TONIGHT will see the climax of a year of celebrations marking Oxfordshire's 1,000th anniversary.

A huge range of events will be held across Oxfordshire for Winter Light - a series of colourful finales.

And Cath Nightingale, of co-ordinators Oxford Inspires, said the events in Oxford - themed White Night - promised to be spectacular. She said: "All these events have some element of fire and light, which picks up on one of the themes of the year. It is about turning the spotlight on Oxfordshire."

Throughout the evening, the city's galleries, theatres, museums and open spaces will be open late to host a series of specially-themed events. These include a Tudor-themed night at the Museum of Oxford, a ghost festival and ice sculptures at Oxford Castle, and an arts fair at Gloucester Green.

Ms Nightingale said: "It's going to be very varied, with lots and lots of things happening with a festive element. People's favourite places to visit will be letting the public in much later than they would normally."

A map and a guide outlining all the participating venues will be available - and if visitors get them stamped by three different places, they receive a free drink or small gift.

Among the most dramatic events on offer will be Symphonie Conique, a forest of giant colour-changing illuminated cones set up in Broad Street, which respond to people around them by emitting different sounds.

Two of the city's museums, The Pitt Rivers and Natural History musuems, will be open for exploration by torchlight, while at the Museum of the History of Science, live 'slam' poetry performances will be on offer.

Ms Nightingale said: "The year has been designed to turn the spotlight on Oxfordshire's culture and creativity and I think it really has done that.

"What has been so great is we have had a number of events which have never happened before. It has been a year to launch festivals that we hope will carry on for years to come and also celebrate the huge range of festivals that we have."

She added: "The whole county has taken part in celebrating 1,000 years and we are thrilled that people have done so."

Oxfordshire's millennium celebrations started in March with Luminox, a spectacular light and fire display in Broad Street, Oxford.

The county has hosted 70 festivals, including the nation's first children's food festival.

Some of the highlights of this evening are: ice sculptures at Oxford Castle (4-7pm); Christmas festivities and music at the Ashmolean Museum (5-8pm); Tudor Christmas at the Museum of Oxford (5.30-9pm); Symphonie Conique in Broad Street (6-11pm); Ghostfest at Oxford Castle (6.30pm-1.30am); and Nightfair Before Christmas at Gloucester Green (7-11pm).