Brilliant things to do in and around Oxford this weekend (18 to 20 September)

Playhouse Youth Theatre offers young people aged 12 to 16 the chance to collaborate on an exciting year-long theatre project. Working alongside Youth Theatre leaders Lucy Findlay and Caitlin Kirby, participants will devise an original production while developing performance skills, creativity and confidence. The project will culminate in a full-length performance at the Burton Taylor Studio in July 2027.

Just Radiohead deliver an authentic tribute to one of Britain’s most influential bands, performing songs from the raw energy of Pablo Honey through to the atmospheric brilliance of A Moon Shaped Pool. Capturing every era with precision and passion, the band recreates the unmistakable sound and spirit of Radiohead live on stage.

Fin Taylor, the King of the Internet Jungle, is back with his Pre-emptive Comeback Special live, delivering sharp, fearless stand-up on his biggest tour yet.

The UK and Ireland’s biggest daytime party. Full of people ready to party to the best feel-good music, personally curated by Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers, the gang behind Day Fever guarantees it will be an afternoon of no-holds-barred fun times and dancing.

As It Is return with their self-titled album, the first body of work written and recorded together as a full band in eight years, bringing melodic pop-punk, emo-leaning rock, old favourites and new songs to the stage.

Jah Makin it Happen brings live reggae music, comedy and dance while capturing the journey of a Jamaican family navigating migration, identity and belonging in Britain.

Experience the electrifying reunion of Formula One’s most captivating driver partnership, as former team-mates, fierce rivals and companions David Coulthard and Mika Häkkinen are back on the road for a live evening of stories, insight and humour.

Fishies, the home of Wednesday night, is back for Fishies Saturday Special Ft BIG JOHN on Saturday 19 September 2026.

High-energy blues-rock powerhouse King King bring their award-winning sound to the stage, delivering standout musicianship. Expect standout musicianship, feel-good energy and a set packed with fan favourites.

In Canary, acclaimed comedian Stuart Goldsmith takes on the climate crisis with intelligence, honesty and humour. Blending expert stand-up with thoughtful reflection, the show explores environmental concerns, modern anxieties and the search for hope amid an uncertain future.

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

Join Family-Friendly Sundays for free sessions including nature-themed activities, creative crafts, family-friendly trails and more, all provided by the museum’s volunteers.

Science Oxford Centre Family Days offer hands-on science experiences for all ages, with interactive indoor exhibits, outdoor nature exploration, and sensory-friendly sessions designed to support accessibility and inclusion.

Pets & their People draws on depictions of pets in stories, imagery and poetry in the Bodleian’s collection – from one of the earliest recorded depictions of an assistance dog for the blind to a rare copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland that has never been displayed in the UK before.

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.

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.