Oxford’s annual festival celebrating the city and its cultural life will be returning in November. Glorious illuminations in hubs around Oxford’s communities, activities created with and by residents, families and schools and events to enjoy together across the city will fill a weekend of fun from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th November.

Does Oxford have a Christmas lights switch on event?

Oxford doesn’t have a big city centre Christmas lights switch on event and instead has a weekend light festival with light trails and entertainment across the city in multiple locations.

There’s a large programme of Christmas light events right across Oxford and you can find all the Christmas Light switch ons in Oxfordshire too.

Florence Park Finding the Light Flo Fest  – 17th & 18th November

Team Flo Fest lights up the trees all over Florence Park in East Oxford with ‘Finding the Light’ transforming it into a spectacular space space filled with light sculptures, lanterns and lasers.  There is a lantern parade too on the Friday night a DJ laser show on the Saturday.

Museum Late Festive Lights – Friday 17th November

Come along and experience the Museum of Oxford galleries by night. Dig into our local history in our interactive galleries lit by festive lights. Galleries and shop open 5.30-8.30 pm, drop in any time.

Rose Hill Christmas Lights & Lanter Parade – Saturday 18h November

A magical mix of lanterns, lights and festive cheer. Have a go at some free craft and digital workshops – special effects, animation, music, lantern making, willow headdress and more.

Cuttleslowe Park Light Trail – Saturday 18th November

The Cutteslowe Light Trail is a self-led adventure in Cutteslowe Park, where you can admire a magical lantern display, watch a shadow theatre performance, listen to music, get crafty, dance in the sensory baby disco, take a selfie with a giant Santa and take part in Zumba in the dark.

Lanterns & Lasers Free Drop In Crafts – 18th November

Join in a multi-mini craft spectacular and get involved with some brilliantly creative, messy, fun, sparkly crafts. Lots of crafts to make including lanterns, light owls and torchlight illusions. Suitable for ages 4-8.

Save The North Star at the Oxford Covered Market 18th & 19th November

Join WhatNot Theatre for ‘Save the North Star’, an interactive walking tour for all the family as part of the Christmas Light Festival. Led by Mother Christmas & her Woodland Elf, expect festive frivolity, magic and high jinx as we hunt amongst the nooks and crannies of the covered market to rescue the fallen light of the North Star in time for the eve of Christmas.