Christmas will be celebrated in style in Oxford’s Cowley Road this winter with what is thought to be the street’s first Christmas market.

The event, on Saturday, December 20, will see stalls set up off Manzil Way and shops opening late.

It is the brainchild of Oxford City Council’s east area parliament chairman Nuala Young.

She said: “It is going to be very exciting. We are providing stalls in Manzil Way and we are trying to co-ordinate the whole area to make it the destination for Christmas, where people can buy all their Christmas needs, presents, food and so on.”

Mrs Young had hoped to get a market up and running last Christmas, but ran out of time.

The market will follow the weekly farmers’ market, starting at 3pm with festivities going on until early evening.

There could also be stalls in Dawson Street, and the Restore cafe, in Manzil Way, will be open late.

Mrs Young said: “We are trying to emulate the continental Christmas markets with lots of lights and brightness and mulled wine. There will also be lots of craftspeople and I am looking to have local artists having an exhibition earlier in the day.”

SS Mary and John Church, in Cowley Road, will also be involved, with the Rev Adam Romanis hosting a stall.

Mr Romanis said: “We will be inviting people to make a Christingle, and we will have a prayer and some carols.

“It’s very simple, but something which is about the true message of Christmas.”

Mrs Young added: “I think Cowley Road is already the best place to get Christmas presents, so rather than people worrying about Christmas and fretting months ahead, we are suggesting they come on the 20th — and do it all on the Cowley Road.

“After they have finished, they have all the restaurants they could go on to afterwards to make a day of it.”

Celina Godoy, owner of Galeria Brasil, in Cowley Road, said: “I think it will be brilliant for the road.”