling to sack-of-coal race and Canal Tug challenge.
Canal cinema
Unique chance to view film shorts about local history and the canal, plus more.
Kids’ activities & family fun
Arts and crafts tent, children’s activities, face painting & more.
Canal traditions
Inspired by narrow boats and the nature of the canal, including design your own boat, mobile making, and some exciting street art. Canal memorabilia – and a chance to have a go yourself.
Community stalls & traders
Community stalls and a selection of local traders, including some on canal boats, will join the festival along the nearby towpath.
Spoken word tent
Talks, stories, University Challenge, poetry, and children’s shows.
Tooley’s Boatyard
Information about Tooley’s Boatyard, the oldest working dry dock on the Inland Waterways, having been in continuous use since 1778. Find out more about the open day at RYA boat school, which offers certificated RYA Helmsman Courses, boat experience days, rope workshops and hourly courses.
Good to know
The organisers want the Oxford Canal Festival to be a safe space and strongly believe that everybody has the right to enjoy the festival experience free from harassment, microaggressions, abuse or intimidation. We are committed to ensuring that it is an inclusive space for communities targeted by discrimination such as racism, sexism, transphobia, ableism and homophobia.
There is NO PARKING available a the festival, please arrive on a bike, on foot or by public transport.
Should you lose your children, or should they lose you, please see the professional Lost Kids Team. The Lost Kids Tent is next to the Medical Tent. Please report lost kids to any steward or official immediately and follow their advice – we have procedures – and they work!
Oxford Canal Festival has a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and legal highs, which is a legal requirement for licensing an event in the UK. The same laws apply within the festival site as on the outside.
