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. Take 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 website and reach an engaged audience of people who live, work or place in Oxfordshire.
Do you remember me… is a major new exhibition at Waddesdon, showcasing never before seen works by Catherine Goodman. Displayed in the Coach House Gallery and the Drawings Room of the Manor, the exhibition focuses on a new body of work, including a selection of her new paintings, drawings, collages and works on paper which capture the landscape of Corfu and its rugged, vibrant beauty.
Opening this summer, Wedding Cake is a 12-metre-tall ceramic sculptural pavilion in the form of a three-tiered cake. This major new Rothschild Foundation commission from celebrated Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos will stand within a grove of trees at Waddesdon beside the 19th-century Dairy.
The Oxford Half Marathon is a flat and fast 13.1-mile race through historic Oxford. The route begins at Oxford’s 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.
Discover more: Running events in Oxfordshire
The night out of the year that you need more than ever is back! Get ready to get Lost In Music. Relive some of the greatest songs of all time from artists such as Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sister Sledge and Chic. This show boasts a sensational live band, an incredibly talented cast and stunning vocals.
Discover more: Concerts & Gigs
Billed as the UK’s biggest family-friendly Halloween-themed low-noise firework event, Henley Spooktacular Bonfire & Fireworks is a spectacular spooky night of spine tingling fireworks and thrilling entertainment for the whole family. Dress up and come and enjoy a fairground, hot food and drink, bonfire, light show and fireworks.
Boundary Encounters is a summer show of residencies, projects and live events at Modern Art Oxford, including new work from artists Valerie Asiimwe Amani, Julie Freeman and Harold Offeh. The exhibition features an interactive display of projects and events collaboratively selected from Modern Art Oxford’s archives, celebrating social learning experiences with creative communities living in Oxfordshire and beyond.
Discover more: Modern Art Oxford
Following its critically-acclaimed sold-out season at The London Palladium, the multi-award-winning Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I is coming to New Theatre Oxford as part of its 2023 UK tour. Winner of 4 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Revival, The King and I has been thrilling theatre audiences for decades.