A university town, Oxford is one of the most famous and recognized academic cities in the world. Its prestigious university stands toe-to-toe with the iconic Cambridge University when it comes to academic excellence in England. This beautiful town, however, has more than just a bubbling student atmosphere to offer. The region has plenty of other tourist attractions to make for an exciting place to visit. It boasts of numerous gorgeous gardens, world-class museums, courtyards, and great shopping centers for you to visit, explore, and admire. Oxford’s several attractions, combined with its unique culture and friendly people, give you a beautiful ambiance to experience. As such, during the festive period, the town gets even more exciting and comes alive with fairs, concerts, and remarkable Christmas fairs. So if you are visiting, it’s best to book the best hotels near Oxford Railway Station for easy access to transportation during the holidays; but if you’re going to be bringing your own car, you can choose from these hotels with parking. Here are the top Christmas markets in and near Oxford, UK, that you should check out.
Winter in Oxford
Oxford has cold and somewhat humid winters, and between December and February, there might be about 8 days of snow or rain. However, it’s quite the sight to see the university town snowed in, and I think it might just look straight out of a fairytale!
Places to go on a winter walk
Port Meadow: Situated by the shores of the Thames, this park will transform into a veritable winter wonderland when it snows!
Oxford Covered Market: Want to get out of the snow but still be surrounded by Christmas cheer? This place will serve you best! Seasonal goods will be available here if you want to shop, or head into one of the eateries for some hot food.
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Christmas traditions in the UK
Christmas is a big deal in the UK and has similar traditions like most other Anglophone nations, such as illuminating cities with Christmas lights and, of course, the Christmas tree. There are a few unique traditions as well:
According to Great Britain’s official tourism board, London’s main Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square is traditionally gifted by the city of Oslo, Norway, in thanks for British support in WW2.
Christmas jumpers are iconic to the UK’s festival season, and I’m pretty sure they’ll make for great souvenirs! According to the BBC, they’ve become quite normalized as part of the festive season nowadays, a far reach from its earlier gaudy connotations. I’d love to get one of these fun jumpers!
If it’s your first time at a Christmas market, make sure to check out our comprehensive guide on the topic.
Christmas markets in and near Oxford
1. Oxford Botanic Garden Christmas Fair
With cheap entry for children under the age of 16, Oxford Botanic Garden Christmas Fair is one you shouldn’t miss in town. Brimming with all the sounds, smells, and sights of the Christmas season, this fair also features a display of the incredible handiwork of several talented artisans. See woodwork, knitted clothing items, handmade accessories, beautiful wreaths, glass art, paintings, and so much more. If you want to buy a unique gift, I’m sure you’ll find it here.
You don’t have to worry about getting hungry here as there are several stalls offering delicious local goodies! There will be special activities for the kids as well!
Oxford Botanic Garden Christmas Fair
Address: Rose Ln, Oxford OX1 4AZ, United Kingdom
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the event’s official website
Website: Oxford Botanic Garden Christmas Fair
Market highlights: Local handicrafts, Christmas decorations, food and drinks, special activities for children
2. Banbury Christmas Lights Switch On & Festive Market
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The holiday season is kicked off with aplomb at the Banbury Christmas Light Switch-On festivities. This yearly event is very family-friendly as there is something for everyone, be it adults or children. The Christmas Light Switch-On ceremony is held at the town’s center and offers visitors several exciting attractions to enjoy. I’d bring my camera if I were you because the festival is very photogenic!
The event organizes live stage music and dance performances, brightly lit stalls selling beautiful gifts, and an exciting fairground. There’s also an amazing Victorian Christmas Market organized in Banbury Market Place!
Banbury Christmas Lights Switch On & Festive Market
Address: Banbury Town Centre, Mill Ln, Banbury OX16 5, United Kingdom
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website of Banbury
Website: Banbury Christmas Lights Switch On & Festive Market
Market highlights: Victorian-themed Christmas market, music performances, dances, fairground attractions
3. Abingdon Christmas Extravaganza and Bath Street Christmas Market
We would like to thank Amanda Alder Dance Academy for their continued support. Members of their academy will be performing for you on the Market Place & also joining the parade.
Posted by Abingdon Community Christmas Extravaganza on Monday, October 14, 2024
This was a great sight yesterday evening, what a great finale to a fantastic (but cold) Extravaganza.
Posted by Abingdon Community Christmas Extravaganza on Sunday, December 3, 2023
Abingdon Christmas Extravaganza is one of the most popular Christmas events in Oxfordshire. It starts with an exciting marching band parade around the city center led by Santa, which I’m pretty sure the kids will love to see. A true extravaganza, this event features a variety of unusual activities to get involved in.
With a lot of different stalls offering a wide range of Christmas products at Bath Street Christmas Market, food stands, street shows, live performances, and so much more, this event is the best place to pump up your holiday spirit and get that unique Christmas gift. To top it all off, this extravaganza ends with the Lights-Switch-On Ceremony!
Abingdon Christmas Extravaganza
Address: Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14, United Kingdom
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the event’s official website
Website: Abingdon Christmas Extravaganza
4. Henley Christmas Festival
Experience the feel of a peaceful and magical holiday at Henley Christmas Festival, one of the best Christmas markets in Oxfordshire. This small and beautiful market is located in the heart of the town and offers visitors a delightful place to shop for yuletide wares.
Here, you can enjoy shopping while carols are sung around a giant Christmas tree, and watch as the dazzling lights are switched on. Live music performances will be organized on the main stage in the evening. I think this makes it a great festival to check out with friends.
The festival features vendors that sell handmade crafts, gifts, and several other items. If you are visiting with kids, make sure you don’t miss Santa’s grotto.
Henley Christmas Festival
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the event’s official website
Website: Henley Christmas Festival
5. The Christmas Market at Blenheim Palace
With only 3 days left of our Christmas Market, don't miss out on picking up the perfect presents and fabulous food and...
Posted by Blenheim Palace on Thursday, 13 December 2018
Escape all the hustle and bustle of the street and step into a luxurious seasonal market in the magnificent Blenheim Palace. This annual bazaar is held in the palace’s great court and hosts a lineup of superb attractions for you to experience. Featuring traditional wooden chalets displaying a variety of selected Christmas gifts, unique crafts, handmade designs, locally and internationally made Christmas products, home decorations, toys, jewelry, ceramics, stationery, bags, clothes, and so much more, this place offers something for everyone.
The festive atmosphere here is complete with delicious food and great drinks available everywhere you turn. Besides the market, Blenheim Palace organizes many more fun things to do, including a Neverland-themed Afternoon Tea ceremony, a special ice rink, and beautiful Christmas lights,
The Christmas Market at Blenheim Palace
Address: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock OX20 1PP, United Kingdom
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website
Website: Christmas at Blenheim Palace
Market highlights: Unique crafts, jewelry, toys, ceramics, bags, locally and internationally made Christmas products
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“Really great to visit for the annual Christmas Market. Plenty of good stalls with really unique homemade/handmade goods and liquor. Food stalls here are also great! Remember to book for parking and illuminate path if you want to visit. Market itself can enter freely.” - by Google reviewer, Martin C
6. Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
The Christmas market at Winchester Cathedral is one of the most famous holiday markets in Europe. With the cathedral as your backdrop, it’s hard not to feel extra joyful this Christmas with the support of the entire community. Shops specializing in arts and crafts, accessories and clothing, home decors, and other festive items are only a few of your options when you visit the chalets. Sustainable goods and handicrafts are also available here. I’m sure this place will be heavenly if you’re a shopaholic! You can practice the gift of giving this Christmas by visiting the stalls set up by charities too.
Of course, there’s no worry about being famished during your last-minute shopping, because food trucks and fun stalls are at your disposal at Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market!
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Address: Winchester Cathedral, 9 The Close, Winchester SO23 9LS, United Kingdom
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website
Website: Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
Market highlights: Lots of different stalls, leatherworks, paintings, shortbread, jewelry, decorations
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“Christmas Market and cathedral visit in Winchester was lovely. Worth the visit. Mulled wine, lots of Home made crafts, wines, beers, cheeses, street food and buskers to name a few stalls.” - by Google reviewer, Freda Hall
7. November Christmas Market at Waterperry
It’s the Waterperry Christmas Market today, Sun 4 Dec from 10am – our lovely stallholders are all set up in the warm and...
Posted by Waterperry Gardens on Sunday, December 4, 2022
Get into the Christmas spirit at the beautiful Waterperry Gardens located in a quiet part of the city. Waterperry Gardens hosts a remarkable yuletide market every year to usher in the festive season. It boasts many stalls displaying arts and crafts products for sale, gorgeous handmade gift ideas, and festive food and drinks for all the visitors in this market.
There is a gallery for you to check out, and you can even buy a personal Waterperry-grown Christmas tree too. This fair is truly a great place to enjoy all the festivities the season brings.
November Christmas Market at Waterperry
Address: Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry, Oxford OX33 1LA, United Kingdom
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website
Website: November Christmas Market at Waterperry
Market highlights: Arts and crafts products, festive food and drink
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“Great Christmas shop, live reindeer and a reindeer trail for the little ones. Great food in the restaurant too” - by Teresa Bull
8. Waddesdon Christmas Fair
We're welcoming a whole host of brand new exhibitors to our Christmas Fair today for weeks three and four. Come and...
Posted by Waddesdon Manor on Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Featuring a huge Christmas tree, this fair offers you a relaxing place to enjoy the holidays in authentic UK style. The spectacular festival is held in front of a majestic manor and is home to several amazing wooden stalls. Walk around the market surrounded by twinkling lights. and take in all the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas here.
The stalls offer the very best handcrafted gifts, decorations, and artworks for you to buy, and there are several festive food stands too. With very affordable products on sale and friendly stall owners, this fair is a fun yet relaxed place to enjoy shopping.
Waddesdon Christmas Fair
Address: Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon, Aylesbury HP18 0JH, United Kingdom
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website
Website: Waddesdon Christmas Fair
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“Really glorious place to visit for Christmas, lots of stalls of home made toys. Decorations, sweets, cakes, pictures and wine/gin/rum and whiskey makers. Lovely to see all the lights and the house view inside is wonderful. Make sure you bring lots of money as you will be enticed, tempted and casually buy.” - by Google reviewer, Crazy J C
9. Cogges Christmas Market
Cogges Christmas Market is one of the most exciting annual holiday events in the city. The event is organized at Cogges Manor Farm, which converts its wheat and barley barns into a festive space with stalls offering a variety of exceptional gift items, decorations, and crafts for you to purchase. The items on offer range from handmade products to clothes, wooden crafts, garlands, gift hampers, etc. You can also get ceramics, sparkling wine, mince pies, and even Christmas trees!
You will also find a lot of homemade meal options and drinks to keep you satisfied. If you are with kids, Father Christmas is on hand to entertain them too. Tickets are available for 3 GBP (3.91 USD), with children allowed entry for a 1 GBP (1.30 USD) fee. Children under 3 can enter for free!
Cogges Christmas Market
Address: Cogges Manor Farm, Church Ln, Witney OX28 3LA, United Kingdom
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website
Website: Cogges Christmas Market
Market highlights: Cogges Craft Stall, mulled wine, mince pies, barbecue areas, Christmas trees and wreaths for sales
What guests are saying about their Christmas market experience:
“Attended the Christmas Market. Held in the two hay barns it was most atmospheric. Some really skillful craftsmanship on show, each one happy to discuss their items with some taking great delight in sharing their trade skill with my very inquisitive daughter.” - by Google reviewer, Carol Goodman
10. Carterton Christmas Lights Switch On/Lantern Parade
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Carterton comes alive every year with its Christmas Street Fair and Lights Switch-On event. This fantastic occasion starts with a beautiful lantern parade from the Community College to the venue of the main event, Market Square.
The Christmas market offers visitors and the town’s locals a series of stalls that include charity stands, Santa’s grotto, small shows and performances, and several other things to do. The church in the heart of the market offers hot food and drinks as well as exciting children’s activities.
Carterton Christmas Lights Switch On/Lantern Parade
Address: Market Square, Alvescot Road, Carterton, OX18 3JL
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website
11. Didcot Festive Market
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Broadway Street in Didcot offers you a beautiful place to enjoy an entertaining evening of Christmas shopping and festivities. It hosts an annual festive market where locals and visitors in town can spend quality time. In 2023, the market organized a Santa’s grotto (where you can meet Santa!). Stalls for glitter face art, face painting, and balloon modeling were also provided.
The stalls here are occupied by traders, churches, schools, local businesses, and even charity organizations, and they are well-decorated with colorful lights and offer great gift ideas and other items. Food and drink will also be available. Make sure to check out the official website for updated details on the market!
Didcot Festive Market
Address: Broadway & Orchard Centre, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 7JN, United Kingdom
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website for events in Didcot
Website: Didcot Festive Market
Market highlights: Santa’s grotto, festive items on sale, food and drink, face painting, glitter art, balloon modeling
12. Woodstock Festive Fayre
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Bringing life to the community during the holidays is Woodstock Festive Fayre. Carefully crafted products from the rest of Oxfordshire county are brought to this festive market, providing a unique shopping experience to locals and visitors. The fair is held across three venues: St Mary Magdalene Church, The Oxfordshire Museum, and The Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.
When you find yourself on this side of Oxfordshire, check out the Original Woodstock Market near the historic Holt Hotel.
Woodstock Festive Fayre
Dates: For updated dates and hours, please visit the official website
Website: Woodstock Festive Fayre
13. Oxford's Christmas Celebrations on Broad Street
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Oxford Christmas Market was hailed as one of the best spots for holiday shopping in the university town. Usually set up in the heart of the historic Broad Street, it was a place filled with all the festive sounds and sights of the season. Unfortunately, the usual organizer has stepped away from the event, and the Christmas Market is indefinitely canceled as of 2023.
But worry not! The Oxford City Council is attempting to bring back the event with new organizers. Though we don’t have the exact details of the revamped event, Christmas illuminations have been confirmed, and Broad Street is sure to be lit up with the holiday spirit. Though the new program will move away from the market model, there are plans to integrate lots of things to do for all kinds of visitors and locals!
Oxford's Christmas Celebrations on Broad Street
Address: Broad St, Oxford City Centre, Oxfordshire OX1 3AS, United Kingdom
14. The Akeley Wood School German Christmas Market
Update: As of 2024, this event is no longer organized.
The tradition of Christmas markets is believed to have originated in Germany, and this market brings all the traditional style back to you. Feel the magic of the season as you and your family stroll along the extended shopping village converted into an amazing bazaar.
Akeley Wood School German Christmas Market offers you classic German refreshments, a chance to witness a live band performance, exciting rides to go on and elf tractor rides for the kids, a grand raffle draw, and so much more.
The Akeley Wood School German Christmas Market
Address: Akeley Wood Junior School and Nursery, Wicken Park Rd, Milton Keynes MK19 6DA, United Kingdom
15. The Henley NSPCC Christmas Fair
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Update: As of 2024, this event is no longer organized.
Oxford is home to several unique Christmas markets and fairs, and The Henley NSPCC Christmas Fair is one of the most special ones. It is located on Phyllis Court and welcomes all members of the society.
This market is run by the NSPCC Henley Charity Organization and offers a unique atmosphere to shop and be merry. With a wide range of selected products on display, it is an excellent place for you and your friends or family to shop for holiday supplies.
The Henley NSPCC Christmas Fair
Address: Phyllis Court Club, Phyllis Court Drive, Henley-on-Thames RG9 2HT, United Kingdom
Website: The Henley NSPCC Christmas Fair
Get your Christmas festivities off to a beautiful start in Oxford
Oxford is a college town filled with great places to explore and things to do. However, during the Christmas season, the city combines its vibrant student atmosphere with its rich culture and transforms into a magical home of festivities. Experience Oxford at Christmas by visiting these markets, and get your holiday festivities off to a beautiful start.
Make more time to check out each market by staying for a few nights in one of the countryside hotels near Oxford.
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