What’s on in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this August

Oxford is set to host the Westfield Health British Transplant Games, the flagship event of charity Transplant Sport, for the first time in 2025. Organised by Transplant Active – formerly known as Transplant Sport – this annual four-day event celebrates transplants, donors and life.

Experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Triceratops, the Giraffatitan, the Microraptor, and the Segnosaurus!

Come and see the adventure of the deliciously smelling Gingerbread Man and meet the bravest biscuit of all times. Stuff and Nonsense apply their usual brilliance with a mix of puppetry, live action, great music, humour, and a stunning staging of this well-loved classic tale.

Stuck In The 90’s is one night with one of Reggae’s most celebrated acts, Gyptian will be performing hits like ‘Hold You, Wine Slow’ and many more.

World-class pianist, Akiko Ebi, makes her debut at the Oxford Piano Festival this year. Ebi is renowned for her spell-binding interpretations, particularly of French and Japanese works.

Oxford Coffee Concerts presents music from Chopin, Fauré/Bonis, Hahn, Schumann and Beethoven, performed by Viv McLean.

Fairport Convention returns for their traditional, pre-Cropredy warm-up concerts. These popular shows not only give the audience a run through the Fairport set that will take place at their annual festival in the village of Cropredy the following Saturday, but also a sneak preview of the guests who will be joining them onstage.

Experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Triceratops, the Giraffatitan, the Microraptor, and the Segnosaurus.

Roll up, roll up! Join Circus Sensible and learn a host of classic circus skills, from juggling and stilt-walking to plate spinning, Chinese ribbons and much more. It’s the perfect chance to have fun, get active and discover your inner circus star!

Cirque – The Greatest Show has been Reimagined and is back for 2025—bigger, bolder, and more electrifying than ever. Get ready for a dazzling fusion of musical theatre and jaw-dropping circus acts, taking the original Circus meets Musical Theatre spectacle to thrilling new heights.

Florence Nightingale Presents School of Rock, an electrifying production packed with high-energy music and unforgettable performances. More than just fundraising, these shows bring the community together—uniting performers, volunteers, and audiences to create something truly special in support of local hospice care.

The Koala Who Could is an Australian Outback adventure based on the award-winning book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field. Join Kevin, King of the staying-still-kings, and his friend’s kangaroo and wombat as they learn that “life can be great when you try something new!”

Cogges Annual Beer & Cider Festival is a party in the barns where you can try over 40 different locally produced craft beers and ciders, with live music all afternoon and evening to get the crowd dancing.

Got a young musical fan at home? This lively workshop combines singing, acting and dance. Children will learn a song and dance routine, rehearse a scripted scene from a real-life musical, and perform together on the New Theatre’s main stage!

Join Spoken Word Masterclass for creative tools to write an original piece of spoken word and explore performance styles through which to share it. A celebration of individuality, life experiences, human connection, and spoken word.

Join NW Inventors drama workshop as stories are turned upside down, shaken about and re-imagined. Expect creativity, laughs, and lots of fun.

EMSP Showcase 2025 is a showcase of young musicians from across the UK, of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience. Its 2025 Showcase at The Mill celebrates five years and will feature young singers and pianists performing solos, duets, ensembles, and original compositions in Matinee and Evening performances.

Happiness is only a heartbeat away with Here & Now, the hilarious and heart-warming new musical based on the songs of the multi-million-selling pop phenomenon, Steps. Don’t miss this sparkling celebration of love and friendship produced by Steps themselves, ROYO, and pop legend Pete Waterman.

Join Comedy Club for a red-hot summer spectacular of comedy in the air-conditioned piano bar. Plenty of fun and frolics to be had.

Cowley Road Carnival provides a platform for artistic expression and a spectacular parade, embodying the true essence of masquerade. This uniquely colourful and vibrant community event will be back on the streets with plans that include the iconic Cowley Road procession, Eco Floats, Street Parties, and House Floats.

Marquee Square Heroes invites you to relive the shows that made Marillion one of the biggest bands in the world, performing the entire classic Misplaced Childhood album as well as other classics, and featuring the cream of local talent, including renowned musicians from the genre who have performed worldwide alongside members of Marillion.

Handmade Oxford at Waterperry Gardens is a celebration of contemporary craft featuring over 175 UK makers. Visitors can explore jewellery, textiles, ceramics and more, enjoy hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, artisan food and music in a relaxed festival setting.

Handmade Oxford at Waterperry Gardens is a celebration of contemporary craft featuring over 175 UK makers. Visitors can explore jewellery, textiles, ceramics and more, enjoy hands-on workshops, live demonstrations, artisan food and music in a relaxed festival setting.

Developed through research into the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments at the University of Oxford, the exhibition brings together sound, video and photography to consider what is revealed and concealed through the collection, preservation and display of musical instruments. At its centre is a new sound work created using recordings of historic instruments from the collection.

The Oxford Shakespeare Festival is back for its 16th year! This outdoor theatre experience that takes place in the castle yard of Oxford Castle & Prison will see Wild Goose Theatre, BMH Productions, Siege Theatre, and Greensleeved will be putting on marvellous performances of Shakespeare’s finest classics.

Step back into the golden age of the Great Western Railway at this 21-acre living museum, where trains from Victorian times to the 1960s bring railway history to life. Explore historic engine sheds, restored locomotives, interactive signalling displays and wartime exhibits, with the rare chance to see steam-era engineering up close in a quieter, immersive setting.

A summer celebration of vintage motoring returns to Adwell House, featuring classic vehicles, a rare Formula 1 display, live music, family activities and new interactive show elements, all set within picturesque private parkland near Thame in Oxfordshire.

Party in the Paddock returns in 2026 with two massive weekends of racing and live music at Newbury Racecourse. With world-class racing, unforgettable performances, and an electric summer atmosphere, this is a series you won’t want to miss.

Festival lineup includes: Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes / Ronan Keating / Tinie Tempah / Jessie J.

The Oxford Piano Festival was founded in 1999 by Marios Papadopoulos, renowned pianist and Music Director of the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra. Each year, the Festival welcomes piano players and pedagogues, experts and enthusiasts, to some of Oxford’s most historic venues, such as Sir Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian Theatre, the Holywell Music Room, and Christ Church Cathedral.

Our Man in Havana follows the hilarious exploits of James Wormold, a British vacuum cleaner salesman in pre-revolutionary Havana, Cuba. Jack Ashton, Bob Barrett, Leon Ockenden, and Jodie Steele play over 30 characters to bring 1950s Havana vividly to life in this wonderfully funny and fast-moving romp!

Wilderness festival is the multi-award winning 4-day festival combining live music, contemporary arts and an array of theatre, artisanship, late-night parties, outdoor pursuits and culinary experiences. It’s one festival where genres are redefined, identity is turned on its head, and arts from across the spectrum sit side by side.

Festival lineup includes: Scissor Sisters / Carl Cox / The Last Dinner Party / Sisters: curated by Annie Lennox / Soulwax / Baxter Dury / Saint Etienne / Good Neighbours / The Hot 8 Brass Band / Groove Armada (DJ Set) / Nic Fanciulli / Eats everything / Olive F / Dan Shake • Say She She / Demi Riquísimo / Delilah / Chloe Qisha / Mr Cutts and many more.

Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity proudly presents Fame packed with high-energy songs and unforgettable performances. Grab your leotards and legwarmers and be part of something amazing.

The Waterperry Opera Festival returns in 2026 from 07 to 16 August, offering a mix of full-scale operas, recitals, and open-air performances at Waterperry Gardens. The festival showcases international singers and orchestras, alongside pre-performance talks, garden tours, and family-friendly activities.

From classic favourites to contemporary works, it promises an immersive cultural experience for both opera enthusiasts and newcomers. Tickets and passes are available online and on-site, with early booking recommended for popular events.

The Fairport Cropredy Convention 2026 will be staged over the weekend of 13 to 15 August. The annual festival of folk and rock music, headed by British folk-rock band Fairport Convention is held on the edge of the village of Cropredy near Babnury in Oxfordshire.

Festival lineup:

Thursday – Fairport Acoustic / Banter / Soft Machine / Matt Bragg / Turin Brakes / Le Vent Du Nord

Friday – Cropredy Primary School Folk Class / Danny & The Champions of The World / Danny Bradley / The Celtic Social Club / Marshall Gilmour Webbs / Breabach / Spooky Men’s Chorale / Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips (plus S Nicol, D Mattacks & D Pegg)

Saturday – Gerry Colvin Big Band / Rob Jones & The Restless Dream / The Haar / Barbara / Hayseed Dixie / Will Pound & Jenn Butterworth / Fairport Convention & Friends

Fame Jr. brings young performers to the stage in a vibrant summer production celebrating talent, ambition and creativity.

NW Inventors: Comedy Workshop invites young people to develop comedy skills through movement, facial expressions and voice. Across three fun-filled mornings, participants will build confidence, explore performance techniques and showcase their talents to a supportive audience in a lively environment.

Join this actor focused workshop where your acting skills will be refined through voice, movement and script exploration, featuring classical, contemporary and self-written monologues with an opportunity to present a mock audition.

Discover the fascinating history of make-up, from the Egyptians, Ancient Greeks and Romans, to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, the bold looks of the Swinging Sixties, and everything in between! Join us in one of our traditional dressing rooms and get creative with your own theatrical designs.

Get ready for some dramatic fun! In this workshop, children will uncover the secrets behind creating realistic bruises, cuts and wounds for the stage. (You might want to double-check those injuries before reaching for the first aid kit!)

Rewind Festival South is probably the biggest 80’s music festival in the world. It is a spectacular event, packed full of fun, laughter, great (and terrible!) costumes and friends. Celebrate the best decade around with all your favourite 80s icons. Get your tickets and join the biggest party of the summer. This really is going to be one of the 2025 festivals in Oxfordshire you can’t afford to miss.

Festival lineup includes: TBC

Get ready for some dramatic fun! In this workshop, children will uncover the secrets behind creating realistic bruises, cuts and wounds for the stage. (You might want to double-check those injuries before reaching for the first aid kit!)

Discover the fascinating history of make-up, from the Egyptians, Ancient Greeks and Romans, to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties, the bold looks of the Swinging Sixties, and everything in between! Join us in one of our traditional dressing rooms and get creative with your own theatrical designs.

Our Stage Summer Drama is an exciting week-long project offering the chance to young people with disabilities, neurodivergence and additional needs to develop skills in Drama, Dance, and Design, ending with a celebratory showcase for friends and family in the Norman Bragg Studio.

For those curious about what happens behind the curtain, this workshop is a brilliant introduction to the technical side of theatre. Children will work alongside the technical team, learning the basics of lighting, rigging and sound.

Reading Festival, one of the UK’s most iconic music events, returns in 2026 with an electrifying lineup across multiple stages. Known for showcasing the best in rock, indie, hip-hop, and dance, the festival promises an unforgettable weekend of live music, vibrant energy, and festival culture. Join thousands of music lovers and make Reading Festival 2026 your highlight of the summer!

Found Festival is a micro festival blend live music, wellness, creativity, comedy and dance together for a weekend of pure joy. . Relax and let the music, dance, art & craft wash over you or jump in with both feet and experience a creative process through performances, workshops, informal gatherings and masterclasses.

Festival lineup includes: TBC

The Big Feastival will be back on Alex James’ beautiful Cotswolds farm this August Bank Holiday. This family-friendly music and food festival promises to be one truly unforgettable weekend. Expect a top-drawer selection of live music acts, some of the country’s top chefs, and plenty of hands-on activities for both big and little ones. The Big Feastival is for everyone, big and small.

Festival line-up:
Good Music – Basement Jaxx / The Streets / Bastille / Rudimental / Perrie / Mimi Webb / Doves / White Lies / Freya Ridings / The Coral / Antony Szmierek / Meek / Red Rum Club / Ms Dynamite / Nubiyan Twist / Tors / The Ordinary Boys / + Much more!

Good Food – Simon Rogan / Anna Haugh / Emily English / Rachel Allen / Poppy O’Toole / Tom Barnes / Meera Sodha / Nokx Majozi / Sally Abé / + Much more!

Good Times – Harriet Kemsley / Joel Dommett / Suzi Ruffell / Suzi Ruffell / Shappi Khorsandi / Joe and James Fact Up / Scott Bennett / The Scummy Mummies / Daniel Foxx / Justin Fletcher / Mc Grammar / Nick Cope / + Much more!

Sick of the summer holidays? Pop along to New Theatre Oxford’s piano bar for a light hearted escape, enjoy the best comedians from around the country and a big drink.

Foodies Festival Oxford is a celebration of food, drink, and live entertainment. Across the festival, visitors can watch top chefs and bakers create mouth-watering dishes, sample fine wines, cocktails, and craft beers, and enjoy immersive cookery workshops.

Complementing the culinary delights, live music fills the festival, creating a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. Whether tasting new flavours, learning kitchen skills, or dancing to the music, the festival offers a full sensory experience for all ages.

Music lineup includes: Boyzlife / Gareth Gates / B*Witched

Chef lineup includes: Radhika Howarth / Joe Wadsack / Andrew Carr / Mark Peregrine / Tom Surgey / Gary & Jay

The Rare Plant Fair at Adwell House near Thame brings together specialist nurseries and plant enthusiasts in a historic Chilterns garden setting. Visitors can explore rare and unusual plants, enjoy food stalls, and experience the estate’s celebrated walled garden and water features.

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

Modern Art Oxford is delighted to present Little Fennel’s Complaint, a major solo exhibition by Olivia Plender (b. 1977, London), exploring historic and ongoing inequalities in women’s healthcare, from early modern witchcraft to contemporary debates on reproductive rights and medical authority. Plender developed the exhibition through research with leading Oxford institutions, including the Bodleian Library, Oxford Botanic Garden and John Radcliffe Hospital.

The exhibition displays a collection of work created using foraged plants, transformed through ancient techniques such as cordage and weaving, to reflect the raw beauty and cyclical nature of the natural world, that is both ephemeral and enduring.

In Bloom: How Plants Changed Our World at the Ashmolean Museum uncovers the hidden histories behind Britain’s most beloved blooms. Explore over 100 artworks and objects that reveal how plant exploration and trade shaped landscapes, cultures, and economies – from roses and tulips to camellias and peonies.

Anna Ridler’s A Perfect Language of Images is a digital artwork created with Oxford’s Dr William Poole, exploring systems of classification through AI. Inspired by John Wilkins and Jorge Luis Borges, it reflects on how machine learning both organises and destabilises knowledge.

Developed through research into the Bate Collection of Musical Instruments at the University of Oxford, the exhibition brings together sound, video and photography to consider what is revealed and concealed through the collection, preservation and display of musical instruments. At its centre is a new sound work created using recordings of historic instruments from the collection.

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.