What’s on in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this October
Hello and welcome to your invaluable guide to what’s on in Oxford and across Oxfordshire this October.
September has given us some spectacular sunny spells, and we hope you made the best of it with brunch (or dinner) at one of Oxfordshire’s finest restaurants with outdoor seating.
Now that the nights are getting darker, and everything is taking on the sickly sweet taste of pumpkin spice, what lies ahead for October? Well, your guess is as good as ours. But we have a feeling brollies and wellies will come in handy.
And aside from resisting the urge to turn on that exorbitantly expensive central heating, what we can say for sure is that there’s plenty to do in Oxford and across shire this month.
It’s also worth pointing out that half term will be upon us from 21 October, culminating in Halloween on Monday, 31 October. We’re scouring the length and breadth of Oxfordshire to put together a list of the best October half-term and Halloween activities we can find. Have a look at our suggestions and get planning.
As always, be sure to visit our “What’s on section”, where you’ll find more events in Oxford and across Oxfordshire, as well as a limited number of unmissable events beyond the county that would make for a great day out.
Got an event that should be on the list? List your event on The Oxford Magazine and reach an engaged audience of people who live, work or place in Oxfordshire.
Henley Literary Festival 2022
When: 01 October to 09 October
Where: Henley-on-Thames Town Centre
Founded in 2007, the Henley Literary Festival has firmly established itself as one of the UK’s most popular literary festivals, bringing together punters and pundits from far and wide in an annual meeting-of-minds set across its stunning riverside hometown.
Didcot Concert Orchestra – Concert 9
When: 02 October
Where: Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot
Didcot Concert Orchestra’s ninth concert opens with the Prelude to Wagner’s opera Parsifal – a superb demonstration of the composer’s gift for melody and rich harmony. Highlights from Tchaikovsky’s immortal ballet Sleeping Beauty abound, with tunes you’ll go home humming.
The Official RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series Three Tour
When: 03 October
Where: New Theatre Oxford
Oxford, prepare yourself! Drag Royalty will sashay across the UK this autumn for the Series Three Tour of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Expect a night of endless extravaganza as all 12 queens from Series Three of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK twerk their way across the country.
Derren Brown: Showman
When: 04 to 08 October
Where: New Theatre Oxford
Derren Brown returns to the stage with his brand-new live show. The multi-award-winning master of mind control and psychological illusion, Derren Brown, is at his very best on stage. His one-man shows have received wide critical acclaim and more Olivier wins and nominations than any other in history.
IF Oxford 2022
When: 06 to 29 October
Where: Venues across Oxford City Centre
IF Oxford returns in 2022 with in-real-life science and ideas festival, and, as always, there’s something for everyone, with activities for young children and families and sessions for teenagers and adults to enjoy alone or as a group in venues across Oxford. It is very much a festival with a wide public appeal.
Bicester Heritage October Scamble
When: 09 October
Where: Bicester Heritage
Explore the historic motoring hub and take a glimpse behind the doors of 47 industry-leading specialists, allowing behind-the-scenes access to their showrooms and workshops – a guaranteed fun day out for the whole family. The Scramblers membership club will be present in full force, promising a range of curated delights.
FastLove – A Tribute to George Michael
When: 09 October
Where: New Theatre Oxford
Fastlove is the world’s favourite celebration of the late George Michael from London’s West End. Expect all the hits from Wham right through his glittering solo career, including Wake Me Up, Too Funky, Father Figure, Freedom 90, Faith, Knew You Were Waiting, Careless Whisper and many more.
Abingdon Michaelmas Fair 2022
When: 10 & 11 October
Where: Abingdon Town Centre
The Abingdon Michaelmas Fair takes place annually on the Monday and Tuesday falling first before the 11 October from noon to 11.00pm on both days. It is the longest street fair in Europe, running from Market Place, through the High Street, The Square and the entire length of Ock Street.
Saturday Night Fever
When: 11 October to 15 October
Where: New Theatre Oxford
Featuring the best selling Bee Gees soundtrack live on stage, Saturday Night Fever tells the story of Tony Manero, who escapes the harsh realities of working-class Brooklyn life when he embarks on a reckless, yet thrilling road to dancing success, spectacularly reimagined in a big new music and dance extravaganza.
Justin Moorhouse: Stretch & Think
When: 13 October
Where: Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot
Justin is back: still funny, yet middle-aged. This is a brand new show that may contain: Yoga, getting older, Madonna, shoplifters, Labradoodles, middle-aged cyclists, the odd advantages of fundamental religions, the gym, shop door etiquette, and more!
Oxford Lieder Festival 2022
When: 14 to 29 October
Where: Venues across Oxford city
Over two weeks in October, Oxford Lieder welcomes many of the world’s great singers and pianists to Oxford, and this “extravaganza of song” is now well established as one of the leading festivals of its kind in the world.
Oxford Half Marathon 2022
When: 16 October
Where: Oxford City Centre
The Oxford Half Marathon 2022 is a flat and fast 13.1-mile route through the winding streets of historic Oxford. The route begins at the iconic Broad Street in the city centre and passes through Old Marston village, the River Cherwell, Oxford University’s impressive Lady Margaret Hall, before finally finishing on Parks Road.
Public Service Broadcasting
When: 16 October
Where: New Theatre Oxford
Combining music, spoken word, and visuals, London-based Public Service Broadcasting play upbeat post-rock, which sources most of its vocals from public service announcements, documentaries, and other archival material, with a mission to “teach the lessons of the past through the music of the future”
Banbury Michaelmas Fair 2022
When: 19 to 21 October
Where: Banbury Market Place
The Banbury Michaelmas fair has been a fixture of the life of the town for hundreds of years. The fair was a hiring fair during what used to be known as the Mop Fair, when local tradesmen, craftsmen, labourers, farmers and servants came into town to look for new employment.
Boyzlife
When: 19 October
Where: New Theatre Oxford
Two of the world’s biggest bands, Boyzone and Westlife, come together for the very first time featuring Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy, and this specially adapted theatre production will include many of their greatest hits.
Adam Kay – This is Going to Hurt… More
When: 21 October
Where: New Theatre Oxford
Adam Kay is an award-winning writer and comedian. His debut book, “This is Going to Hurt”, is a literary sensation: a Sunday Times number one bestseller for over a year. His live tour of “This is Going to Hurt” was one of the most-attended UK shows of recent years, seen by over 250,000 people and described by The Guardian as “electrifying”.
The Proclaimers
When: 22 October
Where: New Theatre Oxford
It has been 32 years since Scottish twins Craig & Charlie Reid, also known as The Proclaimers, emerged. And since then, their enduring appeal across generations has carved a niche for themselves where pop, folk, new wave, and punk collide.
Wantage Literary Festival 2022
When: 24 October to 05 November
Where: The Beacon, Wantage
Celebrating ‘all things literary’ – with talks, workshops, themed evenings and family-friendly shows – the Wantage Literary Festival is dedicated to promoting the love of literature in all its forms to everyone in Wantage, Oxfordshire and beyond.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Living Dangerously
When: 24 October
Where: New Theatre Oxford
Sir Ranulph Fiennes has been named ‘the world’s greatest living explorer’ by the Guinness Book of Records. Both light-hearted and strikingly poignant, join Sir Ranulph at New Theatre Oxford as he shares his personal journey through life, from his early years to the present day.
Steeleye Span 50th Anniversary Tour
When: 24 October
Where: New Theatre Oxford
Sir Ranulph Fiennes has been named ‘the world’s greatest living explorer’ by the Guinness Book of Records. Both light-hearted and strikingly poignant, join Sir Ranulph at New Theatre Oxford as he shares his personal journey through life, from his early years to the present day.
Will Young
When: 26 October
Where: New Theatre Oxford
A huge UK tour, kicking off this October as UK pop icon Will Young releases his brand new single ‘All The Songs’, the first track to be heard from his long-awaited seventh album Lexicon. Will Young has spent the last two decades at the forefront of pop after bursting onto the scene in 2002 as the original winner of Pop Idol.
Sofie Hagen: Fat Jokes
When: 27 October
Where: Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot
Edinburgh comedy award winner Sofie Hagen presents; Fat Jokes. a show bursting with big jokes, fat punchlines and and unforgettable moments that you can laugh at without feeling like sh*t. Come as you are and enjoy an actual fat person at the top of her game.
10cc at New Theatre Oxford
When: 27 October
Where: New Theatre Oxford
10cc have announced a new UK tour for 2022, where they will celebrate the hits which have seen them recognised as one of the most inventive and influential bands in popular music. Led by co-founder Graham Gouldman, 10cc is heralded in equal measure for its ability to craft ingenious songs that also resonated commercially.
