Christmas has arrived, and it is not long before we’ll be hearing festive music on the radio, decorating the tree, and inviting over the family.

It’s a great time of year to watch Oxford and the towns in Oxfordshire transform into picturesque Christmas havens.

There’s no better way to kick off the season than by attending a light switch-on display and, luckily, there are loads on offer in the county this year.

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From extravaganzas to markets, with performances, Santa visits, petting zoos and more, these events will give you that festive feeling.

We’ve rounded up all of the light switch-on ceremonies we could find in and around Oxfordshire for Christmas 2024.

Drink a mulled wine or hot chocolate, eat a mince pie, and enjoy the festivities at one of these seasonal events...

Oxfordshire Christmas Light Switch-on Events

Oxford Christmas Light Festival, November 15-17 
The county council's annual festival begins this Friday, with a series of festive activities, displays and trails around the city. 

There will be Santa visits in the Covered Market, a Victorian Christmas Market in the city centre, lantern parades, interactive activities and performances and loads more. 

Banbury Christmas Lights Switch-on, November 24
Outside Banbury Town Hall on Bridge Street and Banbury Market Place, 1pm-5pm.

The town council is hosting a market with gifts and crafts, food and drink, as well as musical performances and fairground rides and attractions. The annual event always proves a great hit with residents and attracts loads of visitors. 

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Kidlington Christmas Lights Switch-on, November 28
Kidlington High Street, with events all day and the light switch-on at 6pm. 

From the Kidlington Centre and Kidlington Parish Council comes a day of festive fun including school choir and brass band performances, local stallholders selling gifts and crafts, Santa's grotto, an animal petting zoo and funfair rides. 

Thame Christmas Lights Switch-on, November 29
Thame Town Council is putting on a huge Christmas event, sponsored by Lightfoots Solicitors, from 4.30pm-9pm.

Stalls selling handmade items and gifts, food and drink, as well as performances from local bands and singers, and kids activities like free rides from Thame Cars and Santa visits will precede a light-switch on ceremony. 

"Beloved" local "Sweets Man" Chris Hurdman will conduct the ceremony and turn on the displays. 

Organisers are inviting attendees to wear their best "Christmas" fancy-dress on the night, and are offering on the spot prizes for their favourite outfits. 

Witney Rotary Club Christmas Lights Switch-on, November 29
Taking place from 4pm-7pm in Witney. 

Featuring music and Christmas activities organised by the town's Rotary Club.

Abingdon Christmas Extravaganza, November 30
Abingdon is pulling out all the stops for the town's all-day Christmas extravaganza, from 9am-6.30pm. 

The festive market on Bath Street will be open all day, with crafts, charity stalls, artisan food and drink, Christmas fits and decorations, and even donkeys to meet from Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary. 

Performances will take place in the morning and afternoon across two locations, in Bath Street Performing Area and the Market Place stage. 

A midday parade around the town, starting and ending in the Market Place, will keep festive shoppers entertained. 

The main event will begin at 5pm with a performance on the stage, followed by the light switch-on ceremony from 5.45pm. 

Bicester Christmas Lights switch-on, November 30 
Bicester Town Council is bringing the festivities to Sheep Street and Market Square, with a two-day Christmas market over the weekend and special events from 4pm-7pm on Saturday, November 30. 

Christmas stage and story performances will begin in the afternoon, with the lights switch-on scheduled for 6pm, followed by carols and music in Market Square to conclude the evening. 

Wantage Dickensian Evening, December 1
An annual community event organised by local volunteers and supported by the Town Council and local sponsors, Wantage's Dickensian Evening takes place on the first Friday of every December, this year from 6pm-9pm. 

Attendees are invited to wear Victorian outfits and enjoy a huge array of activities, entertainment and shopping.

The evening will feature carols and a band, reindeers and donkeys, stilt-walkers, a funfair, Christmas stalls and more. 

The Market Place and the road leading to it will be closed from midday on December 1, to allow the festive evening to be set up. 

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